Most of you know exactly what I'm talking about. The simple mod seems to be to just buy the Euro LEFT side taillight and be done with it. But to be honest with you even the single light that we already have is pretty damn weak. So adding another makes a big difference?

So I've been looking at different options that would make the reverse light more noticeable. Wiring is the easy part. Finding the right light source and something that matches the overall design seems to be the hard part.


Option 1 = OEM Euro LEFT Taillight for Clubman
Still not an enormous difference but better than having a single, approx $140




Option 2 = White LED Light Bar in License Plate
This seems to be one that can be done in so many different ways with so many different outcomes and price points.

This seems like the best "add-on" with no real fabrication. They sell license plate illuminating LED lights bars that work universally. My thought was to buy one and modify the bolt-on brackets so that its angle flat (or close to it) rather than towards the plate. Approx $20.




Option 2b = License Plate Frames with Integrated LED Lights, approx $50



Option 3 = Bumper Add-Ons
Don't really like this but it is an option. There are several types and different shapes.






Option 4 = Custom Third Brake Light.
The lights have a channel that runs to the end that light up the entire assembly. I was going to buy another clear bar and modify it by adding a few white LEDs on the ends. Then add a clear red lighting wrap in the center to establish the red from the white. It seems like a good amount of work but it "could" look great.





I've also been looking for someone to make me clear lower reflectors. Now that I can modify and add white LEDs, would look really clean, but getting the clear lenses seems like a lot of work.

Please post any thoughts.

 

I like the idea of the white LEDS in the third brake light. but if you get a white one the LEDS are red so no need to color the center area. Only thing i see with that is it is very high and may not light the ground area up very well.

I have thought about installing LEDS in the lower grill looking areas just above the exhaust.

my other thoughts have been to use the truck under tailgate lighting just under the barn doors. Not sure that they would fit though, have not looked into how thick they are. and there is not much room between my bumper and door bottoms so the light restriction would be pretty high as well i think, and again there would be no light getting to the ground either.

 

http://autolumination.com/1156_1157.htm

they have a 12 watt LED!!!!!! .... first lamp on page

also a 50 watt halogen .....scroll down

the 50 watt halogen/xenon is very bright, i use them in my motorcycle

scott

 

Forget the lighting problem, I'd buy the left side euro version just so people will stop saying "You have a reverse light out!" Get it all the time...

I even get it repeatedly from the same neighbor even though I've told him I only have one!

 

PIAA rear red fog lights, back up lights at the center.

 

^I noticed the LCI models had that new bumper with the center crevice. Its perfect for a light bar. I wish I had one :(

 

Got a stateside source for that?

 

This was meant for the OP. Sorry about that.

 

Resurrecting an old thread here. Drove my wife's clubman at night recently and forgot how little you can see while backing up in the dark. I'm used to my Subaru wagon and toyota pickup both of which leave something to be desired but are brighter then the mini. I wonder how hard it would be to mount this guy http://www.rigidindustries.com/produ...esspecter6.htm above the license plate.

 

For $279.00???

 

That might be cheaper than paying the deductable after backing into something.

 

Just fit a cree LED to replace the OEM reverse bulb...

 

It is actually meant to be used as a driving light. You'd certainly impress everybody with its brightness! It shouldn't be difficult if there's enough space above the license plate (it says 1.5" tall).

Edit: It would probably block the license plate light. You could mount it below the license plate.

 

I've always thought that the reverse light was to warn others that you are backing up, not to light the way for anything.

Dave

 

That's kind of like thinking head lights are for warning others - you need to see where you are going.

 

When you're in an area without street lights, a reverse light is really the only way to see behind you. Your running lights aren't illuminating much.

 

No, headlights are bright, reverse lights are not bright at all.

Besides, unless it is pitch black, there is always enough light to see where you are going for the short distance one has to move the car backwards. I don't think I have ever driven my MINI backwards farther than thirty feet and I always look, before I get in the car, to see if anything is in my way.

Dave

 

Back up lights have always been important to me. I have a commercial driver’s license and I'm on call for a local city public works crew and a lot of calls are at night and we are driving some big equipment and really need to see where we are going when we are backing up. I know this may seem irrelevant but being able to see where you are backing up at night is very important.

 

In Olden Days of Yore, I mounted a Hella quartz fog lamp on my BMW 2002's rear bumper. When I wanted to see where I was going backwards at night, I'd flip the switch on.

It also came in handy when cars behind me didn't dim their headlights.

 

 

I have no problem paying for a quality product, I learned that mistake years ago. Most of our friends/family live in poorly lit areas and yes part of it is nobody sees the clubman backing up. The rigid light is definitely over the top, why not make people feel like they are about to be beamed up!

(I love the idea about flashing people behind us who refuse to turn off their brights)

 

Sounds good to me!

 

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Totally agree with walk0080 - you can look before you get in the car, but it's a dynamic world out there. Things can move quickly, like pets and children. Visibility is everything. This driver was looking, and still wasn't careful enough.

That said, I heard that one can replace the backup light bulb with an LED bulb that throws a better light - is that an option? We are looking at the Clubman, but this issue is a major sticking point and I'm not about to subscribe to major mods on a new car.

 

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