[Fallschirmjeager]

.....so apparently we never get any rain in Seattle or fog in San Francisco. If anyone gets down and dirty with the US-spec MINI's could you tell us if the rear clusters are capable of accepting rear fog lights?

I'm guessing that Euro-spec MINI's have the rear fogs as standard, anyone care to hazard a guess if a new faceplate is needed since the US ones have that nice blank spot right in the center?

(sheesh, I had fogs on my last VW, and Audi, why is BMW being such cheapskates, Grrrrrrr)

[BruceK]

Yes, I wish the rear fog lamp feature made it to the US. I've been considering how to add my own.

I think fitting the extra toggle switch on the panel may be the simplest part about fitting rear fog lamps. (That is, other than not having the little rear fog icon, I think US switch panel will work fine).

The tough part, I guessing, would be dealing with the wiring of the lamp(s). I'd have no trouble adding a fog lamp to a 'normal' car, but since the MINI has complex multiplexed electrical system, I'm (initially) stumped at where to start.

[noahe]

Canada does not get them either. They are also a legal greay area... The are not accepted in the Highway Traffic Act, and bright red lamps would be defined as brake lights. But they are not actually prohibited either...

From speaking with some people that have them on their euro cars over the years, if you use them, people, and cops will not understand. You might not get a ticket, but you will get pulled over.

Installing an extra toggle switch should be as easy as popping out the little blanking plug. I've been trying to think how to add a white graphic that would match the surrounding markings. A sticker just won't look any good.

Also, has anyone bought an extra toggle switch? Which ones are the most useful, which ones are the cheapest.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe
...Also, has anyone bought an extra toggle switch? Which ones are the most useful, which ones are the cheapest.

Surely you'd want a genuine MINI toggle switch to match the others, not one from WalMart.

[Fallschirmjeager]

I'm hoping that perhaps the Euro-spec faceplate might become available, either through the aftermarket or someone might come up with the part number that could be odered through the MINI parts department.

I'd also hazard a guess that the wiring harness is likely to be the same worldwide, for economy of scale. For all we know all we'd do is just have to purchase either the rear fog bulb and socket. Or, possibly get a rear cluster from the aftermarket just as the guys who are going for clear rear clusters are doing. Heyyy,,,,, hmmmm. If they're going to clear clusters, then there should be some old Euro-spec clusters around afterwards, right??

[noahe]

Yeah, I want an OEM MINI toggle switch, but surely they are different. I.E. the window switch is different from the fog light switch.

[lightbody]

I think everyone who is worrying about having a blank switch in their MINI, is COMPLETELY missing the point of the entire car!

Get in, put your foot down hard, find a twisty road and have some fun! (Toggles not required)

[gazzaman28]

The fog light toggles on Euro-spec MINIs have got cool LEDs on the tips of them, but I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to fit one and get it wired up.

Having said that, fog lights are IMO a pain in the arse, as some idiots just seem to have them switched on all the time, and give me blank looks when I flash my lights at them in annoyance!

[CSDan]

I spoke to a mechanic whose gone through the Mini training for Westchester Mini and he says that the toggle switches are not individual. They are one stripe and are all attached, so if you wanna fill in the blank, you need to order the whole strip for the UK spec cars. wont be so bad, I am buying it so I can have a fun car to drive

Daniel

[noahe]

I agree, you don't need the toggles. But, if they're reasonable, I'd get one, and hook it up to an accessory. Haven't figured out what.

If it turns out that they are just a whole strip, and you can't get one (and no one else makes an aftermarket one that looks the same) I'll just leave it be.

I can't be driving the thing all the time, and I rather enjoy tinkering with cars. I just wish they'd left everything be, and given us the rear fogs. I'd never switch them on, except when someone asked what they were. Other strictly euro options made it though intact. The MINI I sat in, had parking lamps. The kind you activate with the turn signal stalk, when the car is parked. Those aren't used here.