Can anyone recommend a good set of smoked side marker lights (preferably LED) that you have installed, and they seem to be working well?

Want something that blends in with the wheel arches when off, but when lit they properly light up. I found a couple on Amazon:


and


Just not sure if these are any good or not...

And https://www.protuninglab.com/14micof55f56.html look pretty much the same.

 

I have iJDMTOY's LED Fender Side Marker Lights for over a year now and they're still working fine. I would buy from them again, in fact I'm going to order those side marker wheel arch lights.

 

I picked a set up from eBay a little over a year ago for my F57 and I'm quite happy with them. These aren't the best pics, but I think they represent the look well, off and on. They weren't fun to install. Actually, let me rephrase, the factory ones weren't fun to remove, at all.

 

Nice. Thanks for those pics off and on. That's what I'd like to achieve. Also thanks for the heads-up on the install. That will be interesting.

 

The factory ones (and these aftermarket ones) are held in with adhesive. You'll need heat (be careful if you're using a heat gun, you can melt the plastic wheel arch trim) to soften the adhesive and then something to pry the sidemarkers out. If I had to do it again, I'd take the time to remove the arch trim altogether so I could have a good work surface and see the back of the sidemarkers while I'm working. If you go that route, take your time removing the trim, don't want to break the clips.

 

Ah ok. I saw the adhesive on the aftermarket ones. Wasn't sure if the factory ones had that as well. What a pain. The arch removal idea sounds good. I will have to look for some methods on doing that. I found that some of the trim clips have a little pin in the center that when pushed in (through) will fall out on the inside (then you have to find them!). But it might be better to have some spares. Well, that will be a lot more involved than I was expecting. I wish newtis was still around.

 

You don’t have to push the center pin all the way, just maybe half way and that type of clip will release.

Send me a message, I might be able to offer some assistance for the process.

 

I found this video that shows how to remove the front wheel arches. Also shows a nice set of painted arches.


And the rear arches:

 

Not a fan of how the rear arch was removed - I have a panel popper tool that I'd rather use something like this

 

I know this is an old post.
But avoid the HELIX brand. The contact pins with the connectors are weak.
They get pushed into the housing trying to connect the female end of the connector.
I bought them a year ago, finally decided to install, now its too late to return.

The IJDMToy have a separate wired connector, and those pins are stronger.

 

I stayed away from the Helix brand, but now I have a set but my 2022's arch lights are smaller (shorter) than the ones I have. I'll probably post 'em up here for sale. Mini must have changed the size recently!

 

Yeah apparently with the new front and rear bumper designs they changed the size of the side markers, I was about to buy a set and noticed that too. I guess we have to wait till they come out with ones for the 2022+

 

I’ve used Vinstar LED side markers on my ‘14 and ‘19 Coopers. The LEDs were bright and didn’t fade or burnout over time. Yes, the adhesive was a pain and at the time I had no access to a heat gun.

My question to the group: Does anyone know of a company that has them for the 2021 Cooper?

While searching most companies list the compatibility as ‘14-‘19.

I did purchase another Vinstar set from ECS Tuning which shows as compatible but I had to return them because the OEM connection wouldn’t insert into the new socket .

Rich

 

Yes these are the 14-19: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vinstar-.../v-173313~vin/



Can you show me the connection on the 2020+ ? Did not know the 2020+ changed. MINI likes to change things on us all the time and now the 2020 updates dont show on the etk all the time.

 

Hi ECS Tuning,

I don’t have a picture of the inside of the connector at this time, however, when I install the rear splitters next week I will take one

It does appear that MINI did change the inside of the connector starting with the 2020 models because all the third-party companies that make the LED side markers only have them listed up to ‘19.

If possible the fitment for the Vinstar LEDs should be changed to “does not fit” on your website since I purchased them and verified they do not fit. This can also help other ‘20 and ‘21 MINI owners with their purchases.





Rich

 

Yes, we update that when confirmed, you are the first person i have heard of that says it does not fit and we want to make sure its not an issue. I need to see the plug and weed out it was not an install error.


Thanks
Mike

 

ECS do you know when ones for the 2022+ will be coming out? As you may know they are slight shorter and wider than the previous LCI and 3rd gen cars.

 

so neat trick i learned. Buy some BLAK off of amazon and then you can smoke your markers as dark as you want.,

 

What is 'BLAK' - tattoo ink?

 

It appears to be a New Zealand women's clothing line:
https://blak.co.nz/

Not sure how that would help with your side markers....

 

Hello,

Since we are the few that are direct with vinstar i can ask. AKA they are the big company that is OE quality in TW. I can ask.

They usually dont have any info until they come out.

 

so it is a trim restorer and it is black. so when you put it on plastic it turns it darker (smoked) works really well

 

Hi Mike and the ECS team,

Here’s the side marker connection on my ‘21 2DR HT S.



When inserting into the Vinstar side marker LEDs it would barely go in and there was resistance near the corner where the number one pin is.

Inside the Vinstar connector there’s a small alignment bracket/square that would stop the MINIs connector from fully seating.

If you zoom into the corner of the number one pin you can see the mark it left when trying to firmly insert it and it only inserts in one direction.

I hope this helps your team,

Rich

 

Can't these just be disabled?

 

Side markers are required in US