Good question. I don't know if it's correct, but someone earlier stated that the Mini simply sends two different voltages to the rear tail lights - a low voltage when the brakes aren't on, and a higher voltage for brighter illumination when they are. If this is true, it seems that any bulb wired electrically in parallel with the tail lights would work the same way. When I get the kit I'll examine how they've configured it and why the lights don't operate as extra tail lights. It might be possible to modify it. Does anyone know if extra tail lights are illegal in most/any states? For years I've been seeing 18-wheelers that have more auxillary lights added to them than the average Christmas tree. It would be surprising to learn that all these guys have been running illegally, given the scrutiny they can potentially receive every time they pass through a weigh station.

 

Now I'm really confuused. Minispeed's business partner GoMiniGo.com looks like they have the same kit for sale (sans the lights) and they state the opposite:

"This change allows the rear fog lights to be illuminated in a dim mode when the parking lights/headlights are on and then increase in brightness when the brake pedal is depressed and the normal brake lights turn on. "

http://www.gominigo.com/BLK-MINI.html

In any case I ordered the lights as well (in the same boat with everyone). Gonna check one more time with the dealer to make sure normal rear fogs aren't available as a retrofit and, if not, these are probably going in (or maybe not, there are days when I can overcome my OCD and I just don't care, other times not )

 

The quote you attached above from gominigo makes more sesnse from an electrical standpoint than the answer I got when I called Minspeed. I assme these lights simply wire in parallel with the rear tail/brake lights. If so, they have to be getting voltage whenever the rear tail ights are on - unless the kit manufacturer went to some length to add circuitry to prevent that from happening. Looking at the picture of the wiring harness, it just looks like straightforward conductors with no circuitry to do anything complex, such as blocking the tail light voltage but letting the brake light voltage through. I checked with my dealer last week and rear fogs are not retrofittable. At this point, I would opt for this kit even if they were. I think that extra brake lights on a small car serve a better pupose on a daily basis than rear fogs that only come into play on rare occasions. Extra brake lights + extra tail lights would be even better. During the 1.5 years I had my R53, I threw the front fog light switch less than 10 times.

 

I agree 100% about the functionality fbirch, Having 4 running lights and 5 when braking can only help visibility to a tremendous degree, fog or no fog. It really is a nice option after the fact. As for legality -- I would assume that, if you could configure the regular rear fogs and your dealer lets you build it in your state (pre or post-build), I can't see why the braking light retrofit would be "any less legal" (as opposed to Oregon, etc, where the dealer won't even let you install them to begin with). I mean, what stops me from putting on my "legit" rear fogs every time I turn on my headlights? And how would this kit be any different from doing that?

 

I'd really like to get the install instructions for these just to see what it takes to put them in.

 

You're right - there is no practical difference between a factory-installed rear fog light that you turn on every time, and an owner-installed rear tail light that comes on automatically. However, there could be some stupid prohibition against adding extra brake lights (not sure why, though).

 

I was thinking about installing non-functional fog lights but thought that, if the cops pulled me over, they might think they were taillights and give me a ticket, since they didn't function (and I couldn't prove they were fog lights).

I'm not sure there's a prohibition on extra taillights though. Sounds like overkill but so are a lot of other rules of the road.

 

I've been considering the legality of the extra tail lights and brake lights (esp now that I have super dark tint and don't want extra attention drawn to myself)...however, if I were to get questioned/hassled about them (and I think it would be very rare) I'll say it is oem equipment and came with the car. Just having the extra non-functional light housing installed in the bumper can't be illegal because it is oem equipment and a factory option (although they don't need to know that you retro-fitted it). Plus, my last car had plastic reflective things (not sure what you call them) on the lower bumper and those aren't illegal (like this: http://cars.about.com/od/mazda/ig/20...-rear-view.htm )

 

Thinking of actually bringing one of the pics on Minispeed or GoMiniGo to my local DMV inspection stations or emailing it to them and asking if it would be legal before installing. Figure it would be best to ask the man directly

 

I received my light kit today from Minspeed (very fast service - thanks Minspeed), and the installation instructions say "This change allows the rear fog lights to be illuminated when the lights are turned on or the brake pedal is depressed..."

 

Could you post pics of what the kit looked like and what came with it ?

 

And the instructions?

 

great! when you (or someone else) gets them installed, please let us know if they work according to the installation instructions or just as brake lights.

 

Just wondering if there is more to it than pictured on the site

 

I have had the wiring kit installed for a couple of weeks.the wiring was installed by Danny at Mini Corsa.It took about a half an hour,that was because it was the first time he did it.He just plugged in the lights and clamped into the existing wiring per the instructions.The rear fog lights are on when you turn on the lights and the brake lights work when you depress the brakes.Works and looks great....certainly makes sure they can see you braking..I now have five brake lights and I love the look and the safety....The rear fog lights were basically worthless here in So Cal...now they do something...Call Pete at Minspeed,its a great option IMO

 

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I tried posting some pictures, but the paper clip attachment icon doesn't seem to work. Is there a trick to posting pictures?

 

Under Attach Files you can click Manage Attachments, then Browse/Upload. That will attach the pics as thumbnails.

 

Thanks, tjtull.

Here are the 2-page installation instructions. It looks very simple and straightforward. The kit contents are exactly what's shown on the website: 2 light fixtures, two 2-terminal pigtail harnesses, and four crimp-on connectors. I'll install these later next week when my receiver hitch comes in, and let everybody know how it went.

BTW, in all the pictures that I've seen, it appears that the brightness of these lights is a bit less than the main tail lights and brake lights. They may have done this to avoid overloading the wires/fuses supplying current to the main tail lights, which will now have to supply these lights as well. If it appears that the brightness needs a boost, there are numerous suppliers now making LED replacement bulbs that are both bright and very low current, and I may drop in a pair if needed. The bulbs in this kit are type 921.

 

Thanks for the instructions.

 

The lights balance out pretty well,the bulbs are different because they were used as fog lights.They look exactly the same on my car except I have the JCW rear end...They work great and the install was easy...good luck with it...

 

Thanks fbirch!! I'll probably order this. Please let us know if it turns out to be as simple as the instructions make it seem. I'm not overly mechanical (but I can hold my own), so I'll only attempt the most basic of mods myself.

 

It is as simple as the instructions make it out to be,the only tricky part is removing the rear light assembly,If your not comfortable with it any body shop or mechanic could do it in a few minutes...Pete can walk you through it as well,He's a great guy,always helpful...Take care

 

If you have any questions I can answer these as well. I developed the kit for Peter and MINSPEED. I did an install of a MC at AMVIV and have some photos of that install but not the MINI with the lights on. We tried to make the instructions as simple as can be. Also, adding the harness to run from the light allows you to not hunt for the stock harness and it is just as easy to remove.

I also have developed kits for the R56 that have the foglights that will enable the foglights as additional running lights and brake lights with a diode to allow the fog lights to work also. Peter will have this kit soon also.

The R56 rear light are conrtolled by the computer to provide additional power to make the lights brighter when braking.

Feel free to email me at dave@gominigo.com. Also, I have agreed to make Peter the exclusive dealer of these kits, he has the lights and it saves money for you. GOMINIGO will not sell the kits with the lights.

 

I know MINSPEED has mentioned a kit coming out for the non-S R56. Any idea when it might appear?