Hey guys, I'm looking into getting a pair of bonnet mount Driving lights and using either the Outmotoring or MiniMadness brackets but there is definitely a price difference, $46 Vs $75.00. My main concern is the light shaking around while driving, I'm 99% sure I'm going with the Hella FF200's which I believe is just under 5.5" so it's not too huge. Anyone's experience with either or both would be greatly appreciated. Besides price the only reason I'm leaning toward the Outmotoring is they have a couple more items I want so I could get it all shipped at once, thanks in advance!

Edit: Thanks ImagoX yes the bonnet mount.

 

Which brackets - the bonnet mount ones or the lower mount ones? I ASSUME the bonnet mount ones... If so, I use the Outmotoring ones with a set of Hella Optilux 2500s (they're smaller-sized driving lights - I BELIEVE they're 4" across) and I'm happy to report that they're rock solid even at high speed/spirited cornering. No bounce whatsoever. Just install them with stainless steel SCREWS instead of the pop rivits that come with the brackets. If you decide on really large-sized lights (the PIAA series are somewhat large, for example), you may get a bit more "bounce", but for smaller-sized lights like the Hella Optilux series, the bonnet brackets seem perfectly acceptible.

 

I have FF200's on the OutMotoring brackets. No shaking that I can tell...

Nokya Yellow bulbs...

 

My Vision lights are pretty big, and I have the MiniMadness brackets. I don't get any shake under normal driving conditions. On a bumpy dirt road a get a tad bit of vibration, but that's it. They are pretty solid even with the big lamps.

 

I've got the OEM style bracket that came with my Hella ff200's, I say "style" because although it may look like it, it's much, much thicker and stout. They do however vibrate a little at idle, once I come off of idle they are rock solid, and that's on the back roads around here. You might want to see what comes with the hella lights you're looking at.

We've also got the same set of lights that the Prof has and with the same brackets. Great mount, can't say enough about the quality of these.

Having said that, I don't know what the Outmotoring bracket is like, but if it's the same material and build as the OEM bracket............. get the madness or the hella!

 

I looked at the lights & mounts Matt has on his NANO CAR last Sunday. I was very impressed with the solidity of the mounts. Solid man.

 

I have the PIAA brackets that are the same shape as the Stockers, but supposed to be a bit thicker. Googled and got them shipped for about $50.

I have monster Hella FF1000's on them. I had to make and extention to bring them a bit farther away from the grill. Used 1/8 steel for that and a few bolts. I also used a set of the rubber snubbers from the hacth the help with bounce. Thread them onto the big bolt for your lights and they press against the bumper and help reduce the shake. I still get a little, but it's not bad. Esp for such big lights mounted further away from the grill than stock!.

But damn - they do light my way!

-jac

 

I used those FF1000's on my Subaru when we ran night rally's. Great light output. The light is wonderful, but the housing & mounting are absolutely carp. I replaced the plastic mounts with some metal ones & ran a set of lamp steadies back through the grill to the radiator core support. That made them rock steady.That's not an option on a MINI with the grill going up with the hood. Sounds like you found a good solution to that problem.

Could you post a few detail shots of the setup? I checked your gallery & they look very nice on there.

 

I snapped some detail shots, just need to get them posted. I'll try to do that soon.

Do you have more info on the replacement metal parts you used? That plastic "cup" that wraps around the light is a little sketchy - suprised to find it on a Hella. I have thought about doing the rods through the grill like the factory cars do, but they will not have as much leverage. We'll see. Need to do my pulley next anyway!

And yes, the light output is wonderful!

thanks!

 

I bought the brackets here... http://www.rallylights.com/

They are a metal replacement for the plastic foot on the bottom of the light. I also bought a set of clear plastic stone guards for the lights there too. I couldn't find the brackets on their web page. I'd call & ask them. They are most helpful folks. They gave me quick service too.

 

[FONT=Arial]I do not have any lamps on my MC so you don't have to listen to me but, I've had the opportunity to meet George at Mini-Madness and I am sold on Mini-Madness construction/quality desire to carry the best products.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]I pulled this from the light bracket page.....[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]CONSTRUCTION
Made from heat treated steel and laser cut to exacting tolerances these light brackets are 100% stiffer than the factory MINI lamp brackets. The superior strength of these brackets provide rock solid vibration free beam pattern with whatever lamp you choose. Each lamp bracket is weight rated at 7lbs per bracket. Powdercoated black for longevity and corrosion free performance[/FONT]