1st Gen R50 Cooper R50 driving lights.

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by M1N1, Jul 24, 2014.

  1. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

    Jan 5, 2014
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    My Justa had the driving light option fitted from new. Now these things may look good, but they have about as much lighting power as a struck match:mad2:

    Are there any good options to increase the effectiveness of these lights, or just replace (using factory brackets/wiring/switch)?
     
  2. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    May 4, 2009
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    I am not a fog light guy but I have see others wire up Hella 500's and they are bright. :eek6:
     
  3. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    Those oem driving lights are the equivalent of automotive jewelry. All bling & no function. Hella 500 driving lights are not bad & I'm sure they outshine the oem by a long way. Piaa also makes a smallish light that would work well on the oem brackets you have. The Hella 500's may be too large for the brackets you have. I think the lights would bounce about.

    My Hella 500 driving lights are mounted on Outmotoring brackets. They are nice & very stable. I have them wired to work with the high beam switch. I wish I could find a suitable bracket to mount them on top of the bumper. I think they light things up better up there.
     
  4. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    May 22, 2010
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    Hella Black Magic with Outmotoring bracket! [​IMG]
     
  5. Rawhyde

    Rawhyde Active Member

    Apr 7, 2012
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    I removed my OEM driving lights and installed Cibie Tango driving lights. Look in my garage. The look is almost identical to the originals with well over twice the usable light.
     
  6. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the info. Rawhyde: Nice MINI in the best colour.
     
  7. Rawhyde

    Rawhyde Active Member

    Apr 7, 2012
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    You have a fine looking R50 yourself. Best of luck deciding on the driving light upgrade!
     
  8. Gil-galad

    Gil-galad Club Coordinator

    May 19, 2009
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    This thread is making me miss my old MINI...

    [​IMG]

    :)
     
  9. Kerrigan

    Kerrigan New Member

    Jan 23, 2015
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    Rally Lights

    I purchased a pair of rally lights from Mini Mania and I am impressed with the output of them. (I use them as a daily light by hooking them up to the orange wire inside the headlights and replacing the bulb with a 24w 12v h3 bulb) I find the 55w bulb is way too powerful.

    I have the pictures of them posted on "my garage"
     
  10. aslondon

    aslondon Member
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    Jan 4, 2015
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    I just finished mounting Hella FF500 lights on the out motoring brackets. I tried to mount them in the uppermost position, but found on my car there was a clearance problem with the bumper so I used the middle position which worked perfectly. Hindsight being what it is, I could have / should have just trimmed the inner (unseen) edge of the bumper and all would have been well. It didn't even occur to me at the time!!! Really pleased with the output.
     
  11. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

    Jan 5, 2014
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    I bought a set of PIAA 510 driving lights. These are about the same size as the original, factory fitted lights. I could use the existing brackets, wiring, etc., but after doing a "dry fit" I'm not sure that I like the look of the PIAA's. Might just sell them and deal with the factory lights.
     

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