OK, so I REALLY like the OEM Driving Lights...but they are WAY TOO expensive!! So I'm planning on going after-market.

I'm pretty much set on getting the Hella 500s b/c of the price ($80ish)

But my concern is the size of the light. The OEM ones don't look HUGE, while some pics I've seen of the Hella's do...

So: Please post some pics of your Hella's (or other favorite driving lights)...if you by chance have one with the OEM and aftermarket next to each other, that would be amazing!

Also: Can anyone tell me what the size difference between the two is?

Thanks much all!

 

So you want not hella expensive lights so you're going to get hella not expensive lights. Does anyone else see the irony here?

There are several versions of Hellas - I'm sure someone can post the size of the OEM lights so you can get a similar size. (sorry, my MCS isn't close by)

 

heh...I might need to edit that!

 

I have the hella FF1000's on my 06 MCS. You can see a few pics in my gallery. They are MUCH larger then the factory ones, but I love them. They really light the world up. They are not a simple bolt on affair - I had to build a bracket to extend the factory bracket. A few extra hours, but worth it to me. I also got clear stone shields from Rallylights.com to protect the big lights!

After a few sets of PIAA lights in a miata, where the POS relay melted and almost started a under hood fire, I am STRONGLY in the Hella Camp. The wiring harness and relay are MUCH beefier than any of the PIAA crap I used to use. I use my lights pretty much anytime there is nobody in front of me. They have been on for over a year with no issues.

I also just bolted a set of Hella 500's on my wife's 2005 MCSa. Sorry - no pics and the wiring is not done yet, so no direct comparison. They look quite a bit smaller than the FF1000's! FWIW, the 500's are a great deal (about $60 or so from summit) and they come with the EXACT same wiring harness as the FF1000's. They also bolt directly to the factory brackets (from outmotoring.com) with no hassles. I can't give a 100% recommendation until they are wired, but so far everything is looking very good.

I can not speak for the Hella Optulux line sold at pep boys, but the FF1000 and the 500's seem to be the real deal to me. Once I get the 500's wired up, I think it is time to add a set of 500 fogs in my lower grill. Can't have too much light!

good luck!

 

PIAA 540, from Out Motoring...

 

Hella 500's for my Mini. Nice inexpensive light.
I've got a set of Lightforce 170 Strikers on their way for my truck though... woot!

 

Hella 500s shown in all photos, the 500s are 6+ in whereas the OEM ones are ~4in.

Here is a link to the rest of the Hella line if you're looking for something a little different.

 

MINISport Quad Spot Lamp Bar Kit. The lamps aren't too big or too small. It's a lil' expensive but I guess I have expensive tastes.

 

Thanks for the Info and Pics thus far everyone! Decisions, Decisions!

 

OEMs bought used here on NAM, and installed myself, so not too expensive.

Merry Christmas, Everybody

 

No arguing the OEM lights are expensive. But I've seen some inexpensive aftermarket driving lights that *look* inexpensive (read: cheap).

And some just don't seem to fit the MINI correctly. MINI driving lights should be...well... MINI.

 

ugh. Everytime I just about think "Who REALLY needs more extra lights - I should save my money" a pic of your car comes up and throws that all out the window...... i love it!

 

I respectfully disagree!

 

I have the ALTA rally-style light bar, but with only half the lights, (the kit comes with 4 IPF 968 lamps, but I only have 2 installed, because of my required front license plate).

They're really helpful for spotting deer in these dark winter months.

 

Hella Black Magic on Outmotoring brackets.

 

Hella 500's and Madness brackets.

 

OEM and Hella 500's

 

What are madness brackets? Our club is getting ready to do a group lighting mod, and i have an ambitious idea, but im not figuring out how to put the lower lights on.. are they in the lower grille? is there a light bar? i really would love some ideas.. this is what i really like!

 

http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=183

 

Mr.Jim,
Im planning on getting the outmotoring light brackets like you, and i want to mount two fogs in the same position. Im told this requires no drilling into the factory bumper, correct? But one thing I dont understand, is how the heck DO the mount? Even with various light positions, im told that they require no drilling. Do you have any input on this for me? Thanks!

ps. I DO know that making a hole in the factory grill is needed

 

OEM

 

****With the black covers on*****





******With the covers removed****

I just really liked the look of the genuine Mini driving lights.