Interior/Exterior Interior and exterior modifications for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Interior/Exterior Batmini + lightbar = no longer cute

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Old 08-08-2005, 04:54 AM
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Batmini + lightbar = no longer cute

I got my Alta Lightbar installed yesterday, and upon completion, my wife comes out with some water for me... Looks at the car, then me, then the car, and states very matter of factly "It's no longer cute."

With a smirk I asked her to clarify and she elaborated "I don't know. It's just not cute anymore. It looks very... Mean."



I don't think it looks mean... But I think it definitely fits my vision of what I wanted my Mini to look like from the beginning.

Going to toss a completed pic here in my NAM gallery, but you can also click the below link for a gallery of the install. Sorry, since I didnt have the camera in my hands, there's no pictures of the wiring.

http://www.mappage.net/cmine/thumbnails.php?album=21

And thanks for the help with the wiring pics JonnieOh! I wired mine a bit different, but it was a great reference and help!
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 05:04 AM
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That rocks!
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 05:05 AM
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Nice post........."cute" is in the eye of the beholder
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 05:16 AM
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definitely cool!

I wonder if I can tan in front of those lights? Security wise - are they secure enough so prying fingers don't well pry them off and run? :-)
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 05:27 AM
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Looks good, but I don't like them with the covers. How much were they?

And about your bonnet stripes, where did you get them and how much?
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 06:01 AM
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I got my inspiration for what I wanted from the stripes and then contacted Dragonflyer @ AesthetiCreations.net. He's very flexible with custom work, and provides good pics of what he's going to do before he does it.

I'm not fond of 'those' covers myself, and am pondering getting new ones, or leaving them off. Only problem with leaving them off would be debris damage.
Originally Posted by Uncle Krutches
Security wise - are they secure enough so prying fingers don't well pry them off and run? :-)
Yes and no. Prying fingers wouldn't be enough. If you had the proper sized ratchet though, you could indeed remove 2 bolts, and make off with the entire lightbar. That would suck. Now you have me thinking of ways to secure the bar to the car. I do live in PG county Maryland, one of the highest crime rate counties in the nation. You ruined my high Krut.

fj0, you have a PM regarding pricing.
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 06:16 AM
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Thanks! I understand about the debris, I wouldn't wanna break them the first thing I did. :D

I want this setup on my car, does anyone know what lights those are? They look bigger then OEM or is it just me?


 
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Old 08-08-2005, 06:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Wagnbat
You ruined my high Krut.
stupid KRUT, always ruining all the fun.
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 06:42 AM
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Hey Batmini, I like the new look.........................
Good job on the lights install.
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 06:43 AM
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Good job!!

And fj0, the rally lights you are asking about look like PIAAs to me. :smile:



Clover
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 06:50 AM
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fj0

I'm guessing they are the PIAA 5430 w/o light cover

here is the link to the install directions if you get them
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=29482




BTW: BatMini looks awesome with that light and light bars!!!
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 06:50 AM
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Originally Posted by MINIclo
http://www.mappage.net/cmine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_P1010026.JPG

Good job!!

And fj0, the rally lights you are asking about look like PIAAs to me. :smile:



Clover
PIAA what? 540? Thanks.
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 06:57 AM
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Originally Posted by fj0
PIAA what? 540? Thanks.
Mario, not sure which PIAA. Mine have black backs, but there is a model that is chrome-backed, as well. Google away!





I can't remember if mine are 520s, 530s or 540s! YuccaPatrol knows....we both bought them in a group buy organized here on NAM in 2004.


Clover
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 07:02 AM
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Those look like PIAA 540's in the fog light version since they is slightly amber colored.

The next set I am buying for our other MINI will be 520's though because I can get them in a chrome finish instead of black finish.

As for protecting the lenses, you can get clear adhesive protection film which will let you run without the covers.
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 07:06 AM
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Battie, Like the bar, of course, I am already a bit partial to the bar

I have looked around for some other covers and I haven't been able to find any yet. I thought about painting them with that plastic paint, but I figure that with getting hit with junk on the road and popping them on and off all the time, they would get chipped easily. If you find someplace to get some black ones, let me know
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 07:07 AM
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Originally Posted by YuccaPatrol
As for protecting the lenses, you can get clear adhesive protection film which will let you run without the covers.
Yeah, but with lights so low to the ground and so large and vertical, I would still worry about the safety of the lens.
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 07:09 AM
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Originally Posted by MandaBoo
Yeah, but with lights so low to the ground and so large and vertical, I would still worry about the safety of the lens.
I think Yucca meant them for the grill-mounted rally lights, not the lightbar, Manda.


Clover
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 07:10 AM
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fj0

The 540's are the driving lamp model. the vehicle specific MINI kit number is the 5430. It comes with two 540 Xtreme White driving lamps, two mounting brackets, two mesh style covers, wiring harness, relay, switch, and mounting hardware

http://piaa.com/Lamps/Lamps-VehicleSpecific.html
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 07:16 AM
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Aaaah.

Mucho gracias!
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by MandaBoo
Yeah, but with lights so low to the ground and so large and vertical, I would still worry about the safety of the lens.
I guess it depends on how often you use your lights, but what is to protect them when you ARE using them?

IPF actually sells a clear lens cover which can be left on when the lights are in use, so I guess that gives you the best of both worlds!



I'm not sure which lights are being sold with those light bar kits, but these fit IPF 900 msr, 800 msr, 968 Lights

Also, IPF lights are inexpensive compared to PIAA or Hella, so replacing a $50 light once in a blue moon isn't the end of the world. . .
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 11:33 AM
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Ooohhh! I like the clear ones so much better than the white ones. I have to check and make sure those fit. Thanks!

As to what protects them when you are using them? Well, I figure most things that could cause damage come from other cars in front of you. When you are using these lights, there won't be any cars in front of you. If there are, they'll be blind
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 11:40 AM
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you guys can always buy some 3m clear "vynil" they make in different thickness and get some of the thicker stuff...

I did this for a friend...put it on the OEM driving lights...turned them on so it warmed up so I could strech the edges a little to make sure it was smooth...then trimed the edges of the 3M...you couldn't even tell it was there...he hasn't broke another one since
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Tuls
you guys can always buy some 3m clear "vynil" they make in different thickness and get some of the thicker stuff...

I did this for a friend...put it on the OEM driving lights...turned them on so it warmed up so I could strech the edges a little to make sure it was smooth...then trimed the edges of the 3M...you couldn't even tell it was there...he hasn't broke another one since
I think Yucca has those on his rally lights, headlights, and fogs. I need to do that, too!


Clover
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 11:46 AM
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MandaBoo, I forgot to tell you where to get the clear covers:

http://www.4by4connection.com/ipf.html

I still highly reccomend the clear protective films out there. I do have them on all my lights and I think they really do help. When I ran over a metal trash can lid that flew at me on the interstate at 70mph, none of the lenses on my lights cracked and considering the damage done to the bumper, I think the protective film did its job!
 
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Old 08-08-2005, 11:52 AM
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Dude ...

Originally Posted by Wagnbat
... my wife comes out with some water for me... Looks at the car, then me, then the car, and states very matter of factly "It's no longer cute." ...
Dude, You are so SCREWED ...
 


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