Most liked posts in thread: OEM horns died...AGAIN!

Page 3 of 7
  1. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #17 Crashton, Jul 31, 2011
    HONK HONK!!!! :crazy:

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

    HRM New Member

    Mar 16, 2011
    74
    10
    0
    Ratings:
    +10 / 0 / -0
    #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
     
  3. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #19 Crashton, Jul 31, 2011
    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.
     
  4. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    #20 Justa Jim, Jul 31, 2011
    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
     
  5. Steve

    Steve Administrator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator

    Apr 23, 2009
    12,154
    3,164
    113
    Maryland, USA
    Ratings:
    +3,166 / 0 / -0
    #21 Steve, Jul 31, 2011
    That's why I bought them, that and Hella's quality reputation. There are no wires (or air hoses) to run, just cut the stock wire, strip and add a pair of disconnects. I don't think they were included but they cost just a few cents apiece. In the pic below the screw head right behind the pink disconnects is the original screw for the stock horn, and the black bracket mounted there and attached to the back of the Hella horn comes with the kit.

    [​IMG]

    Mounted where the stockers go they're both as far forward as possible and pointing forward so very little to reflect and/or attenuate the sound.
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #22 Crashton, Jul 31, 2011
    I'm sold! I have a set on the way. Ain't the interweds wonderous?

    Thanks Steve! :Thumbsup:
     
  7. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    #23 Metalman, Aug 1, 2011
    Hellyeah Horns..... FTW:D
     
  8. Steve

    Steve Administrator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator

    Apr 23, 2009
    12,154
    3,164
    113
    Maryland, USA
    Ratings:
    +3,166 / 0 / -0
    #24 Steve, Aug 6, 2011
    Pulled the cover today for other reasons. As you can see it would definitely be easier to do this way. In fact I can't see how you'd get the old horns out or the new horns in through that upper access hole...I'd say it's necessary to remove the cover. :Thumbsup:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #25 Crashton, Aug 6, 2011
    Thank you Steve. I looked the other day & was contemplating pulling the inner fender liner back to gain access, but it did not look promising. Seems the bumper cover should come off. I've had it off before so it shouldn't be bad.

    My lights are due to arrive Monday so hopefully I can pop them right on.
     
  10. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
    Supporting Member

    Oct 23, 2010
    2,959
    1,505
    113
    Engineer
    Pacific NW
    Ratings:
    +1,731 / 0 / -0
    #26 DneprDave, Aug 7, 2011
    I haven't used my horn in over a year and that was just a test beep!

    I should prabably go test it now.

    Dave
     
  11. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 27, 2009
    1,212
    116
    63
    Female
    Ratings:
    +121 / 0 / -0
    #27 SNEEEZY - Erika, Aug 7, 2011
    Thanks for the pics, Steve!

    Question...if the bumper cover is still off, can you see if your Hella horns were made in Germany or India?

    Apparently the ones made in India sound different and are prone to dying very quickly....
     
  12. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    #28 Metalman, Aug 7, 2011
    Well, unless you can find a source with old inventory, Hella moved production of the Supertones to India sometime in 2008. Supposedly the only difference is cheap labor but still made with german produced parts....
     
  13. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #29 Crashton, Aug 7, 2011
    Oh boy horns with a curry flavor. Splendid! :D
     
  14. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    #30 Metalman, Aug 7, 2011
    They are made in India by Indians....
    I hope they forgot about those beads and trinkets we traded them for that island up in New York......:eek:
     
  15. Steve

    Steve Administrator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator

    Apr 23, 2009
    12,154
    3,164
    113
    Maryland, USA
    Ratings:
    +3,166 / 0 / -0
    #31 Steve, Aug 7, 2011
    I can't tell where mine were made. I haven't done any research on these horns since I bought them (well before 2008 in case that actually matters) so I ran a few searches. Seems opinions vary. Most reviews I read said they work great but a few disagree and point at the India connection as the cause. No way to know whether those who've had problems really know what they're talking about or are just parroting claims made by others.

    I'm actually more confused by a few comments about installing the "included" relay. I didn't see any listings that said a relay is included. This matches my experience as I received none (and used same :wink: ).
     
  16. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 27, 2009
    1,212
    116
    63
    Female
    Ratings:
    +121 / 0 / -0
    #32 SNEEEZY - Erika, Aug 7, 2011
    Do you have...or could you create...a sound clip of your Hella Supertones?

    I'm going to create a sound clip of my OEM horns; when they DO work, they sound like a wet cat with claws bared, sliding down a granite cliff.

    Yes...it is THAT horrible sounding!
     
  17. Steve

    Steve Administrator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator

    Apr 23, 2009
    12,154
    3,164
    113
    Maryland, USA
    Ratings:
    +3,166 / 0 / -0
    #33 Steve, Aug 8, 2011
    Don't have one and can't create one at the moment. The car will be in upgrade/maint mode in the garage on stands and ramps for awhile longer and doesn't have a battery installed. I'll try to remember when I get it put back together.

    Well, a horn's job is to attract attention...one way or another. :) I like Hella's description.
     
  18. Steve

    Steve Administrator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator

    Apr 23, 2009
    12,154
    3,164
    113
    Maryland, USA
    Ratings:
    +3,166 / 0 / -0
    #34 Steve, Aug 8, 2011
    Might want to check out Hella's online catalogue.

    If you click down through the layers of the list to the top-left (Electrics > Horns > Electromagnetic > Supertone) you'll find two 12 Volt kits, each with its own article number. A quick comparison shows that other than different packaging the only other notable difference is under "Country of Origin." One says IN, the other says DE. If they moved their manufacturing entirely to India I can't imagine why they would still list both unless it's just for reference.

    Also check the 24 V kit. Also says country of origin is DE, and that's the only 24 V kit listed. Either they stopped making a 24 V version (possible, there aren't a lot of them around) or they didn't really move all manufacturing to India.

    I've still not personally seen any evidence the "made in India" label tells you anything useful about the quality but at least the catalog provides a part number reference.
     
  19. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #35 Crashton, Aug 8, 2011
    Just got my supertones off the front porch.:D Yep they were made in Indiana although it makes no difference to me. They'll go on either this evening or next morning.

    Here is a sound clip..... BEEP BEEP!!! :D

    An old trick for louder horns is to mount 6 volt ones. They don't last long, but they are loud....
     
  20. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    #36 Metalman, Aug 8, 2011
    Yeah.....
    And for quiet horns that last a super long time go with those that Steve mentioned..... Those 24v jobbies......:D

    The ones approved for "Quiet - Hospital Zone".....
     
Page 3 of 7