I see a lot of people that have/would like to have the fog lights on the front of the mini grill. I don't really understand why. First off, are they really necessary? I mean, are they truly useful or just for looks? Second, I really don't like the look of them on the front. Now I'm not trying to argue with anyone else's opinion, if you like them then go for it. I just don't understand what is so likeable about them. Maybe someone could shed some light onto the subject for me.

 

personal i love the lights up there. they do add more light when needed and there are many different kinds out on the market to get the right look. they are also not fog lights. fog lights are used down low when fog is around to help light the way under the fog. the lights you talk about are the driving lights, like extra high beams. also the reason they are on the car is the classic minis would come with them for rally racing and things like that. so they are added to make it look more like a classic mini. i have them on my car and i use mine all the time.

 

Well I'll admit that I do use them....I cross the west fork of the Trinity River every day and those bottomlands get FOGGY on occasion!!!!

However......................do I need them? No, not really. I could have them on or off in fog...makes little practical difference to me personally. It's really only a pet peeve of mine...if there's a hole in the bumper for fogs, then fogs go in there. Period. I personally don't care for the little grill things. If there was a body-colored pop out that made the hole for the fogs invisible, I'd probably skip fogs altogether.

I know there are theoretical reasons why fogs are good to have, I've just only run into conditions that bad once time in my entire life.

My opinion.........


Edit:
OOPS...yeah, maybe you are talking about driving lights. Those are the ones on the grill. Fogs are way down on the lower bumper. I have fogs...not driving lights.

 

I'm sorry, you are correct. They are not fog lights. But are they suppose to be maybe brights or something to that effect?

 

not only do i think they look really cool, but it is also cool to pretend you are a famous rally driver tackling the tarmac roads every day. and it just so happened that a few days ago i was on my way home when i hit i very big patch of smog that could have really used a set of rally lights if i had them.only a matter of time

 

The PIAA Plasma Fogs I installed work great. Also a great safety feature with better visibility to other drivers. My only complaint is the brackets wobble a bit while driving. It does force oncoming drivers to pay attention though...

 

They are in effect "brights" and are used in just such a capacity. Are they necessary? No, and you'll find that most people who have purchased them have done so more for aesthetic reasons than for practical reasons. I tend to agree that they give the car a more sporting or rally look.

You would, and for that matter only can use them in situations where your high beams would be appropraite.

Like with any other option, there merely a matter of personal taste.

 

I really like that blue mini's hood and front grill etc.
But in the second picture there is a cover to the lights. Did you not put them on yours?

 

Does that mean the MCS stock does not have brights already installed? You have to buy your own?

 

It goes back to the vintage rallye scene in the 60's. Like the Harley riders say..."if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand".

 

No. Just like any other car on the market, every model of the MINI comes with low beams and high beams...

Rally or Driving lights are either dealer installed add-ons or aftermarket add ons.

 

Fog lamps should be aimed right in front of the car,to wash the road with light,the MINI lamps work great for this,in fog and heavy snow.Driving lights are more for punching light down the road in clear conditions,both fogs and driving lights can be mounted on the front of a MINI.They look cool,and when used right,work great.I have the MINI fogs,use them when called for,and they work well,and I never get flashed at.

 

I did, but have them off my lights at the moment...

 

thank you guys for setting that straight. I almost confused myself there. I'm still not a fan of them however. Just doesn't look good to me. But I do like them on some of you guys' cars. THanks again.

 

I've found that they help me spot deer a bit further away than with just my xenons. Plus, I think they add a lot to the looks of the car, and I've only had one person not like the look of my MINI. They do wobble a bit, but its not something that causes a major distraction.

 

I know my Piaa 540's are a must-have when going through the woods
at night. extremely good illumination. :smile:

 

how easily are they removed and put on?

 

Almost all aftermarket lights that are installed on the MINI currently are Driving Lights.
Years ago many lights installed on the Mini were not only driving lights but Driving Lamps.
Sometimes there was one of each installed.
These are examples of Driving Lamps. The lenses were made special to diffuse light.

 

The diving lamps come in handy when it is really raining heavily, or when you choose to submerge your MINI in the nearest pond.

 

Bumper mounted lamps are
Rally Lights or Driving Lamps.
Fog lights are mounted in the bumper
(angle of display being lower). Rally
lights are activated only with high beams
and are quite useful at night in the country
without street lights. Used them a lot last
night in rain and fog. They will punch through
fog. Courtesy dictates that you turn off your
rally lights when entering a checkpoint at
night. Destroy the workers night vision and time
gets added???????

 

i also use them to tell people to: get out of my way, you cut me off, do not pull out in front of me, and your hummer is too big turn off your lights!

 

Go big and chrome, or go home...

 

I ordered them when I bought the car and the dealer installed them for me. It was their first install and it took them a while to do it. They now come pre-wired and the process is much easier. A do-it-yourselfer could install them now, probably, and even I can take them off if I wanted to.

 

Used my fogs on the way home tonight,snow falling,worked great

 

personally i like the rally light bar that is 4 lights mounted on the lower front bumper