Has anyone ever installed these on a Countryman?

https://www.shopminiusa.com/PRODUCT/...DRIVING-LIGHTS

Is this the only thing that one needs to order or are there other items needed as well? Do you remember how long it took to install?

I would most likely get a shop to do it, so I'm curious as to what kind of cost I'd be looking at.

Thank you

 

I’m looking at the same thing. What I’ve seen on install videos has me looking at an alternate solution for the mounts. Cravenspeed has a mount that saves you from cutting plastic and drilling holes. It’s $145, but I’m leaning towards that.

I’m also looking at the less expensive lights from smps2012.

I think the wiring is definitely doable, but a little intimidating. There are a few installation videos on YouTube. If they could do it, I can learn from their mistakes.

I’ll be checking back to see if people have install prices.

 

here’s a link to those Cravenspeed mounts

 

Thank you for the link - I assume they'd work for a 2019 as well... And whoa...this is starting to mount up (no pun intended) costwise.

So, it would just be this "kit" for 700 something and then these mounts? Anything else?

I have a note into Mini to ask about installing driving lights, but I'm sure they'll just say look at the website.

edit: Looking further at the cravenspeed link you sent...their kit comes ready to go and supposedly one can do at home...and is about half the cost. Thank you for this. This could be a fun spring time project.

 

It's definitely a doable project.

Here's how I'm thinking about it.

Lights
There are three brand options I'm considering:

1. Mini accessory lights. Mini branded, obviously, and assume good quality.
2. SMPS2012. Lowest cost, but not branded. Could be risky on the quality side, but it's 1/3 the cost of the Mini brand.
3. Non-Mini branded (PIAA or Hella). Good brands, but more "off-road" style-wise.

Installation
First off, if your vehicle is under warranty, confirm if any DIY work will put the warranty at risk.

Mounting. Assuming that's not a problem, for me I think the Cravenspeed mounts make DIY easier. I don't think the PIAA lights are required for the Cravenspeed mount, but I'm planning to confirm with them. My assumption now is that they would be universal for accessory lights. For me, I really don't like the idea of cutting and drilling into the car, so I'm going to avoid that.

Another consideration is how to do the wiring and the switch.

1. Non-Mini. The non-Mini options are probably going to have a switch that you mount....somewhere... or else you figure out how to hack it so it comes on with your high beams (this is beyond me and outside of any instructions I've seen).
2. Mini. I've not gotten into the details of the Mini lights, but I'm assuming their would be an OEM button for them (I believe it's supposed to go on the underside of the steering column).
3. Wireless! The guys at M7Speed installed accessory lights with a wireless/remote switch. I'd prefer this, but need to research more. This would save having to run wires through the firewall.

DIY vs Installed
I think this comes down to a few considerations.

1. Time and Money. Obviously having it installed is easiest if you have the money. However, if the warranty isn't at issue, you don't need to go to the dealer for installation. Find a local mechanic who is familiar with Minis, and you will likely save some on the install. If you're looking to keep costs down as much as possible, then DIY is the way to go in this case.
2. Capability. You need tools, a safe workspace, and sufficiently good instructions to be successful. For this install, I think this is a low hurdle.
3. Interest. Do you want to get familiar with your car? Do you enjoy taking it apart and putting it back together? I think part of the fun of owning a Mini is getting into it and doing things myself (as long as I don't think I'm going to royally screw things up).

Good luck, and whatever you do, share it here. I'll be interested to hear how it goes.

 

Hella market an excellent kit of two 500-series lights, a wiring harness, a relay, a switch & instructions for $65 - $150, depending on the model 500, 500FF or 500 Black Magic. Search eBay for > hella 500 kit <.
You'd need lamp brackets or drill into the bumper or grill. If you trigger the relay from the high-beam circuit, there's no need to go through the firewall.
Installation is simple with basic tools - mine took about 30 minutes on my R53.


Hella 500s

 

@cuppajoe

i like the piaa idea.

My biggest issue is the switch idea. Sticking it to the dash with two sided tape is not desirable.

wondering if i can use this and make it look stock. https://www.bmwpartshub.com/oem-part...0aAkLlEALw_wcB

 

Yeah, that wiring is way beyond me. But that looks like the right switch!

 

I confirmed with Cravenspeed that their mounts are specifically for the PIAA lights. They haven’t validated them for use with the Mini OEM lights.

 

I've not done for F60 but have installed several MINI kits on GEN1 and GEN2 cars so don't expect things to be very different. The factory kit is $$$ and VERY COMPLICATED to be 100% street legal everywhere which ALSO makes the operation of the system complicated. Others familiar with the topic know it is common for folks who bought used with the aux driving lights to believe they are busted when they can't figure out proper operation. After my second kit I could knock one out in about 2 hours. First time .... argh and do even THINK about trying without a set of factory instructions. <I have for GEN1/2 installs but could not find for F series . . . at my regular source>

When someone asks me for a recommendation I say get some brackets from a place like Craven (unless you have a friend who can cut and bend some flat stock as brackets ain't rocket science) and a generic driving light kit like PIAA or Hella. These typically come with a a generic wiring harness which consists of wire, an inline fuse, a relay and some sort of a switch. Or you can get such a wiring kit at any parts store for no more than $20. You can add fog/driving lights to any car truck with a kit like this for a FRACTION of the cost of the MINI kit and the wiring stays SIMPLE.

Here's your basic wiring plan


the numbers on the relay are STAMPED into the plastic ... don't worry about what they mean ..... This is the simplest version of the wiring and the lights are fully under control of the switch

The secret to altering how the lights are controlled come from the line from BATT HOT to the switch or that is, where terminal 86 gets its power. If 86 is HOT they the relay sends juice to the lights (accessory); in the diagram above 86 gets power direct from battery (via the switch) so even with ignition off if switch is ON lights are ON.

Move this connection to change performance .... see blue line

connect the line from the switch to the high beam trigger line and now the lights will ONLY activate if the high beams are on. Move the line to a circuit that's only on if ignition is on and lights can be on so long as ignition is on no matter what high beam condition . .

feel free to PM with questions

 

Heya, just wanted to clarify! They were designed using the PIAA lights, but are not just compatible with the PIAA lights. The OEM lights specifically have not been validated, but any aux light kit with a standard mounting solution will fit.

Thanks!

 

every light I've experience with was a simple 'stud' and the mount has a hole ..... if the hole is too small ya get a drill . . .