I have a 2015 F55 mini with what appears to be two rear fog lights. I assume they don't work because the on/off button is a fake. They look like real fog lights to me. On the dealer sticker, there is no mention of rear fog lights. Another MINI dealer says if the car came with working rear fog lights the button would be a working button and what I have on the car are red reflectors. Would MINI actually install red lenses just to make the car appear to have rear fog lights. If they are actually fog lights, couldn't I just buy the switch and have them do the coding to make them work?

 

What does a fake button look like? I thought the ones without fog lights had no button at all.
With or without the fog lights you will likely have the lenses and maybe the bulbs.

The thing to do is to check the VIN decoder.

[The bmwarchive vin decoder has moved or is no more? http://www.bimmer.work]

I think S520A is the front fog lights and S5AAA is the rear fog light.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...og-lights.html

 

You only get the fog lights if you paid for the package. If not, they install reflective lenses to cover the holes.

 

Are you sure? In the OP's photos, they look like complete lamps including bulbs. MINI has sometimes done this before in the past (install a complete lamp even though it isn't hooked up).

 

My understanding is they are there and have the wiring in place, you may need to check to see that they are hooked up. You can get the correct switch panel to give you the button. Then you have to program the lights and switch to work and you should be good to go. Do a search on here in the programming forums they have gone into details on this.

 

This is why I am confused. It seems it would be cheaper for MINI to install a reflective sticker than an actual red lens and bulb.

I could order the switch (about $125 to $150) and have it programmed to work and pray the wiring is there and that the lamp isn't there for cosmetic purposes.

Thanks everybody for the input.

 

Well US and Canada are the only two countries that do not require rear fog lights as a standard feature (well safety feature). It is cheaper to build the car with them than without on a unit basis, yes it is a 100 buck option, and that is to most likely cover the new panel and programming. Even the R56 had the wiring in place if you didn't have them and could add them later (well once you installed the light, got the switch for your panel and got it programmed).

Also, you can check to see if the wiring is in place by looking at the back under the bumper, you may need to pull the bottom of the rear panel out a bit to get a hand in there. That is the easiest way of making sure you have it in place.

 

+1

Here is that switch above. 61319301806 LED headlight option, front and rear foglight option.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/61319301806/ES2734460/

 

I just bought a 2017 s convertible. I want to start modifying it. I have tons of ideas on the list and one of them is these rear fogs. I really want them and was even thinking about having it wired to come on with the brake lights. I dont have the switch so I am not sure if I have the lights and connectors.
Thanks for your help. Glad I found this foruM!!

 

Basically you have all the instalation and lamps ready to be activated. You will need a new switch panel as well as some coding to be done. There are few online guides how to actiate your rear fog lights. You would also need a bimmer code app as well as OBD bluetooth dongle.

Further you can code them to work with your break lights.

I have 2 f56 minis at the moment (cooper s, as they come with 2 fog lights) and one of them is pre face lift, and one it face lift model. They both US versions and come with rear fog instalation on them, but as your case non-working. I got the switch panel and done some coding myself. Works fine now

More about coding here

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...og-lights.html

 

did you break your brake lights? Broken brake lights are problem

 

Man, thanks for your input, will keep that in mind

 

I'm seeing a lot of people talking about buying a replacement switch and paying for programming to get rear dogs working. Why is no one just suggesting to see if wiring in place then tapping into a 5v line with a toggle? Seems much simpler and cheaper than making one button on the switch to work for aesthetics.

 

The wiring is there and they will work as rear fogs if you buy the new light switch with the working rear light button in replace of the dummy. Rear fogs are illegal in the US from what I've read but like mentioned above with Bimmercode you can make them work for brake lights.