I want to get some, but the OEM are very expensive! I see aftermarket one's that are a fraction of the price, but I worry about the quality. Would someone recommend a fair priced, nice looking, and good quality pair of driving lights please?

 

Watch the Marketplace. Every once in a while, they (oem) come up for sale used at reasonable prices. I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone knows of any aftermarket lights comparable to OEM (in size and appearance). I don't know of any myself.

 

Sbarr,

You can buy the OEM lights online from various vendors between 20% to 40% less than MSRP. The install instructions are also available on line. Not an extremely difficult task. I decided the left the VDC specialists do the grunt work and this way if I wasn't happy with the installation the dealer has the responsibility to make me happy. Plus they are covered under the warranty if they are dealer installed.

 

I just got a pair of KC Hilites Apollo's 5" driving lights. I ended up getting the fog lights as opposed to the driving lights, same look although different beam.

Thing I like about them is that they're black plastic abs construction won't rust like the OEM's have a tendency. Also at ~$80 they're a deal. Pick up a set of brackets from outmotoring or elsewhere and you've got a nice set-up IMO

 

I have a set of Hella 500s, no quality issues to speak of.

 

I paid a total of $355 for OEM components. I purchased the brackets from a member here for $40 and purchased the lights and switch from South Motors in Miami. All OEM components. I look around and found in order to tuck them close to the grill and behind the bumper, OEM was the only set up that let it fit. There are many other options, but the light position is the variable.

 

I paid about $460 for the OEM set up (lights, bracket, grill). I'll be installing them myself in the Spring. I'm just curious about switch options. The OEM switches start at $80 and go up to $170 for carbon black. I really want OEM button, but not at that price! lol.

 

I will have a set Of OEM with brackets for sale early next week for $135 plus shipping. They came off my 05 JCW Cabrio. Comes with the covers also. Excellent condition.

 

That's a great deal. I think you should PM the original poster of this thread, and give him / her the first shot. Whatever you decide, you won't be sitting on those for very long.

 

Yeah, could you sent me a picture of those? I might look into them. I'll pm you.

 

If he doesn't buy them, I will.

 

Hella 500's on factory brackets. Still awesome after 6.5 years, going to install a set on our new Countryman as well....

 

I LOVE my Hella Blackmagic 500, they are a great light. I have some Hella 500 on my Jeep Cherokee too. They are well made and will always pick Hella or PIAA.

 

Oh and the Hella's are mounted using Outmotoring brackets that work great.

 

got pics?

 

You should check out VIP Custom Parts http://www.vipcustomparts.com/minicooperparts.htm . I have 4 Hella 500s on their excellent bracket - mounts to the OEM mounting points (with an additional support mid-grill), uses the OEM cut-out grill but allows you to install non-OEM lights. I have 2 FF500s angled out to the side a little - they have a shorter, wider beam than the standard 500s so make good spread beam lights. The central two lights are standard 500s. All with 100W bulbs. Hella has a pre-configured wiring kit with piggy-back plug that connects onto the back of the H4 headlight to trigger the relay - a wonderfully simple way to install the wiring. I bought the lights and the 2011-model cut-out grill from Out Motoring (the FF500s aren't sold in Australia and it was cheaper to buy the 500s and ship them to Australia than to buy them locally!) The result is daylight at night, especially on twisty roads. It's weird but great to be able to see around the corners and pick your cornering lines as you're approaching night curves. Distance is more than enough at the legal speed limit. Night cruising is much more relaxed with good visibility.

VIP can do just the OEM-replacement brackets for just 2 lights, which is fine for the smaller (ie lighter weight) lights but they recommend the larger bracket for the heavier Hella 500s to avoid vibration - and seeing I had that bracket I thought I may as well fill it up!

I have Hella 1000 Black Magic lights (just 2 ) on my Cooper and they are fine for cruising at the legal limit, with good spread for twisty roads. They're on Out Motoring brackets, mounted in front of the bumper. They look good there but it's a bit tedious making sure to park where people won't reverse into them.

The Hella 500 and 1000 have really good light output for the price, and some of the best spread beam of any. Construction is plastic and lightweight - fine for on-road use (but I wouldn't recommend them for offroad competition!) The 1000s burn out their tiny 100W H2 globes pretty quickly - no such problems on the 500s.

This photo (in the NAM calendar ) gives a good view of the 500s.

 

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I decided to go with OEM lights that I bought off of putttn. I wired them to a switch that I got from autozone for $10 and mounted it by where your side view mirror toggle goes.

 

I've heard a lot of good things about Hella 500s, a few people in my MINI club have them and are happy with them.

I'm going in a little different direction regarding driving lights. I have some housings for PAR 36 lamps that I've modified to mount in the lower grill, with the mountings hidden at the back of the lamp housing instead of at the bottom. I plan on putting them on the car when I install the Helix intercooler. Photos will follow.

Dave

 

I'll chime in for Hella's... If you are looking for a good amount of light for your $ they are a very dependable set. Personally I also think the look of Hella's is nicer. The OEM kit is proportionally small IMO.

 

I like how big the Hella's are, but I also like my OEM ones.

 

I think you need light guards for your lamps safety..
http://www.cartopsgw.com/hella_offro..._lights_guards