Hi all,


Well i just got my clear lens rear lights yesterday but have a slight problem , basically they use as the newer mini do the rear lights as a the reverse , my mini ( earlier ) has the reverse in the bumper!

Now the actual bulb in a T15 capsule but i am finding this impossible to get in red! I have spoken to my mechanic and he told me that as long as it lights up red when they test then it will pass its mot .

I would have preferred to get something like the silvatec bulbs as they look silver but glow red!

I did manage to find a red T15 bulb but its 21W and the other bulb is 16W so i was concerned it might be to hot for the lens?

Incase anyone is interested this is the lights......


http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7872/ultramini.jpg

Where did you buy them from, and were they advertised as suitable for your car? :confused:

I'd be tempted to return them, and buy the appropriate set rather than faff around and risk failing your MOT on a technicality...

So in short, you are leaving your reverse in the bumper untouched and wish to replace the clear bulbs with red so as to be your rear fogs?

A 21W bulb should be fine as most OE indicator, stop and fogs are 21W anyway.

If you can get the red ones, give them a single light dust coat with regular silver spray paint. The affect on performance is next to none by doing this but will achieve the look you wish for.

Where did you buy them from, and were they advertised as suitable for your car? :confused:

I'd be tempted to return them, and buy the appropriate set rather than faff around and risk failing your MOT on a technicality...


Hi,

I actually got them from a friend but i have seen these for sale on various sites including new mini stuff , they are all advertised as suitable for my car and even in the box it states that if you have a pre 2003 mini then please replace the clear bulbs with the red ones provided but my friend says he did not get them.

I just can't seem to source these red bulbs anywhere

So in short, you are leaving your reverse in the bumper untouched and wish to replace the clear bulbs with red so as to be your rear fogs?

A 21W bulb should be fine as most OE indicator, stop and fogs are 21W anyway.

If you can get the red ones, give them a single light dust coat with regular silver spray paint. The affect on performance is next to none by doing this but will achieve the look you wish for.


Hi,

Thanks for the reply, i know i can get the red 21W ones and you are correct that the indicator bulb is infact 21W i just thought that i would check as the fog will be on static constant and thus i assume create more heat ( forgetting the fact that i have been driving for many years and used a rear fog maybe 3 times! )

The paint you say, is this any special kind of paint? heat resistant?

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, i know i can get the red 21W ones and you are correct that the indicator bulb is infact 21W i just that i would check as the fog will be on static constant and thus i assume create more heat ( forgetting the fact that i have been driving for many years and used a rear fog maybe 3 times! )

The paint you say, is this any special kind of paint? heat resistant?

As you say, rear fogs aren't an everyday need so I guessed on this occasion appearance prevailed over longevity.

I've only ever dusted indicator bulbs which obviously don't really get the chance to heat up for which I used a regular aerosol of ford moondust silver I've had knocking about for years. It may bubble and flake with the heat of a fog so you could perhaps use a silver VHT exhaust paint.

As you say, rear fogs aren't an everyday need so I guessed on this occasion appearance prevailed over longevity.

I've only ever dusted indicator bulbs which obviously don't really get the chance to heat up for which I used a regular aerosol of ford moondust silver I've had knocking about for years. It may bubble and flake with the heat of a fog so you could perhaps use a silver VHT exhaust paint.


Thanks for the help, will have a google for some silver paint, i like the lights but don't fancy having a red bulb on display :)

As i said above , i spoke to the garage i get my mot done yesterday and they said as long as its red and bright it will pass, he said your original light had the fog in the same place anyway so thats not the issue, it just needs to be bright red

Well i found this......

Halfords | Halfords Very High Temperature Aluminium Paint 300ml (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_17 4093_langId_-1_categoryId_165495)


Hopefully the red will still shine through ok :confused:

Might be something here which helps?

Bulbs for these clear rear lights - totalMINI Forums (http://www.totalmini.com/forum/96-2001-2006-1st-generation/28059-bulbs-these-clear-rear-lights.html)

Where can I get Silvatec Bulb for Clear Rear Brakes? - totalMINI Forums (http://www.totalmini.com/forum/30-exterior/27556-where-can-i-get-silvatec-bulb-clear-rear-brakes.html)

Thank you mab01uk,

I will have a look at those links. I have been told I can alter the wiring in my car to make my bumper the fog and the tail the reverse, do you know if this is hard to do?

Wiring is shown in this link or there is a retrofit kit:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/exterior/77012-changed-my-2003-mini-cooper-s-rear-lights-2005-lights.html#post1200693

Hi,

Mab01uk that link is just what I need!! I really didn't want to start spraying bulbs! I will just change the wiring and that way I can keep the clear bulbs now! Superb and all safe and legal!!!

Big thank you

Each to their own but I think you are mad!

Each to their own but I think you are mad!


Why? It was really easy to do ( knowing what wires to cut ) only took me 35 min from start to finish.

Here it is......

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/4388/photo4ohb.jpg


The high level brake light is going clear with red LED's it just hasn't arrived yet.

I know this won't be everyones cup of tea but we like it :)

Harvey, the rear lights look really good! :cool:

Seen these on quite a few Mini's at shows and as you say available from Mike at NewMiniStuff:
NewMINIStuff.com (http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop.php?action=productshow&id=813)

Thanks mab01uk , I also owe a thanks to mike at newministuff since the link you provided its thanks to mike on what wires to cut and use.

I know 100% I would not have been able to do even half of what's been done on our mini if it wasn't for this forum!

Really appreciate all the help and advice.