I am on a quest to find them, and am looking for some help.

Here are my basic criteria:

- good quality with decent optics
- chrome housing (or at least chrome accents)
- clear lens
- round and at least 5" and no more than 7" in diameter
- no more and 2.5" deep

The current contenders are:

- PIAA 520 SMR (had them on my last mini and loved them, but $$$)
- Cibie Tango 45 (nice and retro, don't love the fluted lens with the Mini headlights)
- Hella FF 200 (kind of cool, but on the deep side and the mounts seem bulky)

Any other suggestions? Pics would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

What about the MINI-Madness lights?

MINI-Madness 2 Lamp Rally Light Kit

 

Have no pics, but I installed KC Slimlites, about 6-1/4" diameter with all chrome housings, the pair cost me about $150. Used the MINI-madness brackets, have received nothing but compliments.

 

>>What about the MINI-Madness lights?

Thanks. Those are the PIAA 520's (but the pics show fogs). These are what I had before and I think they look great, but they are $$$! Like $250 for a pair.

 

>>Have no pics, but I installed KC Slimlites, about 6-1/4" diameter with all chrome housings, the pair cost me about $150. Used the MINI-madness brackets, have received nothing but compliments.

Thanks. I have not seen those yet, but will check them out. Do you have any pics?

 

So no other good lights out there? Anyone?

On a bike ride just now I saw an S with the factory lights up close and confirmed that they are WAY too small for me. Paddy would most definitely not approve of those (but don't know what he'd say about my all DS color scheme either.)

Looks like it's going to be the PIAA 520 SMR Driving lights in chrome. Speak now or forever hold your peace.

 

For future reference, here is a pic of the KC Slim Lites mentioned by Marcomini above. They look nice, but I was not very impressed with the mounting points or the wiring harness.

 

>>>>What about the MINI-Madness lights?
>>
>>Thanks. Those are the PIAA 520's (but the pics show fogs). These are what I had before and I think they look great, but they are $$$! Like $250 for a pair.

$230.00 on ebay.

Earl

 

Are those Mini-Madness lights the same diameter as the factory lights?
I ask because I got a pair of Xpel protectors..can't decide whether to
do the factory light or aftermarket.

 

>>Are those Mini-Madness lights the same diameter as the factory lights?
>>I ask because I got a pair of Xpel protectors..can't decide whether to
>>do the factory light or aftermarket.

They are much larger (and that is good). The PIAA 520's are 6 1/8" in diameter. I think the factory lights are arounf 4.5".

 

FYI the Cibie Tangos are no longer designated at the "series 45" - they are now the series 40. The 40s are a tiny bit smaller at 128mm in diameter. I think they got smaller when Cibie switched to an H2 bulb.

I've been on the same quest as you - I think the Cibies Tangos are the ones. I have also seen some cool Hellas, check out http://www.rallylights.com for some nice Hellas.

 

PIAA 540 of course

 

so the Piaa 540's are smaller than the 520's?

Do you use new wiring for the 540's or be able to tap into the factory wiring?
I heard I need to get the ECU reprogrammed if I add this feature...I'd like to
be able to turn on the driving lights without the hi-beams on.

How much cutting do I need to do on the Aero grill in order to be able to use
the 540 brackets?

thanks :smile:

 

>>so the Piaa 540's are smaller than the 520's?
>>
>>Do you use new wiring for the 540's or be able to tap into the factory wiring?
>>I heard I need to get the ECU reprogrammed if I add this feature...I'd like to
>>be able to turn on the driving lights without the hi-beams on.
>>
>>How much cutting do I need to do on the Aero grill in order to be able to use
>>the 540 brackets?
>>
>>thanks :smile:



Trimming the aero grill is very easy and minimal but locating the hole is critical.

I tapped into the green/yellow high beam wire coming out of the headlamps and they're now tied together. To light them seperately, just connect the two white power leads together (one is main and is for highbeam switched). You can lock them both down onto the positive takeoff bolt next to the air cleaner box. No need for programing of anysort.

The 540s are around 5.5 inches in diameter.

 

MSFITOY- thanks for the info! When you mentioned locating the hole is critical,
what do you mean by that? Do you mean the drilling into the hood to
mount the brackets? If so, do you drill into the metal or plastic on the hood?

Also, where did you route the wire through the firewall for the on/off switch? Or,
is this the wireless type? Is there a grommet that I can use?

so many questions.

Thanks again. :smile:


ps: saw another link about driving lights when I did a search but no mention
of the actual install.

 

there is a realtively easy to get to large grommet behind the brake booster. Mine was punctured with a pocket knife and the wires were taped to a coat hanger and poked through.

 

Yucca - brake booster...not sure what that is.

Where does it come out on the interior side? by the driver seat pedals or passenger foot area, etc?

thanks.

 

Yes, it's by the brake booster as Yucca mentioned and it leads out to the driver's side area. You need to remove the knee bolster to see it coming out. I stuck a coat hanger through from the firewall side and then taped the switch wiring to it and pull it back out.

As to the bracket, I need to look for the how to thread and lead you to it. If you line up the mounting bracket to the general area where my lamps appear to be set, you'll find a natural setting where they should be mounted to the inner sheet metal of the grill. Do not use rivots! They will not hold tight. Use the factory screw/nuts and lock-tite.

I'll try and look for the how to thread

 

Stay tuned...I'll take some pics for ya

 

>> Do not use rivots! They will not hold tight. Use the factory screw/nuts and lock-tite.

I riveted on my mounts and hung the big PIAA 520s off them. They were still completely tight after a tough 25k miles.

 

>>FYI the Cibie Tangos are no longer designated at the "series 45" - they are now the series 40. The 40s are a tiny bit smaller at 128mm in diameter. I think they got smaller when Cibie switched to an H2 bulb.
>>
>>I've been on the same quest as you - I think the Cibies Tangos are the ones. I have also seen some cool Hellas, check out http://www.rallylights.com for some nice Hellas.

Ah, yes... the elusive Cibie Tango. Rarely photographed in it's natural habitat. :smile: I think that is the design the factory lights are emulating. I like them, but I'm thinking I might be a non-fluted lens kind of guy.

Thanks for the link! The Hella 160s listed on that site are pretty cool, but on the large side. The quest continues...

 

Ok...here you go Ken:

Look at the location of the gromet where the white boost gauge line and PIAA wire is heading behind the brake booster (the pic is side ways).



This image shows where I attached the ground to the second bolt against the firewall. Attach the BIG white wire to the uncovered positive terminal. Note the included fuse/relay unit and where I located it.




If you want the PIAA to be activated with the high beams, splice the smaller white line into the green/yellow as shown



Hoped that helped,
Sid




_________________

 

I wanted a 1960's rally look for my MCS, so I went with two Hella Model 500 Driving lLghts (6 3/8" diameter) and a single Hella Model FF1000 Driving Light/ City Light Combo (7 3/4" diameter) in the center. Sorry no photos yet, they're currently being installed. I'll post photos when I get my car.

Cheers.

 

Where can I purchase lighting brackets for a Mini?
Just the brackets - want to use one of the Hella or PIAA
lamps discussed in this thread.
Thanks,

 

MSFITOY- thanks so much! :smile:
_________________
03MCS IB/Bk: 123, Aerokit, 17"R90, Milltek, Pilo Intake, H-Sport, 6CDMP3, etc.