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I am starting a new thread to distribute a guide I put together.
After much waiting, worrying, and struggle, I was able to retrofit my MCS with rear fog lights and a new toggle! I now embrace full toggle glory.
I put together this handy guide for all interested owners.
One word of caution, this is not for the faint of heart...use at your own risk.
EDIT 1: As Paul points out below, rather than remove the top center vent completely, it may be easier to remove the two tabs in the vent (towards the driver and passenger sides) to access two of the screws holding the speedometer cover. This is something I didn't know about until after I removed the vent and wasn't sure it would provide the necessary access, but if it does, it's certainly easier than removing the entire vent.
EDIT 2: ColinMc has pointed out that you may need a T30 in place of the T25 torx bit. This may be due to differences in builds, or perhaps I mistakenly used the wrong bit. Either way, it may be worthwhile to have access to both sized bits before undertaking the project.
EDIT 3: I revised the guide to incorporate the above edits.
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2007 MCS 6spd | BRG/white roof | NAV | HiFi | Carbon Black Lounge Leather
Anthracite Headliner | Premium Package | PDC | Sport Package (web spokes)
Sport Suspension | LSD | Heated Seats | Powerfold Mirrors | Comfort Access
English Oak | Bluetooth
Ordered 10/10 | Production Began 10/19 | Assembled 10/26 |Impatiently Waiting at Southampton Docks 10/30 | Disembarked Fidelio 11/27 |Delivered 12/8
Wow! Although I already had rear fogs, there are a lot of useful pearls in your guide. This is the best DIY guide I have seen so far. How about installing some OEM driving lights?
Lets see how much the dealer here wants for reprogramming...
__________________ 07 Chili RedCooperS6spd... Mason Engineering Alum STB, JCW Carbon Scoop and Black Grille Trim, Defi BF b00st and Water Temp Gauges on Alta Pods and b00st Port, Alta Inlet and b00st Tubes, AltaIntercooler,AltaSuper Shorty Antenna.
Great guide! I'm also rear-fog-less... and will probably attempt this mod later this spring!
One very minor suggestion - the removal if the center vent on page 2 isn't necessary. The two screws can be accessed by removing only the front right/left corner caps. The caps are visible in your picture.
One very minor suggestion - the removal if the center vent on page 2 isn't necessary. The two screws can be accessed by removing only the front right/left corner caps. The caps are visible in your picture.
Edit made to the original post...thanks!
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2007 MCS 6spd | BRG/white roof | NAV | HiFi | Carbon Black Lounge Leather
Anthracite Headliner | Premium Package | PDC | Sport Package (web spokes)
Sport Suspension | LSD | Heated Seats | Powerfold Mirrors | Comfort Access
English Oak | Bluetooth
Ordered 10/10 | Production Began 10/19 | Assembled 10/26 |Impatiently Waiting at Southampton Docks 10/30 | Disembarked Fidelio 11/27 |Delivered 12/8
Great DIY how to! This should be stickied! If I do this, which I will, already ordering the parts today. Can I wait to have it reprogrammed? So they won't actually work yet, but flipping that toggle won't do anything i'm guessing?
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08 MCS - BRG/White Stripes(painted on!), Aero-Kit, Cold Weather, Premium, 18" Konig Swurve, Megan Racing Coilovers, H-Sport Upper/Lower control arms, Powerflex front bushings, TSW 19mm RSB, NM torque arm insert, LSD, HID, Auto Dim Mirror, Anthracite Headliner, Brushed Alloy Accent, Clear Signals. WOOOH!
Great DIY how to! This should be stickied! If I do this, which I will, already ordering the parts today. Can I wait to have it reprogrammed? So they won't actually work yet, but flipping that toggle won't do anything i'm guessing?
Yes, you can wait to have the dealer reprogram for the rear fog light. I haven't had it done yet either. The icon on the toggle panel lights up with the rest of the icons when the headlights (or parking lights) are turned on. Until you get it programmed, however, you can flip that toggle all you want and nothing will happen--at least it doesn't for me.
Good luck on the install.
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2007 MCS 6spd | BRG/white roof | NAV | HiFi | Carbon Black Lounge Leather
Anthracite Headliner | Premium Package | PDC | Sport Package (web spokes)
Sport Suspension | LSD | Heated Seats | Powerfold Mirrors | Comfort Access
English Oak | Bluetooth
Ordered 10/10 | Production Began 10/19 | Assembled 10/26 |Impatiently Waiting at Southampton Docks 10/30 | Disembarked Fidelio 11/27 |Delivered 12/8
Lol, i'd almost consider just putting the new panel on and the toggle in for now, the blank spot is what bothers me the most...not the fact that i don't have rear fogs heh.
EDIT: Ordered the new panel cover and toggle from Jayson at Classic Mini, great guy! I'll get the lights themselves and do the programming crap a ways down the road, for now I just want that dang blank hole filled! It's bothering me to no end and I don't even have the car yet!
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08 MCS - BRG/White Stripes(painted on!), Aero-Kit, Cold Weather, Premium, 18" Konig Swurve, Megan Racing Coilovers, H-Sport Upper/Lower control arms, Powerflex front bushings, TSW 19mm RSB, NM torque arm insert, LSD, HID, Auto Dim Mirror, Anthracite Headliner, Brushed Alloy Accent, Clear Signals. WOOOH!
Help
A very novice mechanic , electrician and part time plumber wants to splice into an ignition sensitive wire to connect a radar detector. The standard cigarette lighter plug-in from Escort takes up too much space. I have a direct wire kit from Escort and need some help. R56 MCS, Standard If this is not the correct forum for this please send me a private message as to where I should post this request.
The two screws can be accessed by removing only the front right/left corner caps. The caps are visible in your picture.
I just ordered all the parts from Classic MINI in Ohio. I have one question regarding the caps mentioned in Paul's post. I've looked at my vent and don't see the caps very clearly. Are they pretty simple to take off so that I can access the screws?
I just ordered all the parts from Classic MINI in Ohio. I have one question regarding the caps mentioned in Paul's post. I've looked at my vent and don't see the caps very clearly. Are they pretty simple to take off so that I can access the screws?
Thanks
As shown in the guide I posted, I removed the entire vent. When the vent finally popped out, one of the caps fell off, so I am confident the caps are easy to remove. The caps are the first "fins" (on either side) closest to the passenger and driver (furthest away from the windshield). They are about 1" to 1.5" across. You can see the backside of the caps in the first picture on page 3 of the guide.
If you have trouble removing the caps, you can always remove the entire vent...but try the caps first.
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2007 MCS 6spd | BRG/white roof | NAV | HiFi | Carbon Black Lounge Leather
Anthracite Headliner | Premium Package | PDC | Sport Package (web spokes)
Sport Suspension | LSD | Heated Seats | Powerfold Mirrors | Comfort Access
English Oak | Bluetooth
Ordered 10/10 | Production Began 10/19 | Assembled 10/26 |Impatiently Waiting at Southampton Docks 10/30 | Disembarked Fidelio 11/27 |Delivered 12/8
Thanks Wolfshiem - I wasn't sure if the caps included the fins of the vent, too. I guess my parts will arrive later this week and I tackle this project next weekend.
My 2005 MCS was one of the early builds and didn't have the wiring harness in the rear for the fog and I bought this 2007 off the lot w/ the rear fogs being the only option I wanted that it lacked. I checked and the wire are exactly where you said they'd be. You really did a great job with the DIY guide.
I should have everything at the end of this week as well, any news on how much reprogramming will cost? I ended up ordering the lights as well, Classic Mini rocks! Sorry to clutter up this thread...wasn't sure if anyone had the reprogramming done yet just so we can get a ballpark figure for what it might cost.
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08 MCS - BRG/White Stripes(painted on!), Aero-Kit, Cold Weather, Premium, 18" Konig Swurve, Megan Racing Coilovers, H-Sport Upper/Lower control arms, Powerflex front bushings, TSW 19mm RSB, NM torque arm insert, LSD, HID, Auto Dim Mirror, Anthracite Headliner, Brushed Alloy Accent, Clear Signals. WOOOH!
I should have everything at the end of this week as well, any news on how much reprogramming will cost? I ended up ordering the lights as well, Classic Mini rocks! Sorry to clutter up this thread...wasn't sure if anyone had the reprogramming done yet just so we can get a ballpark figure for what it might cost.
I have not scheduled a time to have the lights programmed yet...it'll be a bit of a drive for me. Also, now that I have the hardware in place, my OCD has calmed down enough that I can relax a little and take my time.
When the dealer programmed by '04 MCS for rear fog lights, they charged me $50. So I imagine it will be at least that, probably more.
The best thing to do would be to call your SA and ask...they're usually pretty helpful.
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2007 MCS 6spd | BRG/white roof | NAV | HiFi | Carbon Black Lounge Leather
Anthracite Headliner | Premium Package | PDC | Sport Package (web spokes)
Sport Suspension | LSD | Heated Seats | Powerfold Mirrors | Comfort Access
English Oak | Bluetooth
Ordered 10/10 | Production Began 10/19 | Assembled 10/26 |Impatiently Waiting at Southampton Docks 10/30 | Disembarked Fidelio 11/27 |Delivered 12/8
you might also find out if they've done any software upgrades since you got your car, find out the issues the upgrades were for and schedule you car to be brought up to date on the software (including the rear fogs) and maybe have it done under warranty.
They reprogrammed my car for free when I added my alarm and my Sirius under the guise that they were doing some warranty work.
I just got done with my install - everything went off without a hitch. Much thanks go to Wolfshiem for the excellent instructions. I really would not have even attempted the install w/out the detailed instructions. This was the only option I didn't have on my MCS that I really wanted.
Thanks again for taking the time to help us all out.
Can I see a picture of the rear fog lights? I don't understand the purpose of having them on a car. I know people with jeeps and trucks that have fog lights in the rear that they use while off-road. Sorry if I seem like an idiot
Can I see a picture of the rear fog lights? I don't understand the purpose of having them on a car. I know people with jeeps and trucks that have fog lights in the rear that they use while off-road. Sorry if I seem like an idiot
I'll get some pics of my install up tomorrow. I like having the lights in the back (even though I can't use them yet) and the full toggle bank in the car. I've always hated having the blank toggle in my last 3 MINI's. I'm just extremely obsessive compulsive.
Can I see a picture of the rear fog lights? I don't understand the purpose of having them on a car. I know people with jeeps and trucks that have fog lights in the rear that they use while off-road. Sorry if I seem like an idiot
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..you apparently haven't experienced driving in a fog that resembles clam chowder....awful reassuring to know that the guy behind you may see you in time to prevent a rear end thump
They reprogrammed my car for free when I added my alarm and my Sirius under the guise that they were doing some warranty work.
Are there any threads on installing an after market Alarm on our MINI's? I have an alarm (Viper) that I pulled out of my last vehicle before I traded it in for the MINI and would love to put it into the MINI but wasn't sure if that was possible. (I would really love to have the alarm light blinking under the little plastic trim piece on top of the Tach on the steering column).
Got the parts a while ago, finally installed the new toggle and cover panel today. Took about an hour total for removing panels and everything and reinstalling everything as well. The only thing I noticed was that I used a T30 Torx bit for the one big screw that holds the center stack in not T25 as your otherwise superbly detailed walkthrough states. I also didn't install the rear lights themselves, because number 1 I couldn't find the wiring harness under there lol, and number 2 with the factory Aerokit the fake vents look kinda cool so I can't decide if I want to put the foglights in or not. Either way, no more blank toggle hole!!! Thanks for the excellent walkthrough!
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08 MCS - BRG/White Stripes(painted on!), Aero-Kit, Cold Weather, Premium, 18" Konig Swurve, Megan Racing Coilovers, H-Sport Upper/Lower control arms, Powerflex front bushings, TSW 19mm RSB, NM torque arm insert, LSD, HID, Auto Dim Mirror, Anthracite Headliner, Brushed Alloy Accent, Clear Signals. WOOOH!
Although I already had rear fogs, there are a lot of useful pearls in your guide. This is the best DIY guide I have seen so far. How about installing some OEM driving lights? 
07 Chili Red Cooper S 6spd... Mason Engineering Alum STB, JCW Carbon Scoop and Black Grille Trim, Defi BF b00st and Water Temp Gauges on Alta Pods and b00st Port, Alta Inlet and b00st Tubes, Alta Intercooler, Alta Super Shorty Antenna.
2003 MCS- no mods...yet
Looks great...let us know when you get it programmed.
'Lil Devil' - 07' NightFire Red-Black Roof/Mirrors; Convenience, Cold Weather & Premium Pkgs; Auto; Sport Seats; Tinted Windows. MMC # 564. CORN Member
