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Let there be LEDs! This comes straight from MINI's most recent PR release regarding the new MINI Cabrio. I would assume we'll see these changes on the new 2005 Cooper as well since it mirrors the design changes found on the Cabrio):
“The white back-up light is integrated into the newly designed LED rear lights with clear glass covers, the rear fog warning light comes in a new position within the bumper between the two chrome trim strips.”
Interestingly this is the first time we've seen LED rear lighting mentioned anywhere for the 2005 MINI. However it would make sense as BMW seems to be moving all of it's cars to LEDs in recent years. They should last much longer and give a brighter, more consistent light.
<p>I still like the look of the current model, but LEDs are pretty cool. they make a big difference in brightness.</p>
<p>Now this is good news… Now, if they just made a retro-fit kit for the old style, i'd be one happy motorer…</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>LED also lights up split seconds faster than conventional light bulbs, giving you the extra safety margins (ie. break lights and rear-ender).</p>
<p>Kazu.</p>
<p>Another good thing about the sperior brightness of LED's is the fact that they can shine through all the dirt that easily gets caked on the MINI's stubby arse.</p>
<p>As a soon-to-be buyer of an 04 or 05 MCS, this news will push me to buy an 04. Yes, the LEDs are brighter and they last longer. But incandescent has an old-school mojo more in line with the car's heritage. Plus, the rear fogs in the middle of the bumper? Phleeze! The only way I've used these in the past is to ward off tailgaters, and for that application, within the tail light pod works best.</p>
<p>I'm about to place my order for a 2004 MCS and I was wondering if I was the only person who will (or does) use the rear fog lamps to signal tailgaters to back off. Glad to hear to I'm not alone and that it works.</p>
<p>might not be good idea to use your fog to ward off tailgaters because for one he might be blinded by your intense light and actually rear end you and two it might be illegal in some states to use it otherwise (not in foggy condition). i would just move over and let him pass. who knows what the tailgater's state of mind at that moment. it is not worth losing your precious life.</p>
<p>Better yet, use them as extra break lites…</p>
<p>too bad that mod will be a think of the past with these new light units.</p>
<p>LEDs are cool, but couldn't they have designed a light that didn't look like everyone else's? I was sitting behind a new Honda Civic today and the tailight is identical and then both a Nissan Altima or Maxima passed and I was struck again by how similar those were to the 2005 Mini's.</p>
<p>I think there's a big misconception as to how bright the current rear fog lights are. The bulbs light at near if not the same intensity as the brake lights. So, you're as likely to “blind” a driver behind you at a stop light as someone tailgating you at the same distance but a higher speed.</p>
<p>On my 2002 the rear fogs were the exact same wattage as the brake lights.</p>
<p>On my 2002, there's a marked difference between the brightness of the two bulbs. With them wired up as break lights, you can see the red reflection in street signs behind you, or on buildings, etc… But I doubt it's enough to 'blind' someone. I think that started out as more or less a joke…</p>
<p>They're slightly brighter but I think it's due to the way the housing is designed and not the bulb.</p>
<p>LED lights have many advantages, they last longer, are brighter and illuminate faster. </p>
<p>HOWEVER, if one LED (or a few) burn out, get ready for replacement 🙁 Unless your an ace solderer, you usually have to replace the entire assembly. Just an example, the center brake-light LED assembly on a 2002 Vette (1 burnt out LED out of about 10 total) was $32!!!</p>
<p>True enough as far as cosmetics go but the good thing about LED's is that one or a few can go out and not affect the safety aspects of the light much if at all.</p>
<p>Regarding the brake mod: perhaps by going to a LED-brake array, the MINI will get some sort of adaptive braking system similar to that on the new 3-series. Certain amount of LEDs would light up under normal braking, while additional LEDS (perhaps an additional ring or 2 of LEDs in the MINI configuration) would light up under hard braking – resulting in a brighter brake effect.</p>
<p>Regarding the current fog light brightness: If you look carefully at the fog light bulb and compare to the brake light bulb, the brake light bulb consists of 2 filaments, the smaller one which lights as the marker, and the larger one when the brake is activated. The fog light bulb has only one filament, the large one, the same as the brake filament. Thus the fog bulb burns brightly like the brake bulb when the brake is applied.</p>
<p>Question: will the new center-mount fog lamp also be LED?</p>
<p>on my 2004 mcs, i had the clear tailamps installed, and then i replaced them with the rally style lights with the white ball in the center replacing the orange one, yes i do have the rear fogs, and they are great, awesome for pissing off tailgaters</p>
<p>I have a new 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible which has no LED’s in the rear except mabye (and I mean mabye) the reverse light.</p>
<p>The rear lamp on the new 2005 mini cooper is not LED. (answering to pete’s question)</p>
<p>As mentioned elsewhere on MF, MINI dropped the LED lighting before the 2005 model was introduced.</p>
<p>Hey pete,
did u get ure white rear tail lights on the newest models like the convertible and the hardtop or did u get it on the old model.</p>
<p>O and does anybody now why they dropped the LED rear lights?</p>
I have an 05 cooperS w/the Led Rear Fog light and its awsome and super bright 🙂
makes me want bad weather sometimes just to use it