I am interested in adding rally (driving) lights to the front of my '02 BRG MC. I would like to add these myself and have been browsing around looking at the myriad of options available! Anybody out there that has purchased and self installed lights and would like to make any suggestions on options to consider or avoid? I am very comfortable with any and all wiring necessary - but modifying the grill etc to mount them would not be my thing!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the help!

 

OKMini-- I did this, and it went just fine. I was not comfortable taking a drill to a brand new car, but I really wanted the lights on right away, so I did it anyway!

My suggestion is to go to your dealer and checkout a MINI with the driving lights on. Take your digital camera and take pictures from under the bonnet. Really checkout how they are attached and WHERE. Dealer instaled lights may be riveted. I used bolts and locking nuts.

Good luck, you'll do fine. (And search for other threads on this.)

God speed.

 

I purchased mine from New Mini Sport in the UK and love them. Its a 4 light system and it wires up pretty easy. The wire in with your High Beams so anytimeyou use them they come on. I didn't like this so I purchased the OEM wiring harness from MINI and did it all myself. you will have to cut the knee bolster, Remove the bumper cover. Drill holes in the Aluminum bumper underneath and shave part of the bumper cover to accept the light bar. Its was a bit hairy but afterwards I have never had a problem hacking into the car. It looks VERY cool and very retro (aka like my 64)

 

I love the way the Rally Lights look and I wish I'd got them originally. A friend of mine installed them himself on his Mini, and said he had no problem with it. You should be fine, I'd definitely have someone to help you out though, two heads are better than one!

 

Hey OKmini
what about the rally light from PIAA which you can get them on eBay for a very good price $170.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2439829621

 

Okmini,

Check out the duel driving lights by PIAA. I ordered my from Randy and had a local mod guy install them. The larger PIAA lights look so much cooler than the MINI lights you buy from the dealer. People tell me my all chili red MINI looks like some kind of roadster, and I agree. The change in appearance is remarkable & absolutly beautiful.
I am of the humble opinion that a MINI or a Mini (I have a 72 Classic Mini) must have driving lights to really be a MINI or a Mini. (I know this is not true but I do like the sound of saying it.)

 

Garfield,

Got any pix - sounds great! Actually, I agree with your thoughts on the "requirement" of driving lights to be a real Mini. My father bought a Mini too after he saw/drove mine. His is BRG with White roof (but no sunroof)... being an old Brit he claims the sunroof is nothing short of sacreligious!! Has the same reaction to the bonnet stripes!

 

Yeah Garfield!

 

>>I am interested in adding rally (driving) lights to the front of my '02 BRG MC. I would like to add these myself and have been browsing around looking at the myriad of options available! Anybody out there that has purchased and self installed lights and would like to make any suggestions on options to consider or avoid? I am very comfortable with any and all wiring necessary - but modifying the grill etc to mount them would not be my thing!!!!!!!!!
>>
>>Thanks for the help!

I got the lights from MossMINI. You can install it yourself, but I chose to have a friend who does alarms and other electronics do it for me. We actually ended up doing the install together with me taking apart all the interior pieces while he worked under the hood pulling wires. The MossMINI rally lights consist of a lightbar which is mounted by 4 allen bolts to your grill. You can add up to 4 driving lights. I chose to have just 2. It's a very solid mount, and adds extra chrome if you like chrome!


See the Install Details on my website

 

Any other ones available without the light bar?

 

OctaneGuy,

Thanks for the info... and the detail on the install. Time to buy some lights and get started!

 

OKMini,
No I do not have pics. However, I do want to share, so this week I will take some pics of my new MINI with driving lights & my 72 MINI with driving lights and post them together real soon. I am not very computer oriented, but my son said I could take some pics & have Walmart put them on a disk & them he would post them for me. This might take me a few days but don't give up on me.
Happy safe driving!
Terry

 

SpoMini,
Your driving lights look great! Red & white is a beautiful color combination. I love my all Chili Red more than any other color, but I am sure you have the same feelings about your car.
Terry

 

>>OctaneGuy,
>>
>>Thanks for the info... and the detail on the install. Time to buy some lights and get started!
>>

You're welcome. Feel free to ask any questions if you go this route.

 

Here's what my dealer supplied driving lights look like and an idea of how they are attached. No bar, no problems, installed myself.

 

I too am on the quest for light

I don't like the lights from the dealer, or too many of the aftermarket ones out there (many are too "modern&quot. I want to get Cibie Tangos or Oscars, but they are $$. I am a bit budget challenged right now... I found a source for WIPAC lights - the same ones that were put on the original Mini, they are made in England (cool!) and pretty affordable (cooler still!). I can get two for about $70 - shipped from England. (Mini mania has them on their classic Mini site for a bit more $). Do an ebay search for "WIPAC" and you find some pix.

Trying to save some $ - has anyone added lights without using the oem wiring harness, relay and switch? I have asource to make me custom stainless steel brackets (for free no less!). However, I was curious about anyone diy-ing the wiring from scratch?

 

Best lights I've found after a lot of research are Hella FF1000s. Prodrive uses these on their rally cars. The assemblies support up to a 130W bulb :smile: They're usually around 120 a pair but they're onsale at Advanced Auto right now for 69.98 (instore only). My girlfriend just got me a set for xmas so dont ask for a pic until Dec 26th :smile:

IPF also makes some pretty decent lights. They're imported to the US by ARB (of Australia?) so check out 4wd places....


--
Cheese

 

It is all a matter of taste.

We got two sets of the factory Auxilliary driving lights installed by the dealer, and covered by MINI warranty. Looks pretty smart. There are cheaper ways to go, brighter lights to use, and different ways to attach -- methods to suit all tastes, a range of budgets, and various skill levels. Once you figure out what fits you best, do it, enjoy it, and post your pics.

 

>>Best lights I've found after a lot of research are Hella FF1000s. Prodrive uses these on their rally cars. The assemblies support up to a 130W bulb :smile: They're usually around 120 a pair but they're onsale at Advanced Auto right now for 69.98 (instore only). My girlfriend just got me a set for xmas so dont ask for a pic until Dec 26th :smile:
>>
>>IPF also makes some pretty decent lights. They're imported to the US by ARB (of Australia?) so check out 4wd places....
>>
>>
>>--
>>Cheese
>>

Your right those Hellas are nice - especially for that price! I think we have some advance auto stores around here - I'll check. Choosing the actual light is pretty easy. I really like the nod to the classic Minis that the WIPAC lights give, so I'll probably get them. What I am really curious abou is how you DIY-ers are hooking them up? OEM harness and relay? Or did you cobble something together? If so, what did you do?

 

My intentions are to use the supplied HELLA harness and switch mounted in the parcel shelf knockout.

--
Cheese

 

>>My intentions are to use the supplied HELLA harness and switch mounted in the parcel shelf knockout.
>>
>>--
>>Cheese
>>
I assume then that you want them to work totally independant of the other lights? The OEM harness allows the driving lights to come on only with the high-beams..the switch is an override, if you wwant to have your high beams on but not the driving lights. I'll have to look at those Hellas, that is great price - especially if there is a switch and wiring harness included.

 

I ordered 5430 Piaa 540 xtrme wht drv mini cooper lights. I have not received them yet. They are coming today.

I paid $209.50 for them including shipping.

Earl

 

Where did u get those PIAA mini cooper lights fo sooo cheap?
Cheapest i found is 250.00.

 

Wher edid you get them ??

I can get two for about $70 - shipped from England. (Mini mania has them on their classic Mini site for a bit more $). Do an ebay search for "WIPAC" and you find some pix.
>>
>>Trying to save some $ - has anyone added lights without using the oem wiring harness, relay and switch? I have asource to make me custom stainless steel brackets (for free no less!). However, I was curious about anyone diy-ing the wiring from scratch?

 

Has anyone tried to install or is using the kit from Min-Madness? $299 for a 2 light and $499 for 4 lights, they claim to have a stronger bracket mount attaching from behind the grille. Their lamps are also 100W each. Also similar in appearance to OEM kit.

4 lights WOW!!

Tempted,