R56 Rear Fog Lights - Option Question
I have wanted rear fog lamps for my 2007 MCS ever since I saw another MINI that had them. His lamps were bright enough to be distracting even in no-fog, noon daylight. When I ordered my MCS I had thought these lamps were just a gimmick, and "saved" myself $100 by omitting them.
It was a bad decision, and I have been determined to make it right. Drivers around here maintain their God-given speed, regardless of poor visibility.
So, this spring I talked with two of my nearest dealerships, "only" about 200 miles away, about retrofitting the rear fog lamps. Both of them said it was a no-go. The whole electronics panel on the dash would have to be replaced. Then wires would have to be run to the rear bumper. And retrofit software wasn't available. They knew. They had checked all their resources. One even said he contacted MINI USA's main office in New Jersey, and they told him it was impossible.
Well, today Classic MINI of Mentor, Ohio did it for me. Great people. I'm in a motel room on my way home now, with rear fogs installed and programmed. A mere 1200 mile round trip. But it's done.
Why the closer dealerships don't have the right info baffles me.
In any case, if you need the retrofit, and your local dealer thinks you're nuts, talk to Jayson at Classic MINI, or Zach, the Service Advisor who helped me today.
If you haven't ordered your MINI yet, include the rear fog lamps @ $100. Cheap. Very cheap.
It was a bad decision, and I have been determined to make it right. Drivers around here maintain their God-given speed, regardless of poor visibility.
So, this spring I talked with two of my nearest dealerships, "only" about 200 miles away, about retrofitting the rear fog lamps. Both of them said it was a no-go. The whole electronics panel on the dash would have to be replaced. Then wires would have to be run to the rear bumper. And retrofit software wasn't available. They knew. They had checked all their resources. One even said he contacted MINI USA's main office in New Jersey, and they told him it was impossible.
Well, today Classic MINI of Mentor, Ohio did it for me. Great people. I'm in a motel room on my way home now, with rear fogs installed and programmed. A mere 1200 mile round trip. But it's done.
Why the closer dealerships don't have the right info baffles me.
In any case, if you need the retrofit, and your local dealer thinks you're nuts, talk to Jayson at Classic MINI, or Zach, the Service Advisor who helped me today.
If you haven't ordered your MINI yet, include the rear fog lamps @ $100. Cheap. Very cheap.
EDIT: Someone PLEASE make me eat my words on this
Last edited by DrewN; Jun 12, 2008 at 02:54 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,488
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From: Coralville, Iowa
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 353
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From: DC Metro Area
I gave up and went ahead and installed the extra brake light kit which I'm happy with.
Seems to be a lot of confusion out there, even at the dealership level. One thing I know for sure is that 2008s are a big no. When I first called ASK-MINI and complained I had one of their reps research the issue and she called me back the next day, basically stating that 2007s were allowed to have rear-fogs retrofitted at the dealership, but due to changes in the way the OBC were programmed for the 2008 models, it was not possible for MY08.
The fact that Classic MINI did it for an 07, though, tells me that in fact it can be done for MY07s. I haven't seen/heard of a single person yet (on NAM at least) who can say that they had their MY08 retrofitted for rear fogs. You can do the complete install per the sticky, but you're stopped dead in your tracks when you try to get the dealer to reprogram the OBC to accept it.
In any case I have the Minspeed mod as well and I am quite satisfied with it. I would consider an official retrofit if it became available, though.
The fact that Classic MINI did it for an 07, though, tells me that in fact it can be done for MY07s. I haven't seen/heard of a single person yet (on NAM at least) who can say that they had their MY08 retrofitted for rear fogs. You can do the complete install per the sticky, but you're stopped dead in your tracks when you try to get the dealer to reprogram the OBC to accept it.
In any case I have the Minspeed mod as well and I am quite satisfied with it. I would consider an official retrofit if it became available, though.
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: New York
I have wished I purchased the rear fog lights at the time of purchase. I tried to get them from the dealer with no luck. However some may like to know I called the dealer last week and they said they kit should be available by the end of the month. I hope this is true so I can get them installed already
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
I for one am happy that I didn't install the rear fog lights. I rarely used them in my Landrover and drivers behind me would flash because they were too distracting.
Also I really like the look of the blanks. It gives it a stripped down rally look.
Also I really like the look of the blanks. It gives it a stripped down rally look.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
To each their own.
Were you using them when its not foggy? I would have thought you'd have got plenty of use out of them in SF.
I have wished I purchased the rear fog lights at the time of purchase. I tried to get them from the dealer with no luck. However some may like to know I called the dealer last week and they said they kit should be available by the end of the month. I hope this is true so I can get them installed already
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: North East Connecticut
My SA talked me into the lights, said retro fit was really tough.
You can always go to Advance Auto, etc. They have glue-on reflectors (usually fit on trailers) that you can fit in the area. You may have to smooth out where you are placing them, but for $7.95 that's a lot cheaper than $500. At least you'll know if you like the look.
You can always go to Advance Auto, etc. They have glue-on reflectors (usually fit on trailers) that you can fit in the area. You may have to smooth out where you are placing them, but for $7.95 that's a lot cheaper than $500. At least you'll know if you like the look.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 986
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From: Boca Raton,Florida
Also minspeed.net has the complete brake light kit which includes the 2 red foglights and the wire harness.Basically it turns your 2 rear brake lights into 4.
Link:http://minspeed.net/R56BLK.htm
Just another possible option.
Link:http://minspeed.net/R56BLK.htm
Just another possible option.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: North East Connecticut
Also minspeed.net has the complete brake light kit which includes the 2 red foglights and the wire harness.Basically it turns your 2 rear brake lights into 4.
Link:http://minspeed.net/R56BLK.htm
Just another possible option.
Link:http://minspeed.net/R56BLK.htm
Just another possible option.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
There wasn't an option to install rear fogs in Oregon. I was bummed at how the fillers looked.
Today I installed the brake light kit from Minspeed and OMG what a difference it makes. The look of the rear of the car makes sense now and the added lights are a good thing for safety. The install wasn't that tough. Getting where to put the splice clips just took a little sorting out. And, I tend to overkill with an electrical tape wrapper when I do any wiring. Probably not needed but it makes me feel better.
Best mod I have made yet.
Today I installed the brake light kit from Minspeed and OMG what a difference it makes. The look of the rear of the car makes sense now and the added lights are a good thing for safety. The install wasn't that tough. Getting where to put the splice clips just took a little sorting out. And, I tend to overkill with an electrical tape wrapper when I do any wiring. Probably not needed but it makes me feel better.
Best mod I have made yet.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, Oregon
Like you, jhbjrpdx, I live in Oregon and wanted the rear fogs on my '07 MCS. I ordered the kit and will be installing the full option, including toggle switch, this weekend. It does give the look of the car a finished appearance.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, Oregon
Well, I decided to skip the brakelight option and went for the full rear foglight retrofit, including the new panel and toggle. It took me a long time, but the results are worth it. Now I have to visit my dealer to get the system initialized.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 153
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From: Fort Carson, CO
I went for the brakelight version today, although I really wanted to get the toggle switch... hate the blank spot between the toggles, but also hated the price vs the brake light kit!
Let us know how much your dealer charges for the system initialization Chemdean.
Let us know how much your dealer charges for the system initialization Chemdean.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,880
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From: Your Worst Nightmare :)
Unless you're OK with a potentially non-functioning toggle switch in the dash. Personally I'd rather retrofit smoke screen exhausts or rear firing missles than rear fogs
