That's good news. It's a great looking car!!

 

I did my headlight and tail light chrome trim in vinyl, the same vinyl as the stripes. My door handles and gas cap cover are from Aesthetic Creations. Beltline is Scotch Super 33+ electrical tape and the grill surround is the JCW trim from Outmotoring.

 

Ok I have another silly question that I can't find the answer to. I want new headlights. The halo ones with the black housing? Where can I buy these? I don't have the little headlight cleaner on mine now either, just simply headlights. I keep seeing these kits. I just want want to swap out the ones I have nice and easy, at least this seems easier. I'm reading all this stuff about coding and stuff? I have a 2012 so should I have a problem switching from halogen to xenon?

 

It's called a retrofit. You can either send your headlights in and get them retrofitted by a company or you can do it yourself with a kit and paint it... Much cheaper to do it yourself. Highly recommend doing a retrofit! One of my favorite mods, even though I've had a ton of trouble with it.

 

maleskomoore, as for wheels take a look at Breyton GTS-R, with tires from Tirerack.com you can do under 2K and in my Opinion one of the best looking rims for the mini

 

Ok well I don't know if I trust myself to do this. I live in a very small town so I'm guessing this might be hard to find someone to do my lights.....darn I really love the way they look. I'll work on tint and rims in the meantime I guess. Thanks!

 

You send them in somewhere! You can find retrofitters online. I recommend customlightz and lightwerkz.

 

Yeah I requested info on having them build from scratch. Yikes! I don't have another vehicle to drive while I wait for my lights? I really need to find someone in upstate NY who has a mini and can tell me where to go to get stuff done.

 

http://soopercooperinfo.com/lindaminiinfo.html

 

Another question. I called the dealership and they told me that because my car had non xenons lights that I can't have them done because the battery wouldn't be able to handle it? I'm reading all this stuff about coding though. He basically told me flat out that it couldn't be done. Someone tell me he is wrong....I got a quote from lightwerkz for about $1040, but I didn't tell them that I don't have xenon lights already so I'm wondering if it will be more?

 

You're fine. They told me that too, but they make plug and play lights that work perfectly. You don't have to recode them. They include a ballast, etc, so it will work. I didn't have Xenons, which is why I wanted to do it in the first place. And it will be the same price! Is that price for new lights or for you to send your lights in?

 

Those are for new lights. I would like to send mine in though because it would be much cheaper. I am still trying to find someone a little closer than long Island or New Jersey. I feel much better now, he totally crushed my dreams of owning the sweetest lights ever!

 

a lot of us with non xenon lights have done the conversion, output is light and day difference. Sending your own lights in is indeed cheaper but when I had mine done, I purchased new ones and had a set of my OEM's in the garage. Make sure you ask them or whoever you go with whether or not this will throw a code. Some do.

 

IF you don't mind me asking, who did yours? I got a quote from black flame customs on Long Island. Is $1000 about normal?

 

with new head lights? sounds about right.

 

I got mine done with black flame customs. Is the $1000 for new lights or sending yours in? Also, you have to factor in shipping. I spent $100 for packing + shipping, and $60 shipping back. I've had so many problems with mine that I don't know if I'd do it again.

 

All the more reason to do it yourself if you are a little handy.

 

That price was for sending them in. I wouldn't even know where to start if I did it myself. Any of you live near NY and want to make some cash? Just kidding, the guy at the dealership said I could run into all sorts of problems. I guess my goal is to find someone who is closer and has experience doing it.

 

So you do not have any problems with your lights and you did them yourself? Pics Please!!!!

 

"Retrofitting" the HID Xenon projectors is pretty simple. Here's a good post over on Mazda24/7 that I found really useful for getting the basic concept. I hope it's the right link, that forum is blocked at school (NAM isn't, though! :D).

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/archi...123764337.html

There are a few basic parts that you need to get it done, and I'd personally recommend getting everything from the Retrofit Source (TRS). Send 'em an email and talk about it with 'em, all good people!

Here's the basics, though. If I find relevant links, I'll post 'em too:

1. Remove headlights
2. Bake to open the casings
3. Scoop out the old reflector setup
4. Bore out the rear to fit the projector
5. Mount the projector, use a shroud to make it look more complete
6. Seal the housing back up
7. Wire in the ballasts to the car, as well as the igniters
8. Wire it all up
9. aim properly
10. Enjoy!

That's the process, I believe. Typed it from memory, but I hope it helped. The halos get added in while the headlight is open if you want, they're just compact fluorescent rings or LED rings. Overall, it shouldn't be too bad. I'd recommend trying to hunt down a spare set of headlights from a wreck or something to work on so you don't have to immobilize your car in the process.

Alternatively, you can try and find some projector / halo housing on ebay. I know they're plentiful for the R53, but I'm not sure about the R56 yet.

Relevant posts:

from: R56 aftermarket/projector/halo headlights?

Edit: It appears you can just buy these new housings fully loaded including optional "angel eye" halos for about $1.2k. Those should be nearly plug and play, just follow all the instructions. Would eliminate the need to crack open your headlights and send em off.

Granted, those parts can all be bought over at TRS for ~$600, so factoring in $200 for headlights, you're spending $300 for labour and convenience.

 

What?! Incredible. So I wouldn't have to worry about coding or not having enough power and all that other crap? That would be ideal because I would rather start thinking about wheels, exhaust, and lowering..... Hmmmm this is really good to know. Thank You!!

 

I paid $300 for everything I needed to do my retrofit from TRS. I used my stock housings and 1 can of plastidip. The HID kit did not need any resistor or bulb-out kits and I get no errors on low or high beam.

Here are a few photos...







before aiming

 

Ohhhh I love it!! So jealous can't wait to have mine!

 

Yum is right! What are those wheels? They would look awesome on my car, not blacked out but I prefer the black and chrome.

 

i dig the plasti dip. how long does it last? is it durable enough for wheels?