I'm somewhat new to NAM. And this looks like the perfect place to get some input. I picked up my new MINI S three weeks ago. I want to add Driving Lights. I almost ordered them with the car, but the $400 price tag with $450 install didn't seem all that worth it. Now I'm considering them again. I checked with one of the local places that install window tint and of course driving lights. They offer PIAA and couple of other brands. They will install the MINI OEM lights for $75, which is MUCH better than $450 from the dealer.

So now this is where my fellow NAM members come in. Should I go with the OEM lights or should I go with another brand? Also, I noticed that the OEM and other brands have the warm light source, not the cool blue light I have with my xenon headlamps. Are there replacement bulbs out there to match the xenons? I'm mostly looking to have these driving lights for night driving on the back roads and main highways, looking out for deer, but also for the aesthetic look, so BIG lights are not as important, light the HELLA light bar or the like. Your input will be greatly appreciated.

 

A proper install of the MINI OEM lights is a major amount of work (see MotoringFile) - I'd be surprised if that $75 covered it (have they seen the work involved?)

Personally I love the look of the OEM driving lights - but I almost never use them! Most of the aftermarket lights look too big to me (but maybe I'm used to the OEMs!)

 

Welcome

First, Hella or PIAAs are probably better than OEM. Hella FF200s are popular and come with a kit for the MINI. go to http://www.hellausa.com and look around. Cibie is also good. I would go with one of those

Second, forget about those gimmick bulbs trying to emulate a true xenon light. See http://www.danielsternlighting.com and read why they are garbage and do NOT give as much light output as regular halogen bulbs. If you want Xenon lighting, buy Xenon driving lights. Again, Hella sells FF200 as xenons (they are not cheap) and much bigger ones for off-road.

Good Luck (and forget about the OEM lights)

 

PIAA is very reputable, and is the route I will most likely go, OEM lights accomplish the same task at a higher cost, the only differences are, black vs chrome background, no MINI warranty (some offer to warranty parts) vs MINI warranty intact and the switch in the cabin. Will the aftermarket place be able to activate the lamp in the computer or do you still need to go to the ddealer? PIAAs run about half the cost of OEMs just need to do some digging for distrubutors. The install instructions are posted on NAM, som you could do the work yourself for FREE in one afternoon. The after market lamps will have a common size H3 is typical, then simply go to the autoparts store or check out one of the many online vendors and get higher color temp lamps, you may not have a perfect match but you will certainly be close, and if you read carefully you should be able to pick something that is brighter than the original. Remeber that Xenons have several laws about autoleveling and washing that need to be followed to be legal.

 

From what I've gathered here & elsewhere the PIAA light kit looks like a very good one. IMO much better than the oem driving light kit. Yes you can get bulbs with a color temperature close to your xenon's.

http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/

http://www.myminiparts.com/proddetail.php?prod=PIA

 

Not for driving lights, only for main headlamps. (pretty sure of that). No driving lights have autoleveling that I've seen and they are for street use.

 

My commet was more of a check your local law first satement, to make sure the wording isn't too generalized in your area costing you a ticket, safe rather than sorry type thinking. Because there are laws regarding Xenons, how specific they are varys from state to state.