anyone replace the wheel arch reflectors?
i was wondering can us people in the USA get plastic wheel arches without these reflectors?
i want to have my arches painted, i think it would look much better without them!

 

Here in Holland you don't get that reflectors on your Mini,

Try to contact a dealership in Holland maybe they can help you

This is the Mini Holland homepage http://www.mini.nl

greetzzz MiniHolland

 

Many people have lready ave their wheel arched painted in the US. I don't think you need special wheel arches or anything. Just go to a body shop and they should be able to take care of you.

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<IMG SRC="https://www.northamericanmotoring.co....jpg">

 

I know that a lot of folks don't care about this, but for the (possible) record, I think that the wheel arch reflectors are on USA-spec MINIs as a matter of DOT compliance. Something about the size of the car and the need for front/rear side reflectors. Again, I'm not sure about this, but it is something I either read on MCO or another MINI site. You might want to check this out before removing them. Now, would your average state inspection station KNOW that you're supposed to have them if you showed up with them removed? Not likely...but it would pay to know that you're breaking the law before you go ahead and do it.

For what it's worth...

 

BINGO Jsun!

R

 

hmmmm, Holland, huh? That's tempting.

As an FYI, I picked up this part (MINI calls it a spoiler) yesterday from the dealership to replace the one my neighbor scratched while pulling out from behind me. The part only cost $8 (without the reflector).

 

Remember also these are actually LIGHTS, not just reflectors.
US requires night running lights to be visible on the sides - many cars do this by "wrapping" the front lights around the edge of the car, but not MINI.

I will be having the wheel arches sanded & painted when my MCS comes in; no problems - MINI Peabody have done a number of them already.

 

ok...here's a new question..
can you get white running lights for the wheel arches?
i think i'm gonna try and go all white lights!
thanks!

 

I think that *I* would be interested in smoked lenses for the side marker lights. Especially against the stock black wheel arches, they'd be practically unnoticable.

 

nfo: the reflectors are colored (either red or orange) but the bulb is clear...you'd have to replace the reflector with a clear version.

I like my approach better. I used Stone Guard material that was tinted (just like the MINI-Madness rear taillight pieces). Applied to the wheel arch light and trimed to fit. Blends right in when off, but the light comes thru when on. Fantastic result!!

I'd imagine using the spray on tint would be very effective for this as well.

R

 

Davbret,

Where did you get the extra tinted stoneguard for that project?

Albert

 

I was graceously given a some material by George of MINI-Madness that I used. Otherwise I'd contact a local retailer to see what it woudl cost for some scrap pieces.

R

 

I think I will be spraying my reflectors this weekend with soem bumper black paint by plasticote. I have used it in the past with good results. i will take some pics when i am done.

 

I researched this when I was getting rid of my side marker lights on my VW Jetta.

DOT regulations state that cars imported to the US must have these lights, to indicate the length of the car in the dark. New cars, regardless of the state in which they are sold, are required to have them.

On the other hand, state inspection regulations vary; New Jersey, for instance, will check for these lights and their proper operation during a state inspection. Texas, where I live, only requires the lights for trucks and trailers, so they can be removed or deactivated without penalty on a passenger car.

When I finally buy my Mini, I plan to replace my wheel arches with the European one, because I think the reflectors are ugly. Check the inspection requirements for your state before doing this, and you should be okay!

br
ad

 

North Carolina has them as part of the inspection. Now whether your particular inspection station checks them is another matter.

 

Think hard about this in the event you ever want or need to sell your car. There are relatively few states that choose to ignore DOT regulations, so removing the lights permanently (painting, etc.) could cause problems.

 

I recall seeing somewhere over on MINI2 where some people over in Europe actually want the arches with the lights. Maybe you could work out a swap with someone over there. You could each go to your perspective MINI dealer's parts dept, order the parts, and ship em across the pond.

I'm not recomending you go "archless", besides, like Jsun said.. you may want to keep the old ones in case you decide to sell your car.So, If they bought a "euro" set, and you bought a "US" set and you each mailed them, done deal and no need to send money or anything! I dunno.. just an idea.

 

I used the spray tint. Don't even think of trying to remove them, just tape them off. Hides'em but the lights shine through!

 

Side marker lights are mandatory on all cars sold in the US and Canada since 1968. This is a DOT regulation. Before removing, disabling or painting over the side marker lights in the wheel arches, find out if this is going to cause you any problems later on specially when selling the car to a second owner.

Mexican MINI's are essentially Euro spec as they do not have the side marker lights in the wheel arches. Mexico does not require side marker lights as its North American counterparts (US/Canada) do.

 

i've decided to tint mine.

 

Smoked wheel arch reflectors:

I have white LED bulbs that look stupendous (if I do say so myself) at night.

 

This thread is 3 years old, they have probably figured this out by now!

BTW: That PS goes good with the clear lenses. And I love the Beatles sticker!
-Cody

 

Haha. Funny but now I am looking for a set of WHITE wheel arch reflectors and can't seem to find any. I used to see them on eBay regularly but now I only see smoke ones......and as of right now I don't see any at all!

I only realized the thread was 3 years old after I posted. Ha!

 

I may have a set of clear ones for sale soon if you are interested. Gonna smoke my OEM ones. Paid like $50 for them (yeah I know, CRAZY).

 

Why dont you just tint them? I bought some from Outmotoring for less than $20, its the film kind, goes on very easily. The blend in pretty nicely with the rest of the wheel arch.

You can see enough light to make it legal but theyre relatively blacked out.

I live in VA where you cant do any mods, my car passed the safety inspection with flying colors!

If you ever plan on selling your car, you'll regret using the spray or paint in my opinion.