I seem to get a lot of comments that my little Nittany has a very "classic" look, which is cool because that's kind of what I was going for.

Went up to Prestige last week for a Tech Night and fell in love with some PIAA driving lights that they had up there. Problem is they are more "modern" looking as compared to the factory MINI driving lights that I have. The PIAA's also seem to put out much more light, or maybe it's just that the light is better focused. Don't know which it is. All I know is I have never been impressed with the MINI driving lights even after some attempts at getting them aimed better.

So I'm looking for some opinions. Will I ruin the "classic" look of my MINI if I put on the PIAA lights (pictures below)? Should I just stick with the factory MINI lights which look OK, but don't really do a damn thing?

 

Robyn,
I am sure you can guess what my opinion is ...

 

Robyn,

I like the look of your current setup...and you know what my rig looks like....

 

Would you mount the new lights at the existing site of the factory lights or in addition to them? The brackets appear to pose a mounting issue? Anyone have these on their mini and where are they mounted?

I kinda like 'Nittany' just the way she is, a classic beauty :smile:

iancall- love that roof

<A HREF="https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/albums/album04/Mini_X_2b1.jpg" TARGET="_blank">

 

Stick with the more traditional lights and find some other toys to buy. :smile:

 

Well, I kind of figured this was going to be the general consensus. Just FYI, the PIAA lights actually do mount using the same brackets that the factory lights use so it's a pretty simple matter of just switching them out and wiring them up.

Ok, another questiong then... Has anybody noticed any improvement on the factory lights by changing out the bulbs? I heard someone mention at the Ocktcooperfest show last year somthing about changing the bulbs out for PIAA bulbs or some other higher quality bulbs. Would this really make an improvement?

 

&gt;&gt;I seem to get a lot of comments that my little Nittany has a very &quot;classic&quot; look, which is cool because that's kind of what I was going for. :smile:
Does prestige have em... or can u get em directly from PIAA???
Model # &amp; Price ????

Peace,
D


_________________
PM d-mini-ero

 

&gt;&gt;I've been looking for these lights for months now ??????
&gt;&gt;I just posted on NYMINI .org about em :smile:
&gt;&gt;Does prestige have em... or can u get em directly from PIAA???
&gt;&gt;Model # &amp; Price ????

Dennis, Prestige does indeed have these lights, along with about 6-8 other driving light options. They had an installed price listed of somewhere around $537 or something similar to that. :smile:

 

Those lights look a little too modern for my taste.

I have upgraded the bulbs in both my highbeams and my PIAA rally lights. I am using PIAA Ion Crystal bulbs for my highbeams and uprated 85W PIAA Xtreme White bulbs in my rally lights.

Here's a thread about my lightbulb upgrades: PIAA lightbulbs

 

Thanks Robyn...appreciate the info :smile:
I just called Prestige MINI...
$517 + tax ...installed= ~$563
Model # P-1000 (black or chrome housing)
(lights 242, brackets 46, install 229)

Tooooooo...pricey for me !!!!
And the search ...continues :smile:

Peace,
D

 

&gt;&gt;Thanks Robyn...appreciate the info :smile:
&gt;&gt;I just called Prestige MINI...
&gt;&gt;$517 + tax ...installed= ~$563
&gt;&gt;Model # P-1000 (black or chrome housing)
&gt;&gt;(lights 242, brackets 46, install 229)
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Tooooooo...pricey for me !!!!
&gt;&gt;And the search ...continues :smile:
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Peace,
&gt;&gt;D

How about these?

 

I think you SHOULD replace the vintage style ones. Ever notice: the Mini has ELLIPTICAL headlight surrounds! Just like the PIIAs do. Design continuity will be improved, better cooling airflow, far better lighting, and a cool future retro look like the rest of the car!

I mounted PIIA Platinum 1000's in my lower grill and they are AMAZING! The lights you selected do not have teh same output put they are still better than the funky shallow round design of the Mini lights. You can get mine for about $225 if you search. Got mine from Dirty Parts in Culver City, Ca.. Great folks..

 

&gt;&gt;Thanks Robyn...appreciate the info :smile:
&gt;&gt;I just called Prestige MINI...
&gt;&gt;$517 + tax ...installed= ~$563
&gt;&gt;Model # P-1000 (black or chrome housing)
&gt;&gt;(lights 242, brackets 46, install 229)
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Tooooooo...pricey for me !!!!
&gt;&gt;And the search ...continues :smile:
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Peace,
&gt;&gt;D

I am able to sell them to you for 185 + 45 for mini install kit.

If you can install them your self, then that's free. The instructions are preety good.

Total 230

E-Mail me if you are interested Mini@thepilo.com . I can get any Piaa Product.

 

I'm not sure how this newer design would look with a MINI so please do post your pictures once installed for anyone that does add them.

Doesn't really look like they would mount well where the other rally lights go.
Maybe down lower? Over the dark grille on the lower bumper?

 

Since you asked, I say stick with the classics.

My only other comment would be, &quot;Damn girl, how fast you drivin' that high beams AND a set of driving lights doesn't show you what you need to see??!&quot;

 

Robyn,
If you buy those &quot;ultra bulbs&quot; for the driving lights, let me know if they give you any more visibility ... they sound interesting ...

 

Another vote for the MINI classic driving lights. If you are not happy with the illumination range of just 2, why not go for the classic Monte Carlo Rallye style and add another pair of MINI lights for a total of 4?

 

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;Thanks Robyn...appreciate the info :smile:
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;I just called Prestige MINI...
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;$517 + tax ...installed= ~$563
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;Model # P-1000 (black or chrome housing)
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;(lights 242, brackets 46, install 229)
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;Tooooooo...pricey for me !!!!
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;And the search ...continues :smile:
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;Peace,
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;D :smile:
I'd like to do it before the Dragon,,, but I don't think it will happen till I return.
Peace,
D

 

Well, I have decided to stick with the lights that I have and maintain the more classic look. I'm looking into changing out the bulbs in the hope that will improve performance. And of course, getting the damn things aimed properly would help too.

Thanks for all the opinions.