So when I ordered my MC back in June, I spec'ed out driving lights (to be installed at the VDC). My MA said they'd be $510 for the lights, plus another $700 or so for the install. Um, OK, I said, not knowing any differently.

Well, my car's on the boat right now, making its way to the Canal, and I find out that another NAMer here is at the same VDC in Port Hueneme, waiting for his driving light install, for which he's paying only $780 total (just $270 for install)! (He ordered his MINI from a different dealer, in SoCal).

So here's what I want to know, so I can go to my MA with some ammo here to ask for a discount on this obvious price-gouging. I also plan to call dealers in the area for quotes on the install.

If you got the OEM driving lights, and had the dealer or VDC install them, what did you pay?

 

OEM Driving Lamps + Installation at MINI dealer is about $810. Not more than that.

 

Is the install different for MC vs. MCS?

 

The install's the exact same. I was quoted ~$700 for a VDC driving light install when I was speccing out my order in December.

If I had to guess what's the issue I'd say the quote you got really was for parts+labor at the VDC and the additional parts charge is redundant.

 

I doubt it. They gave me a total of $1197.

Now, after calling 4 dealers, I've gotten quotes just for the labor of anywhere from $250 (Concord) to $725 (Long Beach, which told me it's about 7 hours of labor (vs the 4 hours quoted to me by East Bay).

Seems like a person could easily get jacked around here!

 

I am quoted high (I think) as well. I already ordered them, and dealer is going to be installing.. as soon as my MINI reaches them. I am getting the driving lights and the mudflaps (which only cost $100.00 or less) for $1295.00. Dealer let me know - it's $150.00 off regular price!!!

 

I was quoted $900 in NC. Well, $8xx.
I remember it as "about 900".
I had to order a bumper cover last December, when
I was on the phone the guy said they had a
christmas special where the driving lights, installed,
would be $600.

Which isn't totally unreasonable but I've already decided
to go with aftermarket, which I think will be under
$250 for all I want (hella lights, grill and bracket from morristownmini,
yellow bulbs aftermarket, switch, wire, etc.)

 

Buy the oems and install them yourself in a weekend. Lots of info on this on NAM

 

I thought I read here on NAM that if you install them yourself you can't integrate them with the headlight stalk because it needed to be reprogrammed at the dealer. Is that incorrect?

 

I paid $890 for mine

 

I wouldn't have a clue how to install them... and my husband probably could... but it might take him 6 months or more to do it, so I'll have to pay. I really just like the looks of them.. more than the function!

 

Most people here have said no programming.
A couple have said it needs programming.
(I have followed this a lot)
I asked the dealer when I was in and he said
"uh uh uh, well, the older ones needed programming,
but I'm not really sure about the new ones, I would
have to check".

To me that says no programming. I mean, he works there, he should know.
He didn't want to say "Oh hey, no programming" to me, lest I
get them and install myself. My dealer is actually a good one
I wanted to say that, but I guess it's just human nature to
not want to let an easy $300-400 extra easy money fly away.

 

WOW, I guess I really got a good deal. I bought the lights ($510) but my dealer installed them for free as part of my purchase.

 

Yeah, that's a good deal. Lights with the install kit will I think be around $375 from Morristown. So they made a little money, but not a whole lot.

 

I'm sorry, but $700 for installation seems excessive to me! This seems more like gouging and a profit "cushion" for the dealer for eager buyers (just like me). Pesonally, I would just buy a nice matching "Hella type" quality aftermarket kit for about $250 (guessing here) and then (if you need to) get a good mechanic to have them install it. I cannot comment on how it would integrate into the mini, but nearly all fog/driving lights just have a switch that controls a relay, which applies the power directly to the lights from the battery. Even $30 fog light kits come with wiring, relays and a switch! You might just need to order a matching mini switch to look OEM. Generally the hardest part is finding a "perfect" place inside for the switch so that it looks OEM. If there is already a fixed place for the mini's driving light switch, then this should be an easy install for a good weekend mechanic. Save youself about $1000!

 

I paid $510 for the lamps and $225 for the installation to be done at the VDC. MAG in Columbus told me the VDC does a better install job then dealer (normally)...

 

They were a freebie for me!

 

Pretty interesting that the dealer would say that!

 

You are correct in general about driving lights.

The real issue of confusion has been mini-specific driving lights.

They only work with the high beams on (vs. an aftermarket
you would typically install them to turn on and off at your will).

(well, I think there is an over ride to make them work without
the high beams on, just wanted to add that)

The question really is 'because of this high beam feature, if you
use the OEM kit, does the install need computer programming?'

I'm on the camp that it does not.

But so far Ive not seen anybody here say
"I bought the kit from morristown mini, installed it myself,
and it did [or did not] need programming"

Maybe somebody said that somewhere and I didn't see it.

But the subject always seems to turn to
I paid X for mine.
I paid Y for mine.
(both installed at the dealer)
Oh, X and Y are both too much I'll just get some hellas.

One of the threads has downloadable factory directions
on how to install (just letting you know).

 

Absolutely not. The DIY install is programless on the R56. Older models(R53) needed to be taken to the dealer for programing.

 

In that case, for the price most people are paying to have them installed, I'll do the install myself (unless of course, I get a good deal on the install when I order). Thanks for the info.

 

$765 to $810 installed at my dealer, depending on what kind of interior switch one picks. Cheaper than it used to be, but not much. $$ better spent on something else (altho they do look cool.)

 

What are the options for switches?

 

Does anyone have a pic of the OEM switch?

 

From Mini Mania

Fit's to the left side of the steering wheel.l