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Union Jack Facelift Rear Lights OEM Retrofit Kit Installation & Coding
I just picked up the OEM Union Jack Facelift Rear Lights Retrofit Kit (part# 63 13 5 A26 BF0) and I'm trying to decide whether to install it myself or have a service center install it.
From Paddleshifterz (shipping from Germany) https://paddleshifterz.com/product/o...v=7516fd43adaa
This is the US version (SAE imprint), and includes the gutter covers. I believe these do not have the chrome edge inside, but I have to take a closer look to be sure. On initial inspection it looked clear, not chrome. The kit does not include some necessary wiring parts (that would have been helpful since they call it a "kit"). I chose the slow-boat shipping and it took about 2.5 weeks from when I placed my order, but it arrived well-packaged and undamaged.
This kit is for pre-LCI (2017-2019) F60 Countryman, and requires some wiring work and coding.
So far, I've not found any videos of the actual installation process, but I have found an English version of the installation guide (see attachment on this post); however, the guide doesn't include any coding instructions. If there was a video of the installation, I'd feel more confident doing it myself. If you know of an end-to-end how-to video, please share it here! Update: see video link in my later post for the trim removal.
Aside from the daunting installation process, my only concern at the moment is that the US version has the regrettable design failure of the turn signals lighting the diagonal and horizontal stripes... which makes the left turn light look like a right-facing arrow, and vice versa. Update: The tail lights from Paddleshifterz are the EU version and so the turn signal is the horizontal stripe only.
Dealer Installation
I got a rough install estimate of about 5 hours of work. My dealer bills $139/hr, so that's about $700. I think the coding really shouldn't take that long, so maybe it's more like $400. They were not familiar with the kit, so I'm guessing they haven't done the retrofit yet. (Update: The coding is easily done using the full version of the Bimmercode app)
Related Videos
This video teases the installation process, but fails to be a usable guide:
With all these parts and the version 1.1 instructions I was able to make all the connections easily and then it came to the coding. I used Bimmercode and the coding instructions provided here by @DunkMhttps://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4386748 I also used the Bimmercode LED upgrade non-expert section and enabled the LED tail lights. There was a lot off overlap and you could really do the Bimmercode non-expert LED tail light upgrade first and then go through DunkM's post to enable the few items that aren't in the upgrade.
After the coding all worked except when I put the car in reverse one tail light had a reverse light and one had a reverse fog light. So basically I had one white reverse light and one red reverse light. This was an easy fix. (One is correct already but I went into both and I don't remember which was already set to rfs)
Go into Bimmercode BDC
Expert mode
3064 LceLampMaping3
MAPPING RUECKFAHRL L OUTPUT (RUECKFAHRL is reversing; L is left)
Choose rfs_l (rfs is the abbreviation for reversing so you are choosing to light the reverse light when in reverse vs. the nsl (NEBELSCHLUSSL) which is rear fog light)
go back one time
MAPPING RUECKFAHRL R OUTPUT (RUECKFAHRL is reversing; R is right)
Choose rfs_r
go back until you have the code option and code your change
You should now have the EU Union Jack tail lights working correctly.
Last edited by cuppajoe; Oct 19, 2022 at 06:24 PM.
That's not a "Union Jack" symbol on the tail lights. I don't know what country these are supposed to represent. A British patriot could well find these lights offensive.
That's not a "Union Jack" symbol on the tail lights. I don't know what country these are supposed to represent. A British patriot could well find these lights offensive.
While you’re technically correct, MINI has said they’re Union Jack inspired. The LCI tail lights on the F55/56/57 are a closer approximation of the Union Jack.
A closer look at the instructions has me thinking there are MAJOR mislabeled wires in the illustrations.
I believe the following to be the correct labelling. Do you agree?
If I'm right, this makes WAY more sense.
Are you looking at instructions for a UK/European car? If you are, I expect there may be some discrepancies since the UK/European lights function differently than the US lights (i.e., they have separate amber turn signals, and rear fogs)
That's not a "Union Jack" symbol on the tail lights. I don't know what country these are supposed to represent. A British patriot could well find these lights offensive.
I would suggest that, if you want to start a discussion about your point, you start a new thread specifically focused on your topic. Thanks.
Cable Blue-Yellow (recommended 6 meters, seems excessive)
Part Number: 61126908722 https://parts.seattlemini.com/p/MINI...126908722.html
These don't indicate the length of the cable. I have a question pending with the parts center.
Cable Black-Violet (recommended 4 meters, seems excessive)
Part Number: 61131391709 https://parts.seattlemini.com/p/MINI...131391709.html
These don't indicate the length of the cable. I have a question pending with the parts center.
I'll be putting in an order once I hear back on the cable lengths, and will update with the results. I suspect they sell by the meter/yard, but not sure if it comes as a single wire or separate 1 yd/m sections.
Last edited by cuppajoe; Oct 19, 2022 at 06:25 PM.
Reason: updated to list correct part information
Wiring
The difficult part of the wiring was securing the socket ends. I didn't get video of that because we were more focused on not screwing that part up. Sorry! I do recommend the video below on how to crimp these kinds of sockets. No great tips here, but buy 4-6 extra MQS and MCON socket contacts in case your crimp isn't tight enough. You don't want to run out of these in the middle of the installation like I almost did.
The wiring at the BDC was the hardest part. When you remove the A258 *5B plug, you need to slide one of the plug groups out of the bottom of the plug. This lets you see which sockets are the right ones. Follow the instructions for placement (PIN 20 for BLUE/YELLOW; PIN 13 for BLACK/VIOLET).
Once the A258*5B plug is reinstalled, run the wire down the right side of the vehicle. I taped the wires together periodically and stuffed them under the carpet. I ran them to the luggage area and used zip ties starting along the c-pillar area.
Here is the crimper tool I used. It's similar to the one in the video.
Coding
The coding was much simpler than anticipated. I used the Bimmercode app (full version $40).
I was able to get no error codes by going to the Body Domain Control section (no expert mode needed here) and then there is a group of options for LED Retrofit. The tail light sections should all be set to Active.
Since I didn't have any noticeable issues, I didn't do the expert mode described by @DunkMhere, but I may go back and check it later.
I did have the same issue (reverse light on left only) as @Muxor and his instructions on resolving it worked perfectly (Expert mode needed here).
Here's a view of the options I used in the Bimmercode app:
Those looks sweet, yep we have some aftermarket versions. 63135A26BF0 i believe is the euro taillights version, we did not get an install kit here in the USA for these yet that i know of, then it would be easy to wire and code. We find that the euro version came out but MINI never made one for the F56 as a swap. All these are made by OLSA in Italy as they have the contract for MINI on the R56+. Thats why when you see OLSA on our site its the same thing but a better price (without MINI logo).
Glad you went through all of that to make them work. Looks great!
