I should be taking delivery of my MCS in three weeks or so, and I'm contemplating purchasing the driving lights. I have heard the standard mounting assembly is pretty flimsy though. Also, the dealer wants 700 bucks for the installation.

I'd like some opinions on the the MINI driving lights, alternatives, etc. Also, what are you guys paying to have them installed?

Let the debate begin.

Christian

 

I can't imagine them being worth $700. What I hate about so-called "driving lights" are the knuckleheads who seem to think they should use them all the time, blinding everone else. If you do a lot of serious night time ralley driving perhaps they'd be a good thing. Otherwise, upgrade the stereo.

Ok all you lovers of driving lights, let me have it.

 

Epi-- I bought the stock driving lights, but did not let the dealer install them- they wanted too much. To be honest, I wanted them because they look so cool during the day. For me, they really finish off my MCS front end. And they look so European. Well, anyway, I instaled the lights myself. Took some guts to put a drill to my brand new Mini, but I did it. Then I thought I might screw up the wiring, so I took it to a small auto shop close to my home that specializes in German Cars. They wired them for about $100. Good deal for them, good deal for me. I still think they look great during the day, and I love how they light up the night. The bracket are just fine if you stick with one set of stock driving lights. Best mod you can do, in my humble opinion.

 

I want the look too. Do they include installation instructions?

CTA

 

They just look good. They aren't very practicle. They do fill those county roads with light at night though.
I had the dealer install mine so that they would be convered under warranty. That way if anything electrical went out (and the computer did!) they couldn't blame the aftermarket.

 

I bought my car off the showroom floor and it already had the lights on. I have to say I really like the way they look but I'm not at all impressed with their performance. They ratlle like mad when you close the bonnet and the wire (at lest on my car) sits right on top of the lowest grille piece so I'm sure that's going to eventually rub the paint.

I've actually considered removing them but the damn dealership riveted them on so I can't just unbolt them. I know we could drill the rivets out but that's a frightening prospect.

Whatever you do don't pay the dealer to install them. Given the choice, I certainly wouldn't have. Looks like they'd be simple enough to install on your own. The wiring could be a differenct story though.

 

Don't know if they are included in the box, but here are some links that have a step by step "how to".


r53w11

Here is a scan into PDF format of the real deal.
Mini Instructions

 

>>I can't imagine them being worth $700. What I hate about so-called "driving lights" are the knuckleheads who seem to think they should use them all the time, blinding everone else. If you do a lot of serious night time ralley driving perhaps they'd be a good thing. Otherwise, upgrade the stereo.
>>
>>Ok all you lovers of driving lights, let me have it.

iwannmini – I absolutely agree with you. Rally lights are for better vision at night, not to blind people as you drive down main street, any town USA.

My driving day starts between 1 and 3 AM. I use my rally lights for the back roads and highways for safety. I had a deer attack the last car I had. I was doing 65 MPH at the time. It wiped the car out along the entire passenger side. I want as much light on the road as possible now.

Rally lights have a function. Use them wisely.

 

so, if you have them, do they hook up to a toggle switch in the cockpit, or do they just run with the regular headlights

 

Yes there is a switch that activates them located on the left side of the dash area. When they are on your fog lights stay off.