So the only thing I don't love about my car is how the backup light and rear fog work on my car.

When you turn on the rear fog "lights" the left while light in the aero kit bumper turns on. When you put it into reverse the right white light turns on.

That kind of sucks.

For starters I love how my old Mini worked with the rear fogs showing two nice red lights out the back. Then the backup light would be something else all together.

Anyone know of a way to mod this to something more desirable?

I kept my original bumpers...ect from the car but obviously I don't want to fully put the stock rear bumper back on.

Best,
Gene

 

There's no good solution. In previous years, the aero kit used the same rear light fixtures as a standard MCS and they just transferred over. For 2011 they didn't update the aero bumper to fit the new reverse/fog light.

Unfortunately unbalanced lights are a growing trend in the auto industry for cost reasons. MINI already did this in the Clubman, and in Europe for the Countryman (rear fog not available in the US).

 

^^^ The funny thing is, just a few hours after my post, I saw a brand new 2011 JCW with aero kit parked on the street. It had two backup lights in the aero rear bumper. I don't know what the deal was there. Maybe if you don't have the rear fog option, you get a second backup light?

 

Well that's what I have too.

Two clear lights...but only one is backup and the other is a fog. A fog light that looks exactly like a backup light.

rkt....where are the backups in the prerefresh cars? In the main tails are in the bumper? If I just have to go old school on the bumper lights...that's fine. But I'd rather not switch out my main tail lights...lovin' the LEDs.

 

Backup lights in pre-refresh were integrated into the taillights.

Are you saying that you have a clear fog fixture but it lights up red? Because if the rear fog is lighting up white, I think it was an installation mistake and probably not legal (white allowed only for backup).

I did a search and found this: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-question.html

 

Ahh..I see. That makes more sense, while still kind of sucks.

Yeah my rear fog lights up white....with white lens and white bulb. These geniuses even put my JCW badge in the wrong spot.

Thank you for your help. I never would have figured that out. Now I don't even know what the right solution should be...the one red thing looks like ***.

 

Agreed. It does look odd at the very least. If I'd have known, I wouldn't have paid extra for the rear fog option. I'd rather have symmetry. However, I'm just trying to keep an open mind and so I'm choosing to accept it as a "european quirk".

I'd almost rather put in another reverse light to keep things symmetrical--even if that means I loose my rear fog function.

 

I did notice on teh configurator it says 'light' not 'lights' and has a disclaimer saying that some models will have 2 lights.
Never knew what that meant till now.

 

Guess that I am in the minority as I actually prefer only one rear fog on the driver’s side and am considering disabling the second one on the passenger side.

 

I'm thinking I'm going to convert both lenses to red, tie them both to the fog switch. Then maybe to a hidden white LED strip for reverse. I put 15% on my windows so it's a bit hard backing up at night in an unlit area. If I put one of those cheese LED strips...it would likely make a lot more light. Though of course I'd have to hide the strip because it looks so stupid. And so what...that my car looks ridiculous while I'm backing up...rather that than hitting something. And frankly I want both my red fog lights back.

 

pretty strange. I want to get 2 of the '11+ clear ones to replace my red rear fogs on my 09 lol. I only use them to blind tailgaters anyway, and always wanted them in white! :P

 

No, it would likely be very dim (less than half the light output you get now). LED strips are great for the interior but inadequate for exterior lighting. Instead of LED strips, you could mount auxiliary LED light fixtures.

What type of bulb do the backup lights use? The first thing to look for is brighter bulbs (but be careful of too high wattage, which can melt the housing or connector).

 

I'd like to know what type of bulb the clubman uses for reverse also. There are some newly designed (by CREE) LED back up lights that are all the rage now. It has a huge 7W LED with a projector lense. I just got some for my R56 and these are visible in the rear view mirror even in a well lighted parking structure. The stock incandescent bulbs are not visible even in the dark so this is a good upgrade. Looks really good in the housing with the anodized heatsink. Would be nice to know so I do not have to tear the housing apart twice.

 

Thought I should link to my thread regarding these lights...
Can I convert rear fog lights into clear backup?
I would like to sell the "old" red ones.
BTW: I love having the extra light. Thinking of LED bulbs now.

 

Thanks for the info Guys... Turns out the 2012's have the one red one white reguardless of if you get rear fogs or not... going to look into ordering a White for the left from a 2011.