HELP! Rally Driving Lights - should I or shouldn't I
 

I need some input, please. I placed my Mini order Friday, 6/29/07:thumbsup: with the Rally Driving Lights that are installed at the port upon it's arrival. I really thought I wanted these. I ordered the Chili Pepper Red/White Roof/White Bonnet Stripes/w/all the Chrome and thought the ralley lights really set the car off. It's an outrageously high priced option in my book, coming from a 4X4 background and knowing the these type lights are not that highly priced and not hard to install. I know it requires a different grill with cut outs for the lights and a special switch that matches the interior of the car. Heck, the money is not :no: my issue. I've just been viewing so many Minis without them and like that look also. HELP!!!

Does anyone out there have any complaints about the lights? :cry: Hopefully they are good quality:nod: and hold up to the elements well over time. Any input on this issue would be considered.

Has anyone ordered them and not liked them?

I can still change my order, so please give me some advice here.

It really depends on the look you are after, and if you have even figured that out yet. I didn't get them, and have bought a used set because I think it helps achieve the classic look I'm after. Also, after seeing The Italian Job (both), I KNEW I had to have them.

davard - Thanks!!!

I'm after the more sporty look.

I'll have to find some pics from The Italian Job movie. Maybe that will help.

Get 'em. If money isn't the issue, then go for it. You'll really like them - and because they are so expensive, not alot of cars have them - so it's another thing to set yours apart from the crowd...

Thanks!!!

Yes, the setting apart from the crowd was what I was looking for also. I do see alot of Minis around this area.

One other thing you might want to consider from what I hear is that the rally lights will be tied into your high beams so that'll be the only time when you could use it. Going aftermarket, you'll be able to have it wired to an independant switch. I'll be going the aftermarket route myself as I prefer to have them wired separately from the headlights and would rather have a light bar for four lights.

RE: Rally lights
 

Get them! as they really set off the new Mini's! The lights will be tied to your high beams... Not to worry, all you have to do is locate the relay and change the high beam input wire with a ignition on power wire and you are set to go. ( I just did this with my 2004 MCS MC40 a few day ago... Although mine is not a 2007, the wiring should be very close if not identical) There's my 2 cents! I hope it helps!:):)

If you like them get them. IMO the factory rally lights on either the R53 or R56 are more automotive jewelry than anything else. Their performance isn't good. I'd recommend looking at an aftermarket alternative. Try Aaron at Outmotoring. He will know what works. He has an R56 himself.

Congrats on your soon to be new MINI. Welcome to NAM.

If you are looking for a sporty look I would pass on the driving lights.
I am in the minority but I like the cleaner look without them.

If you do decide to have driving lights, go aftermarket and get what you want , probably with a lower cost. You can also decide if you want them in front of the grill or under the bumper (I like the lower look better).

You will have fun either way.

Both my MINIs have the aftermarket lights, operated by a separate switch. I use them a lot, especially since I live in an area with a high deer population and these help to warn BOTH of "us".:lol:

here is a few pics of the minis from the new The Italian Job

lights on

another one with the lights on

Thank you so much for all the advice:thumbsup: and opinions.:thumbsup:

I just got back from the dealership, yes they are open today. :roll: My husband's bothers girlfriend actually took delivery today. :thumbsup: We were headed out and stopped by to see her with her new Mini. :) It's Chili Red/Black Roof w/dual sunroof/Black stripes. It's nice :thumbsup: and really made me want mine even faster.:mad:

I changed my order while there. :roll: I kept the rally lights,:thumbsup: but changed the rear lights to the white instead of the orange. I haven't even seen this option on any Minis around town, but I'm sure it was a nice change from what I've heard.

So I go to enjoy another Mini driver getting her second Mini :thumbsup: and end up ordering more for mine.:confused: What's up with that? :roll: That added up to a $100 visit. I guess I need to stay away from that dealership until my car arrives.:nod: :lol:

Thanks again to all of you who are trying to help me with the rally sport light decision. I'm going to leave my order as is and get them.

I presume you are referring to what are called the driving lamps on the configurator? I though my MA said they are a dealer installed item. At any rate, I have them on order, week 26 and it's on the way. The MA also said they've only done one or two cars with them, to his knowledge, so that jewelry that we ordered will set our cars apart. And I'll bet they brighten the path enough for me.

Who was your MA? We stop by every couple of weeks and see Simon. "Squirt" just seems to turn in when we drive by. We saw several MINIs with the light set-up at the GWR in June and I think they look good and will probablly buy a set used when I can get a deal on them.

I think its funny that the driving lights are on with the low beam headlights instead of the high beams.

Count me as another vote for aftermarket. I really like the look of the driving lights, especially the OEM, but couldn't justifly the price after hearing folks here talk about better quality lights for a little more than half the money. I have to confess that I don't know what the lights cost for the 07's, but when I bought my MINI (August 2005), they were $400 plus installation.

I can't speak for the '07s, but I've got the factory lights on my '03, and I NEVER use them. They can only be used when the highbeams are on, and they don't add much at that point. I want to have them removed one of these days.

One nice aspect of the "factory" lights is that is rolled into your car loan so the monthly outlay is very minor. I like the look and am thinking of an aftermarket set for mine.

BTW-I noticed the Shelby at the GWR-nice!

On the plus side, you can get some $ back selling them. I don't use them much, but they serve they're purpose. I know I wish I'd had them when I drove across country. LOTS of long DARK stretches out there in flyover country.

I really like them, and they DO light things up (IMO.)

The driving lights were the one accessory that my wife not only approved of, but ASKED me to put on the car.:thumbsup:
Good choice on the white tails, too - much better look, and it gets rid of the 'fried eggs' up front as well.

:eek: It's been explained to me that it's an option that is added at the port upon the Minis arrival. If it's installed by the dealership after the fact it cost even more. I'm told the port does a really nice job.:nod: My husband had this picture in his head of some guy in a tent :lol: installing this option somewhere on the port grounds.:lol: I mentioned this to the dealership workers that had to be working yesterday. I was assured :nod: that the shop at the port is a really nice set up and does quality work.

Our salesman is Mike Arneson.:nod: He came out of the show room one Sunday afternoon while we were eye spying:sly: the lot for the 100th time. :roll: He mentioned that he's seen us there a few times. :lol: We visited another 5 times before making a decision and Mike was very helpful:nod: without any pushiness or pressure. Simon actually took our order because Mike didn't come in until later. They are all a really nice group of gentlemen. :nod: We've made stops in since our order to ask questions and everyone's been so helpful.:nod:

My husband's brothers girlfriend also just took delivery on her 2nd Mini yesterday, July 4th.:thumbsup: We found out and drove up to the dealership to join in the excitement. :nod: Simon was their salesman.

The light option on the 07 cost (hold on to your seat here) :lol: $680, seriously.:eek: It's more if you wait and have the dealership install them.:mad:

I mentioned my flip flopping around with this option yesterday while in the dealership. I come from a 4X4 Jeeping back ground and know a little about these type lights. I know that $680 is surely lining someone's pockets.:lol: It was sort of told to me, point blank, that if we installed this type lighting on our own with aftermarket that it could put the warranty in question somewhere down the line. :mad: Wiring issue I'm sure.:impatient They'd surely have to prove that my light set up caused a problem is it ever became a issue, but we all know how that would work out. PAIN IN THE, dare I say? So I'm sticking with the option for now. Although I can picture an aftermarket set of those big ol KC lights on the front so much cheaper.:lol:

Wow!!!:eek: Someone did actually notice us.:thumbsup: We were scouting around checking out all the Minis before they did the run.:nod: We were still trying to make a decision on purchasing one or not. We also made a call to my husband's bother to see if his girlfriend had her car in line. They were on their way back from NY and didn't:no: have a clue about it. They were 30 minutes out from the tunnel area and decided to try to make it. They ended up within the last three cars just in time. :thumbsup:

I'm hoping my Mini will be in before the Pride run and the Surry ferry ride the local club is doing. Our salesman mentioned that if my car wasn't in for the Pride Run that I could drive one from the dealership. :thumbsup: Wow! :eek2: That was nice. :nod: Of course I'd rather have mine.:nod:

Hehe, I was thinking the same thing until I read the sticky in 1st gear forum with pictures showing what is inside the VDC on west coast.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=21112

That doesn't sound too bad if it is including installation. I think the price without installation is $510 not including sale tax. I think they only charge you about 1 hour labor.

I was thinking about getting them, but then I hardly ever used the high beam so they would just be sitting there. I could just get some broken or fake driving lights with no wiring and it wouldn't make any difference! :razz:

Cruising the GWR was a good idea- I think just about every combination was there! I was talking to the guy behind me-who was driving the Green/White classic Mini about the Shelby. I mentioned that anywhere else people would be surrounding that car but here-no one noticed as we were all way too busy checking out everyones mods and lining up for free Red Bull.

I don't have the rally lights on my MC. Didn't really want them til I begin to see more MINIs around this area. I have to say, they look really cute on the MINI. I'm even mulling the idea of putting them on my MINI.

I have aftermarket PIAAs, which are not tied into the brights...they are independent. I've used them quite a bit, especially at The Dragon! I think they are not only great MINI jewelry, but are actually quite functional. I'm very glad I have them. :grin:

Has anyone wired the factory lights so that they work independently of the highbeams?

I had stock rally lights untul this past april, I always thought they were kinda
peewee. I have terrible night vision, and they didn't help much....then I put Hella 500s on.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...Got_Lights.jpg

I love 'em and I can see at night.
Existing wiring was used, with a little splicing and very minimal drilling. The driving lights were installed on the stock mounts and the fog brackets were from OutMotoring.
Just another option for you to consider...