I'm thinking of getting the Rally Lights from the Mini Dealer. Anyone know how much it cost to have them installed. $400 dollars for the lights themselves is already bad enough. Also, why are they expensive, it's glass, plastic and light bulbs. Thanks.

 

You'll need to check with your dealer on the install price. It seems there's a good variance in this charge among different dealers. Ballpark you can figure 2 to 3 hundred.

As for the price of the lights, because they're from MINI? Realistically, they're worth about half to 2/3's of what they being sold for. If you don't mind not having them warrantied, you can puchase the wiring and mounts from someone like Classic MINI for about $190. You can then go out and buy a better set of lights for about $100. Of course, your light covers won't say MINI on them.....that's what you're paying the extra $100 for.

 

I bought my ralleye lights from minicooperparts.com (yes, at the recent fire sale) and was curious as well. I called my local service dept. and they said they'd get back to me (4 days ago). I guess Monday I'll have to ring them back. (sigh)

 

This would explain why a lot of people don't have them installed. It's about a 600 dollor option.

 

I think Mini-Madness sells them for 375-400. Not sure off hand and it's a superior light to the one MINI sells. It's a two-three hour install according to the Mini-Madness and it looks fairly complicated with wiring issues. I bit the bullet and paid to have it installed at the dealer where I won't have any issues that they won't have to fix.

There were two things I wanted on a Mini. A white woof and rallye lights. It's a horrible waste of money given the utility but what the hell.

 

Some people buy the PIAA driving / fog lights and they have their own machanic install them. I have not decided yet if I am going to get any driving lights, but if I ever do I will order the 520 or 540 Kit from PIAA. I think I can save about half from what the dealer will charge me and I'll end up with the larger lights with the steel mesh covers.

PIAA Lights

 

I installed a set of OEM rally lights myself this past weekend. I got them from MINISpare.com. FYI: they sell the Euro Version of the lights and is not the same (but very close to) the US kit. Cost me about $210. Installed myself to avoid the gouging by the dealer service department.

Be warned though. Even though the Euro kit is slighlty easier to install (wires directly into highbeams, i.e. no stand-by switch) it is still a task and a half. Took me about 5 hours. It pays to be super flexible when trying this yourself

PS: The dealership here in Pittsburgh, PA is asking $690 to purchase/install the US Version OEM rally kit.

Hope that helps!

 

Check out http://www.piaa.com
They have great light kits considering that the kits include wiring harness, switch and all of the hardware. I found great prices at:
http://www.importperformancewarehous...1&pid=1666

Best Regards,
Ron

 

My dealer quoted me $295 to install my rally lights... no thanks! I'm looking for the HOW TO as we speak.

 

I'm having the same problem. Even though their official Mini manual says 2.5 hours. They are saying it takes 3.5 to 4.5. So I'm getting quoted 300 to 400 dollars just for the install.

I did however call a few local shops that install the PIAA lights. They will install any lights and they are quoting me 150 for 3 hours. It just.....well for this much money I want it perfect and problem free.

 

I did the same as Driving Hamster. I bought the euro OEM lights from minispares.com and did the install myself. Total cost $227, total install time 4.5 hours. Lots of work, but if you take your time anyone should be able to do it. Belive me, I am not mechanically inclined.

 

Did you guys have the Xeon lights. I heard this is a different procudure (just in the begining). You guys are making me think I can do it :smile:

 

I installed the eurolights last w/e and I also have the Xenon lights. The only differance according to the instructions is that the struts holding the clamshell hood need to be upgraded (probably due to the increased load of the Xenons and Rally lights). The instructions show the upgrade # but I haven't found the weight to be all that different. Perhaps after about 5 years of usage it may be different, but I'll address that issue when it comes up. Oh, and if you do install the euro version of the lights you will need to go to the dealer and have them hook up to the car's computer to tell it it has Rally lights 'cause they won't work . Another $50 to the dealer.

 

I have the Xenon lights. The dealer needs to activate the control module so your car knows it has the rally lights. Takes them just a few minutes or you can get really technical and just wire them directly into the highbeam cable. I would not recommend this option unless you know electrical stuff, just let the dealer do it. $227 for the lights, and about $50 for the activation. Much cheaper than buying them from the dealer.