It looks like the outer bubble lens is just a cheap piece of plastic not integral to the actual lights that are recessed behind it. However, Looking on line, I can't find that particular part for sale; i.e. the plastic outer headlight lens. Is it possible to replace only this part, or do I have to buy the complete (expensive) headlight assembly?

 

whole thing is my understanding

not unique to MINI .... most come this way today

 

I'm not sure, but I think I have xenon. How do you tell?
Plus, I've got the Headlight washers. What I understand is that it is 600 bucks for this part. All I need is the 3 bucks worth of clear plastic that covers it. How infuriating is that!!!!

 

if you have washers

you have x's

 

What is wrong with the plastic? If it is clouded you can buff them out to look like new with some PlasticX and a high speed buffer.

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G12310

 

My son crashed into the back of my truck. Broke the lens, and did no other damage. (I know about polishing the foggy lenses, I did it using a 3M kit and it worked perfectly).
I never even knew I had washers until I started reading about them today.
So I have xenons huh? That's supposed to be a good thing? a 600 dollar headlight!! Crap. I'll take halogen any day, and not have to worry about that. Is it possible to switch to halogen? I could buy halogens for both sides for less than half the price of xenon on one side. Sheesh.

 

a quick look at the wiring diagrams says this is possible as the wires from the GCU to the hal's are the same as those going to the x's; two wires per unit. You'd also need to remove the wiring for the washers.

What I don't know is if there is a programming difference that would cause a GCU fault if the x units are not there when it tries to send signals for activating the washers etc . . .

 

Honestly, the light output from properly aimed Xenons is so much more worth it than to convert everything in reverse and get poor night time visibility.

Safety > paper

Alternatively: buy a housing from a JY that has a good lens but with something else wrong and swap the lenses. However this is fairly labor intensive and can fail if not done with enough care.

 

If you find a replacement on eBay or salvage yard, just swap the housing or even the entire headlight. Don't bother to swap the lens, which would involve baking and opening up the headlight like people do for the Joey mod (painting the inside). Make sure you get one that matches your year ('02-'04 xenon is different from '05+).

My '06 is the first car I've owned with xenons. I don't actually need brighter than halogen because much of my driving is on well lit urban streets. Even so, I really appreciate the extra brightness (a significant difference) and it would be hard for me to go back to halogens.

 

Thanks for everyones input. Do you think I could buy some cheap lights like these and take the lens off them to use on my assembly?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-05...Q5fAccessories

 

Here's an option: this is supposed to be a non-xenon light that has the washer. i didn't think this was even possible, but maybe that was an option in Britain? How could I make this work? Take off the lens and put it on my xenon housing, or is there a way to use the whole housing of this unit and transfer my guts to it?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

 

That's a pre-facelift ('02-'04) Xenon lamp. The earlier ones didn't have a projector up top but instead a reflector system.

Regarding the second link you posted.

 

Also keep in mind for UK spec cars, the are on the other side of the road, so the pattern will spread the light to the left of the car into drivers eyes, not the right.

 

Interesting. Is the pattern adjustable? In the US, the right hand light is on the edge of the road, and in the UK, the right hand light is in the center of the road, so which way does the light pattern point? Would it be to the left in both cases?

Now that I think about it, it doesn't really matter since I think my plan is to scavange the lens off that unit and put it on mine.

 

I have the opportunity to buy a pair of headlights off ebay from the UK. The part numbers for right hand steering vehicles are different, but what would be the difference. I can't imagine it is anything other than beam angle. If that is the case, is beam angle adjustable? Would I have problems with using UK lights on my car?

 

My experience, the lense on it will be molded differently. On the early mini xenons it is basically a standard reflector with light diffraction on the front and an xenon bulb.

Projectors I have no clue what is used for cut off, my Cayenne S xenon's have a shutter inside that drops down for low beam and raises for high beam and has auxiliary halogen as well.

 

Does this type of damage fall under the comp insurance in your auto policy ?

 

Its the same headlight, 02-04 xenon with washers. Looks the same in the picture. Don't know why you would say the lens would be molded different, and if so, would it matter?

 

I think I've got a $500 deductible anyway. Dealer wants $780 parts and labor, but I'm hoping I can fix it for much less with a used replacement.
Even if I went with the dealer, it wouldn't be worth the $280 savings to have a claim on my record.

 

I have a 2005 mini cooper s,is it easy to replace the headlight on the drivers side,broke the lens or should I have my mini dealer replace it. thanks

 

changing out a non-xeon / regular halogen complete unit is not difficult but you will need to know how to re-aim the headlight . . .

Any decent mechanic can do it if you want to buy the part and bring it to him. OR, change it yourself and go to a decent garage and ask if they can aim them. If they charge more than $20 never go back. Bring it to my house and I'll do it for free . . .

 

Please explain to me the process of disassembling the headlight assembly for the 2008 Mini S Hatchback. In the BMW parts catalog the pieces of the headlight assembly are itemized can be ordered separately so there must be a procedure for disassembling the headlight.

 

Are you talking about this: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=63_0968



What exactly do you want to disassemble? The housing itself is a single unit that doesn't come apart. Other parts are attached to it in trivial ways (screws and tabs).

BTW, you posted in the 1st generation (2002-2006) section.

 

I wanted remove lens on one unit and swap it with a damaged lens on another unit. How hard is that per see?

 

If you have an extra unit, why don't you swap it out entirely?

The lens is glued on (intended to be permanent) and not designed to be removed, but it is possible. People have done this to paint the inside of the headlight black (Google "r56 joey mod"). To remove the lens, soften the glue by heating the unit in an oven or with a heat gun. When the glue softens enough, you will be able to pry off the lens. Do this for both of your units. Glue on the swapped lens to finish up.