Driving Lights

Liz · Member

Driving Lights

Pamlico · Motorer

I got a set of PIAA lamps off of eBay for our first MINI and installed them myself. If you take the time it's not an especially difficult task. Aside from cringing as you're drilling into your hood it's primarily running and securing wires. If you have an MCS the power wire nicely fits onto the remote positive battery terminal. Running the wire for the switch into the interior can be a little tricky, but it's far from an insolvable job.

Here's a link to an active eBay auction for the typs of lamps I had - Buy It Now price is $219.

MightyMo · Motorer

If you have not installed electronic components before or want an easy install, look for a wire kit for the lights you purchase. It should contain at least one relay and a fuse. The fuse should be within 4" of the battery. Out of everything the fuse is the most important part. I have had many customers in years past have me reinstall parts do to minor fires. In all cases there was not the dedicated fuse at the power conection. I even saw a sad mustang that another shop installed a high power sound system in. It was not good. Brand new car with 240 miles and worth only 500.00 after the fire. Not trying to scare you. Just stressing to do the SIMPLE install right. Have fun. You will love the lights.
-s

Pamlico · Motorer

The PIAA kit I purchased had the wiring harness, relay, dedicated fuse, and switch. Easy peasy.

Liz · Member

Thanks for the link. I checked it out but I don't think this kit will work for the new body style. I have an 07 MCS.

was a pretty good deal though!

Most of the lights that I've seen come with all of the wiring stuff as part of the package so I was going to get something like that. I was going to have my boyfriend install the light since he's done this kind of work before on his SAAB.

TrixieinNY · Motorer

VIP Custom Parts has a kit for the R56's. We got the mounting brackets for Bruto from them and they have since started offering an entire kit. You could still go a la carte if you wanted and just buy the brackets. wink

-- Edited by TrixieinNY at 12:10, 2008-06-30

SPDinNY · Motorer

the nice thing about the VIP custom parts is they will include a pre-cut replacemant grill for your Mini. The install of the lights was pretty easy. I had a problem with the switch mounting that was my own fault. I will be more than happy to help whoever install the lights. Cutting the grill wasnt difficult at all either. Just heat up a knife with a propane torch and start cuttin.

Liz · Member

Thanks - I checked out VIP Custom Parts and they seem to be the best ones to buy just the brackets from. I might go that route and just buy the lights separate.

Liz · Member

The precut grill is tempting though - I'm kinda nervous about cutting it....is it a lot that you need to cut out? I'm on the smart-buy program with this Mini so I'll most likely be trading it in for another in a few years and I'll probably want to take the lights with me if I get some really nice ones. If I have to cut the grill a lot they might not want it back looking like a hack job....what do you think?

SPDinNY · Motorer

if it is a smart buy then just buy the kit with the precut grill. Then uninstall it when you go to trade it in. Just make sure when you mount the switch you either secure it with holes in hidden places or use some doublesided tape.

TOWNEMINI · Towne MINI - Official

When installing the factory lights, the grill gets replaced. The Coopers just get new framing, the S gets a whole new grill. If you wanted to either keep a new one for trade in, or practice cutting, I would like to say we have a few laying around. Let us know.

Mark

SPDinNY · Motorer

Mark how much do you sell the S grill for? I would like one for Nicole's since we cut hers up =)

-- Edited by SPDinNY at 09:14, 2008-07-01

TOWNEMINI · Towne MINI - Official

Well we saved 2 or 3 of them, just because im a pack rat. The rest have been tossed. Remind me when your in for the tie rod end and if its the same grill your trim line requires, its a no charge.

SPDinNY · Motorer

well the grill would be for my wife's R56 not my R52

Venno · Motorer

If you need lamp brackets, let me know, I have an extra pair and can give them to you- they're brand new and left over from me designing and building my own driving lamps...which i still need to install....maybe now that I'll be back in the states for a bit...

Liz · Member

Are the brackets for the Mini S R56 model? If so, how much would you want for them if you're not going to use them?

SPDinNY · Motorer

his are for his R53

Venno · Motorer

Spd's right its for an R53

SPDinNY · Motorer

hey Liz we picked up a R56 grill for free from Towne. If you get it from them I could cut it for you if you went with the VIP driving lights

MightyMo · Motorer

Hey LIZ,

Why don't we all meet up and those of us that have worked on cars for a living get this grill cut and lights installed. Only teasing. It's just the wait is killing me too. I like some of us here have them and we know what you are missing. Please hurry but work slow. I'll be in the pit crew standing by.
-s

Liz · Member

Very cool - I'll have to get the grill from Towne then when I get the chance. I still need to order the lights and brackets though - I've put this "project" on the back burner sort of since I've been busy with work and looking for a new apartment. I've gotta get on this though before the snow starts to fly! Thanks for all the advise - I'll let you all know how it goes!!