That's correct. My car is an early '05 model with a 10/04 build date. I think the cut-off date was 10/14/04. My car just narrowly made it. Mine had the wiring all in place.

There's a gap from - what? July? - '04 through mid-October '04 where the cars had the bumper-mounted foglight socket but didn't have the wiring harness in place. Those cars in that three-or-so month period have an expensive (or complicated DIY) retrofit. Earlier cars have the fogs in the taillight assemblies. Later cars have the wiring in place for the bumper-mounted foglight.

I ordered my light and the toggle switches from Brian at Classic MINI in Ohio, one of NAM's vendors. They used to offer a 20% discount on parts to NAM members. (Do they still?) I seem to recall it came to less than $100, including shipping. It's easy to install yourself. Info can be found in the "2005 Rear Fog Retrofit" thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=35546

See especially my post, #17 in the thread, which has pics of the harness.

Note that once you've installed everything, you still need to take it to the dealer and have them activate it. Some dealers charge an hour, some charge a half hour. Be sure to think of anything else you want them to change in your car's programming while they're activating the fogs - things like automatic door locks, daytime running lights, "guide me home" headlights, etc.

(Sorry for two long-winded posts in a row. I'm pretty passionate about fog lights!)

 

can it be wired to illuminate only as a brake light when the brake is applied?

 

You can wire it to act as a brake light.

 

I agree that the rear fog light is a safety feature. Since I live in snow country and drive in the Central Valley of California quite often, I wouldn't be without it. Someone asked me what good it was since I couldn't really see well behind me in snow/fog anyway, and I had to point out that it was more for others to see me. Anyway, I think it was a good $100 investment. Better even than 40 lattes.

 

Thanks for the link.... I've been looking to put an OEM looking 4th brake light...

 

Exactly - it's so that big rig can be a lot farther behind you.