Hello all,
I did a search on this with only a two results... none of which helped.

I read an article in BMW's Roundel magazine a few years ago about a bulb test peformed on the E36 3-series (I know its a different bulb). In conclusion, the author found that using HIR bulbs were better than any other bulb (factory bulbs for Vipers) without going to HID.

To the point, my '03 MCS is not equipped with HID lights but I wanted to test these HIR's out.... does anyone have experience with them in the Mini?

Thanks,
Josh F.

 

I put some in a friend's Honda Accord, and they are a good product,
but they don't fit the MINI, and they don't fit my wife's VW cabrio
(one site said her 2001 Cabrio took 9005's, but they actually took H7's
like my MINI does):

"With the exception of the Dodge Viper which has used the HIR in its high beam for several years, new cars are just beginning to come out of the factory with HIR bulbs. Because the filament geometry is identical in size, shape, placement, support position etc, cars that call for 9005 bulbs in their headlamps can take the HIR1 (9011) and cars that call for 9006 bulbs can take the HIR2 (9012). However, a slight, easy modification is required to the bulb's base. Autos which take the HIR bulbs include: Audi, Acura, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chevy, Chrysler, Corvette, Dodge, Ford, THunderbird, GMC, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, VW, Volvo."

 

Anyone try these on a Mini yet? When these first came out I saw a pair installed on a RDX and the light was extremely bright, but only came in standard yellowish color. Now autolumination.com has 7500k ones.

 

hir?

 

HIR stands for Halogen Infrared Reflecting.
They have a coating on the bulb that reflects emitted IR light back into the
bulb which raises filament temperature and increases efficiency and light output.

 

That is correct. But they currently DO NOT come in a size compatible with H7 or H11, which is what halogen-equipped first and second generation MINIs (respectively) require.

I still have a pair of HIRs that I was using in my previous '03 Acura TL's highbeams. (the HIDs were lowbeam-only on that car.) The HIRs did make a noticeable difference in brightness compared to the standard highbeam 9005 halogen bulbs they replaced.

Another thing that I did not see mentioned here is that the plastic tabs on the base of the HIR bulb are a little wider than those of the plain halogens--assuming you have another non-MINI use for them. A great tip to easily and neatly trim the tabs is to use a fingernail clipper! (Dremels and box-cutters are messy and dangerous in this case.)

 

If you look in my signature below you will find a link to a HIR mod for my Lexus, along with some pics. AFAIK, it currently is only for headlights that are designed for 9005 and 9006 bulbs. So if you have any other vehicles that use these type bulbs, it is a great mod.

 

I can't see them retrofitting to H7 sockets and connectors though....(?)