[pictures link]

It was the PIAA 540 install kit for the 2002 to 2006 Mini Cooper. My Cooper has Xenon headlamps. These lamps can cause some snow blindness while driving during a quickly falling snow storm. In the past I have successfully use my fog lamps w/o the headlamps to navigate. This kit will give me one more option.

The kit comes with instructions that can be described as…decent, to put it kindly. The light brackets fit my Cooper perfectly. No issues with mounting the hardware, lamps or even running the wire. All went well and without any troubles.

Tips:

1. When drilling and mounting the top screw of the light brackets. Remove the two access panels. These access panels are there to give access to the nuts that hold on the ram are duct. This will make it much easier to fish some of the mounting hardware.
2. Run the light wiring towards the drivers side. There is a nice ground that can be used just beyond the washer fluid filling area.
3. The open area next to the master cylinder makes for a nice area to zip tie unused wire.
4. The master cylinder area also makes a nice launch pad through the fire wall. It is also a way to get to the battery connection.

Purchase Link $249.99

Here are some pictures

First I looked into the “holeless” option offered by a Vendor on the NAM site. Hit the link, this option is really great, but I already have the holes for the stock one in my bumper. As a looked at pictures of this option It looked as if it might restrict a little air flow. It may even block some of the light give off by the factory fog lights. I would love to be able to put a new bumper on it, but that’s not financially feasible right now. I understand the hole can be filled and the color touched up, but I have never been really good and that sort of thing. I hold things like this to a pretty high standard, sometimes standards that I, personally, can’t reach.

The second option was to find the stock plate holder, like the one that came on my Mini new. Not my first choice, but the best given the circumstances.

I stopped at Ralph Schomp Mini today to pick one up. $90+ later I had my stock holder. I picked up a Badge holder for the grill also.

Shelly at Schomp is just absolutely wonderful.

My Thule Aero Style Roof Rack install went well this evening. I spent the my lunch hour searching for the correct “Fit Kit” for the Mini Cooper. The load range is 110 lbs according to Thule, but I wouldn’t have a problem loading up to 200lbs IMHO.

The install took about 2 hours to complete, including a test drive.

While I was test fitting it I pushed the bars forward. The faring was touching the edge of the windshield. Since the bars are to be 24″ apart, it made the install look out of sync. I chose to move it back a bit.

The next addition will be some ski mounts. We are taking a trip up to the ski condo in a few weeks and will need those attachments.

The Rapid Aero load bars are great for someone who needs to pull off miscellaneous attachments at a moments notice. With the system you just need to remove the end caps to pull off attachments. No longer will I have to pull the foot mounts off the car to remove the ski or bike mounts. I believe each attachment comes with a locking end cap for security.

Thule part numbers for this install are:

1. 400XTR Aero Foot pack [attachment feet]
2. 2145 Fit Kit [finger brackets and rubber scuff pads]
3. RB47 Rapid Aero Load Bars
4. LOCK [locks]
5. 871 [38" fairing]

Some of you may know, I own an only off-road parts supply and manufacturing company. Some of my suppliers also supply parts for Mini Cooper and and Cooper S models. I will be posting links to my BIGoffroad site. The shopping cart is already built there and can be used easily. Please support me by using links to these products.

Cooper S products via BIGoffroad

The install was pretty simple. A little searching on the NAM forums will get you the info you need. I use an iPhone and chose to not “Lock” the device controls. I have some mounts coming form ProClip USA that will make the input device easy to reach. The DICE interface works decent. However I use Playlists a lot and it does not really display the info like using the device. So I chose to control it off the input device instead.

After my dealer visit I took it down to John’s Sunroofs. Darrell and his shop has tinted every one of my vehicles. I am trusting the Mini to the best in the business.

The reflective tint is illegal here in Colorado so if I want that sticker removed from the rear I will have to re-tint the whole car. I added a clear bra to the hood and inside the door handles.

The Jeep Commander had such lousy gas mileage. I expect to double the 16mpg the Commander got with this. Here is a link to the images. I pulled them off the dealers site.

Picked it up for $20,000 less what the Commander was worth.