UPDATE: This post was originally a question on how to install fog lamps in a car that didn't come with them originally, but after figuring out how to install them I decided to write up a how-to guide if anyone else is interested in doing it.
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The process is not terribly difficult if you're somewhat mechanically inclined, but it can be tedious due to the number of extraneous parts you have to remove and reinstall while routing the wiring through the firewall and engine bay (especially if you're trying to keep it "factory-looking"). Also, electricity scares some people easily - this is easily remedied by disconnecting the battery. This install was done on a 2016 Clubman, but I would assume that any F-series Mini should be very similar if not exactly the same (and if your car is right-hand drive, just mirror image the instructions). The fog lights I installed into my car have three functions – DRL, position, and fog. My car has LED headlights, so I only had position lamps in the fog light housings, and I needed to add four total wires to make all functions work (two per side). If your car has both DRL and position lamps already installed (I believe halogen headlight cars are set up this way), or if your new fog lights only have position and fog, or if you only want to hook up the fog lights, you’ll only have to add two additional wires (one per side).

You’ll need terminal ends for the body domain computer (BDC) connector, BMW part numbers 61131393724 (DRLs) and 61138364832 (fog lights). You’ll need two of each, but I’d get a few extras just in case. If you want to match the OEM wire colors, you’ll need yellow with a black tracer, yellow with a brown tracer, gray with a violet tracer, and gray with a yellow tracer. I purchased the wiring from 4R Customs (fog lights) and 4R Customs (DRL). 10 feet of each color should be enough (I think, 25 feet would for sure cover it). If your fog lamps are incandescent, you’ll want to use 14-gauge wire for those just to be safe.

The BDC is in the passenger side footwell under the dash. I recommend removing the glove box to make some more room to work



The connector you’re adding the wires to is A258*3B. Unplug the connector from the BDC and remove the cap (basically just stick a small flat screwdriver between the cover and the plastic bars with the terminals and they slide out).



Once you get the bars removed you’ll see they’re numbered. The connections follow this diagram:

The fog lights use the wider terminal ends with the yellow wires. The left side is yellow/black into pin 7 and the right side is yellow/brown into pin 8. the DRL wires are the narrow pins with the gray wires. The left side is gray/violet into pin 50 and the right side is gray/yellow into pin 38. The black/green and black/blue wires are parking lights and should already be in your car (pins 39 and 51). Crimp the wire ends on, plug them into the bar, and then plug the connector back in to the BDC. The next part is the hardest part – getting the wiring up to the front of the car. I bought a roll of cloth electrical tape and taped the four wires together into a bundle. I drilled a hole into the rubber firewall grommet right above the BDC to run the wires through (make sure not to hit the existing harness!!!).



The right side wiring is easy – I just ran it alongside the existing headlight harness.




For the left side I ran the wiring along the two strut tower braces under the windshield cowl (make sure to keep it away from the windshield wiper linkages), sort of according to this picture. I then tied it into the wiring near the engine computer/battery and routed it below the airbox and to the left side light following the left headlight harness




Next up is the headlight switch. You’ll need one with a fog lamp button. There are too many different versions to give an exact part number, but you should be able to match it up here - RealOEM. The front fog light switch numbers are 3,4,7, and 8 (7 and 8 also have rear fog function availability). Plug it in place of the original.

Next up is coding. These are all located in the BDC. I used BimmerUtility because it has a search function and is generally easier to use than BimmerCode, but you should be able to use either one (or Esys). First you have to turn on the functionality of the headlight switch:

NSW_Verbaut – set to verbaut


Next you have to make the lights turn on when you press the button:

Mapping_Nebelschw_L_Output – set to nsw_L

Mapping_Nebelschw_R_Output – set to nsw_R

Mapping_Nebelschw_L_Fixed_PWM – set to fixed

Mapping_Nebelschw_R_Fixed_PWM – set to fixed

Mapping_Nebelschw_L_PWM_1_Standard – set to 100%

Mapping_Nebelschw_R_PWM_1_Standard – set to 100%

And if your fog lights are LED:

NSW_L_is_LED – set to activ

NSW_R_is_LED – set to activ


Finally, to turn on the DRLs:

Mapping_Tagfahrl_1_V_L_output – set to TFL_L

Mapping_Tagfahrl_1_V_R_output – set to TFL_R

And if your DRLs are LED:

TFL_L_is_LED – set to activ

TFL_R_is_LED – set to activ


That should be it. Also, big thanks to member maaii for helping with the coding!

 

Made an account just to ask you if you had any progress? I'd love to add fog's to my mini.

 

I did get my fog lights installed and working properly, but it was a bigger job than I originally thought. I had to run 4 extra wires from the BDC under the dash to the front of the car, along with a new headlight switch and coding to make everything work. I didn't take any pictures or anything while I was doing it, but I could probably write up a not-so-great instruction sheet if you're somewhat mechanically inclined.

 

If you could please. I hate that they made it so complicated to add fogs if you already have parking lights. Once again thank you in advance. Can’t wait for your write up.

 

Just updated the original post to include instructions

 

Thank you so much for this. I appreciate your time and effort. Now to order some parts!