I thought I'd found the PERFECT backup light LED upgrade on Amazon. Filtered on my vehicle, and listing had specific application to R55 Clubman.

Except - it's not the right base at all. So, returning. Unless the bulb has another use somewhere else on the vehicle. (Vague descriptions says "backup light, license plate light, etc. etc.) That seems dubious, though, especially since I picked a super-bright one that probably would be out of place if there's somewhere else it fits.


Here's the listing:

https://a.co/d/g2GOTPC

There's a note that pops-up. For some reason, I wasn't able to copy the text:



But there's no "load resister" included and the bulb clearly doesn't fit the socket. The originals are P21, the listing mentions 921. I guess this is BA-15S base?

Edit: Amazon advice sure is messed-up on this. I searched for "P21 reverse LED bulb" and had to scroll down past all the ones that are the wrong base. Picked a random one that appears to have correct base, and the Amazon Confirmed Fit advice does say "taillight, brake light, reverse light".

Wish I'd removed the taillight assembly and inspected first, since it's a super-easy operation! ONE screw

Turns out all the R55 bulbs in rear light assemblies use the same very common base. Could have just gone to O'Reilly d'oh!

Thought I'd ask advice before ordering a new one. Now, I'd like to replace all 6 bulbs, since it's so easy. But I want a way-brighter one for the reverse one. Cause I have a super-long - and dark - driveway. I have to back close to 100 feet on narrow driveway with a dog-leg, and I keep crunching the Home Depot solar lights that don't help that much...

I'm wiling to put a lamp with "illegal" brightness in just the reverse socket. The others I'd like to replace with LED replacements that comply with regulations. (Or maybe not - opinions?)

I'd previously replaced my headlight bulbs with LEDs, and coded using BimmerCode, and very happy with that, so want to eventually switch everything over to LED.

TL;DR I want to get 6 LED replacement bulbs for the taillight assemblies. One as bright as possible, the rest as bright (more or less) as regulations allow. Recommendations?

Any point in amber for taillight, given the lens is already amber? I guess those are for "kewl" clear replacement lens assemblies?

 

That bulb they sent you could MAYBE be used in the upper front fog light position, but may be too big to fit in the housing...

The reverse light is an 1156 bulb.

 

This is the bulb you need. Amazon is the wild west for MINI parts and fitment.


https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ziza-par...r55ledrevktkt/

 

Just found this, incredibly useful for R55 Clubman owners. As well as R56. There's a PDF with types of all original lamps on R55 and R56 with tagged photos of an R55.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ulb-types.html