Ok I am making myself feel really stupid! When I built my '05 MCS online I passed over the front fog lamps but does that mean I won't have the switch on the console? If not can it be installed since it looks like a factory install?? Or I just being paranoid and it will be there?

-Josh

 

It won't be there, though you can buy a fully loaded toggle panel for ~$75 from Classic MINI and install it yourself (but the extras won't activate anything.) Alternatively, you can source a few toggles and drill/install yourself.

 

If U don't have the front fogs you wont have the FF switch, which is right next to the passenger window toggle. U can get a whole new toggle panel with every switch filled (including rear fog, but that's another issue) to fill it out, but this seems a waste of money. They're about $65 from Classic MINI in Ohio with yer NAM discount. JB

 

Can you get the front fogs as aftermarket and still wire them into the console? Oh and thanks for the quick replys...

-Josh

 

Yes you can. Actually you can get the factory fogs, front and rear, installed and activated by your dealer. The toggles are part of a circuit board and come as a unit. All of the switches send signals to a body computer and need to be activated/programed by the dealer.

 

ty much appreciated!

-Josh

 

To clarify, you can add foglights after delivery, but note that it's quite a job, and will cost well more than the $150 from the factory. Activation is ~$50, the panel is $65-75, so if you can get fogs for $35 you just break even, not including labor. I don't know if a dealer would activate the front fogs with aftermarket counterparts in their place.
It's a tough sell to pay the $250 for front and rear, but in the long run it's likely cheaper and certainly easier.

 

I have the fully functional 6 switch toggle bank in my '05 MCS. It is much cheaper to order the front/rear fogs from factory rather than having them installed and activated at the dealer post-sale.

If you still can make changes to the order, I would say to get both. Not only you'll have a full toggle switch bank but also the extra safety margin of the fog lights, plus the car looks great with them on at night

 

But I am sure that you would only use them when fog conditions occure ..... right?

 

Yes...ideally...but we rarely see fog in Miami

I never use the rear, except, if some jerk attempts to tailgate me in his/her SUV

The fronts I use more often because the help my Halogens to illuminate the road and make it easier for me to dodge potholes and debris at night. The car looks awesome too.

 

Oh, Jeez - here we go again. . .

Simple rule: Driving lights = driving, fog lights = fog.

The pattern the fog lights throw is so close to the front of the car that the light is only going to help you dodge potholes and debris about 15-20' in front of the car, so if you're going over about 10 mph or so, well, it's a waste. All it does is toss more useless light at other drivers.

Fog lights in clear weather is a clear sign of a poseur IMHO. Usually see that on Grand Ams, F-150s, and clapped out Mustangs.

 

I hate when people use there fogs on the highway when it is clear.It's pitch black out there,I can see their headlights,don't need to be blinded by their fogs.Even looking down to the right at the shoulder,like you should,they still sometimes blind me.

I use my fogs,well in foggy conditions,heavy rain.In the winter they are helpful in heavy snowfalls.I never get "flashed"by oncoming traffic.

 

This is where this thread went to hell.

 

I think "hell" is a bit strong to describe three posts of mild bickering (four if you count yours, five if you count mine!). Besides, I think the original question, which was simple, has been answered.

 

I agree - I wouldn't call it 'bickering' so much as 'venting.'

But clear weather fog light use in a MINI is even worse, because you have to make the effort to actually switch them on ever time! A lot of other cars let you leave the 'fog light' switch permanently in the 'ON' position. There are a lot of things on a lot of cars that reset every time you start the car (cruise control comes to mind); I think fog lights should be one of 'em.

You listening, GM and Ford???

 

Hell was a bit strong; I'm sorry. Down the tubes, down the drain, or just plain "went wrong". And look, I'm adding to it.

 

/me kills thread!!!

-Josh

 

I feel like I have been shot...


Geez guys, take a chill pill

 

In the appallingly overcrowded roads of lower Fairfield County, CT, pretty much everyone, no matter what car they drive, uses fogs every day-- its pretty much a necessity, just to improve your chances of being "seen" by other drivers competing for road space. Front, rear, and auxilairy-- they are on all the time...

 

It's out of your hands, Josh! The monster has broken out of the laboratory and descended upon the villagers...

 

People down here drive like absolute idiots and the more visible you are the better. This is why I had the dealer activate the DRLs before delivery. This is yet another reason why I use the front fogs at night, regardless of condition. Everyone here does it as well.

Sorry to have upset some of you so much but if you ever come down to Miami and drive here you'll understand why.

 

OK, let me continue to steer this thread off of the original topic and into the quagmire it has become. . .

UuNetBill says the fogs only throw light 15'-20' in front of you
lot15 says that fogs blind you
These 2 observations appear to refute each other.
Talk amongst yourselves.

Oh, and chrisnl with the "villagers" comment - coke coming out of the nose when I read that!

 

Factory fogs throw light very low directly in front of the car. It's reassuring to have that dark area that your regular headlamps miss illuminated- period. I use the fogs every day, they are not too bright, and I have no doubt that they are not blinding to oncoming traffic. If I had neglected to order them, now that the dealers have the dash panel, I would not hesitate- regardless of the cost. The rear fog? Good for rush hour traffic. Already got pulled over by a cop, questioning whether it was factory installed or "add on," (which would be illegal). So again, it's proved its purpose...

 

What was the original topic?

 

Iuse my fogs everytime at night. It lights the road in front of the car better, period. I also think the cars looks a lot better with them on. If you are that effected by other drivers lights, get eye care, eye wear or clean your windshield. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. I also use my rear fog everytime it rains. There are engouh stupid drivers around here that not only aren't paying attention, but drive with thier lights off in the rain, tailgate in the rain, and possibly aren't paying attention to what's in front of them. Any thing I can do to increase my visability I'll take. And if THAT light bothers you - too darn bad, stay home.