For those expecting no shipping charges: If you read the website, shipping is listed as standard UPS charges, plus a $3 to $5 handling charge. I don't think they're going to give the stuff away at near cost and eat the shipping, too!

WOW! After the Vendor announcement, went on ahead and ordered the glove box organizer. $12...is that right?!
Thinking no tax and free shipping, I got a super deal, 'specially all the way here in Hawaii, but then reading their website about the handling and standard UPS charges

I too got the rally lights. At $180 that's less than half of suggested retail!

>>I too got the rally lights. At $180 that's less than half of suggested retail!

I was seriously considering doing that. My config includes the rally lights, but those get put on at the dealer, so I might just skip it. How hard are they to install? Would that create any warranty issues?

^ They look quite simple to install, and I'm sure that folks here on MCO can help with advice for any snafus encountered. I've examimed them on cars, and the hardware is simple...and the wiring is pretty much plug and play. I doubt that there'd be any warranty issues except for the lights themselves (which of course, wouldn't be warrantied by MINI if you put them on yourself).

>>^ They look quite simple to install, and I'm sure that folks here on MCO can help with advice for any snafus encountered. I've examimed them on cars, and the hardware is simple...and the wiring is pretty much plug and play. I doubt that there'd be any warranty issues except for the lights themselves (which of course, wouldn't be warrantied by MINI if you put them on yourself).


I spoke with my friend that works at my MINI parts counter (I sold him his Mustang), and he says it's a total B*$%# to install the lights. I'm trying to find out what my dealer will charge to install them if I actually get the kit, because I placed my order, but I notice that they lights are no longer on the website... SOLD OUT! So I'm hoping my order went in on time... we'll see!

I was over on Gabe's site this morning and there are links there to a good visual How-To as well as a PDF of the BMW/MINI instructions for driving lights. It's obviously more than a couple of screws, but I don't think too bad for anyone willing to pull apart trim, drill a few holes, and such. Personally, I like these sorts of purely mechanical jobs...where if you take your time and are careful you can feel like you've really accomplished something.

BTW, the driving lights are also a good argument for the Euro Parcel Shelf which already has the cutout for the switch so you don't have to go hacking a hole in the standard US bolster panel.

>>I was over on Gabe's site this morning and there are links there to a good visual How-To as well as a PDF of the BMW/MINI instructions for driving lights. It's obviously more than a couple of screws, but I don't think too bad for anyone willing to pull apart trim, drill a few holes, and such. Personally, I like these sorts of purely mechanical jobs...where if you take your time and are careful you can feel like you've really accomplished something.
>>
>>BTW, the driving lights are also a good argument for the Euro Parcel Shelf which already has the cutout for the switch so you don't have to go hacking a hole in the standard US bolster panel.


Do you happen to have a link to this site? that would be super helpful...
So if I get the Euro Parcel shelf, there's a spot already set up for the switch? how cool is that??

http://www.bridger.us/mini/

>>I was over on Gabe's site this morning and there are links there to a good visual How-To as well as a PDF of the BMW/MINI instructions for driving lights. It's obviously more than a couple of screws, but I don't think too bad for anyone willing to pull apart trim, drill a few holes, and such. Personally, I like these sorts of purely mechanical jobs...where if you take your time and are careful you can feel like you've really accomplished something.
>>
>>BTW, the driving lights are also a good argument for the Euro Parcel Shelf which already has the cutout for the switch so you don't have to go hacking a hole in the standard US bolster panel.

Don't these lights just connect to the highbeams? No need for a internal switch....I'm confused now.

I don't think so (i.e., I know that the regular driving/rally lights don't...but someone may have set theirs up this way). Rather, you turn on/off the driving lights as you do the front fog lights. They're configured so that they only come on with the high beams.

Here, by the way, is the URL for the how-to link from Gabe's site.

damn i just went to the website and they have nothing left.. i wanted to get rally lights

The rally lights that were pictured have the "euro" style wiring that do not have an inline switch (though you can add one if you want, like I did). The way they're wired they come on automatically with the high beams. NOTE: these lights have to be activated by your dealer.

Here's a link to the official MINI install instructions

http://www.mini2.com/guides/pdf/SpotLights.PDF

Mounting the lights and doing the under the hood wiring is pretty easy. The problems come in running the wiring under the dash to get to the BC1 module.

Hi guys - Received a lot of orders and a lot of e-mail questions. Thank you for both. I sent 88 boxes today. I have not even dented all the orders yet. I am trying to fill them in the order they came in. On Friday the first batch you did received a shipped so they're on the way. Today I did a lot and wasn't able to indivudally write shipped but many of them are on the way. I'l fill many more the next couple days. At this point I have no skid plates, no rallye lights, no lightshields, no exhaust systems and even though I haven't typed them yet all the glove boxes will be gone. Some of the bezels are out as well. In the next day or so I'll mark all the items that are gone. Besides what we will continue to carry all of this is below our cost. We charge exactly what UPS charges to ship your package. That is determined by the weight and the location. All guys in CA and stuff get their package 3rd day unless it is too heavy. We are in the Florida area. Anything received can be sent for full money back if anyone is not happy with anything.

I'll also at the end of the week let you know a list of what seems to be left before I ebay them out.

Paula Alibrandi
Finish Line/Moto-Lita USA

>>The rally lights that were pictured have the "euro" style wiring that do not have an inline switch (though you can add one if you want, like I did). The way they're wired they come on automatically with the high beams. NOTE: these lights have to be activated by your dealer.
>>
>>Here's a link to the official MINI install instructions
>>
>> http://www.mini2.com/guides/pdf/SpotLights.PDF
>>
>>Mounting the lights and doing the under the hood wiring is pretty easy. The problems come in running the wiring under the dash to get to the BC1 module.
>>

Thanks for the info. I had downloaded the instuctions and I'm pondering. I haven't been notified yet if my order even went through (I ordered on Friday. Any others out there get a notice?) Maybe a Rally Light install party would be in order? I know I could do most if not all myself but I just have the fear of screwing it up.
:smile:

I hate waiting....

>>
>>Paula Alibrandi
>>Finish Line/Moto-Lita USA
>>
Aloha, Paula,
Sent you a PM

Doh! I wanted to get the Moss intake for my Cooper but it isn't listed anymore. Why am I always too late for these things. Paula, any hidden behind the bookshelf?



Chris

I am pissed right now, I thought I was one of the first to set of people to order the rally lights and today I find out that even though my order was accepted and the lights were shown as available. THAT THEY WERE SOLD OUT I think I'll just cancel my order for the other stuff I ordered. And I WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH MINICOOPERPARTS AGAIN!



Very pissed X2

>>I am pissed right now, I thought I was one of the first to set of people to order the rally lights and today I find out that even though my order was accepted and the lights were shown as available. THAT THEY WERE SOLD OUT

_________________

If you're Marion Mitchell that I just spoke to, its funny because I felt bad you missed the lights and I added a free fob and valve caps to your order. Now I came here to update for the day and find your post. Again, I'm sorry you missed them. We processed all that came in the first day and there were more orders tham lamps at the end of the day. We honestly are giving all of this stuff that we are discontinuing for less than our cost and I truly wish that I could fill all the orders. Yesterday I did 88 boxes and today so far I did 52. Many of the orders are filled and still being filled.

If you want to cancel just let me know before 4:00 and I can pull your package and give you your full money back.

Also, I had forgot to lower the antennas and the model cars the first day which I have done today.

Paula Alibrandi

>>>>I am pissed right now, I thought I was one of the first to set of people to order the rally lights and today I find out that even though my order was accepted and the lights were shown as available. THAT THEY WERE SOLD OUT I think I'll just cancel my order for the other stuff I ordered. And I WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH MINICOOPERPARTS AGAIN!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Very pissed X2
>>
>>That sucks! I'm wondering if the same thing has happened to me. When did you put your order in?
>>
>>
Friday at 1:50 PM Eastern Time. I'm going to be pissed for a long time about this.

X2

X2B, think about it (you're usually a very levelheaded dude), they're clearing out their inventory, and they're clearly a small business that can't update their website immediately when an item runs out. They were at least attempting to do so, because the skid plates disappeared from the site fairly quickly. If your credit card was charged for the unavailable items, that would be something to get upset about. But, this just sounds like you had the bad luck to be a bit too late to get in on the deal on the lights.

I just received another call from a gentleman that was waiting on rally lights and I had to let him know that his order as well didn't make it on time.

His comment was and I understand it that since the inventory button was not turned off - it looked like there was more to order - We tried to turn the buttons off as soon as we filled enough orders for each item. For example on the lights, the first day I had about 30 orders that were printed. I did not have enough lights.

Another concern was if anyone's charge was used and no merchandise delivered. Absolutely not. We do not charge for anything that is not shipping out the door.

Again and lastly we are not trying to deceive anyone. Our customer service is very important to us. I'm sorry for those that will not be getting their items. By tomorrow I will have a bigger idea of what is left and who was left out and will try to e-mail everyone back that will not get their order.

In the meantime by Thursday and Friday many happy people will be getting theirs. I'd like to hear from them too!

Paula

X2, I just found out that I'm in the same boat as you. I had to call Paula to get this info.

In all fairness, they simply ran out of stuff and couldn't fill all of the orders received. They didn't intend any harm. That's their story. But the other equally valid side of the story is that by not updating their website (apparently these things sold out well before you or I ordered them) they inadvertently deceived customers. While there's been no financial harm -- i.e., credit cards apparently weren't charged -- there's a real customer service/public relations situation that they won't easily recover from.

The long and the short of it is that In the future, I'd be very suspect of ordering anything online from MINICOOPERPARTS.com...unless I hear that they have updated their e-commerce site to reflect realtime changes in inventory. That'll be my public story on this company.

Oh, if you want to actually check your order (and whether it was actually an order or not ), call 'em at (888) 436-9113.

>>X2, I just found out that I'm in the same boat as you. I had to call Paula to get this info.
>>
>>
I had to do the same, an e-mail or call would have been nice, I already made arrangements with my dealer to have them installed, but that's a moot point now. And I stand by what I said before. I've run a 1 man shop before and I never left my clients out of the loop.

X2