Get ready for some drama… what we see above appears to be the standard US-spec bumper for the 2005 MINI Cooper. Notice in place of the center mounted rear foglight US MINIs come standard with a piece of lovely black plastic. You can compare it to this photo I recently took in Oxford of a regular LHD spec Cabrio.
This looks similar to the “solution” BMW came up with for the new 5 series' rear bumper. Let's hope that we still have the ability to order the rear foglight and effectively opt out of the black plastic.
<p>Ya thats kind of… awful. either go with a solid chrome strip all the way accross or have a light standard. thats just one of those detail things that MINI has usually been great about. this sort of Plastic PLug solution is really a non-inspired hack. either come up wtih a better idea or stick the fog in standard (yet another safety feature beagging opportunity as well).</p>
<p>The Pictured car is a CAB…………R</p>
<p>Oh great, here we go again with MINI's inconsistent product offerings for the U.S. market. First we get a rear power plug, then they take it out, then we get back, no rear fogs, then rear fogs, now no light in bumper but a plastic insert?, etc. Sure glad I got my rear fogs when I did. The new rear bumper placement is also really uninspired design.</p>
<p>This doesn't mean they are going to stop offering rear foglights. In fact I would be really surprised if they do.</p>
<p>Rear fogs in the US are options, perhaps if you order a car without the rear fog option you get the plastic cover as shown in the pic.</p>
<p>Yes – I believe that is the assumption.</p>
<p>This looks like a money-saving move for MINI. Why have a separate white reverse light when it can be incorporated into the taillights. Then, the only people who get the red center rear fog will be those who pay for it.</p>
<p>that is terrible. i am sure it costs them next to nothing to have the light there. i am sure there are bean counters sitting in their big leather chairs trying to shave a few pences.</p>
<p>Yes, hes right that is a cabrio, the green cooper photo. notice the tailgate hinges. </p>
<p>but are you sure that this is the 2005 spec bumper accross the MINI line?</p>
<p>Patrick</p>
<p>The 2005 Cooper and Cooper Cabrio will have the same front and rear facia. The MCS should eventually get the same lights but not the same facia.</p>
<p>I almost wonder if it'd be a better idea to just plug up that area with the same red reflective material used for the US-mandated “marker light” strips on the rear fenders. </p>
<p>I mean I'm ordering the rear fogs (or rear fog) anyway. Even so, at first glance, I don't think it looks all that terrible. I'm sure the aftermarket will find plenty of ways to fill that space. :D</p>
<p>Well, at minimum, some sort of trailer hitch device or bike-rack mount may be able to occupy the space… Still peeved about no rear-fogs, tho. </p>
<p>Glad my 2004 MCS ordering and delivery is a done deal :-)</p>
<p>Keep in mind that MINI hasn't said they aren't offering rear foglights for 2005. I'm sure they've learned their lesson on that issue and will continue to make them available. What this car shows is how a 2005 MINI Cooper will look without rear foglights.</p>
<p>It'd be fun to see the brake light mod with the new rear fog light. :-)</p>
<p>Logically, running a wire down into the bumper for the reversing light is bad design. Much better to incorporate it with the other lights and their harness.
Once you have done that there is a definite cost impact to run the wires down for an OPTIONAL rear fog, so I imagine that is why the non rear fog equipped car comes with a blanking plate (and no wiring).</p>
<p>This is good engineering design – provided of course that you <em>can</em> still spec your car with rear fogs.</p>
<p>I heard you will be able to get the black plug with a <a href="http://store.logomats4less.com/yosambof12mu.html">Yosemite Sam</a> picture..</p>
<p>James… Sounds like you hit the nail on the head… It sounds like a way to make up for the fact that all the US spec cars were shipped out with the extra (useless) bulb…</p>
<p>Steve… I wonder if they will offer the Naked Mudflap Lady design also?</p>
<p>I believe I'd fit that empty spot with a reverse light just to fill the spot up. I wouldn't be able to stand seing that in my rear bumper. As far as rear fogs are concerned I would rather not have them. Then I'd never have to worry about them being on.</p>
<p>Anyone know how complicated it would be to install the rear fog yourself? I am ordering a 2005 (waiting day by day). It is only available as dealer-intalled, so there is a big labor cost.</p>
<p>I have a 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible and the rear fog lamp is not standard, so don’t be fooled, you need to order it yourself. <a href="http://www.miniusa.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.miniusa.com</a> , you can build your own mini here.</p>