I'm looking for insight and I am hoping all you MINI lovers have some.

My dealer wants $650.00 for the Rally Light Kit and installation. I have a problem with the expense. It seems like a lot of $. So, I would like to ask a few questions:

1.) Have you seen a less expensive price for the Rally Lights and install? Moss Motors has the Base Kit with fog and driving lamps, light/badge bar, and wiring kit for 4 lights for $350.00.
2.) Has anyone installed them on their own? How difficult?
3.) Have you been able to purchase the lights and have your dealer install them?
4.) Do you have any other advice?

Thanks for any help you can be.

 

I like the lights as well, but no way are they worth $650. MB

 

I live and motor in Central Texas, at night on my way home I LOVE my rally lights. Back Texas roads with no light at all they are great!

Plus it looks sooo cooooool!!!

 

My dealer wants $900 installed for the lights, but I like the Moss lights/lightbar better. That kind of work is really out of my scope, so I'm going to get a buddy of mine who is much better at that kind of thing to assist. So, total price for the Moss lights, installed, would be about $350 + a 12-pack and lunch (much more reasonable than the $400 my dealer wants).

I'd attempt to the job myself, but I'm sure that when I was finished, the windscreen wipers would come on when I put the windows down, or the headlight washers would spray when I turn on the radio

 

I am having a similar problem- I just got an email from my dealer that the rally lights plus the install would be $800! I think they look great (the car on my sig is "15" my May MINI) but money is too a problem- and I feel as if I'm getting ripped off- I'm going to wait on the lights and see if I can get a cheaper install somewhere else when I have the $$$. :???:

 

Usually I believe in the old saying "you get what you pay for". It just doesn't apply in this case. Here's my opinion, based on what I've seen on MINIs at the car show and on the dealer lot, and what I've read in MINI publications and on this site:

The dealer installed Rally lights are similar in quality and funtion to the additional pair of high-beam headlights in a car with quad headlights. I think MINI did this intentionally to try and make them more "legal" for street use, as true auxillary driving lights are not legal for street use in most states. The lens quality and light output are substantially inferior to aftermarket lights costing half as much. This would be okay if it was a $150 upgrade; but for $650... no way!

If you want true, quality auxillary lighting, look into the multitude of options from Hella and PIAA. Check out their websites and/or search the web for online vendors; there are many options. For $100 to $150, you can get a pair of lights with about the same size and look as the dealer units and much better quality. For $250 to $300, you can get an incredible pair of racing quality, blind-em-all, instant-daylight lights. And in each type, you'll usually have a choice of lens patterns; FOG for low-cutoff, shoulder to shoulder, short distance light; DRIVING for pavement-to-trees, medium distance light; and PENCIL for narrow spot, long distance light (usefull mostly for long stretches at obscene speeds). You can even have one of one pattern, and one of another pattern, to optimize for your typical driving conditions.

Most of the above mentioned lights can be purchased individually or as a kit with wiring, relay, switch, etc. I suggest buying the lights individually and getting the factory install kit. For completeness, fit, and finish you just can't beat the "factory look" of a factory kit. I additionally like the way the factory wiring harness ties into the light circuit so that you're auxillary lights will only come on with the high beams. This allowd you to turn on the auxillary lights at the switch, and then flick them on and off with the high beams via the stalk on the steering column; very handy. You should be able to get all the items you need from the dealer, including mounting brackets, but without the lights themselves. Search this site for How-Tos on Rally light installation. I recall seeing some How-Tos complete with part numbers for everything and links to the factory installation instructions. The factory wiring harness, switch, relay, and brackets will cost more than those that come with a "kit", but the results will be worth it. The finished install will look "factory", but with much better lights!

If you've ever installed a car stereo or speakers, or done minimal wiring, you can probably do the install yourself. Again search out and read everything you can find on the subject on this site; there really is a lot of great information here. It can probably be done in a few hours, but plan a whole Saturday and take the time to be thorough and methodical. If you look at all the info available on this site and the install looks like more than you want to tackle, any GOOD auto mechanic or car stereo installer can do it for far less than the dealer. Just make sure the installer takes the time to do the little details.

If you're willing to put in the time to do the research, I'm certain you can come up with a much better set-up than the dealer, and at half the cost (or less).

Good luck!

James

 

My OEM lights cost $400...that's the dealer price everywhere. I installed them on the front of the car but didn't hook them up (I believe they're illegal in some states) The main reason I didn't hook them up is that it's a nightmare of wires switches, connectors and jerking panels off. If my dealer had offered to do it for $650 installed i would have Ok'd it, they wanted $900. That said, I like the PIAA lights better, and would have gone that way if I'd have been a little more patient. Ron. The dealer lights have the cleanest install---no extra bars etc.. Your dealer might go for $600, try it.

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LTL YELO

 

I've got the PIAA 520s and like them. We have got Hella 500s on another car and they are also excellent, although have a less substantial, plastic housing. Both throw a nice, concentrated pattern way out in front.

While the chrome PIAAs generally integrate well with the MINI's various chrome details, they are a bit much when combined with the full chrome grill (which I have). I think they'd be fine on an MCS or Aero front end, but I wouldn't go for them if you have the chrome grill. The Hellas would be a better choice in that case. In my opinion, the OEM "Rally" lights are way too small, aesthetically speaking. You need to get something at least 6" in diameter to look like a proper auxilliary light and to balance the MINI's large headlights.

Install/wiring of driving lights is very easy (1-2 hours max). Both Hella and PIAA kits include great harnesses and instructions. I tap mine into the high beam circuit as I feel that is the only way driving lights should be wired, although I've been puzzled to hear people on MCO who want them on a separate switch. Fog lights are another matter, and should definitely be wired independently of the high beams.

Beware - the stock mounts are a joke - the PIAAs bounce so much on them as to make the lights completely useless (except, perhaps, for passenger hypnosis). I purchased my lights as a kit from Mini-Madness, and the stock mounts were included. Madness is now working on new mounts which will be much stiffer. If you order from them, WAIT until the new mounts are ready. The Moss bar may be good - I have no data on that.

Also, be sure to specify the type of light you want. Although the Madness kit is described as including "driving" lights, the first set I received were, in fact, fogs. Madness exchanged them immediately without a problem, but reported that 90% of the lights that go out with their kits are actually fogs. Most buyers either don't know the difference or don't care!

Hope that helps.

 

All of this information is excellent. Thank you very much for taking the time to provide so much detail. I really appreciate it.