I am interested to know how difficult it is to install and properly wire-up after-market driving lamps. Can they easily be connected to the dimmer circuit so that they go off when you dim highbeams? I am considering buying the MiniMadness, Hella, or Dynavision lamps and putting them on myself. Your experience with any of these or others would be appreciated. I am also wondering if any of these lamps can be easily unbolted and taken off for when you aren't going to need them (like most of the time)? Do you know if any come with a switch that fits the MCS console and matches the MINI style?

 

Welcome Chris!!! I am the wrong guy to give any advice on mods 'cause I'm not too mechanical... but then, maybe that makes me the right guy... Anyway, there are other threads on driving lights for you to check out.

I installed my driving lights. Bought them with the car, but felt they were charging too much for the install. Put the drill to my new car, had them in place in very little time. Then... I chickened out over cutting the headlamp wires. So I arranged for a local import garage to do the wiring. Worked out great.

Driving lamps need to be connected such that they come on with your high beams. The factory authorized install includes a switch below the dash by your left knee as an over-ride shut off. Not much style to this switch. I had mine installed without this switch... they just tapped directly into the headlamp wiring.

Driving lights look great and operate great.

God speed.

 

I purchased an inexpensive set of aftermarket driving lamps for our MINI. My wife was feaking out when I was drilling holes in our beautiful new car, but she was very impressed after the install. I installed my switch that I had purchased separately to sort of match the toggle switches in the car Was gonna put it next to the other switches until I tore my dash apart and noticed the circuit board behind all those switches. So I installed them under the center right above the carpet. It is only held by one torx screw and 2 clips that way I can turn them on and off as I wish. I also installed some teardrop lights behind the bumper where some MINIs come with them, a little more work, but well worth the effort.

 

Yeah, i want to install my lamps separate from the headlights so i can turn them on or off whenever i want. I don't want to be limited to using them with the highbeams. Not saying i'm gonna blind on coming traffic, just don't want to be limited like that.

So what reason, if wanting only the two lamps, would their be to getting something other than the oem driving lamps?

 

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll order it with the Xenons, wait and see on the rallye lamps. Thanks.

 

Thanks.