I've got an '03 S, and without thinking, puchased '06 taillights. I've searched and read a lot about people with '05+ cars converting back to '02-'04 lights, but what about adding '05+ lights to my '03... Is it a direct switch? Do I need to rewire the wiring harness??? Can I use my '03 light socket board? Thanks!!!

 

Nevermind, my new taillights came in and they were a direct switch. Woohoo!!

 

r u serious, they are direct? i thought the 05+ have like different pins for the plug? can you confirm? thanks!

 

As far as mine went, I unplugged my '03 lights, and plugged in the new '06 ones. The only thing that doesn't work are the reverse lights, and I expected that as the reverse on '02-'04 is down below the plate... All I need to know now is if I can cut the reverse light off the light circuit board so I can put my strobe light in the reverse light housing of the taillight...

 

Just saw this.

Did you know that MINI actually sells the '05/'06 taillights as an accessory upgrade for the earlier cars? It's in the accessory catalog. Presumably, this is so that folks in certain states can legally get the rear fog light. Here in CA, for example, the low center mounted rear fog is legal, but the earlier style "top of the taillights" aren't, due to height issues.

Or, becuase some people just like the newer style lights. Glad they worked out for you.

 

^ I also noticed that in the accesory catalog, but wondered, other than having the reverse lights in the taillamp, whats the difference? Do they look nicer at nite when lit up or something? Just curious i guess.

 

For me, it was personal preference... I like all red lamps on silver cars. I would have purchased the euro version, but didn't feel like paying $150+ for them. Also, the turn signals in my '03 lights were yellow. Now, they are red.

 

"Nicer" is subjective, of course, but as Wannamini said, the new lights do eliminate the amber. I think the newer lights may be slightly more visible at night, too. The lit taillamp portion is definitely bigger than on the early lights.