Where to purchase driving lights - LotusTalk

Scott · 07-17-2007, 05:36 PM

I did try to search but could not find.... I want to purchase the factory driving light kit for my car... any suggestions on a good dealer to order it from? Going price? Can the kit be ordered online? What is included in the kit?

Thanks for anyone that can help!

wallabyguy · 07-17-2007, 05:46 PM

We're in Ct (at least our lotus showroom is) and I can get you the kit. Give me or Ed light (our service/ parts manager) a call tomorrow morning and we'll hook you up. (203-618-9500)

edaddy · 07-17-2007, 05:54 PM

Everything is included, lights, switches (new interior panel), relays, new grill, brackets, etc. I found them for 10% off dealer list. They're not cheap.

RoadDad · 07-17-2007, 06:04 PM

I got mine from John at Fox Valley Motor Cars (630) 231-3400 and couldn't find a cheaper price anywhere (but like edaddy said, they're not cheap -- price or quality). I was also extremely pleased with John's customer service. Tell him David, the doctor in Roanoke, said he needs to treat you right (he will even if you don't tell him that).

TimMullen · 07-18-2007, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edaddy

They're not cheap.

Actually, I'd say they were a bargain. I've bought and installed other quality lights for an other car. The price for the lights alone was about 40% of the Lotus Driving Lights. By the time I had fabricated the mounts, made my own wiring, bought the factory switch, added relays, etc. etc. I had nearly as much in it as the price of the Lotus Factory Driving Light kit. But the Lotus kit includes everything - no fabricating, no sourcing, no hassles. Just install it.

Scott · 07-19-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallabyguy

We're in Ct (at least our lotus showroom is) and I can get you the kit. Give me or Ed light (our service/ parts manager) a call tomorrow morning and we'll hook you up. (203-618-9500)

Well I called Wednesday, left a detailed message with Ed Light... and now two days later, no call back.

Russellise · 07-19-2007, 07:21 PM

If I may ask a silly question, are the driving lights used to supplement the low beams or the high beams? In other words, if I were totally (utterly) dissatisfied with my lowbeam output (which I am), which would make more sense, driving lights or xenons?

MattG · 07-19-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russellise

If I may ask a silly question, are the driving lights used to supplement the low beams or the high beams? In other words, if I were totally (utterly) dissatisfied with my lowbeam output (which I am), which would make more sense, driving lights or xenons?

If you want to improve low beams, get some fog lights or HID. The Lotus driving lights are auxiliary high beams and should only be used as such.

Russellise · 07-19-2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattG

If you want to improve low beams, get some fog lights or HID. The Lotus driving lights are auxiliary high beams and should only be used as such.

That's what I thought, thanks!

RoadDad · 07-20-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

Well I called Wednesday, left a detailed message with Ed Light... and now two days later, no call back.

That's why I say John at Fox Valley Motor Cars (630) 231-3400 ...

uclacyc · 07-20-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

Actually, I'd say they were a bargain. I've bought and installed other quality lights for an other car. The price for the lights alone was about 40% of the Lotus Driving Lights. By the time I had fabricated the mounts, made my own wiring, bought the factory switch, added relays, etc. etc. I had nearly as much in it as the price of the Lotus Factory Driving Light kit. But the Lotus kit includes everything - no fabricating, no sourcing, no hassles. Just install it.

Time is money, too. Like the Polycarbonate Shield for Rear Window. Could have went to TAP Plastics to get the polycarbonate, but then would have to find the right tools, measure the template, suction cups, drill, size, resize, polish, etc. etc. Materials alone would have been $30 easy. I see it as $20 labor and three hours saved.

uclacyc · 07-20-2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadDad

That's why I say John at Fox Valley Motor Cars (630) 231-3400 ...

FVMC is good for customer service.

Got my car there from Tony.

richw350 · 07-20-2007, 09:07 AM

FVMC. enough said.

Good price and great service.

wallabyguy · 07-20-2007, 09:27 AM

You have a PM

Scott · 07-26-2007, 04:17 PM

Update: I have to give credit to Robert (Wallabyguy) and to Lotus of Greenwich for getting these out to me so fast. It would have helped if I had given the right number. The kit is great, and I am going to start the install tonight. My plan is this... change the bulbs to a lower wattage, less intense fixture. Trigger the relay for the lights with the parking light switch rather than the high beam switch. I am really adding these for asthetics rather than super high beams. I don't even drive the car at night. Dusk on occassion, but almost never at night. I like the looks of the lights on the front of the car, so for my tastes this makes sense. I will make a detailed thread and show how it is does in the next few days.

TimMullen · 07-28-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

change the bulbs to a lower wattage, less intense fixture. Trigger the relay for the lights with the parking light switch rather than the high beam switch.

Still might not work the way you want it to. The lights are more of a "spot light" - the beam is concentrated/focused into a narrow beam that shines far down the road. That's what makes it a great high beam, but probably not so great for use with regular lights...

If you just want them on the car for the looks, don't turn them on unless you want them on. But if you are talking about having them all the time like a lot of people do with fog lights, they don't work the same way... .

Scott · 07-29-2007, 01:30 PM

I understand how driving lights work. I want to do it differenhtly. I like the parking lights on the car, the low glow from the headlights. I want to duplicate that look with the driving lights. 15 or 20 watt H3 bulbs will do the trick. That is what I am going for. As for the high beams... to me they work great the way they are. That is since I have only used them once. I just don't drive the car at night. I also like the look of the front of the car better now with the lights in place. Much better than before... to me anyway.

GaryD · 07-29-2007, 06:39 PM

Aestheitics I understand re the driving light install you are doing... but I would say the best mod I have made to my car was adding HID low beams - the improvement over the stock (even with the Osram silverstar bulbs) is huge and a big plus for safe driving at night. The cutoffs in the fixtures are effective at preventing blinding glare for oncoming drivers and I can now see the lines on the road on a wet rainy night... So you might want to consider adding HID low beams for your next project.

............ Gary

- My HIDs came from ekological but there are other providers on here as well.
edit - I meant to add I modded my driving lights with HID as well - severe overkill on my part I think in retrospect - given where I live. As you posted, I find I never turn them on

07-17-2007, 05:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scott Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Rocky Hill, CT Posts: 392	Where to purchase driving lights I did try to search but could not find.... I want to purchase the factory driving light kit for my car... any suggestions on a good dealer to order it from? Going price? Can the kit be ordered online? What is included in the kit? Thanks for anyone that can help!

07-17-2007, 05:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
wallabyguy Not Dead Yet Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 6,008	We're in Ct (at least our lotus showroom is) and I can get you the kit. Give me or Ed light (our service/ parts manager) a call tomorrow morning and we'll hook you up. (203-618-9500) __________________ former Lotus Sales Robert (aka Sith Lord of LBL) 74 Elite 502 05 Elise (Snuffalupagous..RIP : Laser Blue, Black Leather, Touring Pack, Hardtop ) The Wallaby Will Ride Again

07-17-2007, 05:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
edaddy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SF East Bay Posts: 937 Images: 2	Everything is included, lights, switches (new interior panel), relays, new grill, brackets, etc. I found them for 10% off dealer list. They're not cheap. __________________ #2116 - Aztec Bronze

07-17-2007, 06:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor below Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,249	I got mine from John at Fox Valley Motor Cars (630) 231-3400 and couldn't find a cheaper price anywhere (but like edaddy said, they're not cheap -- price or quality). I was also extremely pleased with John's customer service. Tell him David, the doctor in Roanoke, said he needs to treat you right (he will even if you don't tell him that). __________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

07-19-2007, 07:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
Russellise Razor Sharp Handling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: CT Posts: 198 Images: 19	If I may ask a silly question, are the driving lights used to supplement the low beams or the high beams? In other words, if I were totally (utterly) dissatisfied with my lowbeam output (which I am), which would make more sense, driving lights or xenons? __________________ 2006 Lotus Elise Polar Blue/Red \| Touring, Hardtop \| Exige LSS wheels \| Stage II exhaust 2007 BMW E92 335i Spacegrau/Coral/Al \| ZSP/ZPP/ZCW/CA/PDC/NAV

07-20-2007, 09:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
richw350 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 326	FVMC. enough said. Good price and great service. __________________ Richard Williams '06 Chrome Orange Elise - LSS, Touring, SS, CO A/C Surround, Track Pack Shocks, BWR Swaybar, Cup Airbox, Manley's Motor Mount Inserts, Lotus Driving Lights, Stage II Exhaust, Larini De-Cat Pipe, 4Tress Bar, 5 lb. Battery, Pagid Blacks, BWR 2-piece Rotors, V2 Arms, HIDs, Micro Mirror, Carpet Buttons

07-20-2007, 09:27 AM	#14 (permalink)
wallabyguy Not Dead Yet Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 6,008	You have a PM __________________ former Lotus Sales Robert (aka Sith Lord of LBL) 74 Elite 502 05 Elise (Snuffalupagous..RIP : Laser Blue, Black Leather, Touring Pack, Hardtop ) The Wallaby Will Ride Again

07-26-2007, 04:17 PM	#15 (permalink)
Scott Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Rocky Hill, CT Posts: 392	Update: I have to give credit to Robert (Wallabyguy) and to Lotus of Greenwich for getting these out to me so fast. It would have helped if I had given the right number. The kit is great, and I am going to start the install tonight. My plan is this... change the bulbs to a lower wattage, less intense fixture. Trigger the relay for the lights with the parking light switch rather than the high beam switch. I am really adding these for asthetics rather than super high beams. I don't even drive the car at night. Dusk on occassion, but almost never at night. I like the looks of the lights on the front of the car, so for my tastes this makes sense. I will make a detailed thread and show how it is does in the next few days.

07-29-2007, 01:30 PM	#17 (permalink)
Scott Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Rocky Hill, CT Posts: 392	I understand how driving lights work. I want to do it differenhtly. I like the parking lights on the car, the low glow from the headlights. I want to duplicate that look with the driving lights. 15 or 20 watt H3 bulbs will do the trick. That is what I am going for. As for the high beams... to me they work great the way they are. That is since I have only used them once. I just don't drive the car at night. I also like the look of the front of the car better now with the lights in place. Much better than before... to me anyway.

07-29-2007, 06:39 PM	#18 (permalink)
GaryD Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 480	Aestheitics I understand re the driving light install you are doing... but I would say the best mod I have made to my car was adding HID low beams - the improvement over the stock (even with the Osram silverstar bulbs) is huge and a big plus for safe driving at night. The cutoffs in the fixtures are effective at preventing blinding glare for oncoming drivers and I can now see the lines on the road on a wet rainy night... So you might want to consider adding HID low beams for your next project. ............ Gary - My HIDs came from ekological but there are other providers on here as well. edit - I meant to add I modded my driving lights with HID as well - severe overkill on my part I think in retrospect - given where I live. As you posted, I find I never turn them on

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