US cars can have the rear foglights enabled by replacing the light switch with the Euro version. These are the same lamps already installed as adaptive brake lights. While the rear fogs are switched on, the adaptive brake light function is disabled.

Parts required- 61 31 6 932 796 ...

BMW shouldn't mind that we are ordering so many. More than likely it will just throw up a flag to produce more switches, regardless of which market their going to. But you never know for sure with BMW, only time will tell.

For when you're backing up in fog.

doesnt get too foggy around here...

Really? The worst fog I've ever encountered in my 34 years of driving was on Hwy 237 between Sunnyvale and Milpitas. I was halfway through an intersection before I saw the traffic light (was green).

The part number quoted in post #1 is for vehicles with foglights, rain sensor and xenon lights. So If I do not have xenon lights, should I order part #61316932792 instead?

This is important since I just placed order with my dealer last Saturday!

Just completed ... used a very flat head screw driver to pry the trim, super easy and didn't mark anything up. I did use a rag between the screw driver and the dash material though.

Hardest part on mine was getting the new switch's clips to seat back into the trim. Had to push harder than I at first was comfortable.

I did notice the new switch doesn't feel as high a quality as the original. Doesn't turn as soft, and the fog switches have more of a postive click. The original is soft touch, with no click. Does appear to stick out of the trim further than the original, but I didn't bother swapping it back out to compare.

Total time with being extra super anal careful: 10min.

Coolest feature that I previously didn't know about (because I don't read manuals) is that if you keep your headlights on Auto, you can press the fog button and the fogs will turn on along with the headlights ... I can press the rear fog and the headlights plus front and rear fogs come on. Makes perfect sense but I didn't know.

Ive been looking for these for a long time now....

Who sells them!?!

Thanks!

Hunter

Try JD (aka Mixx2000) at Crown BMW (http://parts.crownauto.com)

Got mine for about $60 shipped.

crown seems to be the place to go... simply because JD was so attentive to us....

My part arrived today...Thanks JD. Installed and tested. Thanks for the DIY!!!!

This mod great! I may just have to do this.

I just installed this switch and used my costco card to start the prying process on the vent trim side near the column. However, the vent trim side near the door was very tight and I never got the piece completely removed. I was just able to just get it far enough to get the switch trim off.

Did you guys just pull straight out on the door side of the trim or was it slightly hinged? Luckily, I was able to replace the switch and slip the trim under the vent trim.

Also, I am able to switch on my rear fog lights totally independently from whether or not the front fogs are on. Is this normal?

Shouldn't be but yes. The purpose of front fog lights is they are positioned low to the roadway and thus under the mist and can illuminate the road better than having to blast light through the mist, most of which gets reflected back into your face. If you are in fog that necessitates the rear fogs you would probably find the front foglights are needed as well. However, front fogs are still good for mists that don't qualify for the proper use of the rear ones.

Got mine yesterday. Can't wait until BMWNA decides to charge $200 for this as a factory option, after realizing the demand. Oddly, they do offer a rear fog option on MINI in the US.

mini owners actually had a partition/campaign going on to add a rear fog. surprisingly mini actually responded and started offering it as an option.

[OT] Yes, I know who started the MINI rear fog light petition. He just put his MINI up for sale last week coincidentally. He installed rear fogs as a mod before they were available from the factory (for US market).

Back on topic. Did the light switch install last night, took 10 minutes start to finish. Works 100%.

Thanks JD! You have a great price and very quick response and delivery.

Got mine done on the way back from lunch going to work!
I of course only did it at stoplights but I couldn't wait until after work

I picked up this a while back so it was a breeze
http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/pr...I=414/_cid=284

You MUST be in California. The lights there are so long you might as well park the car and kill the engine waiting for them.

I just got mine installed. Thanks JD from crown auto. Great service and it shipped within 7 days to an APO address.

Woke up on this cloudy Friday morning and thought, "I could install this thing before I go to work". Took a shower, moisturized (wife says my skin's dry) and picked up a butter knife and a flat head screwdriver. Figured that's all I need, having read everyone's tools of choice.

And I did it.


Here's some useful and unuseful tips I've learned from this mod:

1. Don't grease up and moisturize thinking you'll be able to use your fingers to grip interior trim parts
2. Ventilator trim piece: Start from the right and detach. Pry left side off with the flathead...carefully
3. Removing the switch and trim: Start and pry from the left and detach, pull out slightly and slide whole thing left
4. Removing cable: Rotate gray lock thingy downward to release connector
5. Reassemble: the clips of the switch need to lock into the trim (say 3 times)
6. Reshower: Assembling, trying to not break anything and cursing will have you break out into a sweat.

And we're done.

Drove to work.
Wished it was foggy.
And kept glancing down at a button like it had dramatically changed my interior.

Yeah, rear fogs are da bomb.