Newbie here to the forums, so I apologize in advance if this question has been asked and answered a million times.

Recommendations on the best driving lights for the buck? It appears that the factory driving lights are about $450. I found some PIAA lights on Amazon for $250.
I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for," so I'm a little suspicious of lights that are that much cheaper than the stock lights.

I'm not a mechanic, and will likely have these professionally installed, so keep that in mind. I'm not looking for DIY solutions - I'm looking for a full kit off the shelf. KISS is the way I roll.

 

what are you looking for looks? functionality? blend of the two?

also, do you want fog lights? driving lights? both?

2 lights or 4?

 

i got my hella 500ff's (4) for 125$ spot beams since they dont make the fog beams in the 500ff anymore

 

Blend. I have the stock fog lights (below the bumper), so I'm looking for something mounted above the bumper, in front of the grille, to use as driving lights (long beam pattern for visibility for night highway driving). Just two lights. Good questions, sorry for being vague!

 

yeah, i just like to clarify, a lot of people dont realize theres is a huge difference between fog and driving lights.....and only realize something is amis when they are blinded trying to see through a heavy fog....

but VIP custom parts makes a great light bracket that goes on very easily and i think runs right around $100.

as for lights...the 'standard' is Hella 500s......its a very solid performing light and they run around $70-80 for a pair.....

that would be my recommendation for a good basic setup.

as for the install.......its really not that difficult, it should take no more than a couple hours and you should only need basic hand tools......there should be no need to have a shop do it.

 

I've tried Hella 500s; great lights at a reasonable price. I switched to Wipac stainless driving lights because they're a bit smaller and look oem. I've tried PIAAs on previous cars and wasn't that impressed; they're OK but I think they're overpriced.

 

VIP Custom Parts.

 

Search WIPAC Driving lights on EBay. There's a guy that sells them in the uk. They're cheap and work perfectly and look almost stock to the OEM ones. Plus brackets are included and fit my '11 Clubman. Some of the brackets need to be recut for the N18 engines. Had numerous conversations with the seller and he got right back to me. Highly recommend

 

Hella 500s with VIP brackets fit the bill nicely.

IMHO the factory Mini/Wipac lights were too small for my taste.

The VIP brackets fit more lights then the factory mounts. The Hella units are cheap enough that if one gets busted you can buy singles online for < $40$. I also covered mine with LaminX for extra protection.