OEM horns died...AGAIN!

Discussion in 'MINI' started by SNEEEZY - Erika, Jul 31, 2011.

  1. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
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    #1 SNEEEZY - Erika, Jul 31, 2011
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2011
    UPDATE!!! OEM horns died...AGAIN!

    For the 2nd time in about a year, my OEM horns (both of 'em!) have puttered out on me.

    I purchased a WOLO Bad Boy #419 horn as a replacement, but I can't find much info on the OEM horns in the Bentley.

    Tips & advice would be greatly appreciated.

    If you've installed a different aftermarket horn, please share the details. My ONLY commitment is to have horns on Schultze...OEM or aftermarket...so if I need to return the #419, I will do so.

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    Hmmm, wonder if mine work:confused5::lol:

    Mark
     
  3. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    #3 Justa Jim, Jul 31, 2011
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2011
    Horn? MINI's have a horn? I can honestly say that I have never tried it. :D

    Jim
     
  4. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    I lost one of the OEM horns and figured I could live with it that way. When the other went I decided two failures on two rarely used horns was an unacceptable record and went straight to the aftermarket.

    I used these Hella horns.
    [​IMG]

    They fit right where the stockers were, sound good, and no problems yet after six years.

    Sorry, don't know anything about the WOLO.
     
  5. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Steve did you have to wire in a relay or did they just hook up using the standard wiring that is already in place?
     
  6. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    I wonder if this a problem area we just don't know about since we zip away from traffic incidents instead of blowing the horn. I too have 1 dead of the 2, has been that way for quite some too.
     
  7. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    You can hear yours???:lol:

    Mark
     
  8. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    Standard wiring, no relays. I did have to snip off the stock plug and use a couple disconnects because the stock plug just doesn't mate with the connectors on the horns.

    [​IMG]

    Here's a pic a little further back so you can see how nicely they tuck in there.
    [​IMG]

    They're the Hella Supertone kit. Like the stockers they have two different tones (300Hz and 500Hz) but louder at 118dB, although that number doesn't mean much on its own since I have no stock number to compare it to. I wanted louder though after being nearly hit twice by oblivious minivan drivers and these are definitely louder than the stockers!
     
  9. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    Their red, they must be louder:cornut:

    Mark
     
  10. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    The red adds loudness & 10 HP. Thanks Steve I may buy a set of those so both the honkers work.

    Did you pull the bumper cover off to fit those? Looks like that might be the easiest way to get to them.
     
  11. HRM

    HRM New Member

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    I like my Italian Air Horn I got here.

    Red, Compact Italian Air Horns - Griot's Garage

    I can't say I ever heard the Hellas so I can't compare. This horn reminds me of a Ferrari horn. I used a supplied relay and folks have mounted them in the ABS section of the hood.

    No horn sounds as good as that Italian toot in my mind, but that is just me.
     
  12. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    ^^^If I knew if mine worked or not, those would be cool if they didn't:Thumbsup:

    Mark
     
  13. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
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    Please share pics of where you have this horn installed...thanks so much!
     
  14. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    I did pull the cover, I can't remember whether it was necessary or just much easier.
     
  15. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I'm going to order the Hella Super-tones. I have a set of air horns on the Not N MG & I like them, but it has lots of room to mount them. The MINI seems like space is at a premium. I really like the way the Hella horns mount in the same space at the oem ones.
     
  16. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #16 Metalman, Jul 31, 2011
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2011
    Good, I'm glad you're getting them so I can hear them. Been looking at those for a while but wanted to hear them first....:D
     
  17. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    HONK HONK!!!! :crazy:

    Oh by the way I like the MINI naked! :Thumbsup:
     
  18. HRM

    HRM New Member

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    #18 HRM, Jul 31, 2011
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2011
    It won't help you. I have a Hot Air Intake....that's a K&N filter right on the throttle body, so I have huge room no one else has. I mounted it right where the stock airbox is.

    I have seen pics of them mounted in the ABS pump area.

    On a side note, my AIT temp is routinely 12F over ambient, so I'm not sure how much downside not having CAI is for me. I also have meth running, but honestly, watching the temps, I can not find a downside for the HAI. With all that plumbing gone the air flow is not restricted either.

    Maybe I will take a photo so you all can laugh, but temps are good and there in literally nothing to heatsoak before the throttle this way..

    Not sure if I will get a mod note, but here you go..

    http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/interior-exterior/166803-new-compact-italian-air-horns-for-mini-coopers.html
     
  19. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    On the R53 in that picture it is on top of the oil filter. I'd guess it would have to be moved at each oil change. I think the R56 is even tighter in the engine bay. Mounting it where the stock airbox used to live seems like a great idea.
     
  20. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    My horns are gong to last forever, because I would have to use them before they could go bad. On the other hand, if they are bad, I would never know. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     

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