I picked these up today from a local PIAA dealer. $59.99. The kit comes more complete than I thought it would, wiring harness and instructions. :smile: My Lucas 2020 bolts fit through the holes.

I checked on getting a switch to fit beside the fog light switch but the entire row of switches is all one piece. So, unless the rear fog light kit comes with a full row of switches it doesn't look as though there is an easy way to get a "factory" looking driving light switch in with the other chrome switches. I thought about getting the rear fog light kit and then rewire the switch to work on the driving lights, but $199 for that little trick is a bit much.



I am going to wait before installing to see if my dealer can try again to remove the darn yo-yo out of the rpm range.



_________________
Chris
'04 MCS: 1,2,3, aux guages, aux input, dk slvr, blk/lapis blue - delivered 12/22/03

 

Beware! Those look like the factory mounts to me, which are way too flimsy for anything other than a very small, lightweight plastic light. I have PIAA 520s on these and these bounce something fierce, creating a kind of hypnotic strobe effect. Check into the beefed-up mounts sold by MiniMadness (and maybe others.)

 

Thanks - I'll see how these do. If I need to reinforce these I'll try some JBWeld and a piece of iron or swing by a muffler shop and have them tack weld something.

 

Hi Chris,

I was just chatting with you on the Vortex about MCS's a couple of days ago.

I went ahead and bought the entire PIAA kit from a local vendor. They didn't have it in stock, but is should to be here by Monday or so. According to what I've read online, the PIAA brackets were supposedly redesigned earlier this year to provide a more stable mount.

I'm curious about how they compare to the factory brackets. Can you measure the thickness of the PIAA brackets? Can anyone else out there measure the thickness of the factory bracket? Also, I wonder if the shape is identical or if there are some differences that might lead to more stability.

As usual, I've got more questions than answers...

 

Hey Kevin,
Yes, I'll measure them when I get home this afternoon. Hopefully they are not leftovers of the old design.

 

>>I checked on getting a switch to fit beside the fog light switch but the entire row of switches is all one piece.

 

Wow, looks great - where did you get the kit? Is the relay included..if so that is a very good price.

I assume that the PIAA harness funtions totally independant of the high beams? You can turn on the lights regardless of the headlights being on or off? I am trying to see if there are any options other than the OEM kit that can be set up in a way so that my driving lights come on and off with the high beams..

_________________
2003 MCS, Indi Blue, Black Roof

 

The thickness of the backet metal is:
3mm or just about an 1/8"

The kit doesn't have a relay. I picked the kit up at a PIAA dealer in Sterling VA, Autosport. They also do JetHoat coating if anyone needs that service.

d.dbob- thanks for the tip. I wonder if the Classic Mini rear fog light kit includes the factory switches or a generic switch light the PIAA light kit or even the Mini factory kit, which suprised me that it wasn't available on the standard switch panel. The dealer said the switch panel alone is around $169.

 

Chris,

Thanks for measuring that for me. I'm now trying to track down someone with the factory brackets to see what thickness they are.

Anyway, with any luck my lights will be on by this time next week. I'm not a fan of the PIAA switch, but I'll live with it for a little while at least. Will probably check into the purchase of the Mini driving light switch. (p/n 63 12 0 144 134, goes in a custom cut hole on the driver's side lower dash panel)

 

>>d.dbob- thanks for the tip. I wonder if the Classic Mini rear fog light kit includes the factory switches or a generic switch light the PIAA light kit or even the Mini factory kit, which suprised me that it wasn't available on the standard switch panel. The dealer said the switch panel alone is around $169.

Stew..
Contact Classic, the rear foglight kit is just a factory panel w/ all the switches. All the wiring is already in the car. You just swap out the switch panel and then have the dealer "activate" them in the computer and you are good to go. You can check out some ideas and opinions here - https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&start=175

 

those look exactly like the factory mounting brackets..

alot of people complain about them, but i have 4 lights mounted on them and no problems here