All,

Well, I purchased a set of the Clear Rear Lights for my IB/W MCS, and I'll be installing the lights as soon as she arrives in November. I had planned to install the lights without the additional intall kit, but have been rethinking the decision.

Any comments from those of you have installed different rear lights (with or without the install kit) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Blue Brummie

 

Quick Add-On question to my post above.

Can anybody comment on whether you can use rear fog light with the clear rear lights (again depending on whether or not you use the install kit or not). I've heard that if you use the install kit, then you definitely can't use the rear fog lights. Can anyone confirm this info.

Thanks,
Blue Brummie

 

I have the clear tails and the brake light mod with no issues. The dealer installed these lights for me when I bought the car (they are the OEM ones) so I'm not familiar with the kit you are referring too....I'm hoping that my response is still valid. I don't see why it wouldn't work. Does the kit change the wiring in any way?

haf :smile:

 

What I've heard is that the install kit (which makes attachement to the existing wiring harness much easier) also ties the top bulb in the light to the brake light (for a brighter brake light.

I've heard someone say (perhaps on this website) that this is required by DOT.

If you don't use the install kit, than I've been told that the top tail light could be used for the rear fog light kit.

Again, I've heard about these issues 4th hand, so I'm looking to hear from anyone who has done the install him/herself.

Thanks,
BB

 

Anyone out there with thoughts on this..... Anyone.... Buehler.... Buehler.....

 

I pick up my car on Saturday! I've had the lights and wiring harness for a month or so.

From what I can tell, the lights themselves are very easy to change. But you should also upgrade the wiring harness too. From what I've read, the wiring harness delivers more voltage (amps?) to the lights.

Why does that matter?

Apparently it is the difference between pink tail lights when you hit the brakes and red tail lights.

I have the harness install instructions if anyone needs them. It looks fairly easy...but then again I don't have the car yet.

I did not purchase the reflector kits since I would rather do something myself than what the dealer offers.

I also read that the clear lights do not work with the dealer installed option of rear fog lights with toggle switch, but apparently the mod works.

Mike

 

Hey Mokefe any chance you can email me a copy of the installation instructions for the wiring harness, thanks! spencer@mail2world.com

 

Picked up my MCS last Staurday. The dealer installed the clear tails, 3rd brakelight and the wiring harness. The top "fog" light IS wired into the brake light during the installation. However, this does not preclue the top light from being used as a fog light. There is a circuit change (using a diode) that allows both dual brake lights AND the fog light activation.

Can't remember where this was posted: roadfly...MINI2? Try a search for "fog" and "diode".

FWIW,

Theo

 

hatfid is right on. The clear lights will not effect the rear fog lamp at all.

Just remember to get a reflective strip on the back for legal reasons.

 

I have had my clear tails for almost a year now. I installed them my self since the dealership is obligated to install the red reflectors. I didn't want the dealership to cut my bumper on my brand new car!!! I did not install the wiring harness or change out the bulbs. The current plug just fits right into the lights. The whole thing took less than 15 mins. I have had no problems and I also did the brake light jumper mod. All bulbs are included too. The hardest part of the whole thing was getting the trim piece off the 3rd tail light. (which is pretty easy)

_________________

 

so those clear lenses, do they come with the bulbs? i'm thinking they do, in which case could anyone disclose to the type bulbs used?

thanks

- wags

 

Yes they come with the bulbs and the socket assembly, They were the same bulbs as the ones in the assembly I took off. (I didn't compare the 3rd tail bulbs)

 

sorry for the dumb newbie question, but how does that light work?
I have it on my aerokit but not sure if that lamp in the middle is lighting up
or my tails when i back up. do i need the front fog light switch on for it to light up?

 

According to MINI USA/BMW, the clear light kits are only DOT-legal when the installation includes the alternative wiring harness. This harness simply activates BOTH the upper "rear fogs" at the same time, and as supplemental brake lights. Basically, it wires them in series.

If the harness has been installed to be compliant with the DOT regs (and this is a big IF - even if the installation was done by the dealer), then it is NOT possible to activate the programming for rear fogs. If that was done, the power would be traveling both from the switched relay to the top rear lamps (fog) while it would also be traveling from the lights to the relay whenever the brakes were activated.

HOWEVER, the same effect can be accomplished with the diode mod as would be effected by the extra wiring harness. Don't install the harness, but jump the 1-4 wires in the existing harness with the correct 3A 50PIV diode. Then when you hit the brakes, both lights are activated, just as they should be using the harness. Then you can install the rear fog toggle and program the switch to activate the rear fogs. If the rear fog is being used (obviously on rare occasion) the diode will prevent the power applied from traveling to the lower brake light.

MINI dealers are not allowed by MINI USA to reprogram your rear fogs for liability reasons. Additionally, as far as MINI USA would be concerned, such activation would be impossible as the dealer should have installed the supplemental wiring harness which, one more time, activates the upper rear fog lights as an additional brakelight. Keep your original rear lights in place, install the switch panel yourself (its VERY easy - about 15 minutes) and go to the dealer for the reprogramming. Then go home and install/reinstall your clear rears and the diode mod and like magic the accessories work exactly as designed and will be DOT compliant. Full DOT compliancy requires the installation of the rear reflectors - two reflectors placed in a balanced manner at least 10 inches from the ground as far apsrt as possible, but at separated by 28" or more.

Sorry for the dribble. Hope this helps you decide what to do.