Essential MINI dash lighting

[Will22]

At the weekend, Simon from Essential MINI came all the way from Newcastle down to Eastbourne (had to leave at 4am, arrived at mine at 11!!) to do my interior lighting, along with my brother and also my sister's MCS's. What can I say...I am absolutely thrilled with the results, and it is by far my favourite mod so far Pictures really don't do them justice at all, and I highly reccommend Simon to anyone who is perhaps thinking of having this done. I find myself mesmerized by them as I'm driving along now you would be amazed by what such a simple change makes. But anyway, I'm very pleased

[jayxx83]

looks nice but how come the heater panels are still orange?

[kennywelsh01204]

more important how much was it

and can you change the colour

[minicabrio]

The heater panel can't be done... its got an orange filter built into it.

It can be done on cars with auto a/c though.

[c.gray2008]

the heater panel can be done, but it will never look as good as factory.
i did the lights in my car meself to save some cash.
the orange filters can be taken out but it then leaves a hole on the twisting switched where the arrow is.
and the the back of the face plate has orange paint on so this has 2 be scraped off ( which is a massive pain, then i fitted a string of LEDs all around the unit and wiried them to the origional light connections.
its not an idea mod however im happy now theres no orange in sight.

[Uncle Rich]

I've done this on other cars, before I start pulling the facia and pods apart any chance of a shopping list and some top tips?

[c.gray2008]

Quote: Originally Posted by Uncle Rich (original)

I've done this on other cars, before I start pulling the facia and pods apart any chance of a shopping list and some top tips?

id suggest a thin pointed solderer rather than a flat end as the solder points are very small,
a full set of torx screws, SMD bulbs rather than rounded LED's, for the light filters on the LCD screens use a transparent (whaever colour) folder from WHSmith or something as the standard are orange.
and alot! of patience.

it also helps to have the car close to where your working, as even when the units are striped down the the circuit board u can still plug them in and check everything is in order along the way, and see which lights do what and whether new lights are working etc.
hope this helps.

[Uncle Rich]

Ahh so the bulbs are soldered not push in repllacements, figures, just spent the weekend grinding the old disks off cos of the stupid holding bolt design.