[WisCooper]

Amigos,

What's involved in adding fog lights to a Cooper after it's been made? Are they dealer-installed or factory-installed? Is the car pre-wired for the lights and/or is it a painful process to add them?

I'd like the lights but they weren't included in my spec and I've only just realized it

My car's fresh off the boat and I'm wondering if I can have my dealer add the lights when it arrives here in the Midwest.

TIA...

[jmardy]

I have the same question.
Anyone?...

[boohblu]

You can purchase the OEM fog lights from your local BMW/Mini dealer. I can't find my receipt so I can't give you the part #. You will also need wiring because surprisingly, the car is not pre-wired. The set of fog lights are not very expensive, it's the switch that is outrageous because it only comes as a set, not an individual switch just for the fogs. The whole bank of swithces will be replaced. So I used a hella aftermarket toggle switch, which is hidden conspicuosly under the dash. The current setup draws power to a hella relay (DO NOT USE A CHEAP RELAY) from the side lights (the ones located on the fender). I chose the driver's side to minimize the length of wiring. I did not want to mess with the steering column and fish out a hot wire from there. My intent is to use the fogs with the lighting system, not as an independent or standalone subsystem. NOTE: The teminal #s are standard for head light relays so you will find the same terminal number I am referring to. The first thing you should do is to REMOVE THE BATTERY TERMINALS. Tap or cold solder the hot wire from one of the park lights and don't worry about the small gauge of this wire as this will power the relay. Run this tapped wire to the one of the terminals on the toggle switch, the other terminal on the switch runs to the 86 Terminal on the relay. Terminal 85 is for the ground wire. Run a HOT wire from the battery (I used a 12 gauge wire) and install an inline fuse (I used a 30 amp) between this wire from the battery to terminal 30 on the relay. Choose an accesible location for this fuse. Terminal 87 will supply the power to each of the positive (you'll have to "Y" split) terminals of the lights. Run the other wire from the fogs to a ground. Currently the switch is always on so when I turn my park lights, the fogs are also on. Since they are located low enough, they do not bother oncoming traffic, but I have the option to turn it off in the event that I get flashed.

That was the easy part. Remove the fron bumper cover, yes the whole thing. Once off, lay it on an old blanket or something to protect it; and away from your work area as you may accidentally kick or trip and fall over it. There are 2 main bolts (I recall they are the torx type - the car is not here tonight so I can't go and look) exposed just under the headlight, a set of phillips screws towards the fender and 3 or 4 I don't remember because it's been a while) that fastens the bumper underneath. Once the cover is removed, you'll have to twist off - again I forgot if there are screws that hold the fake round plastic grill n the opening where the fogs are to be mounted. The fogs are to be installed on its respective side because of the orientation of the lens. If done properly, the lens should be flush against the holes on the bumper. The set also comes complete with hardware so it's worth the money I paid for them. Care must be exercised when mounting these babies, do not muscle them as it will appear to not fit. Some twisting and turning is required because the ABS plastic mounting holes may have imperfections that may get in the way of the installation.

Make sure it's wired properly and don't worry about aiming them at this point. You will be able to do this after the bumper is intalled. CHECK AND RECHECK YOUR WIRING AS THIS MAY TURN OUT TO BE A VERY EXPESIVE INSTALLATION. Then test by switching the light on. Once satisfied, reinstall the bumper cover. Once the cover is on, admire your work then wait for darkness. Adjust the lights to your desired angle. To be able to see light emitted from the fogs, do not turn on the headlights. As for me I went to my dealer and had them adjust the fogs for me. It' my teenage daughter's car so I want it done correctly. If you have to adjust it yourself the adjusting screw can be accessed through a hole just underneath the headlights.

WARNING: Depending on the your relationship with your dealer, such an installation may VOID electrical system warranty. Use plastic ties and hide your wiring for a professional looking installation. FYI, the dealer estimtaes the installation in the 3 to 4 hour range but these cars are SO new that their technicians are probably on the same boat as you and me - little ot zero experience. I have first hand experience in observing a technician wrestle with wiring the optional driving lights. The poor owner left his car over the Memorial Day weekend because the technician was unsucessful.

BTW, this is a method I used but some other boarder may have their own. It is one of my contributions to this board and I am open to criticism - the CONSTRUCTIVE kind. It's operational and live, not a figment of anybody's imagination.

Hope this helps.

[jmardy]

Quote:

Originally posted by boohblu

Hope this helps.

It helps me to realize that I don't want to do it.
Excellent write up though.
I can't believe you can't just buy the fog switch and add it to the bank.
Thanks!