I have been wanting another MINI ever since I sold my '03 BRG/W S when my job situation got scary. Now I am secure with the finances so that I can get another.

Here's the thing. I'm not 100% completely sold on the R56 yet, because I haven't seen it in person (or driven it). So I stopped by my local dealer (International Auto in Milwaukee) to see what they had. I found a pw/b S with premium and cold on the lot, which is a color combination I really like. They will sell it to me for $500 below MSRP, as they have quite a decent volume of cars and want to get rid of them before the R56s arrive.

The thing is, this car doesn't have fogs. For those of you out there with no fogs, do you find yourself regretting it?

My big decision now is: buy this car that is missing a feature I think I want, or wait, and spend about $2000 more for a similarly equipped car I've never seen or driven?

Help!?!?

 

Did you ask the dealer if he could install fogs and how much would they cost?

 

First off, I'm not a big fan of buying a new first year model or revised model of any car, but that's just me. I've done it twice in the past and found out that the later versions allow more time for the manufacture to work out the bugs.

Relative to the PW MSC you found on the lot, why can't they add the fog lights to it before you take delivery? I would think you would be able to negotiate this if they really have a decent volume of 06's on the lot and want to move them.

Have you inquired about this yet? If not, do your homework as to how much the parts cost and contact other Mini dealers to get pricing info on what they would charge you to do the install. Then go to International Auto and negotiate.

FWIW, I was working in Germany in the spring of '06 and the Mini dealers there we offering $2K+ off '05's that were in stock and yes, they were the American models.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Mike

 

I ordered my coupe without fogs after the wife got her with fogs. Do I regret not having them? A little, but the factory ones don't seem to do much on the wife's car, so now I have more reason to put some Hella's on.

 

I would suggest going to the dealer and ask them about the price for the front fogs and installation separately. This way you can shop for the parts elsewhere and see if you can find them cheaper. I will also suggest the addition of the rear fog light, if you are interested. That way you can buy the toggle switch with all the features (assuming the car has the DSC) and save some money.

 

Are the front fogs 'retrofittable'? (I just made up a word, I think!)

If that is the case, then it changes things. I could get the car now, and have the fogs added 'at my leisure' so to speak.

I hadn't really thought about them being something you could add after the fact.

 

I am not sure I have ever actually used the fog lights - I know that they work, but fog is pretty rare aroud her.

from an aesthetics point of view, I prefer the look of cars with them, but functionaly I have too little experience of using them...

 

It really is more of a looks thing for me. The black filler pieces just look - incomplete, I guess.

 

i agree with what others have said:
- would be slightly leary of the 07... i know it will be a better car in some ways, but it will also have "new" issues
- would check with the dealer about install costs... it might be worth it.

Also, do you really need the fogs or do you just want them for looks and the extra toggle switch? If it is a functional thing, then definitely get them before you buy... or possibly have them installed later on once you've seen how much you would miss them. If it is just for looks, I say go for the 06 now.

In terms of price... it is now Jan. 07... new models to be arriving in Feb. I know my local dealer has a TON of 06s on their lot and I imagine they are going to have to start dealing. If you have your finances set up where you can buy the car when you want (in other words, easy to get it financed or you have a pre-finance check ready), you should walk in and say: I'll buy this car today (they love those words) if you keep the $500 discount AND install the fog lights for free.

^^ edit: if you do this... check with OTHER dealers about the cost so that your local dealer is not aware of your fog light interest.

If they say no, see what walking out does to change their mind. You might be surprised.

 

Check out this link on motoringfile - Fog Light Retro Fit Installation instructions

So, this is definitely something your dealer can add.

 

So your only concerned the car has no fogs

There are thousands of MINIs with fogs just bolted on.

MUCH better, more powerful, and much cheaper

IMO, buy the car, get a set of Hella FF200 fogs. You will be happier than the OEM fogs

 

If you like it as equipped (less fogs) and like the color, go for it. You can always add the fogs later if you really want them.

 

I'll be going back to the dealer on Saturday. I'll keep you all informed.

Thanks a ton for the replies.

 

If you decide to have the dealership install the front fogs you may as well have them do the rear fogs as well, your going to have to purchase the new switch bank anyway.

 

My MINI did not come with fogs (front or rear) and I retrofitted both of them myself. The rear fog is easy because the car is prewired for it. The front fogs are not prewired and the retrofit is difficult and involved. The instructions list front+rear retrofit at 5 hours labor (it took me way longer than that).

 

YellowMiniS, buy the car without the fogs. I have them, but rarely use them. And they don't do much good in fog in my experience.

I use my driving lights way more than my fogs, and they really come in handy on dark roads. So my advice is to install some aftermarket driving lights after you buy your new S!

 

im not sold on the R56 either. i would either wait until they
come out so you can drive them around, etc. or just jump the
gun and get a used R53.

 

I'd rather wait for the 07', but if I was going to get a new 06, $500 would not be enough of a discount....$1500, maybe.

I wouldn't worry about 1st year problems with the redesign and I'd much rather have a new car that wasn't instantly dated by the redesigned and reengineered 07.

 

Stock fogs look good but aren't really worth it as they don't perform worth a darn, really. I may actually use the stock wiring to install fogs that work better, throw more light in a more controlled fashion. These act like over-watted parking lights. (there, I made up a word too!)

If you like the rest of the car, fogs or the lack thereof definitely shouldn't be the deciding factor. OR... you can get a light bar or (as others have said) install 'em later.

 

I agree with the messages here. If you like the color combo go for it. Fog's are easy to add as mentioned. Does it have DCS or any other non-package goodies? I have an '06 MCS and love the sound of that supercharger.

And $500 off MSRP? That never happened to most people who have purchased their MINI's up till now. Good luck and let us know what happens.

swizzle

 

And don't forget that the factory fogs are generally useless unless all you want to do is light up the area 3 feet in front of the car. The only thing they really do for me is fill a hole in the bumper.

 

ILO fog lights, spend the money on the driving lights. Way cool in the looks department.

 

honestly, me too. it is that 'incomplete' look that gets me.

i'm still really up in the air about this. just when I think I'll do it, i see pics from the auto show of the r56, and think....'wait'.

but its a first year model...but it is more expensive....but I might not like it in person...but but but...

very frustrating, I'm making myself sick trying to decide what to do.

(one thought is get this car and I can do the dragon THIS YEAR. that's actually pretty big, as dragon '04 was about as much fun as I've had doing something car related.....

 

go ahead and get it

 

Does it really get that Foggy in Milwaukee? I know where i live in Cal it gets very foggy in the winners so fog lights were a must have for me. But if you live in a place that doesn't get foggy then i don't see the need for them.

Fog lights aren't there to help you see they are there so other people can see you better.