Hi there,
I would like to put some driving lights on my mini but I just wondered what the difference is between the ones bmw supply and the wipac ones that are on ebay and the like. My dealer said the full kit would be about £150 plus labour to fit them. I see Wipacs around for about £45 but then if I buy these bmw won't fit them for me because they arn't genuine
What's the best option? And also does anyone know how many lights i can have on at the same time if i add these? i.e will i be able to have my headlights, sidelights and driving lights on? Thanks alot!
I have recently just had two OEM driving lamps put on my car, it has improved the main beam quite alot, with the added bonus of looking cool aswell.
The Wipacs on E-Bay do look virtually identical to the MINI items, but are not made from Chrome and therefore suposedly wont rust as easily as the MINI items. However if mine do start rusting I will have them replaced, as they come with a one year guarentee anyway.
With the BMW items when main beam is on then sidelights, dipped and main beam bulbs and the driving lamps all illuminate, I cant see why this would not be the case with the Wipacs aswell?
If you go for the Wipacs then just find a decent local auto electrician and get them to fit them for you.
Personally I just went for the 'peace of mind' option by getting them from the dealer. But if you do get them fitted by MINI shop around for quotes, the lowest quote I got was £290 all in and the highest was £380!! But I managed to get the local dealer down to £250 all in in the end.
James.
::.. 2007 JCW Stage 1..:: --- Modern MINI Oscars Winner 2008 ---
Cool....£250 is a pretty good price! Do you know how long it took for them to fit it? I think i will go with the dealer cos i don't want it messed up! I only wish they did these lights with a shiney black reverse instead of chrome - would suit my mini better still look good though!
I bought the stainless Wipac kit from eBay as well, fitted it myself and more than happy with the result. Brackets are a bit "agricultural" I suppose but no wobbly beams either. No way I was going to pay Dealer prices but then I'm out of warranty which might be important to you.
All lights on is easy and you can't beat blinding yourself with reflections from motorway signs!
Yeh it took them an afternoon (2pm throught to around 5pm) But they gave me a Cooper Convertible for the duration to zip around in
I dont think it would take that long usually - they had problems with their computer system as it wouldnt code the lights to my car, so in the end I had to make two visits, the second visit being a few days later to have them coded, so they were on my car for a couple of days, but didnt work
All sorted now though and the look (and work) great!
James.
::.. 2007 JCW Stage 1..:: --- Modern MINI Oscars Winner 2008 ---
I know the feeling I've got brighter bulbs in my main and dipped beams, need to get round to fitting some brighter ones on the spots. Then main beam will be awesome!
They also come in handy for warning idiots that they have their fog lights on when it aint dark or even foggy for that matter!
James.
::.. 2007 JCW Stage 1..:: --- Modern MINI Oscars Winner 2008 ---
Ive had a set of wipacs on my last cooper and OEM's cam with my MCS and they close to identical! cant fault the wipcas and id never pay dealer prices for the!
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OEM driving lights or WIPACS? 
still look good though! 
Really simple to fit, really bright and look great 
