I made a huge mistake when I ordered my 2007 MCS. I did not order the rear fog lights. Now, when I look at the car I am annoyed at the cheap-looking plastic hole covers.

My question is does anyone know if I can buy the rear fog lights and install them myself? I would even be happy with non-functioning lenses instead of the black plastic covers.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=125800

 

Also there was another thread with a kit that would wire the lights as additional brake lights.

 

When you get some answers on this subject please PM me as I made the same mistake and feel the same way about the blank spots. Thanks

 

I ordered my MCS with them so I wouldn't have the fillers either. But since then I have noticed other cars using them in the fog and they really improve visibility quite a bit.

 

Also maniacs seem to lay back on the rear end
since I 1. installed that pulsar thing and 2.
put the hyper white bulb in the rear fog light.
It's a small bulb but is now slightly brighter
than the tail light (much less than the brake light).

 

I would be happy to have non-functioning lenses. Can I just buy the cans and the lenses and mount them? Does anyone make a kit? There seems to be a need.

 

i would also love a functioning or even fake option....the empty (but obvious) spaces where they should be annoy me. I got the car off the lot so I didn't have a choice.

I've considered the pulsar thing also to keep drivers from riding my ****...but is it inherently annoying due to how many times the lights flash?

 

If all you want is to replace the "blanks" with the light housings, it's a simple matter of popping out the blanks and replacing them with the housings. You can order the housings from your dealer, Pelican Parts, or Classic MINI.

For part numbers and instructions to add the toggle switch see this thread.

Good luck!

 

I ordered the lenses and bulb holders from a very nice guy at Pelican Parts. Total for the order was $67.50 plus shipping. I will let you know if this works.

During foggy days, I will need to put my hand out the window and flap my arms for visibility -but at least the black covers will disappear.

 

Also keep in mind guys that the brake and tail light functions on our MINIs use not only the same bulb but the same filament on that bulb. When you have just the tail lights on the bulb gets about 7V, then goes to full 12V and full brightness when you apply the brakes.

This means if you got just the housings and wired them in parallel with the existing tail light filaments on each side they would work as both tail lights and brake lights. Someone would have to try it to see if it would set of the light bulb monitor or not, but if it didn't it seems to me to make the most sense for those lights as well as being the easiest to wire.

 

If it did set off the bulb monitor (figuring using too much power)
you could get the super bright LED instead of a regular bulb.
They use 5W max I think.

 

Does anyone know if rear fog lights are added before the car ships from the UK or at the distribution center? Just curious, since my car will be at the VDC soon and I was thinking I could ask my MA to add that on.

 

They should be able to add them at the port or your dealer without trouble. It's just a matter of adding the toggle switch and installing the lights. (might be a software update as well). They car's wiring harness already has the necessary connections.

 

I ordered the factory rear fog lights from Classic Mini in Ohio which also installed them for $149, including parts and labor. The kit included the toggle switch and a full replacement of the switch housing which now labels the rear fog toggle just to the left of the passenger power window toggle. I believe some programming was required because the process required about three hours.

 

That is not a bad deal for having a dealer installed fog light retrofit.

 

Wow, I've read estimates approaching $500 for dealer installed. I'll have to check with my MA and see what she can do for me.

 

I didn't order them either when I ordered the car. I spoke to my SA and he said they can add them for around $200. That is double then if I would of got them when I ordered the Mini but you just don't think to do some things. I guess you pay for your mistakes.

 

I hear ya. $200 is doable. If my MA comes back with that number, I'm pulling the trigger and getting the rear fogs. Someone on here urged me to get the rear fogs...but I didn't listen.

 

I just ordered the red lenses to go in the place. Something like $47 shipped from Morristown MINI. I'm happy with it. I probably would never turn them on anyway. I think it's so stupid that they have different switches for front and back fog lights.

 

I just finished talking to my SA, Hartford, CT and he indicated that the MINI S is not prewired. How can we determine which MINIs have been prewired My R 56S has a build date of 2/28/07. Please help me out with this SA. I believe he is not willing to do the install for the $149 quote as these folks get about $85/hour plus parts. Any and all thoughts would be helpful.

 

BTW i find it very handy to have two switches
for the fog lights. I use the rear one alone
very frequently. The brighter bulb and also
the pulsar have helped with the ride so close
I can only see grill people.

Or at least I think it has you never know it could
be the imagination.

 

I can't tell you for sure that your MINI is pre-wired, but I heard the same thing from several people and I found the wires. There are so many connections that come from the wiring harness, that I don't think it would make economic sense to custom make each wiring harness specific to all the available options.

My advice to you, crawl under the rear bumper and pull back the foam piece, you'll almost certainly find the harnesses taped underneath on one or both sides.

 

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.

 

I found the wires, ordered the housings, toggle and switch plate cover. All pretty easy. However, dealer is indicating per the "After Market Sales Manager" from MINI USA that, the factory has not authorized a reprogramming "yet" and, as such they will not install. Dealer indicates they will not do same until factory approves.
I found this quite interesting and for those of you with the rear fogs that may have been rear ended, what does the dealer do about the rear fogs repair, replace and reprogram
I am not capable of this install myself. Mini USA did confirm that all R56s for 2007 do have the wiring harness. Factory "reprogramming" down the road. So for know it is cosmetic.