I love the retro look of these but if I get Xenon headlamps I figure they are just expensive grill ornaments - is that correct? Figure it must be because I don't see many out there.

Thx

 

I converted the inbumper Fog Lights of my MCS to Xenon and they are working out real well. I'm sure the oncoming traffic isn't too keen on them, but I can see very well. It was plug & play from eBay at about $80. Just get several of the plastic expansion screws that hold the fender well liner in because if your car is like mine, the heads will strip and then the only way to get them out is to drill them. It's easy enough, but just have several on hand as you will need to remove about half of them to get access to the Fog Lights.
The on bumper units look good to me, but this one ain't my car.

 

Mine do a nice job of lighting up those deer way down the road. If you live an area with lots of deer, they may be the difference between a hit and a miss.

 

Exactly - the driving lights are only supposed to be used with the high-beams. The added light is also useful even with Xenons on high beam setting.

 

because Xenons are only low beams. When you switch to high you go to a halogen, the same halogen as the non-X cars . . .

This is the way it is on a GEN1 anyway . . . dunno for sure about a GEN2

but I suspect more people order them for the look then the functionality. Two people who asked me to mount after markets didn't even want them wired .... they just wanted them hanging out there for the rally look. heck, most who order the rear fogs do so primarily because they watch the switch bank filled rather than any true light function. I have rear fogs on my 7 that are not wired because I disliked the blanking plugs in the rear fascia

 

Driving lights are long distance, narrow beam. Fog lights are short distance, wide beam aimed low at the sides/ground.

Driving lights are to be used in conjunction with your high beams and you can think of your high beams as in between narrow and wide beam and throw out a ton of light mostly due to the extra wattage hence the need to not have them on when approaching another vehicle... Driving lights are even more imperative to have off when approaching because they are so focused.

So, if you live in the sticks with deer, nobody around, are a conscientious driver that dips their high beams, they'll be fine. If you want the look, then do that as well. There's no reason to use them downtown though.

@Weaver
I highly doubt you have actual Xenon fogs for $80... You might have Xenon COLORED lights, but you are actually doing yourself a disservice with that color light for fogs. Amber/yellow (halogen) work better for real world use. If you're going for the SEMA look, then brilliant white/blue/purple is the way to go. Also, if you're blinding oncoming traffic, 1) don't be an *** 2) you're wasting that light. It should be hitting the ground. You get what you pay for and for $80 the chinese crap lights which is probably what you got, I hope you don't melt your fog light sockets.

@BJ, you can get bi xenons (Hi/Lo) for Gen2s

 

Great info - checked with the dealer and they said the 2nd gen mini xenon option has xenons for both high and low beams. I can't see enough at night - we're in the burbs north of indy and if you go 2 miles north or west it's farmland, and I've had some OMG moments with deer in the past.

Thanks!

 

did my grad work at ole' west Lafayette university and can attest that once in the boonies - being defined as 3 blocks away from 'downtown' - it is all about the aim . . . just having driving lights is not enuf, they need to be aimed properly (and I'll bet you'd be surprised to know just how low the wattage is . . . )

 

Then Low + High + Driving Lights will give you the best 'portable sunshine' option. Instead of OEM driving lights, you might want to look into some Hella 500FF's. Practically dinner plate sized.

I don't know why you can't also have fogs on at the same time. Logically, since you have Highs on, nobody is around... But t's one of those DOT things.

 

I love my Driving lights. They turn night into day. The Driving lights are 55w. Yes, I ruined it for you Capt.

 

What Agarwaen said Love my driving lights, especially on back roads. I went aftermarket, cost less, good chrome and I hid the switch under the dash (but still easy to reach...and high or low beam, it doesn't matter). I only use them late at night if I'm on a road where I know there are few cars cuz when everything's turned on, it's like daylight.

 

I live in NH which may not have quite as many deer as you guys just north of us, but the Xenons definitely do light up their eyes.

 

Knottyman
The lights are German made and not Chinese. They are complete with ballasts and harnesses and are Xenon. And don't call people rude names when you don't have a clue. This forum is not for expression of foolish unfounded opinions. If you know what you are talking about then your input will be appreciated. When you don't know what you are talking about, it is best you keep it to yourself.

 

I use the driving lights along with my factory Xenons. Def add enough light to see down the road to protect the animals from me...

 

I second this. In fact, DDM Tuning sells reliable kits even cheaper.

 

If you got actual ballasts and ignitors then I will recind my comment. However, so many ebay auctions are just halogens wrapped in a blue filter and advertised as "OMG These Xenons are teh awesomeo" the people think they are the real deal.

If you're blinding people though, you still need to aim the lights better. Do you like it when approaching cars dazzle you?

 

Unfortunately for many drivers around here the word courtesy is not understood (probably because it is more than 4 letteres). I'm only about 40 miles from Boston. The driving philosophy in Boston is: the best defense is an offense and the more offensively you drive the better you are defended. When in doubt aim at the other cars to make them hesitate and pedestrians have the right to die and that's if the they are on the sidewalk. Using your directional is a sign of weakness.
I know that Boston has a very well earned reputation. Here's an interesting tidbit of information. It is a very rare day when the 6 o'clock new doesn't report about a car or truck hitting a building. How did some of these people get their licenses?
So I use these lights sparingly, but I gotta see too.
Have a great day and happy (mini) motoring.

 

Im from the New England area, and grew up in Boston. And Weaver's desc of MA driving is dead-on. Courtesy is not an option around here.

I have been having the same debate with myself in regards to the Lamps. My car is due to be picked up either Friday or Monday, and I still haven't decided if I want the dealer installed lamps or not. I love the way they look, and living in NH now, I could see why I could use them for the added coverage, but $1000 is a lot of money for this option. And I think that, if I don't get them installed now, I never will.

 

Go for it!!....i have preferred the Wipac ones...oem look and great quality

 

Visited a friend in Mass. His most memorable quote "If you used your signal, they'd NEVER let you in!"

I don't use my driving lights much, but they do light up the night.
I bought the OEM kit second hand (but unused) and installed them myself.
I can't see spending $1K on them though. You can get a good set installed for far less than that.

 

Yep! You gotta sneak in on them or you'll never make it!

I've considered installing the lamps myself, but cars are definitely not my thing. You'd think the transition from computers to cars would be an easy one, but not for me. Though I've never really tried.

 

The install isn't that hard, but you can have a competent MINI shop install them for way less $ than the dealer. I hear Greasy's in Worchester, MA is good.

 

I've heard the same, but Greasy's is kind of a hike for me. Over 2 hours away.

 

I just talked to my MA about the dealer installed lights. He says the reason why they are expensive is they have to change the grill to mount the lights to. First I've ever heard of this though. Any truth to it?

 

Yes, a different grille is required. Unless you want to cut the slots yourself I suppose.