Are there any white tail lights available that have a red reflector intergrated so you don't have to install the extra ones on your bumper?

Also does anyone have pics of those refelctors installed on the bumper?

Thanks! :smile:


p.s. - I could have sworn i just posted this question a couple days ago, but for the life of me I can not find the post.

 

Here is a picture of my soon to be delivered BRG with the white tail lights and reflector kit that was all dealer installed.



I think the reflectors look very nice.

 

>>Are there any white tail lights available that have a red reflector intergrated so you don't have to install the extra ones on your bumper?
No, there are pure white lights from MINI and then there are Euro Altezza lights.

http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NMA3033/InvDetail.cfm for $290

And also EUROPEAN STYLE LOUVERED REAR CLEAR TAILLAMPS (PAIR) for $240

http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NMA3036/InvDetail.cfm

And retro tail lights for $185

http://www.piloracing.com/cgi-bin/st...egory=Exterior

>>Also does anyone have pics of those refelctors installed on the bumper?

There are two versions of the MINI reflectors, one for the aero bumper and one for the regular bumper but in both cases you must cut into the plastic to install them and paint the parts which are two inserts and two pieces of red reflectors.

The alternative is to mount your own small reflectors (I used half of a generic reflector and screwed it in on each side of the black lower rear bumper grill)


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Aloha Hawaii

 

If you look very very closely (using a high-resolution magnifier) at the bottom of the license plate frame, you'll find a tiny red reflector in the center. I highly doubt that will qualify the car to be DOT legal. Oh, well! I tried!


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The DOT rear reflector rules state the rough size and location of the red reflectors and the distance from the rear that it must be visible from. Center mounted reflectors don't count as one reflector must be located on each lower side of the bumpers and at a certain distance from the ground not higher than the bumper itself- therefore license plate reflectors don't meet the rules.

Too bad you can just get different rear lower grill adhesive covers that have a built in red reflector portion with either grey, silver, white, or black grill background. That way you have a choice of looks and it makes for an easy solution. This would work very well with the flat rear aero bumper grilles.

You state or local rules may differ but here are some examples of rules for trailers or aggriculture vehicles, etc.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/.../Trlrpstr.html
http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001501...5/d001545.html

Here is a good letter
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...19844.ztv.html

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Aloha Hawaii

 

Hmmm.... i kinda like what you did, minihune.
How did you screw the reflectors in? Was it easy?
Nice job. :smile:

 

minihune or dave,

Did either of you use the wiring harness they sugguest? If so, why is the wiring different? Thanks
Dan

 

>>minihune or dave,
>>
>>Did either of you use the wiring harness they sugguest? If so, why is the wiring different? Thanks
>>Dan


Hey Dan,

I've got the white tails with the wiring harness and the DOT approved red reflectors inset in the bumper. I believe the wiring harness increases the brightness of bulbs in the white assembly so that they burn the correct red color rather than a more dull orange/pink color. It has the added bonus that you don't have to do the brake light mod since it adds the top light to your brake lights. But that means that you can't use them for fog lights unless you mod it...

 

One way to have brighter RED lights without the additional factory wiring harness is to use LED bulbs.

- rear top fog bulb: 1156
- rear bottom 2 stage brake/parking bulb: 1157

The LED bulbs are actually brighter than the standard OEM bulbs. Best of all, the rear fog light function is retained. :smile:


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Bumping this thread to see if anyone else some good ways to add rear reflectors with clear taillights. I want clear taillights - but those pesky DOT rules. I have checked the rules specifically for maryland, and I do have to add reflectors. I am not going to do the install until I come with resolution for this.

Now I am not into get the factory installed rear reflector kit - can not take the expense right now for the install (have PDC, so dont feel good about drilling into it myself). I love minihunes install, but I don't have the grill. I was basically thinking of getting red automtive reflective tape and putting it on the back bumper - trying to make it blend as much as possible. (anyone know of a silver-or black- tape that reflects red?) So looking for more creative ways. This is the rear of my car if you want to look to offer suggestions.

 

They sell reflective red licence plate frames at autozone, its a reflector thats in the shape of a plate frame.

I dont have any reflectors, i dont feel you need them. unless you have inspections, it shouldnt be an issue.

 

anyone have the white tail lights installed on Black roof coopers? I always liked the look of them but I have a cr/b mcs.. I don't think I have ever seen that on a black roof cooper..

 

Got 'em on mine. I don't think I have any daytime shots in my gallery, but if I geta chance I'll take a couple today.

I also flaunt the laws here in AZ. No reflectors, many trips with the police right behind me, and no problems yet. Just that first fix-it will be rough as I'll need to change my blue LED's in the license plate back to white as well for the inspection!

 

Don't need no stinkin' reflectors!

 

I've been thinking about this mod myself. I'm trying for an all black/white exterior but was concerned about the legality of it. Excuse my ignorance, but do these types have bulbs that glow red when you turn them on or hit the brakes? I also have the factory rear fog, but would like to put in the white/clear cover and put a bulb that will be either red or amber when turned on, is this a possibility?
As to the tail lights, I was looking at these on Outmotoring.com but it looks like you have to do some soldering if you have an '06. Is there one that would be a snap in kind of replacement?
Thanks so much everyone for the great pics and advice!
Annette

 

Regarding the bulbs, the ones that come with and are reccommended are clear and light up red (often a little pinkish). Polarg is one of the few brands that makes these, they cost about $20 each. You can also just use the cheaper red bulbs if you don't mind them showing a little. I have done both and the red bulbs don't look bad in my opinion.

My whites, no reflectors, no problems with The Man:

 

To date, I've just taken the DOT non-compliance risk.

So far, no issues. Although when I see a police car, I at least turn on my running lights to illuminate the red bulb.

 

When I did my white lights I opted for the OEM reflectors. I don’t think they look bad at all.
I have seen others who did the stick on non OEM reflectors and didn’t think they looked that good.
I agree that no reflectors looks best but I didn’t want the hassle with the PO-lice and the fact that if I
were rear ended that could be an insurance payment denial loop hole.

 

What color bulbs are in there for the turn signals? Amber or clear?

 

I left mine clear.

 

I pass inspection in PA with out any extra reflectors, and I have those clear lights. I'll be removing them for smoked ones come spring though. The clear ones will be up for sale shortly there after.

 

I found some red reflective "conspicuity tape" at my auto store and cut down two pieces to fit the top/bottom of my license plate frame. It reflects red in a VERY visible way as you can tell from the camera flash.

It's also very subtle when looking at the car in normal daylight.
However this may not be legal as the reflectors are not at "bumper level", but its certainly better than nothing. Taken together with the brake light and red fog I think I have plenty of Red on the back of the car

robc

 

I've got some clear lenses for sale btw if anyone's interested - with the circuit board and bulbs for fitment on >05's - incl. white lens fog light and upper brake light...

I never had the reflectors on - we have the same rules down here in Oz - but I couldn't bring myself to have my rear bumper cut.