I really like the spotlights and was considering them but I was hearing rumors of rusting and other probs. So I'm wondering has anyone who has or still has them on their minis regret it?

 

no

 

No regrets here. I live in the country, so I use them alot. They're good.

 

Getting close to a year with the driving lamps, and still no regrets. Now with the sun rising so early, I don't get to use them as much as I did in the winter. Sounds strange, but I like driving to work in the dark, if only to flip on the drivin' beams!!!

 

If you get the MINI driving lamps installed by your dealer, don't the driving lamps get covered by the same rust warranty as the rest of the car?

That's one of the things that MINI touts about their OEM accessories, that if you have them installed by your dealer at delivery than the MINI warranty covers them...

 

I like mine, though I have a bit of the rust problem going on. I will have it dealt with during my upcoming 25k service.

I live kinda out in the sticks, so the extra light comes in handy, and it's saved my bacon (make that venison) a couple times.

 

I liike the circuit functionality and matching decor switch, but I'm not really impressed with the lamps themselves. They don't put out nearly as much light as I expected them to. Mine were originally aimed too high, and one of the studs was broken. I discovered the broken stud when I first tried to re-aim them. I finally have them low enough to do some good, but they compare very unfavorably with Hellas and Cibies that I've had on other cars. For the price, they are a major disappiontment. I have some Cibie Tangos to replace them with when I get some spare time. I'll post a review of them after I install them.The Cibie lamps have a far superior mounting base, and the lens/reflector appears to be very precisely made. The OEM MINI lamps look like bargain rack cheapie lamps from AutoZone in comparison. It's like comparing a Rolex to an Armitron except, in this case, the Armitron costs 3 times as much (or more)

Rawhyde

 

I love mine.
I noticed a bit of rust on the bottom bolts and screws after a couple of months. Now I just take care to clean and dry them when I wash the car. The rust doesn't seem to be getting worse.

"If you get the MINI driving lamps installed by your dealer, don't the driving lamps get covered by the same rust warranty as the rest of the car?
That's one of the things that MINI touts about their OEM accessories, that if you have them installed by your dealer at delivery than the MINI warranty covers them..."

Good question!

 

I have the PIAA.

no rust problems. better lighing that the OEM and a heck of alot cheaper.

 

I like the look of the OEMs on the car, especially with stripes. But every unit I've seen and touched in person just screams 'Wal-Mart'. They aren't very ridgid, pretty small, and don't throw much light. I did not put them on mine, and am glad. The Xenons throw more light with them on high, and it's clearer. I have not had any experience with aftermarket units, but the pictures I've seen, I liked. I don't know if they mount any better or would be as good as just Xenons though. If I didn't have the Xenons I would have put some brand on, just for the extra light. If the OEM worked better and didn't feel like $20 screw on parts I'd get them just for the looks!

 

I got mine for the $2500 dealer markup I had to pay at Desert MINI. I like them enough that after removing them to swap out my grille, I bought a rivet gun to reinstall them.

 

Mine do the job. But, the mounting is not the best. It's hard to adjust and allows the lamps to lose their aim after awhile. Have to keep fiddling with the adjustment fairly often.

But, they're good lights and really light up the dark roads around here. Now that I have them, I wouldn't do without.

They look great on the car, also.

 

No regrets - I love them. I replaced the OEM switch with a heavy-duty toggle... much better physical 'feedback' , like *CLACK!* when I turn them on now

I have had to replace one of them, though, due to a direct hit by a stone - It broke the glass lens. Evidently, it's not that thick. So it's vulnerable to a stone hit.

- - michael

 

I put LaminX yellow tinted protective film on mine. It looks pretty good and protects the lenses from sand and small rocks.

 

Agro - But will the film really give you any real impact protection? ...or just hold the pieces together after the fact? :smile:

- - m

 

We have them - no regrets. On our 02' which is no longer in this world - they were still perfect (no rust) after almost 3 years. They were and are currently the OEM installed by the dealer (for warranty reasons). :smile: We don't use them very much but like the look they give the MINI...

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven - burned up)
05' Cool Blue MCSC "Ariel"
05' HB/W MCS

 

I have them on Mrs. Peel, too. Mine were dealer installed.
No rust after almost 2 & 1/2 years
and I LOVE the way they look.

Lee Ann

 

It won't preotect them from a BIG rock, but in Vegas, sand is more of a worry anyway. I'm still trying to fine wire mesh stoneguards like Classic Minis used to have on their headlights, but after 2 1/2 years, still have no luck.
These are the ones MiniMania sells for Classic Minis

 

Of course ihowlett doesn't have rust - he lives in Florida

Mine are rusting a bit at only 10,000 miles. But we also had $&#^ing salt on the road everyday for about six months because people don't know how to drive on one inch of snow.

A rock hit one and cracked it real bad. But it still works!

 

What do you mean we have no rust in Florida, I live three blocks from the bay and salt water.


No rust issues w/ my lights almost going on two years now. Love the look, nice to have the xtra light when you do need it.

BTW, love to have the rock guards for the lights. Does anyone sell a set for the OE lights yet?

Luis in Miami

 

A little over a year with PIAA driving lights and no problem. :smile:

 

The extra $650.00 pricetag scared the WHOLY CRAP out of me (think of Everybody Loves Raymond - the father saying that)... so I decided to go w/o them and upgraded to the Xenons... I have a SERIOUS problem with DEER and TURKEY on my commutes here in NY so I want that extra bright light.
I'm on the BOHEME as I type. :-)

 

Yes, we definitely have rust in Florida but, so far, none on Mrs. Peel!
She's garaged whenever she's home, though, which I know helps. If I lived in an area where rocks were a real problem, I would want some type of guards for these lights, too.

Lee Ann (Mrs. Peel's owner is a 'she')

 

Or you could try one of the other style lights. I really like the look of mine and they can really light up the night

 

I love my PIAAs! And for anyone driving through the countryside and concerned about animals in the road, the extra rally lights are great to have! I really needed them at the Dragon. Of course, my night-vision isn't what it used to be, so I really do NEED those PIAAs.


Clover