I know what the rear fog light looks like installed on the MC/MCS, but do any of you have pics showing what it looks like when turned on?? Maybe nighttime shots?? I'm curious if the rear fog's brightness will really help w/ seeing the car from a distance in poor weather/fog. . . any thoughts??. . .or is it a waste of money??

Thanks for the response, if any. .

 

Well no photos but I did see a car running with it on at night in good weather and all of the sudden Britains laws about only running fog in the fog immediately made sense, it was like the other MINI had their rear facing highbeams on, soit would definately improve visibility IMO, and they didn't even wave when I pulled along side them.

 

If they didn't wave and it was a clear night, they probably were just profilin' and weren't true "motorers". I know once I get my MINI, I'm going to wave/flash my lights all of the time.

In my opinion, you buy more than a car, you buy a lifestyle. . .and I intend on having an active "lifestyle"

 

Yeah, it is REALLY bright and definitely worth it if you live somewhere with regular fog. Actually, if nothing else, I think it was worth it to fill out my toggle bank with stuff that actually works. Now, I tend to use it the most as a rear bright light when people are tailgating me making them think I'm brake checking them without going through the actual risks of brake checking them and it does a pretty good job of getting them to back off

 

i notice the illumination on the

 

i notice the illumination on the snow bank, viewing the side mirror when driving.
i ordered it just so i didn't have to view the plastic filler piece.

its very bright-surprisingly

 

Yeah all of what Manda said. If you can do without metallic paint, you save enough to get the rear fog AND the heated seats/mirrors/washers (CWP). Heck by now you probably save even more than that. When I bought my '05, "Interior in Body Color" was a no cost option .

The full toggle bank is very nice, compared to "5 out of 6" spaces filled, IMO.
No one who rides with me has to ask "What goes in the blank space?" .

Tatt

 

It is very bright indeed. I like to use to flash it when someone is tailing me, to tell them to back off. It is also very useful when someone is following you and looses you.

 

Where I live, we have a lot of early morning fog. The rear foglights seem to help other people see me before they run right up my exhaust pipe. I DESPISE block off plates where switches go. When I got the rear foglight, getting a full switch panel was my motivation. Since I've had it for nearly a year and used it, I really like the rear foglight for its intended purpose.

The front foglights aren't very good. I did improve them by adjusting the aim upwards. I know they are supposed to be low, but mine were WAY too low. Around here it's there isn't much fog at night, so the rear foglight gets a lot more use than the front ones.

Rawhyde

 

I don't have pics but on the day my husband picked up our car, I was following him home in blowing snow and it was bright enough that I pulled up at a light and asked him to turn it off.

 

Yeah I've had a couple friends who were driving behind me call and tell me to turn it off, it was really annoying them.

 

Not a hijack but in a twisted way, I appreciate the "it's very bright" posts. It is very difficult from a driver's perspective, to understand just how effective the rear fog light is. I am guilty of thinking of it as a bit of a letdown (brightness wise I mean). Maybe I am mistaken, based on posts here.

The originator asked for pics - I'm sure I have seen some around (search?) but I don't think they would work as well as driving behind a rear foglight equipped MINI.

I have the rear foglight, and asked my wife who followed me once in our Caravan, (to the Dodge Dealer's of all places) about it, and she said "yeah I think being so small you would want to keep it on any time the headlamps are on"... She commented that the high-mounted brake light is somewhat obscured by the spoiler on an MCS. Made me think, but then again she has an unconscious habit of doing that. Get the rear fog! Use it with the proper care.

Tatt

 

This works really well, apparrently.

For some reason people seem to be tailgating me a lot more in my MINI than my previous cars, is this just an optical illusion? Good to have the option for a lower risk "brake check" switch, even if I don't see that much fog on average.

I had been turning mine on whenever the headlights are on, but if it is really that bright I'll have to reserve it for limited visibility conditions.

 

I have considered turning my rear windshield wiper sprayer 180 degrees to make it even more effective for tailgaters. That would really teach them a lesson.

Oh, as for a picture. I will take one tommorow once it gets dark...too tired to go down to the garage right now.

 

Took some pictures of my rear fog light tonight. One is with a flash and the other without a flash.

 

 

 

Cool pics! I think I now want one. Do you think this could be an owner installable item or must the dealer do it?
Cheers

 

Does anyone know how much the dealer would charge to install the rear foglight?

 

MINI of St. Louis dealer quoted me $350 installed. I'm probably going to get mine soon too.

 

FYI, just "Googled" this link...

http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/...t_retrofit_kit

Check out the linked PDF!

 

The rear fog retrofit is easy to do yourself. You need to purchase a rear fog lamp and a toggle switch panel. MSRP for the two is around $175, or you can get them at a discount (such as from Classic MINI) for around $140. The fog lamp simply replaces the black plug in the bumper, and a prewired harness at that location plugs into the lamp. Swapping the toggle panel is also quite easy.

You do need to have the dealer enable the function in the car's computer. This is just a five minute job that some dealers will do for free and others will charge their minimum labor unit (up to half hour of labor).

If at all possible, though, the cheapest and hassle-free way to get the rear fog is to order from the factory for $100.

 

awsome!!! Thanks to everybody who posted info/pics!!!! I am definitely getting this now. I think it's a great safety feature. . .

 

Cool And you order from the factory how? BTW, I talked to my dealer and their minimum rate is a half hour or $70.00.... great money for a couple minutes work

 

I meant as an option when you order a new car. If you have to retrofit, it will cost substantially more.