Comments on: 2005 Headlight & Taillight Retrofit Kit http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: MotoringFile » Archive » Official Xenon Retrofit PDF for 05+ MINI http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-76606 MotoringFile » Archive » Official Xenon Retrofit PDF for 05+ MINI Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:13:19 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-76606 <p>[...] MotoringFile DIY Friday is back with an update of a reader favorite. For those who may remember we posted a Xenon retrofit guide for ‘01-’04 MINIs to allow for an upgrade to the newer 2005+ Xenon style. However the guide wasn’t applicable for those who owned 2005/2006 MINIs that simply wanted to upgrade from the stock Halogen’s to Xenons. And now with the GP being released with Halogens, there’s been a renewed interested in this type of retro-fit. So we’re happy to present the official MINI PDF that details the parts and installation procedure. Although be warned, if you have to ask how much, you probably shouldn’t attempt it. [...]</p> [...] MotoringFile DIY Friday is back with an update of a reader favorite. For those who may remember we posted a Xenon retrofit guide for ‘01-’04 MINIs to allow for an upgrade to the newer 2005+ Xenon style. However the guide wasn’t applicable for those who owned 2005/2006 MINIs that simply wanted to upgrade from the stock Halogen’s to Xenons. And now with the GP being released with Halogens, there’s been a renewed interested in this type of retro-fit. So we’re happy to present the official MINI PDF that details the parts and installation procedure. Although be warned, if you have to ask how much, you probably shouldn’t attempt it. [...]

]]> By: EBMCS03 http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11452 EBMCS03 Sat, 02 Oct 2004 05:37:43 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11452 <p>Same question as Tate's </p> <ol> <li>If the electronic body module is replaced for pre 9/03 cars, does this mean that other electronic features like speed in the tach will be available too?</li> </ol> Same question as Tate's

  1. If the electronic body module is replaced for pre 9/03 cars, does this mean that other electronic features like speed in the tach will be available too?
]]> By: Jan http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11451 Jan Fri, 01 Oct 2004 13:05:55 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11451 <p>I hate the idea of "all red" taillights. During the day especially the red lens turn signal is too easily lost in it's sameness and sun glare. Is the US the only market in the world that has all red lenses? If it is can we get lens covers from Canada or Europe to swap out?</p> I hate the idea of “all red” taillights. During the day especially the red lens turn signal is too easily lost in it's sameness and sun glare. Is the US the only market in the world that has all red lenses? If it is can we get lens covers from Canada or Europe to swap out?

]]> By: Rocketboy http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11450 Rocketboy Thu, 30 Sep 2004 21:01:23 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11450 <p>Gabe.. how could you miss how this isn't a cost-cutting measure! The pre 05 rear lamps are 1/3rd fog light, bulb included. Now, the fog section is a totally seperate unit that is not installed unless the customer asks for it. Just imagine the savings per bulb alone.</p> Gabe.. how could you miss how this isn't a cost-cutting measure! The pre 05 rear lamps are 1/3rd fog light, bulb included. Now, the fog section is a totally seperate unit that is not installed unless the customer asks for it. Just imagine the savings per bulb alone.

]]> By: daanesh http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11449 daanesh Thu, 30 Sep 2004 18:18:21 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11449 <p>i'm planning to fit the old lights should i get the new cooper - or at least get the amber turn signals... red flashers make no sense.</p> <p>the front lights are a harder decision - will have to compare light output before deding if its worth putting up with the cartoony look (that's my issue with a lot of the design changes - e.g. the steering wheel - they look like they were drawn in toontown).</p> <p>as an aside anyone know the weight difference between xenons and standard? that's a bad place to add weight on a car...</p> i'm planning to fit the old lights should i get the new cooper – or at least get the amber turn signals… red flashers make no sense.

the front lights are a harder decision – will have to compare light output before deding if its worth putting up with the cartoony look (that's my issue with a lot of the design changes – e.g. the steering wheel – they look like they were drawn in toontown).

as an aside anyone know the weight difference between xenons and standard? that's a bad place to add weight on a car…

]]> By: RB http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11448 RB Thu, 30 Sep 2004 16:55:02 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11448 <p>Could the original tailights be fitted to the newer cars? Or are they Euro lights still like the original lights and if yes why not just fit those?</p> <p>...RB</p> Could the original tailights be fitted to the newer cars? Or are they Euro lights still like the original lights and if yes why not just fit those?

…RB

]]> By: yo http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11447 yo Thu, 30 Sep 2004 02:12:10 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11447 <p>i hate the rear lights</p> i hate the rear lights

]]> By: Franz http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11446 Franz Wed, 29 Sep 2004 01:03:29 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11446 <p>With the new location of the rear fog light, why is the rear fog still prohibbited in CA and OR? What is the nature of the CA and OR restriction? Can you not register a vehicle that already has a rear fog light? Is it that you cannot use the fog light on the roads in those states? Or can you simply not purchase it in those states?</p> With the new location of the rear fog light, why is the rear fog still prohibbited in CA and OR? What is the nature of the CA and OR restriction? Can you not register a vehicle that already has a rear fog light? Is it that you cannot use the fog light on the roads in those states? Or can you simply not purchase it in those states?

]]> By: Me http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11445 Me Tue, 28 Sep 2004 20:30:38 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11445 <p>taillights are okay ... the headlights are disgusting ricer lookalikes</p> taillights are okay … the headlights are disgusting ricer lookalikes

]]> By: Mo http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11444 Mo Tue, 28 Sep 2004 19:58:18 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11444 <p>Speaking of retrofits, does anybody know if the new center console with the two built-in storage trays will fit in the pre-05 MC and MCS?</p> Speaking of retrofits, does anybody know if the new center console with the two built-in storage trays will fit in the pre-05 MC and MCS?

]]> By: Rodney http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11443 Rodney Tue, 28 Sep 2004 14:47:14 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11443 <p>I have the complete toggle bank for my MC. I wonder if I will be able to use it on the new MCS I plan to get(as soon as they release the LSD and convenience kit)?</p> I have the complete toggle bank for my MC. I wonder if I will be able to use it on the new MCS I plan to get(as soon as they release the LSD and convenience kit)?

]]> By: C. Tate http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11442 C. Tate Tue, 28 Sep 2004 13:38:49 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11442 <p>Gabe (or anyone else),</p> <p>2 questions, if you can help:</p> <ol> <li><p>If the electronic body module is replaced for pre 9/03 cars, does this mean that other electronic features like speed in the tach will be available too?</p></li> <li><p>I forget what Xenons cost from the factory, something like $550? So we are looking at around $1100 for this?</p></li> </ol> Gabe (or anyone else),

2 questions, if you can help:

  1. If the electronic body module is replaced for pre 9/03 cars, does this mean that other electronic features like speed in the tach will be available too?

  2. I forget what Xenons cost from the factory, something like $550? So we are looking at around $1100 for this?

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11441 Gabe Tue, 28 Sep 2004 05:50:36 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11441 <p>Frankie - the rear foglight retro-fit kit will be available in the coming months. We don't have numbers on the retrofit kit for all the 2005 lights yet.</p> Frankie – the rear foglight retro-fit kit will be available in the coming months. We don't have numbers on the retrofit kit for all the 2005 lights yet.

]]> By: peter http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11440 peter Tue, 28 Sep 2004 05:45:48 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11440 <p>Well, with an official MINI retrofit kit introduced, this opens up the possibility of reverse-retrofit... that is, fitting the 1st gen. tail lamps onto an '05 then.</p> Well, with an official MINI retrofit kit introduced, this opens up the possibility of reverse-retrofit… that is, fitting the 1st gen. tail lamps onto an '05 then.

]]> By: allan MICHAEL http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11435 allan MICHAEL Tue, 28 Sep 2004 05:42:14 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11435 <p>I like the all red look of the '05 tails, especially when the lights are lit with that nice slant.</p> <p>I too hate that crappy back plastic, and cant wait for the red fog light. In the meantime i put a reverse light form and '04 into my spot where the rear fog will go--- $10 --10 minutes to put in-- looks great! (even tho it doesnt work!!))</p> <p>allan</p> I like the all red look of the '05 tails, especially when the lights are lit with that nice slant.

I too hate that crappy back plastic, and cant wait for the red fog light. In the meantime i put a reverse light form and '04 into my spot where the rear fog will go— $10 –10 minutes to put in– looks great! (even tho it doesnt work!!))

allan

]]> By: Frankie http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11434 Frankie Tue, 28 Sep 2004 05:21:40 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11434 <p>So, how much are they? Can the rear fog light purchased separately? If yes, how about the flip switch for it at the center consol?</p> So, how much are they? Can the rear fog light purchased separately? If yes, how about the flip switch for it at the center consol?

]]> By: Lucas http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11436 Lucas Tue, 28 Sep 2004 05:06:24 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11436 <p>I personally don't prefer either tail lights (between pre '05 and '05), except for the red turning signals.</p> <p>Amber turning signals seem to make more sense -- but MINI seems to be following the Audi trend.</p> <p>Love the '05 Xenon head lights though...</p> <p>Another note is that the new tail lamp arrangement is incompatible with third party tail lamps without rewiring.</p> I personally don't prefer either tail lights (between pre '05 and '05), except for the red turning signals.

Amber turning signals seem to make more sense — but MINI seems to be following the Audi trend.

Love the '05 Xenon head lights though…

Another note is that the new tail lamp arrangement is incompatible with third party tail lamps without rewiring.

]]> By: Brian http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11439 Brian Tue, 28 Sep 2004 04:20:14 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11439 <p>Personally I like the 05 lights better with the exception of the us cars having the all red light. I wonder can you get the euro version of the tails witht he amber turn indicator? And if you can get tehm would anything else need to be changed?</p> Personally I like the 05 lights better with the exception of the us cars having the all red light. I wonder can you get the euro version of the tails witht he amber turn indicator? And if you can get tehm would anything else need to be changed?

]]> By: Frank http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11438 Frank Tue, 28 Sep 2004 04:15:33 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11438 <p>In contrast to my dislike of the '05 tailights, I think that the new halogen and Xenon headlamps look terrific.</p> <p>Too bad the rear did not get the same dramatic treatment as the front.</p> In contrast to my dislike of the '05 tailights, I think that the new halogen and Xenon headlamps look terrific.

Too bad the rear did not get the same dramatic treatment as the front.

]]> By: Frank http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/27/2005_headlight_38_taillight_retrofit_kit/comment-page-1/#comment-11437 Frank Tue, 28 Sep 2004 04:13:26 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/27/#comment-11437 <p>Gabe, what bothers me about the new headlights is the "all red" scheme which I think looks cheap (But you are right about the materials being unchanged)and in conjunction with the "blank" in the rear bumper just lends to a very questionnable look.</p> <p>In a way, I would have preferred for MINI to have either retained the rear fog lights within the tailight assembly (as before) and simply get rid of the lense in the bumper all together or to relocate the fog light to the left side of the bumper.</p> <p>If memory serves me right, the classic European placement of the rear fog light has always been in the rear bumper near the left side edge.</p> <p>I still contend that issuing all red tailights for the US market (what about Canada) is cheaper than placing the proper "Euro" amber tailights.</p> <p>I honestly don't understand the $$$ difference (Plastic is molded plastic after all) but one reason I prefer the '02'-04 tailights is that they look better integrated to the overall design and they have the nice and safer contrast of amber.</p> Gabe, what bothers me about the new headlights is the “all red” scheme which I think looks cheap (But you are right about the materials being unchanged)and in conjunction with the “blank” in the rear bumper just lends to a very questionnable look.

In a way, I would have preferred for MINI to have either retained the rear fog lights within the tailight assembly (as before) and simply get rid of the lense in the bumper all together or to relocate the fog light to the left side of the bumper.

If memory serves me right, the classic European placement of the rear fog light has always been in the rear bumper near the left side edge.

I still contend that issuing all red tailights for the US market (what about Canada) is cheaper than placing the proper “Euro” amber tailights.

I honestly don't understand the $$$ difference (Plastic is molded plastic after all) but one reason I prefer the '02'-04 tailights is that they look better integrated to the overall design and they have the nice and safer contrast of amber.

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