Thats off road only, right...

 

They are connected to the fog lights so I use them often on road. No worries though they have a 15 degree beam and are now adjusted to hit the ground just beyond the low beams. They really are no brighter than a LED flashlight they just have a more focused beam. Since they are aimed at the ground and have a very focused beam there is less light scatter than from the headlights or fog lights. Not much function, just for looks.

 

Can you take a closer shot of your scoop? Does it block much of the airflow?

Looks excellent, but I wonder how it affects air inlet to cool your intercooler.

 

r56 doesn't use the hood scoop. Front mounted Intercooler for the turbo instead.

 

Those are PIAA 1500 driving lamps . I needed a little more range down the road and these fitthe bill. I wanted something a bit different than the norm so went to more of a stealth install. Here are a few more shots .

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

I will take pics asap and get them uploaded. I'm currently away from the car

 

Here are pics of how they are mounted. I have a M7 hood scoop which left the stock mounting bolts exposed so they are clamped to them. With the bigger scoop and a 1" diameter light there is little to no airflow restriction.

 

My high beams are crap. I was hoping to add an OEM kit or something that looks very similar and flows. Does anyone have any pictures of the added visibility from inside the cockpit? I'd appreciate any help.

 

My signature pic shows the spread from 2x Hella 1000 Black Lightning lights mounted on the bumper - with 100W globes. Of course, 4x Hella 5x0s is even better, but I think the Hella 500s are better lights for their size and are much closer to OEM size - just two would pretty good.
I also have the +50% globes (same wattage) in the non-HID headlights - helps with a brighter low beam when you have to dip the lights.

 

^ thanks for the tip. I've started to look around, I think I'm definitely going to end up getting a set and trying to integrate it into the JCW grill so it looks very clean and not like an afterthought. Do you guys think I would have any problem with the amount of heat generated? I'm going to assume it will be fine since I won't have them continually on, I just want them for added visibility during the use of the high beams. I also hope these guys are powerful enough to notice a solid difference. From what I understand it should be a considerable difference.

 

The lights throw all their heat forward so I can't see a problem with that. You'll lose a bit of cooling but I haven't had a problem with that even in mid-summer. Later, just to be on the safe side, I also removed the grille from the scoop - Alta claims it drops the temperature in the engine bay something like 30degF.

I also thought of setting the lights into the grill somehow - maybe recessing the lower portion of the light but having the top standing clear. It's very tight for space. Ideally you should also avoid blocking the spread of the beam with the grill cut-out. It will look good if you can manage it. The 500/550s are shallow so that helps.

 

vipcustomparts.com or outmotoring.com Which light set up you guys think is best? I'm thinking of doing a two light set up, wired up with my high beams. I need more light early in the morning, so I can keep the small animals away from my front bumper. TIA.

 

alta

 

Well, I have VIP on my S and OutMotoring on my Justa. Both are well made. My signature picture shows both.

The OutMotoring setup sits the lights in front of the bumper, so I'm always trying to park where people won't drive into them. Fitting is a bit more complex, but well-documented. The brackets only work on US-spec MINIs. They can take up to the larger Hella 1000 lights; I have mine adjusted so they sit against the bumper to avoid vibrations.

The VIP setup uses the OEM mounting points and needs the same cut-out grill (I bought an OEM one). Small lights would be OK on the brackets, or they have a bracing bar that joins the brackets and runs across the grill to support eg Hella 500 series lights - or which can fit four . Fitment is simple and you can park anywhere.

Wiring is the same for both. I recommend the Hella kit that has everything already cabled up, with a double-adapter that fits on the back of the H4 headlight (still inside the waterproof housing) that brings on the lights with high beam. The part number should be somewhere lower down this thread I think.

BTW, if you were to get the Hella lights, the FF500 has a wider, shorter beam and the 500 has a bit less spread (but still good) and bit better distance. All can take 100W globes if they're legal in your state. They're good performing spread beams for the price. Spread beams are good for spotting wildlife early - saved me a BIG prang with a kangaroo once.

 

Thank you sir for your help, I'm going to get the outmotoring kit. I live in Florida, so the chance of someone breaking the lights when the car is parked is very small. The FF500 sounds perfect for my mission, so I'll look into those. Did you use the outmotoring harness, or did you buy the lights and harness from Hella? Thanks, Luis.

 

I bought the lights from OutMotoring and the double-adaptor harness (and the 100W globes) from a Hella outlet here in Australia. I guess OutMotoring might be able to source the harness if you ask.

The lights do come with some wiring but you have to connect it up to the high beam yourself - depends how good you are with auto-electrics (I know I'm not! )

 

 

Reviving this old thread and as it's my first post please don't flame me!

I'm interested in getting a set of 4 lights with either the Alta or Outmotoring light bars, but can't find an elegant solution to mount a front license plate as it's required by law here in Canada.

The platypus doesn't seem to allow for enough adjustment and although Outmotoring's webpage indicates they are working on a retrofit bracket, I can't seem to find anything on their website.

Has anyone been able to mount 4 lights + a plate?

I've got a 2008 MCS if it makes any difference.

Love the sight and I love what i'm seeing so far!

 

Yes, but not with a bar. Each light is mounted individually. I have two Hella FF200 kits mounted with a euro plate in the proper area. The kits are actually sold for the Cooper and have special brackets to mount in the grill.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmpyrdavid/3630406701/ by vmpyr_david, on Flickr

 

Light Bar from VIP Custom Parts in Arizona http://www.vipcustomparts.com/minicooperparts.htm. Number plate just attached with 2 self-tapping screws into the front bumper plastic (above the A and the 8) - that's how the dealers do all the front number plates here in Australia .
FYI lights are Hella FF500 on the outside, angled out for extra spread, and Hella 500 in the centre. With 100W globes. Daylight. The bar mounts to the mounting points for the OEM option lights, and needs the slots cut in the grill the same as the OEM light - or you can buy the grill with slots already cut. VIP had the 2008-style grill precut; I bought the 2011-style OEM precut grill.

 

awesome, thanks guys!

 

just got these guys put on......they are just some cheap lights i pucked up at the autoparts store....planning on replacing them with some something with a bit more power.

 

Mcameron: Are those custom brackets? I'm looking to install larger lights - I may have to go the route of an Alta bar with just two of the four lights installed to retain the licence plate. Mounting the lights on the bumper/lower bumper just looks so much more aggressive....!

 

Does the alta bar fit your 2008 MCS? On the site, it looks like it's only for before 2006 (R53)?

 

Snap. Misread the convertible part.... back to square one then...