I'm the same way! I should be sleeping already, but I can't stay away from MINI talk!

If I am not mistaken, only 2011 and newer models can cycle their colors automatically. They also have more color choices! We need a retrofit mod! Anyone up for the challenge?

 

Molly is Blue so that's the color she shows me!! They are in the doors shining down on the map pocket as well as in the door pull area, I've never really changed the color or the brightness but I can see them when we're driving at night. Tonight driving home I noticed that I can also see the Ambient Lighting in the SeatBelt Tensioner on the interior pillars!!

 

but why not my cooper? oh well.... I want to make something that makes the ambient lighting blink when you are near another cooper. That way you can play tag!

 

you can adjust the brightness by adjusting all the panels lighting . its the black button on the rev meter , the left one

 

The brightness if I am not mistaken is the stalk on the right on the Tach. You press an hold it for it to get brighter and push it one a time to get it darker. I might be backwards but that is how it is on my 07. I have mine just dark enough so that my boost gauge lights up orange instead of white.

On another note MINI needs to get away from this orange for the gauges and offer another color because it is too damn bright and ugly as hell.

 

That works for the dash lighting but not for the door, pillar, or overhead ambient lights in my car. Maybe it should adjust the brightness of the ambient lights but in my car they do not adjust.

I am in total agreement with you on this one. My 203 BMW 525 wagon also has this color for the radio, and parts of the dash. So it is not just a MINI thing. But yes very UGLY.

 

Amber is the signature instrument color for BMW and MINI vehicles... No other brands have it. Some love it and some hate it. I am indifferent. However, it would be interesting to be able to change it via the flip of the ambient lighting switch. Maybe next generation.

 

I do like the amber instruments that BMW has used for a number of years. Its very easy to see at night and does not mess with your night vision. That being said I still miss the indigo and red instruments on my 2008 GTI...

 

My 08 the dash illumination dimmer does affect all of the interior lighting brightness. That is odd it is not adjusting it for you.

And yeah as mentioned, that BMW orange lighting is designed to keep your pupils dilated for better night-vision. The blue side of the color spectrum will make your pupils contract more at the same lumen/brightness level as the red side.

 

Actually it does affect the two in the center for sure. I am almost 100% positive it affects the doors also. At least in mine it does.

Also I have a 93 525 wagon. I hate the orange in there too.

 

For those of us that think the B pillar ambient light is distracting and too bright, there is an easy fix:

1. With a small flat head screw driver, gently pop out the small plastic oval AIRBAG cover plate from the 2 sides.

2. From a window tint shop, get a small sample of LIMO black. Cut a 1/4" x 3/4" strip and apply it to the lens inside.

Now, your door panels will look the same, and the distracting light when turning your head to check for cars will be dimly lit.

 

Hey guys,

This thread may be dead but I figured I'd post here as it may be my best option. I was wondering if anyone found a way to change the available colors in a older gen 2 mini? I drove a countryman a little while ago and noticed that it had about 3 different shades of green ambient lighting and would be so stoked if I could get that green light in my 08 MCS. Has anyone been able to figure this out?

Thanks in advance,

Banner28

 

green isnt available in your 2008. In 07-10 the color is red, orange, magenta, blue, something like that. They changed to a multi color for 2011 onward cars. You can change the color by using the toggle on the left side of the passenger map light toggle.

 

yeah, that's what I was afraid of. So there's no way for me to retrofit the newer models ambient lighting into my MCS?