I do not plan to order the OEM driving lights, but will most likely put in a PIAA kit (DIY). However, I was debating whether or not to order the rear fog light (it would fill up the toggle panel), and I was wondering:

1) Would it be possible to replace the rear fog light with the backup light kit (link below)?

2) If I did so, would this leave the toggle formerly assigned to the rear fog lamp free?

3) Could I then hook up a PIAA driving light kit and use this toggle to operate it (preferably independently of the high beams)?

Edit: Link for the backup light kit - http://myminiparts.com/proddetail.php?prod=MMBUL

 

I'm no expert but... From my understanding the PIAAs cannot be linked to the factory toggles.

BTW get the rear fog to fill the bank (and is cheapest when you order it from the factory when your car is being built $100 i think) plus it looks cool.

 

Yup, its not going to work. Those aren't real switches

Even the OEM hookup is a separate switch

If YOU wire it DIY, you can do whatever you want. If a shop wires it, mostly likely they will wire it to only go on with the high if that is your state law if they don't wont to run afoul of this equipment laws.

 

Just FYI, A good mounting location for a switch it next to the e brake. On the right side, there is a button for the tire sensor reset. (Most models) On the left side, there is a cutout. Pop it out with a flat head screw driver, and you have a nice little hole ready for a switch!

 

Ian Cull (GBMINI on NAM) MAY be able to make a circuit for you that would utilize the rear fog switch.
Why independent? Is there a situation where you'd want driving lights on but not high beams? Sounds like an easy way to blind other drivers.

 

Eric, your right for "real" driving lights.

However, PIAA makes some real crappy small ones (not the 500 series) that put out little light, bare more than fogs. They do work well as an ajdunct to low beam without effecting traffic because they are just pathetic

 

Well, I guess the more I think about it, I suppose that the driving lights should be tapped into the high beams, so if you want to turn everything off so as not to blind oncoming traffic it's all only one step.

So, now that that's settled, I don't think I'll bother with a custom circuit. However, since I think I'm going to go with HB/S or SB/S, I'd rather not have the rear fog be red. Is there an easy way to replace the red lens with a clear one? Should I just get a backup light from an '04 or something and put in a red bulb?

 

??? Rear Fogs are always RED. Check your state law. There is a reason that all cars that come with rear fogs are red.

 

Lemme rephrase: I don't like the look of the red lens in the back of the blue car, so I'd rather have a clear lens and a red bulb, so it'll still light up red but look somewhat clear. What's the best way to do this?

 

Ahh. now I understand. MINI sells those ... http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...35&hg=63&fg=95

Standard MINI OEM retrofit. call your dealer