my OEM headlights are real crap and so yellow that the fog lights are better to be on when I am driving at night.

I read about after market "super white" halogen bulbs and they seem to be far better and close to xenon bulbs.

Anybody know if they are compatible as replacement for the Mini optics and if there is any noticeable improvement?

 

Those aftermarket bulbs will be whiter and possibly brighter but they will not last as long (maybe 1-2 years).

 

I have found that the various aftermarket bulbs that claim to be brighter and whiter provide a marginal improvement at best. When I buy replacements, I usually go for whatever is the mid-tier available at the local auto store now.

 

I've used Sylvania Silverstars in several of my vehicles over the years and was very happy with them. I got more than 3 out of them .... actually don't remember ever having one fail but probably didn't own a car more than 4 years after putting them in either.




http://www.sylvania.com/en-us/produc...s/default.aspx

 

I've also had silverstars but in previous cars (7-8 years ago.) They looked nice and did provide more light but if I recall, I NEVER got more than about 8-10 months out of them. I remember more than once, replacing one and within a week or 2 the other went. So I tried PIAA bulbs, I can't remember which ones they were but I had them in an Acura CL. They looked even whiter and lasted about twice as long, but they were almost 2x the price as the silverstars. I still have OEM in my mini, but unless the silverstars have improved over the years I'd go PIAA or do some more research and get something better.

 

I have silverstars , but they are dismal compared to my HID fogs. I put HID fogs in right after buying car and they are better for seeing the road, in fact if I turn off headlights I hardly notice it. My next upgrade will be the 25W OEM projectors.

 

Also have the silverstars, better than the oem, if they last 2 years I'll be happy enough. They aren't cheap though.