Good, 'cuz after all those French cries you and the others brought out, insight need to be carried off in it.

 

When I first saw these years ago, I didn't like them for the same reason. But if you see them in person, they just look like they are missing a lens cover. The raised levels don't protrude out past the housing so much as making them seem too obnoxious. The original intentions were to give a retro look to the car which I think they succeeded very well. It's one of those items that you kind of have to let grow on you. But overall, not a bad light and the quality is there, which is saying sehing considering the company is APC. The only reason these lights are so cheap now is because the popularity wasn't there, and now they are just trying to get rid of them.

 

I just ordered these ones http://www.amazon.com/02-05-Mini-Coo...3805099&sr=1-5 for my gray mini. I've been trying to figure out some mods to make it 'unique' so I hope this works out.

 

Those are definitely different looking and I have yet to see them on a MINI I person. You probably paid just a little more for them. I think Moss MINI has them for $69. But, you're going the right direction for difference. Post some pictures when you install them.

 

FatherDeth,

We have those on our R53. I'll try and post a pic.

 

Here's a pic before we had the rust under the driver's side tail light removed. I haven't taken a pic since it was fixed last week.

Anyone else have a problem with rust under there? Ours is an 03 and when we sandblasted it, it went right through the rust and metal. Had to rebuild it with metal. What a pain!

 

Nice Viper!!! I like those a lot. They set the car off really well!! As for the rust, no I haven't SEEN any, but I haven't been looking either. Thanks for the heads up. Sometimes I do get a little water in my battery compartment, and I was told one of the culprits is water coming through the taillights. I'd hate to have to rebuild that area with the curves involved.

 

Viper, can you post a pic from the side of the car. I like the look, not sure about the protrusion.

 

 

I'd like to see a picture from the side as well of you get a chance Viper.

 

For those that have replaced their tail lights, anyone want to sell their stock lights? I have a slight crack in my drivers side tail light and it is slightly fogged due to moisture. Thanks.

 

I'll try and get a pic tonight. I haven't done anything performance-wise in the back end since the 1 Ball Mod, so I don't have any pics from the last week.

 

Okay, so for the not 02-04 owners, what do u mean you have to do something with a reverse light or whatever. I have an 05 and am thinking about getting these. Are you saying I will have to have a reverse light where the rear fog light goes?

 

Here you go:



And another from inside my car (phone battery was dying, so I plugged it in my car)



I hope that helps.

 

The 2002-2004 tail lights did not incorporate a reverse light in the housing. It had a separate light located in the center of the rear bumper. Unfortunately you would have to get rid of the fog light if you want aftermarket tail lights for your '05, you're going to have to retrofit an earlier reverse light. It's a very easy job. There are some vendors here that sell a reverse light kit as well. It comes with everything you need. I just went to the dealer and bought the light and wired it up myself. Basically the power wire taps into the rear taillights power wire located inside the boot. You can then tap the ground wire to the body, but for ease of installation, I just tapped the ground wire into the ground of the ready existing fog light wiring. Next, the reverse light housing just snaps into the hole where your fog light was. If you need any help, let me know.

 

Thanks Viper!!! First pictures I've seen with these lights on the car. They look great. Very different!!!

 

Not a problem! Make sure you seal them with silicone if you are going to get them. No problems with ours, but we sealed them and were instructed to do so when we purchased them. Quick $2 worth of prevention.

 

Mine shipped the other day, so they should be in by next week. I told them about the sale at moss but 'the best they could do' was send me $10 (instead of $20).

I didn't know that I have to wire in a new reverse light; that may be a deal breaker. If I can't find a way to mount the current reverse light into the new light housing I may just send them back. I'll keep you all updated...

 

Nick, let me know what you do. That's my dillema if I should buy it or not

 

yeah i dont see why you cant make the top one turn signal, middle clear as a reverse, and bottom running light.
shouldn't be that hard.

 

Is it state law that you need a reverse light?

Heck, for the little bit of light it provides, I would just go without the reverse light.

Or, like was said...Try and wire it in using a clear bulb.

 

The birthday fairy came early!

So it turns out that this set of lights re-routes the bulbs from the original housing. It appears that the top bulb is the tail light, the middle bulb is the blinker and the bottom bulb is the reverse light. The housing is marked by wire color, so either I'm retarded or they goofed. I swapped the bottom and middle plugs so now it goes:

running/brakes on top (red plastic)
reverse light (clear plastic)
turn signal (red plastic with supplied amber bulb)



No need to install a separate reverse light on my 05 MCS.



Easy install, and it appears to be a well designed product. I was surprised by the construction of the mini taillight, and the fact they used plug and turn bulbs instead of the newer plug-in types. The harness on the new lights is siliconed to keep water out, and the plastic seems to be pretty decent. Nice look, a bit different and it should hold me over for a while till I can get new rims.

 

I am pretty sure those are the same as ours. Our brake light is at the top. I think the bottom light might be the rear fog, although I have never looked to see if they come on while the car is in reverse.....

Gives me something else to do.

 

The bottom light is reverse, this pic was taken with lights on, hazards on and in reverse with the engine off. I may try to swap the middle and lower bulbs in the housing contrary to the markings on the housing and see how it turns out.

 

A club member was at the shop last month and we saw this when it was up on the rack.

It was a DS/W...03 or 04. Paint was all blistered and rot was evident under th paint. But it was on the pass side.

The tail area on my 03 is ok, but had some minor issues at the bottom of my headlight rings. Looks like a place for standing water to sit, and is prone for paint chips there. I caught it early enough for it was small and just required a little light sanding, prime and painting.

Nice work on yours