I have the OEM driving lights on my MCS. I was thinking about the Hella Black Magics, and wondered if I could just swap out the lights (by that I mean, have someone else swap them out ) and keep the brackets, wiring and switch that are currently on the car?

Annette

 

NICE question! I would most definitely be interested.

 

shouldnt see y not If its the same size or close to it.

 

The potential problem that I see is the size & weight of the Black Magic lights may be too much for the brackets. They may end up bouncing when you hit bumps. The Hella Black Magic is a very good light. Much better than the oem offerings.

 

I was thinking about the smaller of the 2 Black Magics I see on their site. The 1000s are approx 7.3 inches across and the 500s are 6.4 inches across. The OEMs on mine now are 5.5 across. So I'm thinking the 1000s will be way too big but maybe the 500s will work.
Annette

 

If it's an R56, the OEM lights have non-standard fittings - only the OEM lights will go on the OEM brackets.
VIP Custom Parts in Arizona http://www.vipcustomparts.com/ have brackets which fit the OEM location but allow you to fit other lights like the Hellas. They use the grill cut-out that you would already have. He also has a bar that goes between the brackets with a reinforcing bracket in the middle, and he recommends that for lights the weight of the Hella 500s (same basic light as the small Black Magics). You might get a bit of light shake with just the brackets without the reinforcing bar. I have 4 Hella 500s on the reinforced bar and get just a very small amount of shake occasionally.

FYI according to the diagrams, the standard 500 has the best distance, the FF500 has a shorter but wider spread (I used 2 of those as spread beams) and the Black Magic is also shorter - but all still very good.

I have the large Black Magics on my other MINI and I agree they're too big for these brackets - probably too heave, but they would also look weird too because they would stick up so high.

 

Yeah, I wish I would have seen the VIP brackets before I got the OEMs. I really like their set up.

Annette

 

I think Aaron at Outmotoring also has brackets that will work for you.

The Hella 500 is not a heavy light & should do fine for you.

 

Check out Light Setup I put on my MCSa. Aaron @ Outmotoring was a big help in providing the lamps and the Clear Shieldz and Yellow Shieldz.

http://www.mini4fun.info/2011_MCSa/Photos_%26_MODS.html

I might invert the Fogs so they are in front of the bumper cover about 1/2 inch and that would give almost normal air flow to the radiator. As it is now I have noticed no increase of Engine Coolant Temperature, but it is still very cool here. I monitor it with a PLX/i-Phone DevToaster Program for the gauge.

S.

 

VERY neat car! Looks great.

 

Thanks SMOG, I was looking at your gallery the other day. Great setup!
I would love to find that shield product in green.

Annette

 

Thanks Pw4! It has taken a few months of constant tinkering on each car to get them to where they are today. The 2011 MCSa is soooo different than the 2009 MCa. Although the handling is much better with the Sport Suspension it makes the ride much more harsh; glad I did NOT get the JCW Suspension Package!!

The MCa is a nice cruiser but not a hotrod.

S.

 

Annette: Clear, Smoked and Yellow are the colors that are available and I think that is for legal purposes. Blue is a no no color in some States for lights, unless you are Law Enforcement. Green is a traffic light color.

S.