[dreadbones]

Hi,

Anyone have any easy to follow instructions for fitting the BMW spots kit?

As want to try and avoid the 150 fitting charge if possible.

Thanks

[Devilman]

Go For the mini sport ones, they are bigger and better. i had them on mine.

get all the instructions in the kit, and it's not that hard to fit anyway

[mikeythemini]

The BMW kit requires the ECU to be programmed
The Hella kit doesn't

[Parc77]

The BMW ones rust within seconds if you open them up and look inside - managed to stop the rust by cleaning it off then coating the inside with wax-oil and putting stainless steel screws on them instead of the rusty standard ones. I have the Original Mini ones (they are a bit cheapy but do look good) but just be aware of the rust and the quality of them

[Wobert]

I've got a pdf of the OE fitting instructions for the UK........took me 3 hrs (qualified engineer).

Had some hassle getting them rogrammed as a lot of dealers want £50+vat for what is a 10 minute job.......ring a few dealers and see......my highest quote was £96 (from my friendly dealer that supplied the car), to £32 from a dealer out in the sticks (well Shrewsbury to be exact).

Not had any probs with rusting, as I've only had them on the car about 6 weeks.

Robert

[dreadbones]

Hi,

Thanks , I guess im just not sure from the OE instructions on wiring layout.

May just have to bite the bullet and face up to the fact i dont know anything about car electrics.

[MINI 59/04]

Hi I'd also like to warn against getting the OEM ones. There not cheap but the quality is crap. After less than 2 months on the car they are already rusting. I even took someones advice about trying to seal them before installing. The screws are rusting, the rivets within and the brackets bolting them on are all showing signs of rust. I'm not sure what I can do to prevent this. I couldn't find any wax-oyl in the shops here in Canada. I'm just worried the appearance will detract from the rest of the car....other than this they do look nice though!

[JoeDentist]

I bought some WIPAC lights as fitted to classic Minis to put on my 2005, albeit with modified aluminum mounting brackets. Some of you have had lots of Minis - do these WIPAC lights have a corrosion problem as well?

[crazyBastard]

do you have pics of the wipac spots?
what diameter do they have?
where have you bought them? url?
thanks
cheers
FreaK!

[Pinball]

I have been looking at the quad lamps from MINI Sport. If I fit them or get a garage to fit them, will it invalidate my warranty as they are not official MINI spots?

[JoeDentist]

The WIPAC lights are 5.5" diameter, and are available on EBAY almost all the time in sets of 2 or 4. I only paid about $66 for a set of two shipped air mail to the U.S. in just a few days. Brand new, part number S 6007. NOS.

They seem like such a good deal compared with the outrageous prices wanted for the BMW spots. My dealer wants $750 installed, but I have seen up to $900 fees from dealers. With some $75 high-strength Mini brackets, and a $30 high quality wiring harness, I'm only out about $170 for parts, and get that retro Mini connection. I'll have to fabricate some aluminum brackets, but that is no big deal - looks like an aluminum cube with a few holes drilled in it will work just fine.

I'm just interested in a statement about the relative quality of these lamps. The have nice snug covers, and seem every bit as well made as the BMW units. Does anyone even know who makes the BMW units for Mini?

I've bought driving lights for decades, and a good rule of thumb is that they get cheaper nd worse with each generation. I'm willing to bet a good lamp from 1969 is a whole lot more durable than a lamp from 2004. I'm sure that there have been optical improvements, but hey, this is more for show than go -I've got Xenons for that.

[Widgey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pinball

I have been looking at the quad lamps from MINI Sport. If I fit them or get a garage to fit them, will it invalidate my warranty as they are not official MINI spots?

BMW recently issued a bulletin to UK dealers (certainly the one I work at) that installing 4 spots may overload existing wiring system and cause electrical failure. I know loadsa people are going to reply saying they've got 4 spots and had no problems but with regard to your warranty...any work carried out on your vehicle that is not to "BMW specification" will give them the opportunity to refuse a warranty claim if you experience an electrical failure.

[crazyBastard]

Quote: Originally Posted by JoeDentist

The WIPAC lights are 5.5" diameter, and are available on EBAY almost all the time in sets of 2 or 4. I only paid about $66 for a set of two shipped air mail to the U.S. in just a few days. Brand new, part number S 6007. NOS.

do you have them allready or are you biding on them which are right now at ebay?
thx
cheers
FreaK!

p.s.: may you ask him for the e-mail adress or the url if he has an internet shop. thx!!!

[JoeDentist]

I have them already, sitting on my desk. The lights come with long stainless steel mounts made to go in the bumper of an old mini. I took those off and took some 1" diameter aluminum rod and cut two 1 1/8" long pieces. I drilled the bottoms to accept a Metric 10X1.5 thread, and use stainless steel button head screws to attach them to the MiniMania brackets. A hole about 1/8 inch from the top, at right angles to the mounting hole, tapped to M6X1.0 fits the screws from the WIPAC's. A few stainless steel washers to assure a tight fit and bing, you are done.

[Pinball]

Quote:

BMW recently issued a bulletin to UK dealers (certainly the one I work at) that installing 4 spots may overload existing wiring system and cause electrical failure. I know loadsa people are going to reply saying they've got 4 spots and had no problems but with regard to your warranty...any work carried out on your vehicle that is not to "BMW specification" will give them the opportunity to refuse a warranty claim if you experience an electrical failure.

Hummm... I really like the lights but like you say, if anything does go wrong, my garage may tell me to get lost! Maybe MINI ones are the way to go?

By the way can anyone tell me how to get the "origonally posted bit" in after the word quote as I am not too sure. It took me 10 mins to figure out how to qoute someone!

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pinball

By the way can anyone tell me how to get the "origonally posted bit" in after the word quote as I am not too sure. It took me 10 mins to figure out how to qoute someone!

Click at the bottom of the post to which you're replying.

[Pinball]

Ta-da! Amazing when you know how. Thanx

[crazyBastard]

are there any brackets where you don't need to cut the aero grill?
with the oem brackets you have to cut the aero grill, am i right?
i know that there is an option from minisport but i don't really like it.
does any one have an idea. i would like to have something like the oem ones but it should come out under the grill.
thanks a lot.
cheers
FreaK!

[fordcymru]

Hi every one , i`m new to this site and i`m finding it very informative but i`d like to ask if any one has UK fitting instructions for the oem spot lamps as i bought a kit off e-bay without instructions and i`m completely stumped. I`m quite a competent fitter due to having worked in the motor trade for many year`s but without any instructions i haven`t a clue. Can any one out there help.

[Stigsdump]

Quote: Originally Posted by fordcymru (original)

i`d like to ask if any one has UK fitting instructions for the oem spot lamps . Can any one out there help.

I have the instructions but not too sure how to get them to you. You also have to have the ECU activated if you use the BMW block connector and OEM wiring.
I've just been quoted £145 +vat to put the wiring in and activate the lights. The brackets and spots are already installed on the car. This price was by a local company (not the dealer) that have the BMW equipment

Looks like i'll be going in via a relay and the main beam