Great, you know when the kit be make available?

 

So I was doing a little more poking around and thought, if there were different wiring harnesses for MINI's with rear fogs and without rear fogs (unlike the R53), then perhaps it is listed on RealOEM. The main wiring harness (at least according to RealOEM) only has one version. Check it out here. If this is true, then perhaps all R56's are pre-wired for the rear fog lights, but the wires are simply hidden (just as maximoose said). I also looked up the part on Pelican Parts, and the wiring harness is available for about $2500!--Yikes!

I'll know more in a couple weeks when my MINI arrives, but this gives me new hope that it is pre-wired. I'm going to make this one of my first missions.

 

I am building one kit complete with lights as we speak, I trying to refine the price but the lights alone are $30.00 each. The harness for each side has to built with OEM connectors. I am looking at the kit being priced around $80.00. Not much profit and may only be offered by request only.

 

The kit you're putting together is to tie the rear fogs to the brake lights, right?

I'm looking to retro-fit the rear fogs as OR laws prohibited the dealer from permitting me to order them with the initial build.

You're kit looks great though!

 

That is correct, the kit will have two functions. Brake light and running lights or just brake lights. No rear fog ability.

 

After reading this thread I called my dealer to add the rear fogs on the order I placed 2 days ago for a PW/B Sturbcoop..

Hmmm... I wonder if old school "blue dots" would look good on those rear fogs?

 

Let's see, 1 hour? It would take me that long to decide where to park my mini and clear out the garage debris!

Wolf, what is your "Classic" source?

 

Just picked up the new MINI and you are already looking to mod it, eh?

I'm still uncertain whether it can be done, but if you want to try to retro-fit the rear fogs and buy the parts, call Jayson in the parts department at Classic: 440-266-6700. I spoke with him back in October...he's extremely helpful.

 

Well, I picked up my new MINI this past weekend and as you can guess, one of the first things I did was look for a wiring harness to hook into.

I have a strong feeling it's there, but I just need some direction. Perhaps someone with rear fogs would be so kind as to take a couple pictures from underneath the rear bumper and maybe even a picture of the area behind the rear passenger side taillight, I could get a better idea of how the wiring system works. Without rear fogs, it's difficult to know what to look for.

Also, if anyone without rear fogs has found a wiring harness for them, perhaps they could let me know where they found it and snap a picture.

I know I'm asking for a lot here, but help another OCD guy out.

 

so does only the toggle switch panel need to be replaced? or does the whole a/c unit need to be changed out? i would love to fill the empty toggle swtich and use it for something else

 

ON THE R56 THE TOGGLES ARE ATTACHED TO SOME OF THE A/C EQUIPMENT AND I THINK THE REPLACEMENT PRICE WOULD MAKE YOUR EYES SPIN.I AM STILL WAITING FOR DAVE TO FINISH A KITSO I CAN BE ONE OF THE FIRST CUSTOMERS. I HATE THE BLANK SPOT ON THE TOGGLE BAR AS WELL!!!!!!!!!

 

OEM connectors are on back order should have them next week. Should have the kit done as soon as they are in.

 

I like to know that I am not the only one that wants to fill in that toggle panel!

@mini-rolls: Are you talking about the OEM connectors for the wiring harness or the toggle panel? BTW, I received the R56 glove box organizer from GOMINIGO the other day and LOVE-IT!--Thanks!

 

you're definitely not alone!

 

OEM Connectors for the harness to connect to the rear fog lights. The toggle panel is another beast all together.

Glad you are happy with the Gbt.........

 

After some examination around and under the backside of my MCS, I finally found the wiring harnesses for the rear fog lights!--and the best part is that one doesn't need to remove any parts to access them.

I found mine by crawling under the rear bumper and pulling down the black foam behind the structural bumper (pictured as "3" in the picture). There is a wiring harness on each side of the rear bumper, so if you pull down the foam just enough to reach into the compartment area, you will find them.

Once I order the parts, I will take pictures as I go to install the lights.

 

Looking forward to your reports!

 

Any news concerning filling the missing toggle? I know on the R53 it the replacement full bank of toggles was about $70. The posts seem to suggest that this toggle replacement to add a full bank w/ be much more expensive, so even if we've got the rear fogs hooked into the OEM wiring, the toggle situation may make the addition of the rear fogs cost prohibitive.

 

The toggle is a definite problem. I easily mounted the lights and plugged them into the wiring harness. I also have the new toggle switch cover (sans switches) ready to replace the panel without the rear fog lights. After discussing this with another NAM member, the control unit already has all the switches on the breadboard, so there is no need to replace the expen$ive control unit. It seems that all one needs to do is procure a toggle to attach to the control unit and snap a new cover onto the stack. However, the problem is that one cannot buy a toggle. Right now, this is the hold-up. I'm sure that at some point MINI will come out with a retro-fit kit for the dealers, but I hate waiting. Nevertheless, even if I manage to install all the hardware properly, I am still beholden to the dealer to program it.

UPDATE: I was able to place an order for a toggle switch--$6. That should be the final part for a total cost of $107.84 ($60 switch cover, $20.92 x 2 for the rear light assemblies, and $6 for the toggle) + dealer programming costs.

 

Not bad at all! I'm curious to see how much the dealer charges for programming. My MINI came with rear fog lights (bought it off the lot) but I passed up quite a few others as a result of them not having the option. So I'm really interested to see how successful the rear fogs can be added after the fact.

 

Believe me, if I could've just ordered them for $100, I would have done so. I imagine the dealer will charge anywhere from $50 to $100. When I had the dealer program the rear fogs for my '04 MCS, it was $50.

 

Did you purchase off the lot or just didn't realize you wanted them until it was too late in the ordering process?

Damn, that is expensive! Well look at it this way. If you end up paying double to do a factory option after the fact, your still doing pretty good. Most items are around 3-4 times more.

 

it also depends on what state you buy your car in......

I purchased mine in Oregon, and it's illegal to have rear fogs in that state. I'm one of those that wants a cheap solution to rear fogs even if they just function with the tail lights.

 

Interesting! Do you know if Oregon is the only state with that law? Would really challenge my OCD issues

 

i'm really not sure. I haven't researched it at all. I can remember other NAM'ers mentioning it though.