The purpose of the rear fog light(s) is to make your car more visible to
cars approaching you from the rear during foggy or heavy rain conditions.

 

Actually, no. The purpose of the rear fog light is that it is a very bright, red lamp (like a brake light) that cuts through the fog and makes you visible to the car speeding blindly through the fog on your tail. It's there to increase your visibility to other drivers in the fog.

 

And boy was I happy to have my rear fogs when going over the continental divide on the interstate in absolutely incredible fog. I wanted to do everything I could to avoid being rear ended.

One other car out there had rear fogs too, and I was loving that car! It was so easy to see, and I always knew where I stood in relation to it, even in the very heavy fog.

For the other cars with weak little taillights, I almost ran over a couple of them once or twice.

Rear fogs are an absolute must in my book.

 

So what do you guys think? Will my 09/04 build LY MCC, which apperantly can not be retrofited for a rear foglight (at least not easily), somewhere down the road, say 20 years from now, become the much sought after, rear foglightless model?

 

The rear fog isn't so much for you as the driver, it's so that they car is more visible to other drivers

 

That's what I'm hoping for - "Rare LSD-less, rear fog light-less, OEM armrest-less, auto turn off airbag-less, wiper fluid level light-less, etc. etc. etc. 2005 MCS"

 

It is very helpful on a rainy or foggy day for the people behind you to see you - I remember on one of the rallies through the mountains, we could barely see the car infront of us, but the car infront of them was perfectly visible because of the rear fog lights.

 

Hey! I really appreciate all the answers on the why of rear fog lights.

I have to admit that I've never seen one. They'd be good here since sometimes we get serious fog. Unhappily, in Guatemala the real challenge is getting folks to have lights that work at all, not to mention extras like brakes!

Saludos

 

This thread was started a couple days after the last post-- interesting news on accesories and availability, inc May for rear fog lites for pre 10/04 builds @$179 installed

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=39451

read and judge for yourself. I hope it's true. Jimbo

 

I too have an early '05 MCS w/out the wiring and want the rear foglight. I asked about it (about 1 mo. ago) when I was getting the oil changed and was told by a service advisor & the service manager at MINI of Peabody that it can be done (the problem was the parts were back ordered).

My (kidding) response (which I said while laughing) was, "I figured it could be done because how hard could it be to put in a wiring harness anyway." They all got a good laugh out of that...especially because I'm a girl.

Anyway, I'm planning on having it done when I hit 10,000 miles and take it in for my next service. So if your dealer is telling you "no", I'd keep asking the question.

 

I also have a early MCS 05 and would like rear fog lights. Please report back once you get it done. My dealer still says it's not available yet.

 

I have a July build 2005 without the wiring harness but purchased the rear fog before when we purchased the car. No one knew there would be an issue.

Took my car in today to have a few little things done and the rear fog installed. The dealer (Mini of Orlando) installed the switch and light but couldn't hook it up without the harness. They recommend waiting for MINI to come up with a solution (seem to think something is in the works).

I am fine with this as I just wanted a full bank of switches so I can wait for the harness or other solution.

 

how much did peabody say it was gonna cost and how long? i will go there for my servicing from now on. if i get the rear fog, will my center switch panel get an extra switch?

 

Its going to cost me 76$ for the panel and the lamp from Jayson at " bmwparts@classicautocampus.com ". Cool deal.

 

I don't understand this .....
I took delivery of a February build 05 MCSa last Monday, March 21, and all six switches were there and the foglight was fitted, and working. I checked my detailed order, and I saw no mention of me actually ordering this as an extra.
In addition, I have read various threads that question the legality of rear fog lights in some states.
I am an expat Brit living in Illinois, and for years now, rear high intensity fog lights have been spec'd in on all new vehicles in most of Europe.

 

It's a $100 option, did you get charged an extra $100?

 

YUP!!!

I just looked at the Window Sticker, and there it is....100 bucks.
Well, I'm glad it's on there, as I am a believer in the rear fogs...We do get the occasional low visibility mornings here in Illinois, and the light looks far better than the plastic blanking plate.
I guess they are legal here, then?

 

Yes, they are. I think they were only illegal in Oregon and California...I think.

 

Not sure about California. My A6 has them and I can't wait to put them on my Mini.

Would the dealer sell them if they were illegal?

I could be wrong.

 

Fogs WERE illegal in CA and OR. Amazingly, CA changed the law to allow the non-standard location of the '05 MINI rear fog (low and center.) I think it used to require the fog light to be x inches off the ground. AFAIK they are still illegal in Oregon.

 

So am I right to conclude that all that is needed is:
the correct switch set up depending on dsc, front fog, ect...
the rear fog light itself
some sweat and fear putting in those two items using the instructions below
dealer programming.

Does that look about right to do this myself?

 

does anyone know how much it costs to get the dealer to install the rear fog light? im just curious and how much it costs for the rear fog light kit?

 

Um...I'm in Canada. I got retrofitted foglights and only got the front ones done. Rear light itself was missing. THought the toggle for it is in and from the way the indicator light comes on, I assume it's programmed too.

 

i called my dealer and they said 105 for parts and 95 for 1 hr of labor. i have an early 05 s.

 

can I get a link to where I could purchase the "retro fit" kit for an 05 mcs January build, so it does have the wireing harness... ???