The MINI Club of Ireland

Masterbiker wrote:We could swap?

Sorry I didn't respond back to your kind offer Michael. I read it, then everything went all fuzzy and I just woke up a couple of minutes ago...better not read your post again for a bit.

Lovely car, Adrian

Still enjoying mine (although I had a wobble over chopping it in for an M135i recently )

Hope to see it in the metal at some point this year

Wow....its beautiful. Well wear

Just spent a thoroughly enjoyable 4 hours stripping the front of the car so that I could replace a couple of cracked side/fog lights... 4 hours!!!!!!

My old R50 only took me about 15mins to strip the bumper off, but the 56 needs jacking up and then is all plastic plugs and bolts and clips, a major effort to take apart. It didn't help that the spotlights got in the way of getting the grille off as well.

Anyway all sorted and two brand new light units installed now...and they even work as well thank goodness.

Almost wish I had a shiny intercooler to snuggle under the bumper at the same time, but I will not be rushing to repeat today's fun just for that

I could have sent you a link on how to replace the foglight units "without removing the bumper"...........but sure you enjoyed yourself anyway and that's what counts

If it said to access them via the wheel arches then no chance! Tried that already but the washer bottle was in the way...

Send the link anyway so I can check it out

AdyP wrote:If it said to access them via the wheel arches then no chance! Tried that already but the washer bottle was in the way...

Send the link anyway so I can check it out

"You can fit DRLs without removing the bumper! Remove the arch liner at the front to gain access (DUH!) At the drivers side unbolt the horn = easy peasy access to front fog lamp.

At the passenger side remove the washer pump from the bottle by pulling vertically upwards. Remove the plastic rivet from the washer bottle neck in the engine bay and the two torx from the bottle body. The bottle is held in with a peg on the bottom a bit of BF&I from a largeish spanner will persuade it to release. This will give you enough room (just) to remove the fog lamp.


3) You CAN NOT remove the front foglight bulbs before removing the connector plug!!! I would like to shake the person who designed this warmly by the throat until dead

Try as you might the front foglights have a lug which prevents you rotating the bulb to release it if you leave the connector on. Just to be really arkward the connectors press to release at the bottom / wire end NOT in the conventional manner at the top / bulb end"

Hmm...not convinced about that.

When I tried before there were too many pipes running above the bottle to allow it to move up much, hence my decision to take the long way around. I wonder if this is the version without Xenons and associated washers?

Anyway, it only cost me time, a couple of skinned knuckles and a broken arch clip or two (I got spares), and it would be a piece of doo-doo next time I think.

AdyP wrote:Hmm...not convinced about that.

When I tried before there were too many pipes running above the bottle to allow it to move up much, hence my decision to take the long way around. I wonder if this is the version without Xenons and associated washers?

Anyway, it only cost me time, a couple of skinned knuckles and a broken arch clip or two (I got spares), and it would be a piece of doo-doo next time I think.

No bother. I have to admit I didn't swap out the passenger side one, just the driver's side one and after moving the horn unit out of the way it was doable just about.
I have to replace the passenger side soon so I'll let you know if it works out this way or not.

I had left hand one replaced 2 years ago. Went from under the wheel arch.
The washer bottle made the job much more difficult.

I found out that apparently if no Xenons is not too bad a job, but if you Xenons then it's a right pig of a job.

Hehe prepare yourself for the worst my man

You may lose a couple of arch trim clips in the process as well, I bought some in advance as there is nothing worse than knowing you will break one and not having a backup plan!!!!

Ah OK...Sport button. Wasn't crazy about the throttle being so hyperactive, but the fact the car pops and even bangs like a rally car occasionally has me sold. Any time I see brick walls to drive past...on it goes

I am trying to find a way to bypass it and fix it in 'on ' only configuration !!!!!!

Leading us all into temptation Ger...