so for the hella 500 or 1000 people have on here with the included wiring can you bypass the high beams altogether? I was thinking about getting the black magic ones but I don't want to tap into the wiring I would rather it to be just fully controlled by a switch either on or off. I don't want to have to even have my headlights on.

 

Yes, you just need a constant 12v source ready to power on the relay. I used a "Tap a Circuit" in the fuse box.

I actually used a three way switch and have either option. On with the headlights, or full manual control even with the car turned off (be careful with this the the daylight )

 

LOL thanks for the fast reply, yeah 12v constant shouldn't be a big deal I have already done a number of other lights on my car but never any driving or fog lights so I was unsure.

Ill be carefull, only using the lights if I really need them on

 

Hey, well done. This is the first 2nd gen car with lights on the lower grill I've seen. That's where the fogs should be, IMO. Yellow lens with the BRG and Rotas(?) are just a great combo. Could I/we trouble you for some mounting details or photos of the lower grill mounts? Common on 1st gen. I've wondered if there wasn't a complication with the 2nd gen lower grill mount. Are they nice and steady?

 

Thanks KPH, I'm sorry I don't have any photos of the mounting brackets I made, but I could give some details.
On the lower grill location, that area is basically solid plastic behind the honeycomb. The mount is about 2 1/2" long and about 1 1/8" wide. I formed it around a piece of wood that I cut to a couple of compound angles to get the lamps to sit right. I have a strap of brass behind the grill for reinforcement. They are very steady.
I'll try and take some additional pic's maybe this week or next.
I'm waiting for a FMIC so I can take the bumper off again.
I suppose once I post pic's, there goes my million dollar idea .

 

Hey what lights do you have in the middle they look brighter?

 

Thanks Maugre for the quick reply. Just knowing bumper removal is required is good info. Look forward to more pics when the intercooler job comes around. As for a million dollar idea; think of it this way: Garage-Steve Jobs-Apple Computer. Ka-Ching!

 

 

any chance of a cleaner shot, maybe the side a bit?

What lights are those?

 

I love those quad light setups. Has anyone noticed light dimming at lights or stop signs?

Sean

 

I have 4x 100W Hella (2x500 and 2xFF500) and there's been no problem with lights dimming. Each pair is running off a separate relay, using the Hella wiring with a piggy-back plug off the H4 connector to the headlight globe. (FYI the VIP Custom Parts bracket is great too)
No cooling issues either, although it's yet to go through a summer. Sits around 230F around town, has been up to 240F. In the countryside, the faster I go the cooler the engine gets, so that's OK.

 

now those are rally lights!

 

 

heres mine

 

I saw these on the forum: Picture belongs to Maxmini

 

Love the retro rectangles!

 

When I saw his lights, I was amazed.

 

The do look sweet. On the r56 im heasitant to put anything in front of the intercooler though.

Sean

 

If you have a factory intercooler youll have plenty of space

 

I honestly have not looked at it I just wouldn't want to block it as I live in Houston, I need all the air I can get. I really like the lights mounted in front of the space between the intercooler and top grill both from a practical and appearance perspective. I think I want 4 lights but we will see. Thanks for everyone who posted pictures up, they look great.

Sean

 

My fogs are Hella500 lights with yellow laminates.
Outmotoring mounts...very easy to install.
Mark

 

Nice clean look...I like em'

 

I was running both the Hella Fogs & Driving lights during the MINI parade at MINIs in the Ozarks when the driving lights went out all of a sudden. The bulbs were good so I wasn't sure what the deal was and waited until I got home to look everything over.

It turns out that the main fuse near the battery had melted the fuse holder enough that a coat of plastic was covering the fuse contact. Both the fog and driving light fuse holders were dark from heat! Yikes!

I had a questionable ground so I improved that and replaced the crappy OEM fuse holder with some nice heavy duty 30A rated waterproof blade fuse holders. Only $3 each at radioshack. I ran the light for awhile after the replacement and the fuse and wire are now nice and cool.

 

Love the classic 4 mount look TheCheatOSX... looks good!

 

2 micro 4 watt LED spotlights hidden in my hood scoop