[billiard]

From my dealer (so take that however you want), the rear fog lamps are only available as a factory installed option starting with the December 2004 builds. Earlier than that, and you can either delay your build date to December, or have the dealer install the rear fog lamps. I'm hesitant to delay the build date, as the dealer allocation for November looks good, but December is anybody's guess. Unfortunately, the fog lamps installed by the dealer go for much more than the $100 that MINI wants for them as a factory installed option. Since I don't want to delay my build date, I'll likely be forgoing the rear fogs. I never really understood their purpose (how often do I drive in the fog backwards?), but did like the idea of the switch rack being all nicely filled out. Anybody discovered any great uses for the rear fogs, other than as extra back up lights? Flashing them at rude drivers behind you with their brights on, maybe?

I've seen a post regarding using the rear fogs as extra brake lights. Any potential of using them as extra back up lights? Are the bulbs already in place? Would the extra load (2 bulbs in series) potentially cause a blown fuse (either using them as extra back up lights or as extra brake lights)?

[NEMINI]

I just wanna know when the retrofit kit is gonna be available

[ABG]

Not sure I understand the question - and don't want to continue the myth about "foggy old England" - but fog lights (at least in the UK) have a much higher intensity, so in dense fog cars behind can see you.

I find in dense fog ordinary tail lights are almost useless and without them I'd be worried as hell that some moron would come charging into the back of the car.

Maybe it's a weather condition that just doesn't exist in N. America?

[Dark Silver S]

BTW, the rear fog lights are red, so using them as reversing lights wouldn't do much. I've been using them as additional brake lights for quite a while now, and I've yet to blow a fuse. Yes, it gets foggy in the US, and yes, I use the front fogs in inclement weather, but I brake lots more than I use the fogs.

[billiard]

No, here in the Pacific Northwest, we do have fog (boy, do we have fog), but generally its considered bad form to have your fog lights on facing traffic. Not that that stops people, mind you - usually those in very large pick up trucks (yes, I have one of those too, but I try to be considerate). But your explanation of rear visibility in fog sounds quite reasonable, and the MINI sits so low, there is little chance of the fogs impairing a facing driver's vision. SO - what about wiring up the rear fogs to work in conjunction with the front fogs? This could be complicated, as turning on your brights turns off the fogs - I can see, taking the visibility argument, that you may want to use brights as you crest a hill (coming out of a foggy draw or low lying area), but you woudn't want your rear fogs to go out and reduce visibility to the driver coming up from behind. So back where I started, I guess.

[NEMINI]

It does ABG but far rarer and only in certain areas. Problem on this side of the pond is rear fogs are a relatively new thing only found on a limited number of imports which means the average american doesn't know about them or understand them when they are in use. That was one of BMW's excuses for not providing it to begin with, however everything must start somewhere.

[billiard]

Now I get it - thanks Dark Silver S for clarifying. I didn't understand that the rear fogs are RED! And thanks ABG as well. Maybe I can use them as supplemental rear tail lights? After all, visibility to those behind you is visibility. I don't know if I'd be tempting fate (and electrical gremlins) by having them on all the time, at least while driving at night, however.

[miniyup]

Quote: Originally Posted by billiard

Maybe I can use them as supplemental rear tail lights? After all, visibility to those behind you is visibility.

Your idea is EXACTLY why BMW was so reluctant to go along with this idea from the beginning. As stated above, many (most ?) US drivers do not see dense fog very often and don't know how to use these lights. The RR fogs are the same brightness as the rear brake lights, except they are on a switch by themselves. If you drove around with them on like taillights, it would look like you were riding the brakes with your left foot. As I understand in from our European brothers/sisters, they are intended to ONLY be used when the visibility is very poor and your car is in danger of being overrun by someone coming up behind you too fast.

I have thought about this, and for me, here in Chicago, I am best off using the RR fogs as supplemental brake lights using (as I have done) the well-documented (on this site) jumper trick in the taillight assembly. I would like to have the blank spot on the dash filled with a toggle, but realistically I think the extra brake light on a small car like the MINI is a much better use of this extra light given the weather conditions I most often drive in. For those in Europe or the Pacific NW or some other foggy areas of the US, the RR fogs are no doubt very useful.

[vegasmini]

Now that just stinks.

Oh well, someday I shall have rear fog lights.

[Dark Silver S]

Besides, with a Mini, no one will be overtaking you!

[Paul]

Quote:

Earlier than that, and you can either delay your build date to December, or have the dealer install the rear fog lamps.

This has been the (planned) situation for several months now I believe.

[stephenfroude]

Quote: Originally Posted by miniyup

As I understand in from our European brothers/sisters, they are intended to ONLY be used when the visibility is very poor and your car is in danger of being overrun by someone coming up behind you too fast.

Quite right, it's actually illegal to drive with your fog lights on in the UK if it's not foggy. The police pull people up for it.

[Sejanus]

Quote: Originally Posted by billiard

Unfortunately, the fog lamps installed by the dealer go for much more than the $100 that MINI wants for them as a factory installed option

Depending on the dealer having them installed isn't all that much more than $100. I think in my case it was about $140. It was well worth the price for me given the thick fog we get in Sacramento and the Central Valley. Obviously it's a matter of personal preference, but I'd rather pay a bit extra (it is out of a $20K car price after all) than either wait or mess around trying to figure out various ad hoc fixes.

[Sejanus]

Quote: Originally Posted by stephenfroude

Quite right, it's actually illegal to drive with your fog lights on in the UK if it's not foggy. The police pull people up for it.

In the States MINIUSA has half jokingly been advertising rear fogs as "follow me home" lights. The idea being if you are convoying home with friends at night you turn on the rear fogs and your MINI will be easy to pick out amongst other cars in the dark. I'm not entirely sure that's legal here either, though undoubtedly it varies from state to state.

[MiniG]

So....
If I have my 2002 MCS, can I get the fog lights activated? For $100 or $140 what is being done?
Would they be installing a new switch at the dealer, or hooking it to the front fog switch?
I even have the full switch panel from Europe...
Thanks!
Guy

[Sejanus]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniG

So....
Would they be installing a new switch at the dealer, or hooking it to the front fog switch?

I'm not sure I follow the difference. In my case they removed the old toggle panel and put in a new one with the new rear fog switch where the blank space used to be. If you already have such a panel, I'm guessing they'd be willing to install it for you.