[Badtz]

i take it that you can order clear brake/rear lights from the dealer in the uk?

I know they wouldn't allow this in the USA because of road regulations [no clear brake lights, etc.]....

has anyone tried ordering this via bmw/mini of the UK & have them shipped over?

or are all these aftermarket?

anybody make clear rear lenses with a red brake lense?

i dislike the orange. all tail lights should be clear/red colored only

[Badtz]

?

[erazo]

The dealer-accessory brochure my dealer gave me clearly shows the white taillamps ($290) with the Aero Kit. The California vehicle code requires red taillamps but makes no mention of the color of the lenses. Thus in CA, the clear lenses would comply, so long as the lamps are red when illuminated.

I found the Aero Kit to be hideous (though my son-in-law thinks it's cool), but am seriously considering the white lenses.

[BruceK]

I don't want to sound too much like a grump, but these white lenses (let's face it, they are not even close to 'clear') look really cheap and trashy to me.

Have you looked closely at the stock taillights on a MINI? They are jewel-like, very three dimensional looking and protected under an actual clear plastic lens. IMO it would be a shame to get rid of one of the best features of the rear of the car just to be trendy.

[Badtz]

actually......... reason i'm asking is because, in CA. those would NOT comply........

you need some type of red reflectors on the tail lights, something that's visible from 50 ft. away w/out being lit up.

i really hope someone makes the same stock looking tail lights that are clear with just red where the brake light illuminates........ [one was made for the beetle, very subtle, but nice!]

[dietcokeplease]

Quote:

Originally posted by Badtz
actually......... reason i'm asking is because, in CA. those would NOT comply........

you need some type of red reflectors on the tail lights, something that's visible from 50 ft. away w/out being lit up.

In the UK the lenses come with a set of separate red rear reflectors - theoretically. The reflectors are required to make the car road legal but some people dont fit them......and you know who you are?!

DC

[macncheese]

Quote:

Originally posted by Badtz
actually......... reason i'm asking is because, in CA. those would NOT comply........

you need some type of red reflectors on the tail lights, something that's visible from 50 ft. away w/out being lit up.

i really hope someone makes the same stock looking tail lights that are clear with just red where the brake light illuminates........ [one was made for the beetle, very subtle, but nice!]

Im sure you need a red reflector but does it need to be on the taillight? A red reflective license plate frame might be the trick.

--
Cheese

[rich]

In Aus, and other countries I believe, if you go clear-rear you need to fit red reflectors onto the rear bumper (fender) to be legally compliant

Smewhat spoils the monochrome effect, but still a good look IMO

[Minty]

Quote:

Originally posted by rich
In Aus, and other countries I believe, if you go clear-rear you need to fit red reflectors onto the rear bumper (fender) to be legally compliant

But you only need them at MOT Test time.

[monsta]

If you colour code the plastic housing for the reflector they look quite good

[alexcroft]

Monsta,

please post some pics of this.

Thanking you.

Alex.

[alexcroft]

Sorry Monsta,

I need to take a trip to the opticians....

Sweet job mate,

Alex.

[dietcokeplease]

The colour-coded reflectors on that red Cooper looks quite nice. I think it's the way they're lined up with the boot lines rather than being placed outboard underneath each of the rear lights.

DC

[jamiesim]

Bit confused as i went to one local dealer and he told me that the only way they would fit the clear rear lenses was if they fitted the reflectors due to MOT regulations. Went to another local dealer today and they had no problem doing it!!!! Their demo car has the clear rear lenses and no reflectors...

The dealer in a conversation said that come MOT time, pop down to halfords for a small red reflector and stick it on the back - you only need a red reflection, doesn't say how many!!!!

[spanky2k]

That's what I'm planning on doing. Getting the clear rear lights, fitting them myself, if I get stopped by the coppers (for some bizarre reason) I'll say I've ordered them and they are coming or just claim ignorance. Come MOT day I'll just stick on some Halfords doodars. Sorted.

Those red reflectors look ok on red cars but as far as black (mine) cars go, they stand out a mile.

[monsta]

The standard housing for the reflectors is black, so I reckon it might look quite smart on your car spanky. (see below)

Even so, I don't have them on my car either didn't fancy getting holes cut in the bumper..

[Badtz]

i'm almost sure that that wouldn't pass here in the States.

I was wondering:::

how could I order that upper clear brake light? is that an accessory in europe for the mini? I'm positive they won't offer it here........ @ teh dealer @ least.

Any word on where I could get this? maybe via online? or via a dealer that can ship it to me in the US?

thanks!

the tail lights i like, but i think i'm just gonna wait until someone makes a red/clear hybrid one.

[monsta]

It is a complete set, you could buy the whole lot and only use the high level brake light. Bit of a waste of money really, they're £175 or something

[Badtz]

yikes! that's a lot!!!

hopefully some dealer [3rd party or 1st] will sell just the top clear light.........

thanks!

btw: that's expensive ;-)

[dietcokeplease]

Quote:

Originally posted by monsta
It is a complete set, you could buy the whole lot and only use the high level brake light. Bit of a waste of money really, they're £175 or something

Or you could just use the brake light and sell the other two lamps to some desperate, gullible MINI2ers!