i asked the dealer. peabody mini and he said $100 for parts and 1 hr of labor ($100). even though i prob wont/forget to use it, i would like to look down and see all the switches...

$200 is too much, yes? how much did u pay to have yours installed? oh and my 05 MCS is pre Oct 04, so i dont think im pre wired.

 

I say forget the rear fogs. Put the inline capacitor in and have the top lights come on as brake lights.

Use the other switch for something else interesting. Subwoofer/amp activation or something else even more unique and creative.

In the US, everyone is just going to think you are riding the brakes anyway. People use them all the time over here in Italy (even when it is not foggy) and it is really annoying. MINIers should not be annoying!

 

Not at all. Some people simply buy the fully populated switch panel and install it without activating the rear fog option just so they have all the switches.

 

The full switch panel is available from Classic MINI for about $75 IIRC. I bought one a while back, put it in right away for the look and then had the dealer activate the rear fogs for $40 the next time I was in for service 2 or 3 months later.

 

I ordered the rear fogs from the factory, because a) I wanted to finally have a fully functional 6 toggle switch bank, b) I hate the cheap black plastic cover the factory puts on the rear bumper of non-rear fog MINIs, c) I think the red plastic lense looks much better against a Chili Red body color and d) I like to have the extra safety afforded by the rear fogs so people behind me can see me.


We rarely if ever get fog down here in Miami, but you never know in a roadtrip elsewhere.

I also figured that for $100 factory install, the rear fogs were an absolute bargain.

Bottom line: There is nothing wrong with getting the rear fogs if you want all 6 switches.

 

I did mine for 2 reasons, 1st the filler panel is lame and I wanted the light that belonged in there, 2. because everything on the car should have a function of some sort.

I took my car to the dealer to ask about activating it and they did it for free while I waited.

I will more than likely never use the light but its there and functional AND I have a full bank of switches.

 

It looks like this is an 05 and the upper lights in the tail lights are turn signals; this means they can not be used as brake lights.

 

You really NEED that rear fog. You might be in fog, or in a blizzard, or in a post-volcanic dust cloud, or driving past some farmer's burning field ... there's all kinds of good reasons to have it.

I'm pretty sure having the switch is the BEST reason, thought!

 

Having a full row of toggle switches is just a side benefit of rear fogs. I got them on my '04 MC for safety reasons. If you drive in the greater Boston area then you know about low visibility situations - fog, snow, heavy rain. Rear fogs can help avoid becoming a SUV's little butt-buddy.

 

we bought just the extra switch, our rear fogs are hooked up break lights

 

I ordered it just for the full bank - but I find myself using it in the rain all the time!

 

WELL WORTH IT!

There are many other uses that you will find very much worth the extra $$. It really does help with tailgaters!

 

The price you quoted does seem high. I paid around $75.00 for the part and it was installed for 1/2 hour of labour. The rear fogs actually came in handy shortly after installation when I took a trip up near Mount Mitchell on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Greatbear can undoubtedly attest to this) and ran into serious fog. Made me feel better that I was at least visible from the rear.

 

Get 'em, but spend less. :smile:

If you JUST want the toggle there, you can drill the current panel and install a dummy switch. Instructions are somewhere on NAM.
If you do want the lights, you can get the parts cheaper from Classic Mini, and either do the the install yourself or have a local NAMer help you. If no one will help, I'll be in Boston in Fall. That will get the price down if that makes you feel better.
Seeing that full rack every morning will make you feel even better than that!

Oh, and spend that money you saved to get an auto-up module - you'll never regret it, esp. with the toll booths out there!

 

Do it! That was one of the reasons I wanted the rear fogs. It's also very foggy where I live due to the lake and just this morning I used the rear fog light. Fashion and function all rolled into one!

 

This may have already been mentioned, but this MINI is a 2005, so the extra brake-light trick won't work. Also, to get rear fogs on an '05, you have to actually install the light into the bumper.

I got the rear fog lights to fill out my toggle panel, but it was a little easier with a 2004, and I did the install myself. So, for me, the total price was $75.

$75 is worth it to me, but $200 might be a bit much for one extra switch.

Of course, when you have friends following you on the highway, you can guarantee that you'll be easy to spot from behind when you flick 'em on.

 

Excellent notion! Ciao.

 

first off its an early model 05 so its not pre-wired. more work involved there.
if i ordered from classic mini for $75, would i still get the wires needed to wire the car? i doubt it. so im looking to spend some more money to get the wires, etc.

1 hr labor doesnt seem too bad especially when they have to wire the car and then program it. but seeing a full set of switches is like wearing a clean pressed shirt every morning. refreshing!!

 

that pic is so sweet! that's exactly what mine would look like.... even the alloy patina.

 

I'm so confused . I just got my '05 MCS a little over a month ago. It doesn't have the rear fog light right now. But I asked my MA about possibly having it added later and he said that the rear fogs are now integrated into the taillights if you get them. Which is it? If I wanted to get the rear fog, can I add it to the bumper where the black plastic plate is? Then i also read in some other threads that it may or may not have to be wired into the car. Can someone clarify all this?

 

If you got a post Oct04 build '05, the wiring is all there, and you need only the bulb and the red lens (and the toggle switches.) Sometime during Oct they started adding the wiring to all US vehicles.


The rear fogs are integrated into the tail lights of '04 and earlier.

 

I have actually just developed a kit to enable the 2005 rear fog light as a brake light. The light will work with the brakes and as a rear fog light is you have the rear fogs enabled. The kit has been installed on a 2005 MCS and 2005 MCS Convertable. The install is more detailed and requires a jumper, you can not do it with paper clip or by showing a diode in the tail light plug. Also this kit will can be used to enable power to the lower light if you would rather have a additional reverse light. So now you can have either an additional brake light or an additional reverse light.

Dave
MINI-Rolls
minirolls@msn.com
2005 MCSC - Cool Blue

 

I only use lights in the dark, period. Not fog, not rain, nothin'. I use 'em to see, not be seen. Turning them on any other time but night is something the bulb companies have got us believing is useful for obvious reasons. It's a conspiracy.

3 years and 75k, I have the original bulbs in every light.

We don't need no stinkin' lights...

 

In Virginia, the law requires that you use your headlights while the windshield wipers are on. In fact, there is (or was) a nice sign at the VA/NC border that says, "Burn headlights when operating windshield wipers".

I always liked that sign. It just conjured up fun images of old lamp-lights.

I had briefly considered trading my 04 MC for a 05 MCS, but the change in the rear lights was one of the key things that made me change my mind. Retarded, I know, but dangit: I love having one reverse light and 5 brake lights. And I love the fact that I can hit the rear fogs to get some jack*** off my bumper.

 

my dealer added on the rear fog light without my permission and i'm glad they did. Not only did I get a full 50% discound on a factory alarm but I think the full switch looks a lot better than having one missing.
I only got one chance to use the rear fogs on a rainy day and my friend told me it was very helpful following my car from behind.