I love the look of the toggle switches in the mini but they feel kinda cheap being plastic. I don't suppose anybody makes a metal baseball bat style replacement for them? Seems like it's be faily simple to do with the right tools and know-how.

 

Real metal toggles? I love the idea! Sterling silver with a soft polished finish perhaps...

 

the toggles arent just like screwed into the back like a regular switch.

those toggles simply push on a pressure pad on a circuit board to activate the accessories.

 

Are you saying that because they are plastic, they can not be made out of metal? I beg to differ. Interesting idea, metal toggles though.

 

i'm saying there is probably a reason there isnt metal in an area where there is electricity like that..... think about it, then open up your toggle bank and ook for yourself.

 

im with rednwhite on this one...if MINI wanted metal there...they would put...BMW/MINI usually doesnt do random...in other words they do everything with a reason to it...

 

It should be doable, but the back end of the toggle is slightly 'weird' shaped - it might be tough (aka $$) to do in metal.
I don't think there are any conductivity issues - the toggles press on plastic spacers which in turn press on the elastomeric pad. Odds are cost (machining more than material cost) played a role in the material choice...

 

baseball bats are huge

might be a safety hazard

 

We could even make them out of titanaium or possibly unobtainium so the car will be lighter and faster...

For the more show then go cars we could put diamonds on the tips. They will glow whem you turn the fogs on.

I wish someone like M7 could make this a reality

 

lol

 

LOL

 

Screw the titanium, I want a Louisville slugger. Is there a tar line on the toggle switches? I would hate for someone to get pulled over for fhaving tar to far up on their toggle switch...

 

Being an Electronic Technician in the Air Force and working on Radar systems for the past 18 years, I don't see a problem with metal switches. I see them everyday. BMW decided, just like every other car manufacturer to go with cost savings.

 

LOL, that looks like some primitive anti-carjacking system.

 

Speaking of toggle, what have others put in the missing toggle. For those that don't have the rear fog. I have seen some buttons that have a watch battery in that can send a signal for like door bells. Not that I need a door bell, but I would like to install something in the missing spot.

 

Yeah, but then they could be operated by rear seat passengers.

 

Hey RED check out my gallery at my empty toggle space.

 

I think the reason is money - why else would all the "chrome" on the car be made of plastic?

 

Can you order replacment toggles from the dealer to fill empty spots? I'm going to have two or three empty spots when my Mini comes in and it's just going to look bad to me. I don't care if they have no function, but just so the panel doesn't look incomplete I'd like something there.

 

Now I know what I can do with the stickers that I just got from MINI. I was wondering if anyone has actually installed a switch without all the wiring and cutting. I don't do well with wiring.

 

The process for filling in the blanks is posted around here somewhere. Other than a bit of drilling, it's pretty easy. I 'filled in the blanks' for a friend's Cooper. Toggles aren't available from the dealer, but they do come up once in a while from folks who have added rear fogs.

 

I had an idea for one of the spaces. I'd like to wire up my talking Napoleon Dynamite keychain to a pushbutton so that it'll play him saying "Flippin Idiot!" through the stereo when it's pressed. Label it the Flippin Idiot Frustration Button.

 

Someone here posted a link to what appears to be an identical switch, available in the UK. Price is right, I've just never gotten around to ordering. Check it out:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...ldID=&doy=11m4

 

Yea me to i'm not good with that stuff. Plus if i happen to have my x in the car i can always hit the toggle

 

there isnt enought room inside of the toggle bank to fit one fo there, its a pretty tight space in there.



just go buy a full bank from the dealer, its only 75 dollars