Amen to this sentiment .read my sig.!I can personally dislike it and not have it mean squat to you.If it feels good, do it.Anything worth doing, is worth overdoing. Nuff said.

 

As far as the legality goes:

In Louisiana the State Police told me that they have no law against underbody neon kits EXCEPT that they cannot be red, blue or white which are the colors of emergency vehicles.

That said, you can have those colors but you can't drive around with them on, i.e. you can have them on if you are chilling in a parking lot or at a show, etc.

As far as local cops...I live out in the country and the cops aren't out there. So I know I can drive around my area without trouble. Now when I come to the city where I work that's a different issue.

I never planned to ride with them on 24/7 or even every night. More of a fun thing for every now and then or at any shows I bring the car to, even as a spectator.

I'll definitely look to see what else I can spend the money on. Kit with install would probably run around $300. Might get some driving lights instead.

And for that Honda comment...if the wife breaks down I'll probably do a pulley first followed by an intake. If she doesn't then I'll be all show. Well, not all show, the MCS isn't exactly a slug.

 

Matt,

If you live in the country, the driving lights are a MUST! They'll really alert you to deer and other wildlife, as well as warn the animals that YOU are there! Plus, if you come to the Dragon, you HAVE to have them for the Midnight Run! Wanda has the PIAAs and they're fantastic!


Clover

 

MiniClo,

Do you have the 2 or 4 light set up? Do you have to remove them to raise the bonnet? How hard is the install?

 

Yes take the money you would spend on the lights and put it towards something useful .... like lights (driving lights that is)

Of course you can do it and if you don't like it you can undo it.

Earl

 

I think older car enthusiasts, say folks over 40 or so, will tend to dislike the under car neon lighting. It didn't exist until fairly recent times, thus it's generally a mod that's pursued by younger drivers.

I think it looks awful, but then, I'm over 40ish

 

the driving lights sound like a good idea, they look good and they are also functional

 

I have two lights, which I bought from Dan at Pilo (a vendor here on NAM), in a group buy deal. They were installed the same way as the OEMs, and you do not have to remove them to raise the bonnet...they are mounted on the grill. I had an independent mechanic install them when I was in Birmingham, AL, on my spring roadtrip. He put the switch on the steering wheel column and I can tell if it's on or off by seeing the little red/green light reflected in the driver's doorhandle!

He also set them up so that they work with either regular headlights OR the high-beams!

Clover

 

I say go with the neons big time. Underbody, footwell, I'd even hang one of those 4 foot shop lights to replace the interior LEDs. Also, if you put enough neon lights on the fronts bumper, you can dual purpose them as driving lights. Go with yellow and it's fogs too!


Seriously, don't build your car by committee - do what YOU want.

 

What purpose did your post serve Joe? It's simply ridiculous and condescending.

I'm not building my car by committee. I'm asking for opinions because I respect what the MINI community thinks since they are, well, a community.

 

Go for a good set of driving lights. You'll find them a stylish add-on that's imminently more practical than underbody lights, especially since you live in the country.

As for the interior lighting, even a soft glow will slightly affect your night vision. It may not be enough for you to feel it's detrimental, but the affect is still there.

 

I reckon he was giving you the opinion you were asking for.

 

Early Apex - You'll note that I asked the smartasses to stay out of the conversation. Joe Dentist's post is nothing but wise *** remarks.


You don't see me having a problem with any of the other people who posted that they didn't like neon.

 

He answered your question.

 

Mini + Neon = sad Mini

Don't fuel the fire, ignore if it bugs you.
It works great! I have been doing it with my taxes for years
Just kidding.

 

Buckeye,

No fire to fuel buddy. Appreciate your opinion on it.

I will most likely put neons at the very bottom of my mod list. Let time pass by and see if I still have the desire.

 

Neon is a must!

 

Neon? only if ya live in Vegas, Baby!

I'd try these lighting upgrades before going the neon route:

http://www.bimmian.info/MN

The xenon interior lights are sharp!

 

MGCman,

Thanks for that link! That site has some nice stuff for decent prices. Bookmarked

Matt

P.S. I'm DYING to sell my freaking Galant so I can order the MINI.

 

Hey Matt:

I think that tastefully applied Neons inside the cockpit would look absolutely fantastic in your new MINI.

However....


I am not a big fan of them on the exterior (underside) of the car. That's something best left to cars made in Japan, inc IMO.


But it is your ride and you are certainly free to do as you please. Just keep in mind that exterior neons simply don't suit the "persona" of fine European motorcars such as the MINI.


Just my humble opinion.

PS: Sell the damn Galant quickly, man!!! (I know the feeling all too well! )

 

I have two sets of Streetglow blue neon underneath my car, blue neon-lighted footwells and strobe lights in my wheel wells. I don't show my car, but I get a kick out of washing my car at night with everything glowing. Personally, I like the "bling factor" and get great feeback from everybody: from little kids to 70-year old ladies who like the "wing-thingy" (M7).

 

Not my cup of tea, but I probably fall in the old-fart category.

Personally, I would "invest" the $$ in a nice set of lightweight rims and decent performance tyres and possibly some supsension mods. This will certainly enhance the performance of your car without adding the overtly go-faster goodies,

 

I personally like neon, but not too much. I don't care for an underbody kit, but thats just my opinion. Do what you like to your car, not what you think others will like. I am currently installing two small 6" blue neon rods in the door cubby hooked up to a toggle switch. Just throwin' ya some ideas. Good Luck.


Lagston

 

Neons are definately a personal decision...I kinda like them but they have to look good! Here is the kit I would get if I had neons installed.

http://www.iceled.co.uk/

These are not cheap mind you, but they are awesome looking.

 

Skip the neon...go for aero kit or upgrade your sound system for true fun...neon doesn't fit this car in my opinion....