I was looking around to learn where the switch would go for the driving lights, and found this thread over on nemini

http://nemini.org/index.php?topic=7812.0;all

He had a yellow colorline, and they installed the lights and used a *gray plastic* panel in place of the colorline piece.

My lights aren't installed yet, because mine were the first 2007 they would do the install on and they didn't know they needed a different grill. So, I'm planning on going up on the 12th to get that done.

But, I've emailed my MA saying that I do not want the driving lights installed if what will be installed on the dash will put gray plastic on the LHS of the steering wheel. That's just unacceptable.

I've read on threads here that colorline replacements are available for that bit (can't find the thread right now) but even if that matches, if it's a hard plastic piece, that's also unacceptable.

 

There are 3 parts to the driving lamp kit that have to be purchased -- at my dealer the driving lamps are $292, the install kit (incl. mounting brackets and pre-cut front grille) is $109, and the switch is $65 (or a colorline-matching one for $110).

The pic shows the default switch which is grey. If he wanted to match the colorline, add $45 more. After looking at the driving lights, I don't like it anymore. One, it's super expensive and two, the freaking lights don't even line up with the bonnet stripes.

 

As I don't have the bonnet stripes, I don't mind, I kinda like where they sit.

But -- they'd better give me the proper colorline panel, and if it's hard plastic rather than the padded material -- no way. I'll ask for accessories credit or ask for some other consideration. For me the lights are mostly for aesthetics on the outside -- and I spend most of my time on the inside of the car.

I don't think this dealer will let me down and say "hey, you paid for it, you don't want it, fine, but we're keeping the cash."

 

The fact that they don't line up has always bothered me -- I thought I was just being ****. --- Is the placement set or can they actually be placed to line-up?

 

I read a post on MINI2 saying the mounting brackets can only be installed at a specific place, so you can't move it to align with the bonnet stripes.

 

ARGHH!
Aftermarket to the rescue!!!

 

No kidding!

Not having the color line match inside is just plain tackey.

I'm skipping the bonnet stripes for now... and would be going with black viper stiped if at all... but yeah, that would but me not having the driving lights match up.

I'll be getting a set myself, anyway. $810 installed is by no means cheap. But dealer installed also means they'll be covered under warranty... and what other lights out there will have the MINI logo embossed into the glass?

 

My driving lights do not have a seperate switch, they come on with main beam headlights.

 

Really? That's interesting. Were they wired from the dealor or aftermarket distributer that way? Can you turn them off at all?

In the US there are regulations that govern lighting (in most states I'm aware of, at least). Where I'm at in Washington, you can only have two additional accessory lights come on at any time (fog lights, or driving lights... not both)... and when you activae the high beams, the other lights are supposed to go out. So "leagal" wiring can be a little tricky if the wiring harness isn't set up to be "plug and play".

Me personally, I'd like to be able to turn night into day when no one else is around. High beams, fog lights, driving lights all at the same time... but, oh, well.

 

The US website says that they are wired into the highbeams, but there's also a switch to use "at your discretion".