Here in Oregon we cannot odrder the rear fog light. Some stupid law in only this state. Anyway. I bought the necessary parts from an out of state dealer to retro fit the rear after I took delivery. I had asked my MA if they could/would active the circuit during the initial programing of the car. He said that they would attempt to.

Well we picked the car up Wednesday and I just installed the light and switch panel. The "pre-activation" did not work. Either that or they really did not activate it. My guess is that the light and switch need to be installed for it to activate. Back to the dealer for programing. Oh well it was worth a try.

 

That's what Crown MINI told me when I was picking up my rear fog-less '04. Finally asked to talk to the tech to explain why they couldn't 'pre-program' it, when they relented and did the programming - but said they could only because it was an '04.
I'd love to get a real answer from a knowledgeable tech - is it that the body computer does a circuit check, and refuses to accept the update if the circuit can't be completed? Or did the guy just not do the programming??

 

Anyone had a dealer install their rear foglight on an 05 car yet? What was their total price they charged.

 

Not I - I installed the rear fog on my 05 myself. The light itself is a cinch. The toggles are a bit of a bear, especially if you aren't used to tearing into a car's interior. There might be someone in your area who would be willing to help.

FWIW, my dealer charged a half hour of labor ($50) to activate it, but they also activated the alarm system I had installed and changed a few of the programming options, like auto door locks. They combined all of those into the one half hour. (I suspect that's some sort of minimum charge.)

 

You're right about the minimum service charge being 1/2 hour labor. Most dealerships have an hourly rate around $100 give or take. From what I was told, the actual process only takes a moment, so you can have other work done at the same time without paying extra.

Installing the lamp is so easy you can go outside and pop it in right in the dealer's parking lot. 05's are pre-wired, and the connector isn't even insulated (I've previously suggested installing the light regardless, just to insulate the connector) since the piece is under $20.

Wedge your hand, palm-up, between the dual exhaust tips (cooper S) and the bumper, and press the blank out from behind with your fingers.

1>The switch panel is not as big a hassle as you would think: open the glove box and swing down the panel beneath the steering wheel (it's hinged).

2>pull the ring around the shift boot up (it's a snap fit) and press out the rearview mirror control by reaching under and pressing it out from the back side (don't lose the little brass clips). You can disconnect the mirror control to move it out of your way.

3>unscrew the two philips head screws in bottom of the front cup holders, and the two philips screws hiding beneath the rearview control panel you exposed.

4>unscrew the two torx screws on the side of each 'down tube'. The ones on the right also affix the cup holder, and they're not the same size torx. Move the downtubes and center console aside.

5>unscrew the toggle panel and disconnect its connector.

Reverse to reinstall. No part of the job requires any special expertise or "BMW/MINI" training, and there's no real reason a MINI tech can turn a screwdriver any better than you can. As it's a MINI factory part, it will not compromise your warranty if you install it. The only part the dealership will have to do is to program it.

P.S. The alarm is even easier to install...

 

Tarzan,
I'm stumped by the alarm install; so rather than hijack this thread, I sent you a PM asking for assistance
Charlie

 

Not all 2005 models are prewired for rear fog lights. My July 2004 MCS build was not.

 

I had Classic Mini do mine before delivery. No problems with it. They installed a red cover instead of a clear one, but I think the clear cover is an aftermarket one anyways. No biggie Brutus is red and it matches well. Total cost was $127 with programming too.

Devilmini

 

Cinti Mini charged my $147.....$97 for the parts and $50 to install and program. I'm betting that Classic Mini was cheaper due to the NAM discount?

 

The clear cover on the 02-04's is the reverse light. On 02-04 the rear fog light was the top red light on the main lighting assemblies. For the 05 they changed the rear lighting and moved the reverse light to the main lighting assemblies and moved the rear fog to the bottom light position.

 

Production Dates from 7/1/04 to 10/14/04 can't be retrofitted.

 

They can be you just have to route the wires on your own. I'm not sure where the routing starts but someone did post that a dealership did install a rear fog light to a car produced between those dates.

 

No NAM discount, as I forgot to tell my ma.

 

what are the part numbers of the parts i need to retrofit this fog kit to my 05? you need just the switch panel and the light, correct? mines a 2/05 build also, so i'm already wired.

 

You need two parts: (1) the light assembly itself and (2) the toggle switch assembly. The fog light PN is 63 24 6 933 275. (But double check me ohn this!) The toggle switch assembly part no. depends on what options you already have on your car - it's different if you have ASC or DSC and front fogs or not. There was an earlier thread about this. Here's a link to my post with the toggle switch part nos:

2005 Rear Fog Retrofit

You might want to read the whole thread, though it's a bit long.

I suggest you order the parts from Brian Flick at Classic MINI - his email is bmwparts@classicautocampus.com. If you email Brian your VIN, he should be able to tell what options you have and what toggle panel assembly you need. Tell him you're a NAM member and your handle here on the board, and you should get a 20% discount. I notice you're in Ohio. If you're close to Cleveland, you could pick them up from Classic. If not, shipping should be very inexpensive.

 

I just got my mini but there is no rear fog light switch, I even have the sport package which includes the rear fog light.

 

Actually, the sport package includes the FRONT fog lights. The rear you must either order from the factory, or retrofit.

 

in Canada, it says it includes front and rear fog lights. May be different in USA, not sure.

 

It's not included in the US

 

The rear fog is included on newer 05's. I have a October 05 without rearfog. Not sure when they started to include. Maybe January.

 

it has it in the owner's manual if that helps or makes a difference, where would I look to see the production date?

 

In the US the rear fog light is a seperate option from everything else. It costs 100 dollars from the factory.

To do it yourself after you get it would be around 150

To have the dealership do it should be around 150-200

Or you can get an 04 reverse light and do the install by routing the wires yourself for about $20 for parts.

Also if you have an 05 before 10/14 you probably don't have the connector so it will cost around $600 for a dealership install if they will do it at all.

 

What are you trying to find out, Jon.K? (note: if you fill out your basic info, in the User CP, we'll know where you're from!)

If your invoice states that you should have front and rear fogs, then you should go to (or at least call) the dealer and get that straightened out. While the US was restricted at the beginning of the model year (because of retarded laws in CA and OR) I can't imagine Canada was.

If for some reason they were not included, refer to beginning of thread.

 

Not good news (I fall into the July group), I don't play on doing this mod soon but I do plan to get around it sometime. I guess I'll just have to work a bit harder to do it :smile:

 

This may be the stupidest question, but what the heck!

Is the rear fog so you can back up in foggy situations? Is this really something helpful? I mean I realize it looks nice and all but does anyone actually use this thing?