What do people think about the "driving lamp"? Are they useful or they just look cool, especially with lights on? They cost around $650 and is one of the dealer-installed options. -- Samant

 

Yes, they are useful AND look cool.

The "official" MINI ones are $510 + about $300 installation (but after looking at the install .pdf, I think I could do it myself.

There are cheaper kits out there on the way for the R56 if you're willing to wait and shop around.

 

They are definitely useful if you drive on dark, lonely roads. Be aware that they are extremely bright and are not to be used in traffic, which is why, when legally installed, they will only work in conjunction with your high beams.

 

Bought them for almost 25% off (20% off NAM discount + no tax) from Classic MINI (see the vendor threads) - but also from Morristown NJ MINI - similar offer. Go with whichever is closer to you - to minimze (otherwise very decent) shipping prices.

Are they useful? Hm... I doubt (mainly if you have the Xenon lights). But do they look nice, indeed! (Same thing with the mud flaps - installed those too - no real utility but they look quite nice).

So yes - if you have money to waste (as I did) or psychotic attention to detail (as I did), buy them.

(be warned that they work with high beams).

MMM

 

Yes and yes. I bought them for the looks and when I moved I found myself driving through a heavily wooded, sharp turned unlit park in DC. Now I use them almost everytime I drive home in the dark. Just be sure to turn the driving lights and hi beams off when you see oncoming traffic.

 

I think they are less than useless. They are very bright, but only aimed to cover a short distance in front of your car. So, they destroy your night vision (close your pupils) yet only show you what it would be too late to avoid. So, if you want to get a good look at the deer just before it comes through your windscreen, go for it.

When driven with low beams, they help blind oncoming drivers and show everyone that you are an inconsiderate brat.

 

I think you are talking about fog lamps. Fog lamps are useful in fog only, of course. Driving lamps extend the illumination and are only used in conjunction with your high beams.

 

I think the MINI's high beams are more than adequate, so I opted for aftermarket fogs. They sure DO help when it's foggy, IMHO. During last year's Dragon, we went on the Cherohala Skyway and ran into "pea soup" fog. Those aftermarket fog lamps were the only things to cut thru that mess and help us get back to Fontana safely.

 

I have mine ordered through my dealership as a favor , will pay about $400 and I will install them myself. Just remember when you buy the factory OEMs you get the lights , chrome or black, the new grille, two frame brackets, wiring harness, relay, colorline drivers knee protector/ switch, plus wiring instructions, a lot better than playing around with generic kits at a lower price. They are designed to be used with your Hi beams, by law. BDY, I have standard headlamps, not Xenons.!

 

The driving lights are functionally useless if you have the Xenons (I have the driving lights and Xenons on my 2006). I still love them--the look is great, but from the functional standpoint they're eye candy, since as already mentioned they come on with the high beams, which greatly overpower them.

 

I grisadee

 

I disagree too.

These are not bi-xenon on 06s. Only the low bean is Xenon and the high beam H7. Properly aimed, the driving lights should go BEYOND the OEM high beams. Maybe your driving lights are not properly aimed.

 

Put me down for USEFUL. My neighborhood is an older neighborhood near the city center. This makes for a dangerous combination of poorly-lit streets, lack of sidewalks on most streets, and frequent pedestrian traffic.

When driving home after dark, the driving lights have more than once enabled me to spot a pedestrian earlier than the headlights alone would have.

Especially with dog-walkers or parents walking with small children, I like to give a wide berth because the smaller creatures tend to move unpredictably.

Proper aiming is key, but if properly aimed they are definitely useful.

 

While we disagree about driving lights, I see we agree about Miyazaki's Porco Rosso.
http://www.robincasady.com/Anime/Porco.html

 

Mine are aimed properly, and while they throw a little (minimal) extra light, its negligible. Not enough certainly to justify the cost from a functional standpoint alone, and it certainly wouldn't be the difference between getting and not getting into an accident. I love the way they look though...