Lights
Printed From: Puget Sound MINI Motoring Club
Category: Technical Discussions
Forum Name: Interior and Exterior Modifications
Forum Description: Post your interior and exterior modifications here or post questions about mods.
URL: http://www.psmini.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6367
Printed Date: April/18/24 at 10:11pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Lights
Posted By: johnf36
Subject: Lights
Date Posted: February/14/10 at 4:14pm
I am getting reading to up grade my illumination just need to find the suppliers for these lights.  Who all has light Mods out there? Have pictures? ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Replies:
Posted By: Alocatelli
Date Posted: February/15/10 at 2:04am
Here is the newest version of my light bar. I had to remake it when I put the aero front end on, now it is a lot more solid. I still need to loom the wires that are sticking out, working on too many projects at once .
   ------------- '03 MCS JCW PPG Rattlesnake/BlackPearl-Way too many mods to list here ;) |
Posted By: craigsmiller
Date Posted: February/15/10 at 5:01am
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John:
I have a pair of brand new Hella Black Magic driving lights, complete with mounting brackets and clear stone guards, which I'd deeply discount for a fellow club member. See them here:
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-cooper/mini_cooper_hella_black_magic_driving_lights.html - http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-cooper/mini_cooper_hella_black_magic_driving_lights.html
I have pictures of them on my car, but I can't locate them at the moment. Please let me know if you're interested ........ Craig
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Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: February/15/10 at 5:55am
 Thanks a lot Craig, that figures I already ordered the 4 new lights to replace my current ones. ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: craigsmiller
Date Posted: February/15/10 at 12:06pm
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Posted By: craigsmiller
Date Posted: February/15/10 at 12:09pm
| Cancel your order, John ........ or send them back when they arrive. These are so much cooler, and you don't have to take the covers off every time you want to turn them on. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: February/15/10 at 3:16pm
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Nice lights, Why did you install them?
------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: craigsmiller
Date Posted: February/16/10 at 5:30am
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I installed them, but I didn't electrically connect them. After a week or so, I decided I didn't like the look, so I removed them .... a little too much "rally car" for my taste.
They ARE very nice lights, so I'm hoping to find a good home for them ..... Craig
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Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: February/26/10 at 10:29am
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What does all the lights in front do to the cooling of the motor? S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: February/26/10 at 11:20am
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Nothing you will actual find that my light with the mounts I made place the light below the of the upper grill and above the lower grill.
John ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: February/27/10 at 12:12am
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John: I see that now. The stupid front license plate that our state requires blocks more than your lights. I have been hoping that the economy might make a front license plate to expensive! Who stands in front of a vehicle to get the plate number of a car that is speeding or about to run them down? Stephen ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: February/27/10 at 2:17am
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S LOLOLO Our law enforcement need a nice flat surface to hit with the radar. J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: February/27/10 at 2:27am
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J: Wow! You might just be correct!!! I never thought of that aspect , I believe it is illegal to have a radar scrambler; correct me if that is incorrect since it might be a handy tool if legal. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: February/27/10 at 3:43am
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S: You might be surprised to know the answer is no, unless things have changed. I believe the way Washington handles it is if you use it and they catch you violating the speed limit then they really nail you. I believe there are a few people here that have more exp then me on this subject. http://www.007radardetectors.com/legal.htm - http://www.007radardetectors.com/legal.htm http://www.007radardetectors.com/speeding_fines.htm - http://www.007radardetectors.com/speeding_fines.htm J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: February/27/10 at 3:45am
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Here is a neither way to look at it http://www.stealthcountermeasures.com/radardetectorlaws.htm - http://www.stealthcountermeasures.com/radardetectorlaws.htm Might consider where you can't use them if you travel. ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: February/27/10 at 11:59am
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J: Those links were very informative, thank you! I'll stick with the herd and blend in, like a zebra since it keeps the blood pressure down on long trips. Stop and go I avoid entirely. When I switched from hotrods to vans/buses/campers my traffic ticket factor dropped like a stone. Now I just cruise along the freeways not much above the limit, I just take the corners at the same freeway speeds. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: February/27/10 at 12:07pm
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Your welcome, I believe there are some here that have units that can melt the radar guns. LOLOLO ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: February/27/10 at 12:10pm
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J: That would be nice! I remember in my youth I was pulled over before radar gun and the trooper was nice enough to only write me up for 94 in a 60 and I know I was going way faster than that because I had backed off the gas when I spotted him and it took him a while to turn around and get up to speed. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: February/27/10 at 12:22pm
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S
LOLOLOL Good thing we got wise in our old age. J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: February/27/10 at 12:31pm
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J: It is a work in progress... S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: February/27/10 at 12:53pm
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S
Only problem if I don't hurry up and finish I am more then likely going to forget what I was suppose to finish. J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: February/28/10 at 12:51am
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J: I am a big fan of lists, that way I look at my list when I get into a room I thought I needed to enter! S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: heine12oz
Date Posted: February/28/10 at 12:54am
Alocatelli
great looking ride. I haven't seen you around town, but will look for sure. Would love to see it in person, looks like you have some really nice mods. Let me know when you are out and about and we can hook up. I'm over off of Elk Run.
Matt ------------- pepper white. black roof. 20% tint. cobra stripes. rally lights. aero grille. 18" TSW Trackstar 5. Alta CAI. 15% |
Alocatelli wrote:Posted By: Alocatelli
Date Posted: February/28/10 at 1:52am
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Hi Matt
I think I caught a glimpse of your car the other day, saw it down the road turning, pepper white with black rims? Surprised you haven't seen me yet I'm always driving around and my MINI's pretty loud ;) If you see me flag me down would love to take a look at yours too.
-Adam ------------- '03 MCS JCW PPG Rattlesnake/BlackPearl-Way too many mods to list here ;) |
Posted By: heine12oz
Date Posted: February/28/10 at 6:09am
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Yup, that was me or the wife. Will do. She drives it more than me, but If I see ya, I will stop. I also drive a modded blue chevy avalanche with chrome rims. Can't miss that one. ------------- pepper white. black roof. 20% tint. cobra stripes. rally lights. aero grille. 18" TSW Trackstar 5. Alta CAI. 15% |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 12:31am
Okay new lights installed, I will try and get more pics this weeked sorry about the dirty car will get to that this weekend too. ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: nicknbecka
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 11:41am
John, they look great!  I really like the black look.
------------- 2007 AB/AB MCS w/ Chrome Line |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 12:17pm
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J: I too like the black look! Does anyone make a rectangular lamp that give tons of light? S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 12:39pm
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S: Thanks All, I really like them, just what are you looking for in a rectangular light? Do you want road legal? J. FYI: They actual have them with halo's inside now, it is referred to as European. ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 1:11pm
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J: I believe in the past I have had Hella Lamps (Fog) that were rectangular but I don't remember one for distance being rectangular. The fog lamps worked well in those areas where ground fog was dense and were more bright than the factory headlamps. If you put lamps on the roof the lighting is pretty good but every bug on the planet finds its way into your windshield! S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 1:25pm
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http://www.myhellalights.com/halogen_lamps/Hella_550_Fog_Lamp_Kit.html - http://www.myhellalights.com/halogen_lamps/Hella_550_Fog_Lamp_Kit.html http://www.myhellalights.com/halogen_lamps/Hella_550_Driving_Lamp_Kit.html - http://www.myhellalights.com/halogen_lamps/Hella_550_Driving_Lamp_Kit.html http://www.piaa.com/Lamps/Lamp-pages/60xt.html - http://www.piaa.com/Lamps/Lamp-pages/60xt.html ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 2:19pm
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J: Which brand of lamp would you recommend? S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 5:34pm
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Hellas are nice the PIAA are a little out of my budget ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 7:09pm
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J: Maybe I should have said who makes the BEST lamps? I want a lamp that gets the edges of the roads for deer encounters and bright enough to see the potholes at a distance. I think Hella or PIAA make an Off Road Lamp that seems to do both. I was poking around on the web and ran across them but don't know what company is presently making the BEST lamps. I live across from the Naval Shipyard and their lamps light up our home at 1-1/2 miles away. No need for night lights! A real waste of power/money and a good example of unnecessary glare. The current NASCAR track lighting is really good and does not throw light where it is not wanted, but the military is apparently not comfortable with the cost. I have PIAA Extreme White bulbs in the Mini headlamps and they work fairly well, but a little more would be good since they don't seem to light up the potholes as well as I would like in semi-urban environments. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 8:23pm
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S:
Okay I am guessing that when you mean Best we are talking about what make you see good? I will go back and look but did I post any of the stuff about lights? Color? Lums? etc. J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 9:58pm
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J: Yes, lumens and color would be helpful. The manufacturers seem to like watts but that does not tell the entire story. Another thing to consider is ruggedness. A Mini does not ride like an off road racer on the street. Those rigs have real soft suspension and long wheel travel. The MINI has neither so it shakes the poop out of lamps. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/05/10 at 11:15pm
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Okay I don't know if I can get to it tonight but there are a couple good pages I have on lights, I thougt I posted them but I think it is a good subject as to why those 80 dollar bulbs don't reach out there as far as the stock ones ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/06/10 at 12:57am
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S: http://www.intellexual.net/hid.html#quickover - http://www.intellexual.net/hid.html#quickover http://www.danielsternlighting.com/home.html - http://www.danielsternlighting.com/home.html http://www.bimmian.com/HIR/M7 - http://www.bimmian.com/HIR/M7 Here is a couple to keep you busy while I go to work early tomorrow. J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/06/10 at 12:04pm
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J: Good reading! Thanks With a Degree in electronic systems I too never understood the claim of 55w=85w!! Light dispersion and the way it plays on the road surface are the real factors. My Mini does NOT have the Xenon headlamps, or any other HID system, so going to the PIAA bulbs did help a bit but not what a real fine lamp would do but then legal seems to creep into the discussion. The main reason I wanted rectangular is for aesthetics. The number of lamps on the front of the vehicle being allowed in whatever State is pretty much up to the cop that pulls you over. I have been ticketed in other states for wire stone guards, but that was the same state that ticketed me for having a license plate lower than 12 inches to the ground. I like the placement of your lamps but you must not park on the street much where a parallel parking neophyte could wipe them out. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/06/10 at 1:41pm
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S:
Your welcome, kind of a little different look at lighting. From your answer I take it the readiing helped, I my have one or two more just not sure where I saved them lololol. Being a county set here most of the time I go by 2 county, 1 state and 4 city law enforcement officers on the way to work. In washington state you are allowed a low & high beam, driving and passing lights , plus fogs. That can be as many as 10 lights on the front and still be legal. Now the main issue is that your driving and passing light have to work in conjuntion with the high beams and same same with the fogs working with the low beams. The place lights off the ground is all so an issue. The other thing is these light to be highway legal also have to be between 55 and 65 watts. Now it does not touch on if that applies to HIDs as far as the wattage goes , but I am I not sure if that is a battle one wants to fight. I use my light all the time and have not had any trouble so far. You can mount off road lights if you want but they should be covered when on the highway. J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/06/10 at 6:31pm
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Craigsmiller: I sent you a PM about the lamps you seem to want to sell. Stephen ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/06/10 at 8:10pm
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S:
The lights Craig has are the Rallye 1000, I have not seen them in action but they are a popular light around the great lakes and the are the big brother to mine. My new lights actual put out a rectangle shaped beam. J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/06/10 at 8:17pm
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J: Does that mean that they too have a rectangular beam? I like the black out look for cosmetic reasons. Those with a pair of yellow rectangular Hella fogs below them might be a good combination. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/06/10 at 9:50pm
See if these help   Here is OutMotorings Gen2 with 4 Rallye 1000 on the front.  ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/06/10 at 9:53pm
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J: Very nice! Thank you. Did you use the OutMotoring brackets for your Mini? S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/06/10 at 10:18pm
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S: Thanks, no my brackets are of my own design, I was working on a bracket that you did not have to cut out the grill. I believe the bracket Crig has are the out motoring gen1 brackets. I don't know what is under the gen 2 bumper to know if they would work, Okay here are the brackets they used http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-cooper/out_motoring_Gen_2_R56_MID_light_brackets.html - http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-cooper/out_motoring_Gen_2_R56_MID_light_brackets.html Have you been over to VIP? http://www.vipcustomparts.com/minicooperparts.htm - http://www.vipcustomparts.com/minicooperparts.htm J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/07/10 at 12:45am
   This next one has a inside and outside view   ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/07/10 at 1:05am
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http://motoringfile.com/files/R56_aux_lights.PDF - http://motoringfile.com/files/R56_aux_lights.PDF ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/07/10 at 6:45am
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J: I had seen the VIP site and was sort of intrigued by their claim of a "2 degree drop in coolant temperature"; so 4 dinner plates in front of the grill somehow sucks in more air!!??! The 4 lamps in the middle, below the grill, sure looks good but them being first point of impact is unsettling. Do you parallel park yours? The light pattern is pretty diffuse, rectangular for sure but seems like it would give upward scatter without a definite cutoff line. Driving down a country road it seems to turn things to daylight, which is a good thing. Thanks for all the reading matter. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/07/10 at 12:22pm
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S: I just brought up they VIP site because sometimes it can be hard to find, they are a small out fit with some different ideas. Parking, yes from time to time because downtown here has no parking lots. But I worry more about parking at work . The idiots their think the concert parking block dividers between the spot are some kind of bumper stop. So normally when I park I give extra room regardless of the lights. The color temp matches my stock high beams . Down the road I my bump the color temp up with one of the OSRAM Sylvania bulbs. Your Welcome, I couldn't find a Pepper White with just 2 black lights 4 was the best I could do, but it gives you an idea what it looks like. J. ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/08/10 at 4:25pm
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J: The 4 black magics look very nice and I see that Hella is offering the Black Magic's in the 500 series. They do not discuss whether the Black Magics use the Free Form Reflector technology or not but for the Fog Lamps it is an option and one that apparently ensures a good cut off line for less oncoming driver glare. Have you used the yellow fog lamps? S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/08/10 at 5:31pm
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S:
The 500s are what I have. I had some yellow one on my old 69 chev Nova J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/08/10 at 8:26pm
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J: Were the yellow ones an advantage? I am still curious about the FF reflectors as opposed to the standard (older) parabolic reflector with a fluted lens; I am guessing that the older ones will not cut off light above a given point. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/08/10 at 8:33pm
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S:
I can say down in Oregom in heavy fog a long the river the yellow did help. I think Adam has the 500 FFs J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/08/10 at 8:46pm
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J: I hope Adam chimes in and gives an honest opinion on the FF lamps. The ground fog along river banks, the fog in the central valley of California and the fog on the coast makes them useful. Another benefit of the fog lamps is lighting the edges of the roadway for the deer that love to leap into harms way. The long range lamps are just for that singular purpose, like not hitting a large carcass in the middle of the freeway or a black angus steer in the middle of the road, both of which I have had to dodge in the middle of the night where there were no other cars or lights for miles. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/09/10 at 3:02am
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S: Have you considered changing out the current fog lights to yellow? They 500 FF's you can get at walmart for 60 bucks a set. J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/09/10 at 6:24am
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J: I have thought about it and the only lamps I have are those cheesy parking lamps that do nothing. Would the wiring take the load? Mounting a decent fog light into that small hole might be an exercise in futility. S.  ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |