Okay no one seems to have a definitive answer on this: I want to install front foglights on my 06 MC and the dealer said all 0 sixes are prewired. How true is that? And is it a matter of me just popping in the lights and knocking out the plug for the toggle switch? He quoted me $795 for 3 hours of labor and parts. Sound right?

 

My 06 MCSC was not prewired. I did it myself but it is a bit complex. You will need a new toggle panel as well as the light kit itself.

It took about five hours to hook up and the instructions were not the best when it came to bridging connections. You will still need to have the dealer program the lights. My dealer charge 30 min labor.( took like 5).

Good luck.

 

The definitive answer is no, front fogs are not prewired, and it is a fairly difficult and complicated retrofit. kwk Mini and I posted our experiences in this thread. In that thread, someone posted that his dealer gave a quote of $270 for parts and labor, but I think it was probably an error. $795 is about what I would expect a dealer to charge. The moral of the story is, order it from the factory for $200 or as part of a package!

 

sucks that MINI is that way. My daily driver, a 2006 Subaru Impreza Sport Wagon came pre-wired. Bought the kit for $150, lights, covers, switch, and it was all plug and play. Why can't the european car market pre-wire like some of the japanese imports?

I guess they want to make the money after the fact for the retro-fit.

 

I have factory fogs as part of the Checkmate package - IMHO the factory foglights are nothing but slightly-brighter parking lamps anyway - not even worth the $200 unless that empty space in the bumper or toggle panel REALLY bothers you. I'm hoping to find an alternative lamp that can be retrofit to the factory space and actually provide usable light.

Better option would be chosing one of several bracket designs and getting a decent aftermarket light kit (Hella 500s, PIAA, etc.) with a relayed switch. Mount the switch either in the centeer console knockout next to the e-brake, or somewhere on the DS of the dash - or get creative and add a toggle.

Here's a recent thread with an interesting setup I may try:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=90038

Also check alta, moss, or other vendors for their ideas.

 

Actually I think that is their intended usage -- both front and rear fogs are extra marker lights for dense fog. A lot of people (whether on MINI or other cars) try to use fogs as extra driving lights and they are not designed for that. You should install auxiliary driving lights if you want to illuminate the road.

 

agreed. I wasn't impressed with them on teh wife's Cabrio, so I didn't order for mine. I had the bumper off while doing the aero grill install and checked the space available. Hella Micro DE's should fit and they have a rubber ring around the lense, which should mate well with the bumper - cut-out is a perfect fit for them, though I didn't get the chance to check the length (I had a set and sold them before pulling the bumper off).

 

Anything after 01/05 build is prewired for it. Do it yourself like i did, talk to Brad at http://www.customminishop.com and the Light and toggle panel will run you around $95.00 it takes about 30 mins to install yourself, then take the car to the dealership have them program it will run you about $80.00 and save yourself a lot of money. Or where do you live? I'll come do it for $400.00 installed.

Sorry thought you were talking about the rear fogs.

[quote=DixonL2;1362786]I have factory fogs as part of the Checkmate package - IMHO the factory foglights are nothing but slightly-brighter parking lamps anyway - not even worth the $200 unless that empty space in the bumper or toggle panel REALLY bothers you. I'm hoping to find an alternative lamp that can be retrofit to the factory space and actually provide usable light.

quote]

Come to Central Cal sometime in the winter where you can't see 5' and you'll see why you spend the extral 200.00 for them.

 

No, we're not California (some would say "thank God!"), but we need good foglights here in Pittsburgh too, especially down near the rivers or driving up into lake-effect country... you are absolutely right, though, if you want to see for about 5 feet then the standard fogs are perfect!

Good fogs throw a sharp beam that goes maybe 50-100' up the road, with a nice, even beam spread. Mini fogs throw a splotch up about twenty feet. Admittedly, this is partially due to a very low mounting position, even for fogs.

I've driven on only the fogs in some really nasty weather - had a thread on how much glare the Xenons throw - but am now actively seeking "good" foglight suggestions without tossing $250-400 + installation at the problem.

(maybe I should take my own advice and do a "search"!)