Good afternoon all -- Thanks for allowing me to join. I've spent some time lurking and I can't find anyone who's posted something similar to this so I hope it's not repetitive.

I have a 2007 R56 Cooper S that has been rear-ended twice in two years. I am beginning to think that I need to do something to increase my "rear visibility" in the hope that drivers will note when i slow down BEFORE they have to slam on their brakes.

I've seen a lot of discussion about adding brake lights down where the rear fog lights go. I don't think that address my problem.

I was thinking about adding to strips of LED lights (like these) to the inside of the rear window, mounting them lower, basically above the rear window wiper. I figured I could splice into the wires for the 3rd brake light which (I figure) are contained in the tube that runs from the body to the hatch (at the top). When I opened the rubber conduit up, I saw a phalanx of wires and then it dawned on me these wires are also there for the rear wiper and rear defroster (and who knows what else).

Any easy way to figure out which wires are for the 3rd brake light? Failing that, what's the easiest way to tap into the wires for the brake lights so i can wire in the LED strips?

Thoughts?

Many thanks.

 

What about a 3rd brake light flashing kit like this one?
http://www.waymotorworks.com/3rd-bra...ulsar-kit.html

These units will flash your third center brake light about after you apply your brakes and then brake light will remain on without flashing as long as your brake lights are on.


Using surface mount technology, this little unit was designed to be as small as we could get it for our MINI's and it fits nicely into the third brake light cavity.

The pulsar module allows you to select Long or Short pulse duration during installation by moving the jumper by the S and L. The Short setting pulses the light about 6 times while the Long pulses it about 10 times.

 

I went ahead and bought the LED strips ... i looked at a bunch of videos on YouTube that showed the pulsing 3rd brake light and, in all honesty, I don't think it added a whole lot. Someone posted a comment that said it looked like the car had an electrical short and I kinda have to agree ...

I bought two strips (about 12 inches long each) and I'm going to mount them on the inside of the rear window, just above the decklid. I'll pull the wiring/power down from the existing 3rd brake light.

This way, I'll end up having 5 brake lights that -- hopefully -- look coordinated and really impress upon people behind me that THEY NEED TO STOP BEFORE HITTING ME.



We'll see how it goes ...

 

Sounds like its guna look good please keep us posted. My friend has that feature on his motorcycle and it does seem to help.

 

You can also use the rear fogs as extra brake lights: http://gominigo.com/BLK-MINI.html

 

Do they sell this for the '11 and up? I'd like to do this mod.

 

Check with the vendor for '11 and up. The rear fogs were updated for '11 and the wiring may have changed.

 

I have a pulsar and people do notice it, even on the shirt cycle.

 

I do to. I've been told by people it draws their attention.

 

The flasher is very noticeable. Two MINIs in my city have it and now I want one because driving behind them, I noticed a difference.