Official MINI DRLs Fitted
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
So I installed mine today. Some thoughts:
- They are a HUGE step up from the current fogs. Overall the new units are made far superior to the stock units. The LED rings are super bright and the LED fog/driving light is a dramatic improvement over the stockers. I seem to be against the grain in that I do not have HIDs but the color temp of the units are dead on to the HIDs.
- IT IS A TIME CONSUMING INSTALL! There are no instructions actually included with the new units. I scrounged around the net and I found the official MINI instructions; they are worthless (and lists the improper wire to splice into). The link for the guide listed on post #32 in this thread is a life saver. Keep in mind the guide is for the right hand drive MINI so the USDM is slightly different in terms of running the blue DRL wire through the firewall grommet; it is a little trickier because of the wiper orientation and the battery being on the opposite side. All in all it took my buddy and I around 4.5 hours to get everything installed and buttoned up. Well worth it IMO.
- Be careful with the tabs on the fog light mounting brackets; they are pretty frail and one snapped on me. A little Gorilla glue hopefully fixed it.
In conclusion: plan accordingly and allow yourself a good chunk of time for installation if you plan on doing it yourself, get some Sam Octoberfest to aid in the install, and a second pair of hands is beneficial!
- They are a HUGE step up from the current fogs. Overall the new units are made far superior to the stock units. The LED rings are super bright and the LED fog/driving light is a dramatic improvement over the stockers. I seem to be against the grain in that I do not have HIDs but the color temp of the units are dead on to the HIDs.
- IT IS A TIME CONSUMING INSTALL! There are no instructions actually included with the new units. I scrounged around the net and I found the official MINI instructions; they are worthless (and lists the improper wire to splice into). The link for the guide listed on post #32 in this thread is a life saver. Keep in mind the guide is for the right hand drive MINI so the USDM is slightly different in terms of running the blue DRL wire through the firewall grommet; it is a little trickier because of the wiper orientation and the battery being on the opposite side. All in all it took my buddy and I around 4.5 hours to get everything installed and buttoned up. Well worth it IMO.
- Be careful with the tabs on the fog light mounting brackets; they are pretty frail and one snapped on me. A little Gorilla glue hopefully fixed it.
In conclusion: plan accordingly and allow yourself a good chunk of time for installation if you plan on doing it yourself, get some Sam Octoberfest to aid in the install, and a second pair of hands is beneficial!
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: DFW, TX
How much for installation? Looking forward to seeing some picutures, day and night!
Wow!! Did that improve the install time considerably? Any more details about the install would be appreciated.. I may just have to take a crack at it now! They look too damn good!
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 1
From: Chandler, AZ
No other tricks uncovered
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 1
From: Chandler, AZ
They are expensive, but insanely well built.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 1
From: Chandler, AZ
Hey Tex, sorry I can't get a night pic. They are just too bright to capture the rings with my phone camera. Only camera I have :(
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 3
From: Plainfield, IL
Sorry, I got a little distracted by how well your New York plate coordinates with your MINI's color. The DRL's look very nice. I may consider these.
Last edited by Mr. T; Aug 9, 2013 at 06:27 PM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: DFW, TX
No problem. I'm just a wee bit jealous!