MINI2

Alex5 · Feb 17th, 2007, 03:48 PM

Hello all

I am seriously considering getting some spot lights / driving lights for my Cooper S. The Hella Comet 200's look high quality, but I can't really justify the £100ish it's going to cost for the various bits, so I am thinking stainless steel Wipacs from eBay. I would be interested to hear others opinions on these, as some of the posts on here have complained of rust (but I think these were the chrome ones). I would also like to know how securely the fixings at the bottom are - ie do they get knocked out of position easily? How secure and strong are the bracket, do the lights wobble much?

I have been using the diagram in post #18 in this thread http://www.mini2.com/forum/exterior/...ts-wiring.html for info and I know I need these parts:

Spotlights
Brackets
wiring
relay
connectors to splice wiring and connect to + battery terminal by air box
in-line fuse holder

I'm just not sure about the guage/rating of wiring I need as I'm not electrically inclined. Am I correct in thinking a 15 amp fuse is needed (between + terminal and lights), and therefore that I need wire rated for at least 15 amps? What kind of realy do I need and where can I buy this? Where does the circuit ground?

My final question relates to the brackets - I have a Cooper S with the 3-slot upper grill, and I'm sure I have read of an incompatibility between the brackets and either the 3- or 4-slot upper grill pieces. Can anyone shed any light on this for me please?

Thanks for any advice.

Alex

James · Feb 17th, 2007, 05:04 PM

I'm not sure about the wire, i think most wire is the same? You need a 15amp fuse between +ve terminal and relay, the relay itself normally comes with the spots. The circuit can be grounded on one of the bolts behind your headlights. I used to have the Wipac spots which were supposedly stainless steel but they began to rust up so I took them off. While they were on they did wobble a bit going over bumpy roads. Sorry thats all the q's i can answer

James · Feb 17th, 2007, 05:06 PM

p.s they were from boltonbits on ebay

Alex5 · Feb 18th, 2007, 11:14 AM

Cheers for your sharing your experiences Crammy, I expected them to wobble a bit being mounted to the bonnet by those brackets, as long as it's not too dramatic that's fine.

If anyone can help me out with the wiring / relay / grille q's that would be great.

Alex

jamski · Feb 18th, 2007, 11:38 AM

I was going to get the same stainless steel ones from ebay, until I saw a threat on here about BMW fitting their own spots so badly it bent the inside of the bonnet and rust set in. They were of course going to repair the damage, but after that I couldn't let my MC be drilled into by someone other than me! So I'm waiting till I have time to do it.

I e-mailed them about corrosion and they assured me the SS ones didn't rust, although perhaps others have found otherwise?! If they do I would think you have some comeback with them as they are advertised as not rusting.

As for the grill, here's BMW's fitting instructions. Page 14 has about fitting to the 3/4 fin grill.

http://www.bridger.us/mini/howto/Driving_Lights_902.pdf

Sorry can't help with the wiring, I'm not at one with electricity!

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Feb 17th, 2007, 03:48 PM	#1
Alex5 MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Buying Mini bits Local Time: 07:12 PM Posts: 75 Offline	Spot lights, a couple of questions Hello all I am seriously considering getting some spot lights / driving lights for my Cooper S. The Hella Comet 200's look high quality, but I can't really justify the £100ish it's going to cost for the various bits, so I am thinking stainless steel Wipacs from eBay. I would be interested to hear others opinions on these, as some of the posts on here have complained of rust (but I think these were the chrome ones). I would also like to know how securely the fixings at the bottom are - ie do they get knocked out of position easily? How secure and strong are the bracket, do the lights wobble much? I have been using the diagram in post #18 in this thread http://www.mini2.com/forum/exterior/...ts-wiring.html for info and I know I need these parts: Spotlights Brackets wiring relay connectors to splice wiring and connect to + battery terminal by air box in-line fuse holder I'm just not sure about the guage/rating of wiring I need as I'm not electrically inclined. Am I correct in thinking a 15 amp fuse is needed (between + terminal and lights), and therefore that I need wire rated for at least 15 amps? What kind of realy do I need and where can I buy this? Where does the circuit ground? My final question relates to the brackets - I have a Cooper S with the 3-slot upper grill, and I'm sure I have read of an incompatibility between the brackets and either the 3- or 4-slot upper grill pieces. Can anyone shed any light on this for me please? Thanks for any advice. Alex

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Feb 17th, 2007, 05:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
James MINI2 Master Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Essex Local Time: 07:12 PM Posts: 963 Online	I'm not sure about the wire, i think most wire is the same? You need a 15amp fuse between +ve terminal and relay, the relay itself normally comes with the spots. The circuit can be grounded on one of the bolts behind your headlights. I used to have the Wipac spots which were supposedly stainless steel but they began to rust up so I took them off. While they were on they did wobble a bit going over bumpy roads. Sorry thats all the q's i can answer

Feb 17th, 2007, 05:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
James MINI2 Master Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Essex Local Time: 07:12 PM Posts: 963 Online	p.s they were from boltonbits on ebay

Feb 18th, 2007, 11:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
Alex5 MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Buying Mini bits Local Time: 07:12 PM Posts: 75 Offline	Cheers for your sharing your experiences Crammy, I expected them to wobble a bit being mounted to the bonnet by those brackets, as long as it's not too dramatic that's fine. If anyone can help me out with the wiring / relay / grille q's that would be great. Alex

Feb 18th, 2007, 11:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
jamski 'Jack the Black' Cooper Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Guildford Local Time: 07:12 PM Posts: 334 Offline	I was going to get the same stainless steel ones from ebay, until I saw a threat on here about BMW fitting their own spots so badly it bent the inside of the bonnet and rust set in. They were of course going to repair the damage, but after that I couldn't let my MC be drilled into by someone other than me! So I'm waiting till I have time to do it. I e-mailed them about corrosion and they assured me the SS ones didn't rust, although perhaps others have found otherwise?! If they do I would think you have some comeback with them as they are advertised as not rusting. As for the grill, here's BMW's fitting instructions. Page 14 has about fitting to the 3/4 fin grill. http://www.bridger.us/mini/howto/Driving_Lights_902.pdf Sorry can't help with the wiring, I'm not at one with electricity!

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