I have a 2003 MINI Cooper (build date 6/03) and currently have the OEM Xenon headlights on my car. I recently had one of them get damaged and I thought this might be a good time to swap them out for the facelift headlights which I think look a little better.

I have read this thread and it seems like he did exactly what I want to do, except I also read here that cars with build dates before 09/03 have to buy a new ZKE. I am guessing this is some sort of LCM (light control module)? If that is the case, I guess it will be more trouble than needed.

I will ask the OP of the thread I linked what his build date is, but if any one can confirm if the PDF is right or not, that might save me some time. And if it is true, what exactly must be replaced (p/n) ?

 

As long as you can find some facelifted Xenons, you shouldn't have any trouble. Mine were simply plug and play, and my build date is 10/02 but considered a 2003.

It almost looks like the PDF that was linked to was referring to vehicles that did not already have Xenons installed. I know that I have read threads that talked about installing Xenons in a non-Xenon vehicle, and having to have the ECU reprogrammed, I do believe there was a flickering problem, possibly the amount of energy allotted for Xenon vs. halogen.

Any way, you should be able to plug and play, no re-programming or purchasing of parts other than the headlights themselves. I would make sure that the headlights you buy have Ballasts with them. I didn't compare my old ones to my new ones, but it is possible that a slightly different unit was used. I don't quite know.

Do you plan on hunting down a pair on eBay? or are you going to buy new from the dealer?

I do highly recommend the upgrade though, much sharper cutoff, they look cool, and the new headlights really freshen the look of the car.

Good luck, and keep us all posted!

-Chase

 

I was planning on looking on ebay. The dealer would be waaayyy to expensive. Do you know of any good sources?

 

I'd just suggest looking through eBay, go through all of the pages for MINI items, some times when you specifically click on the headlight subsection, or do a search for headlights, all of the results don't always show up.

There is a company on there that I have purchased several items from, and each time they have been a great deal and were in fantastic condition. I think that they were called LKQ, however, with the facelift headlights, I generally suggest get 'em when you can. at times they are impossible to find. There is a set that is being sold seperately by the same person, you may have some luck with those. Don't be shocked to spend more than 500.00 for a pair though...

-Chase

 

i have the facelift xenons on my 03 mcs and they are NICE! simple plug n' play. i found mine used off a seller on craigslist; it took me a while to find the pair so just be patient and keep your eyes peeled. i spent more than $500 too so... good luck!

 

pretty easy mod, plug and play!
and the greatest mod in my mind!
so quickly do it!

 

I can only wish...

Left Headlight
Right Headlight


Is that the going price or was that just a isolated case? That was the only pair I could find online, you know of any others?

 

those were the two that I had seen. I can't say that they are an isolated case, some will go for insane prices, while others will go for fairly cheap. It all depends on who you may purchase them from. For example, there was a set on eBay that I purchased from somebody who wasn't "out to make money" aka rape you, that I was able to get for 500.00 +50.00 shipping. No, not cheap, however, a bargain compared to the 800.00 each from the dealer.

I have heard of plenty of people getting the headlights for 200.00 and up for each. Unfortunately, you have to keep your eye out and be patient. Some times it does help to email the the people who are listing the items and offering them a flat amount, as they may jump at that and close the auction.

Unfortunately, I am not too sure where else to find some. Every once in a while one or two may pop up in the marketplace here, but most are going to be on eBay. Don't be afraid to do one at a time as well. I know some people have purchased one, installed it, and when they found another for the price they wanted, they then replaced their other.

-Chase

 

I just did a prefacelift to facelift headlight upgrade on my 03 base Mini, only just halogens. The old headlights were faded and yellowed. The new ones from eBay, $128/pair, were labeled 05-08, but they fit perfect, used the same bulbs and were just swap, plug and play.

 

Those blackout light capsules look good, Yephiah. I polished up my yellowed lights yesterday with the $10 Harbor Freight chuck-in-your-drill polishing kit and they turned out great. I was tempted to replace, but I was surprised how much they came around with so little investment. I hope it lasts!

 

Looks good on the halogens

We have projectors here with the 05'+ xenon design ( but use halogen bulbs )if you are looking for the halogens swap but with a more sharp beam pattern. Manual adjustment leveling and no headlight washers to worry about. And they are on sale right now. Fits all Gen 1 R50 r52 r53 .


http://www.ecstuning.com/News/MINI_R50_R53_HelixHeadlightsSale_2002_2003_2004_20 05_2006/







Thanks

 

I had tried the polish before, but wasn't happy. Maybe I didn't grind enough, but you see how yellow and dull the originals were in the photo. Always outside. I wanted to upgrade to the 05-08 OEM-facelift-style anyway, just to give my old 03 a fresher look. I don't care for the bug-eye projector look myself but do like these blackouts in the facelift style. And real happy with the light output now compared to what I had. Had to crank the beam adjustment up quite a bit from where they sat out of the box, but that was easy, just turn the screwdriver.

Glad your polish work paid off for you though!

 

I have been bothered for a long time that the uppermost bulb -- the disabled Euro Rear Fog Light -- in my 03 Mini Cooper tail lights is just sitting there doing nothing, so I finally took the bulb base out and added a wire jumper from the lower brake light connector up to the upper bulb connector, and got myself better/brighter brake lighting.

Now, when I apply the brakes, I get two bulbs lit, the lower and the upper, in each tail light, plus the third brake light on the upper hatch.

I guess there is a factory kit to turn those bulbs into working fog lights on a switch, but there is some question as to whether those are even legal in the U.S., since it really ends up looking like your brake lights are always on with those activated.

I originally tried jumping it to the tail light (running lights) connector, but it was much brighter, looked like brake lights in comparison, so that wasn't going to work.

 

Think to use the rear fog light on pre 7/2004 MINIs , you have to have the toggle bank switch pack and then it has to be flashed by MINI dealership to work.

I have seen many upper fogs on, don't know about the legality from state to state. I know upper state on the west coast had issues for a year are two back in the day.

 

Do the 05/06 headlights also use the same bulbs and ballasts as the 02-04 xenons?

 

Older Factory Xenons form 2002-7/2004 use the D2R bulb and different ballast.

The Newer 7/2004 + Xenons use D2S bulb and a separate unit ballast.

Do you need anything ?

 

what about the auto leveling function and headlamp washers? i have a 2002 with oem xenons and auto leveling. when i swap for the 05/06 will the function remain?

 

The pre 7/2004 have the auto levelers and the headlight washers, so yes, when you go to the factory xenon 7/2004+ , its a direct swap. GTG.

 

Put the full toggle bank in my '02 R53 way back in early '03. No reprogram needed. Rear fogs still working after 14 years. Legal in VA. Not sure about other States. Easy enough to check for.

 

Thanks for the info. I think the 7/2004+ had to be flashed or turned on. It was Oregon or Washington state that made MINI have a hiccup back in early 2005.

 

I did a facelift on my car recently. Got the headlights on ebay for 50 bucks but I had to order the blaster separately. Did the Joey mod on it and it was super easy. Did a two tone color match and black. Everything is plug and play. Take ur time opening it up so u dont break any tabs. Didn't have to program anything.