Ok, so the decision has been made to get the Cooper. I am waiting on one thing and one thing only. Selling my car. Once its sold I'm placing the order for an 05 MCS.

Now I'd like the MINI NAM community opinion on an exterior mod. If you don't like the idea by all means chime in but please leave the rants and/or insults out. Everyone's tastes vary which is why there are so many cool MINI's out there.

Underbody neon kit. Yes or No? This would be a blue one on a Hyper Blue MCS. I have seen car's that looked stupid with neon kits. I have seen cars that made me drool with neon kits. It really depends on the car. I think the MINI is stylish enough to pull this off without looking "rice" or ridiculous. So what do you folks think about this type of thing?

Interior neon's in the footwells are something I am definitely doing regardless of opinion. I had them in a previous car and it makes night driving all the more pleasurable. When my brother broke one of my tubes with his big *** foot my car seemed so dark.

But the wife doesn't like the underbody kits and she's put doubt into my head on whether or not it will look good.

Thanks for feedback

Matt

 

Take her advice and forget about the neon kit on your Mini. Put it into performance mods or lighter wheels instead.

 

Yeah, definately listen to your wife, the underbody Neon is not a good idea at all.

And regarding the footwell Neons; apart from looking tacky, they will take a tole on your eyes during extended night driving.

The only cars that look good with the underbody Neon glow are lead-sled late 40s hotrods with chopped tops and flashy paint with lots of chrome.

 

I'd skip the underbody neon and put the funds into an aero kit. Remember to post pix when you pick up your new baby though!

 

Skip the underbody neon. It isn't really quite the right vibe for the MINI. As for the footwell area, neon there doesn't bother me at all. I agree about saving the money for mods. Get your MINI and see what you feel like doing in the mods department! You'll get plenty of ideas here on NAM!


Clover

 

personally i hate neon under car.. but i learn that i cannot influence anyone modding their car...

underbody: probably not... but hb with underbody and a aero kit with full painted side skirts might look ok by my book...

interior neon... this is probably ok... but it'd take away from vision and i dunno about u guys but i get glare if i drive at night with the light on inside the car

 

Agree - no under neon - I find it tacky.

 

It's your car, so if you like it do it. A suggestion though is that it looks better on a lowered car.

We have both items available at our store

Lighting:
http://www.piloracing.com/shop/products.php?cat=16

Springs:
http://www.piloracing.com/shop/products.php?cat=19

Great looks, Better Handling!

 

I don't like much in the way of "bling". But, my son goes for it in a big way. He has had neon under everything he has driven. When no. 2 son began to drive the MINI, he bought the interior ones and laid them under the seats, as a jab at his brother. Looked kinda cool. Didn't stay though.:smile:
I think the neon underbody kits are not for me. But if you like it, I do think it would work under a MINI. I specially do not like when you can see the tube itself, only the glow.
Again, not my taste, but I believe it would be as good under a MINI as under any other car.
The main thing is that you enjoy it. And can put up with others laughing or yelling at you. Do what you want, it is (will be) your car!

 

Your MINI is your canvas and you should do what you want with it.

 

Great post, binky!!

Clover

 

well indiglo is not to my liking, it is your car and do want you want to it , it is your car

 

I personally think that underbody neon is useless.. and will make most people laugh or frown at you. You will get more respect for having a nice clean car without all kinds of aftermarket junk all over it, like neon lights, wings, etc. The MINI is cool enough without these kinds of lights.

Take the money you would spend on the lights and put it towards something useful... (such as the euro parcel shelf or an intake). Or.. if you are just looking for something to make your MINI look unique.. how about a custom roof graphic?

In my opinion, neon underbody (or interior) lights almost always look "ricey" (I hate that term.. but don't know how else to say it). Stick with the classy look and skip the neon.

 

A MINI is the perfect automotive canvas for creating whatever work of art you desire. And like any other form of art, the result is your own unique & personal creation which should suit your personality. Whatever criticism there may be is merely subjective observation based on somebody else's perception. It's your MINI - make it yours!

With that being said, I'll have to smack you if you get spinners

 

IMO, I wouldn't get the underbody kit. Too much attention to the local police. I would go to www.autolumination.com and get the 9LED festoon Dome light and redesign the interior lighting in your car instead!

 

Don't be shy - do what you like. :smile: But you may want to check with your
local traffic laws. Some cities/states do not allow any color of light under or from inside your car, others do not allow certain colors (such as red or blue).

 

Money much better spent on peformance mods or audio gear.

 

I don't think Paddy would approve.

 

I have seen neon that looks really cool, i agree with above, plan carefully so you only see the glow and get a good color match or good complimentary color scheme, Ive also seen neon that is super lame so I would say its all in the application, I love the interior lighting stuff though, so at the very least I would go for that Good luck either way, lets see some pics

 

I second this idea

 

Thanks for all of the class responses, seriously. I will take them all under advisement and think harder before I put a kit underneath.

To addresss a couple suggestions comments:

I've had interior neons and it has NEVER affected my night vision. We're talking about a soft light that is not within direct line of sight of the drivers vision. Secondly, you have to do it to where the bulb is totally out of sight. I can see how it could hurt the eyes if you were to look at the bulb. The glow itself is pretty harmless.

I doubt I'll be putting any performance mods on the car unfortunately. The wife says I can't make it any faster and yes I listen to the wife. She'll let me do about anything else so will just have to deal with that and try and break her down over time. The aero kit is a good idea but a costly one I'd have to save up for over quite awhile. I would worry about breaking it though.

Again, thanks for all the opinions guys

Matt

 

The mini is a classy performance car from GB. It has a retro air about it that no ricer from the land of rising sun has duplicated. The Mini has more than enough "look at me factor" all by itself. If there is money burning a hole in your pocket, put it into performance enhancements on the car only. Whatever makes the car handle better (springs, sway bars, wider rims),stop better (bigger brakes), and quicker (pulleys, air intakes, mufflers) is way to respect your Mini. Nothing looks sillier on a ricer's car than look at me junk and not even enhancing the performance aspects of the car. Just my opinion in a sea of opinions. I know that if your wife doesn't want you to spend it on speed than spend it on a good sound system.

 

I saw a MINI with the underbody neons at the last Fall of the Dragon. He had it timed to the music coming from his stereo. I thought it looked prety darn neat myself, even though I typically don't like the glow rods. The lights on his were farther under the body so you could not see the bulbs themselves.


I'd worry more about hitting a pothole or speedbump wrong and busting the whole thing up though.

 

Just wait till the first time a beat up old Honda Acord blows you doors off
Believe me, regardless, you'll be upgrading performance within six months.

 

I don't know about you but around me driving with neon underglows is illegal. With that said you almost never ever seen this where I am.