1st Gen | R52 Convertible Ask MotoringFile MINI DIY R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S) R56 Two-Door Hardtop
Ask MF: R56 All Clear Turn Signals
Here’s a question I’ve personally received from a couple readers:
>Hi guys, I have a quick question for Gabe. I notice when looking at photos of your R56 JCW Cooper S that your headlights are completely ‘clear’. By this I mean that when you purchase ‘white signals’ from Mini as an option you still see an orange bulb when looking at the headlights head on. Now for the obvious question, what have you done to make it completely clear? Did you change the bulb out and if so would you mind letting me know where I can purchase it and the part # etc. Thanks so much.
Great question with an easy answer. I’m using bulbs you can actually buy from your local BMW dealer. They’re made for BMWs but fit in your MINI perfectly (any model). The BMW USA part number is: 63 21 7 160 897. If that doesn’t work, just ask for “Silvervision” bulbs.
And yes, these bulbs should fit in all other MINIs as well.
Can you purchase clear front lenses for an R56 if you didn’t get the option, or are you SOL?
what exactly comes with the clear turn-signal package? i got it and my front turn signals are still orange.
[suspicion] my MA told me that it was just for the rears [/suspicion]
The Clear turn-signal package just changes the front and rear lenses from orange to clear, you still have orange bulbs so there a Egg effect where it looks whitish orange, so you get bulbs like Gabe has there to make it more white.
Gabe,
Having changed the bulbs, is it possible to access the chrome parts within the headlight assembly to be able to paint them in the style of the millionth MINI?
I can confirm spec’ing the white signal lenses includes the front AND the rears.
FYI, I’ve heard pricing on the BMW bulbs can be upwards of $15 PER BULB through the dealer.
I got the Euro-spec Silvervisions (a bit more of the silver coating) through <a href="http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk</a> and paid just under $45 US for all four (delivered).
There’s a thread on NAM where I showed some picks of the signals, markers, fogs and drivers all swapped out to whiter, xenon-like bulbs:
<a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103198" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103198</a>
I like the “sunny side up” look.
I never understood this “clear” trend … there really is nothing Euro about it.
Gabe.
Is it the same P/N for both the front and rear bulbs?
I have and love Solaris Invisi-Bulbs from Bimmian.com.
I had to replace one and followed a suggestion from the forums to simply coat a stock bulb with silver spray paint, but it does not adhere when sprayed anything more than super-thin and still looks somewhat orange.
So thanks for the BMW OEM tip, I assume they are reasonably priced and will try them next.
eewww – you gotta do something about those orange side lights in the photo, its spoiling the look…
>Having changed the bulbs, is it possible to access the chrome parts within the headlight assembly to be able to paint them in the style of the millionth MINI?
No. I know folks at MINI have quietly talked about offering blacked out lights as retrofits but they would be well over $700 a pop for the Xenon versions. Not something that is easily digestible for most people.
>FYI, I’ve heard pricing on the BMW bulbs can be upwards of $15 PER BULB through the dealer.
Can’t remember what I paid but I know it wasn’t much over $5 a bulb at the Knauz MINI. That’s with the Chicago MINI Club discount.
>Is it the same P/N for both the front and rear bulbs?
Yes.
>I never understood this “clear” trend … there really is nothing Euro about it.
This particular mod has nothing to do with looking “Euro”. It’s just a clean look that lends itself to the particular color scheme of this car. A few years back there was a difference in Euro spec BMWs (and a few other cars). They often had different designs that featured white signals and silver or amber bulbs where US version had amber signals and amber bulbs. Since automakers (notably BMW) have wised up and have started to offer the same “white lights” look throughout the world. That’s the simplified answer 🙂
Hey I just went to my Dealer and purchased the bulbs. Here in Minnesota the lamps are $23/per, so with tax $102. I then noticed the side markers were orange also – so in checking it out with the parts guy, the parts listing for the “white” side marker option calls for a silver ended lamp part number 63 21 7 165 496, not what was installed on my late May production R56 – I was able to get the service manager to approve replacement of these lamps with the “correct” lamps as a warrantee item – I suspect I would have paid over $5 for them. There is still a bit of orange color on the front turn signals due to the orange on the lamp holder, I suppose this could be painted. (I have been ordering some of my OEM parts from your other MINI dealer advertisers and do find the pricing , even with shipping to be better, but hey, I was in the area).
I picked these up with my car. My dealer was nice enough to include them. Thanks for the P/N!
I prefer the chrome/mirror bulbs from Stealth Auto. The BMW silver bulbs still have enough orange to give a slight orange cast on the fronts. The Stealth Bulbs eliminate that completely, and they cost less at $30/pair.
<a href="http://www.stealthauto.com/Departments/Shop-By-Category/Stealth-Bulbs.aspx" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.stealthauto.com/Departments/Shop-By-Category/Stealth-Bulbs.aspx</a>
<p>Do you have an instruction on how to replace the original bulbs?</p>