My 2021 MINI SE .... the project has started....

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tifosi
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Like I said, it's a work in progress. Could be coding, could be wiring, could be both. Either way I think in the end it will be a simple solution.

I'll see what I can do for a video...Basically on a US car the entire T section is your brake and flasher. In the UK (and other countries) the vertical portion is brake and horizontal is flasher.
 
Installed the tail lights and fog lights today.

IMG_2237.webp

Tail lights ordered from ebay, used this killallchrome video for tips. What arrived was "VLAND YAB-MN-0328". Two things that were surprising is an extra wire on the back (see attachment) and that they came with their own trim pieces.

IMG_2234.webp IMG_2236.webp

Here's a video comparing them with OEM -- "VLAND" is on the left.



Fog lights also ordered from ebay and were much easier to install than expected. I removed the outermost screws from the bumper and was able to reach in to press the outermost release lever on the lights, then push them out from inside.

Still kinda hate the "e" badge... might dip or remove.
 
endquote said:
Installed the tail lights and fog lights today.

View attachment 16382

Tail lights ordered from ebay, used this killallchrome video for tips. What arrived was "VLAND YAB-MN-0328". Two things that were surprising is an extra wire on the back (see attachment) and that they came with their own trim pieces.

View attachment 16383 View attachment 16384

Here's a video comparing them with OEM -- "VLAND" is on the left.



Fog lights also ordered from ebay and were much easier to install than expected. I removed the outermost screws from the bumper and was able to reach in to press the outermost release lever on the lights, then push them out from inside.

Still kinda hate the "e" badge... might dip or remove.
Click to expand...

Nice!! Wow, you are so close the right side wall..
 
endquote said:
Installed the tail lights and fog lights today.

View attachment 16382

Tail lights ordered from ebay, used this killallchrome video for tips. What arrived was "VLAND YAB-MN-0328". Two things that were surprising is an extra wire on the back (see attachment) and that they came with their own trim pieces.

View attachment 16383 View attachment 16384

Here's a video comparing them with OEM -- "VLAND" is on the left.



Fog lights also ordered from ebay and were much easier to install than expected. I removed the outermost screws from the bumper and was able to reach in to press the outermost release lever on the lights, then push them out from inside.

Still kinda hate the "e" badge... might dip or remove.
Click to expand...

Tail lights look awesome! Have to know though, how do they function?? Mine function different than a US spec JCW, so it's not a standard US wiring thing. Check out the thread on minif56.com that I linked to earlier. The more input we get the better!

Also, definitely remove that e badge it's quite the eyesore. I removed mine the second I pulled into the garage!
 
CoachCookie said:
Have to know though, how do they function??
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You can see in the video above. The center bar does not light up.

I'm also following that minif56 thread, hopefully it gets figured out.

I also asked the seller if they had any tips -- haven't heard back yet (China time delays). Perhaps those who have purchased could ask their sellers about it.
 
Sorry didn't realize there was a video. That gets blocked at my work...So yours function how I would expect them to. For some reason mine light up the UJ portion for break/signal as well. Did you look to see how many wires are running to your connector?

Anywho, I did reach out to the seller for mine but so far no luck. Hope you hear something back!
 
CoachCookie said:
Did you look to see how many wires are running to your connector?
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I see five wires going into the connector, photo attached. endquote-connector.webp

Ideally it would look like this killallchrome install, but I don't get the center bar or the pulsing animations.



However mine may not even be the same, I do spot some differences in the rear when comparing the two. endquote-rear.webp killallchrome-rear.webp

However if I zoom-and-enhance on their video, I think I also see five wires. killallchrome-connector1.webp killallchrome-connector2.webp

Maybe we could ask them for help.
 
So we have the same 5 wires populated then.

Is that two separate wires coming out of the back of the tail light, or a jumper with a resistor in it?

Definitely hard to tell in that video if there's 5 or 6 wires. I'll see if I can send them an email here in a bit or tomorrow and see if there's any insight they can provide.
 
Also, just to add to it, mine function exactly as the ones in the video you linked except mine flash the same as what lights up for the brake. So it's like I need a wire to go separately to the respective pin that lights up the horizontal amber light (which may already be there), and then also some coding to separate the signal so that the flasher is different than brake.
 
endquote said:
Completed the last tweaks.

Removed "e" badge from the back.
Returned "s" badges to yellow, removed the previous Etsy sticker.
Tinted the side marker lights, thanks to Vinyl Styles.

If real smoked marker lights appear, or if @CoachCookie figures out how to get the tail lights fully functional, I'd try those mods. But aside from that I think I'm through the list.

View attachment 16540 View attachment 16541
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You've done a wonderful job at making your black SE blacker. Can you make the ultimate sacrifice and forsake the HOV lane?
 
endquote said:
Nah, I like having at least one distinctive thing other than the black.

I could cover the yellow edges with Wheel Bands, which might look cool.
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I love how you've gone over to the dark side, but totally agree with your decision to keep the Power Spokes. They become an even more prominent styling element contrasted with your Stygian vehicle. I like how the circumferential (I looked it up--it's a real word) Energetic yellow stripe looks with your car and applaud your return to Energetic Yellow for the "S" emblems. I think these touches make your SE look even blacker.

Every time I see photos of your gorgeous, clean, black SE I chuckle, remembering something I read about black cars on one of these forums: "Black is not a color, it's a lifestyle."
 
Looking real good! side markers look great!

Admittedly have not had any time to mess with the tail lights lately. We'll get there!
 
Tifosi said:
For me, I already have 17's - I want bigger! lol :D 17" looks too small to me on this car.

Some more progress this weekend. Front and Rear Light Rings installed:

View attachment 11380 View attachment 11383View attachment 11382 View attachment 11381

These actually came from Amazon. Best price I could find.
Carwoman Reaplacement Gloosy Black Matt Black Head & Rear Lamp Surround Trim Part For Mini Cooper F55 F56 F57 (Glossy Black)

Bad news/bad news:
Good: all the wheel tire parts are ordered (wheels, tires, TPMS with Black stems, Center bore adapters, center caps with Black/Grey Union Jack)
Bad: Wheel seller said (after they took my money and said they had been shipped) that it is a 6 week wait!

Arghhh

Thanks
Brad
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Are those cooper letters and front back badge gloss, where did you buy them.
Just ordered the light rings front back as you showed from Amazon. Looks like they have a good fit.
 
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GvilleGuy said:
It really makes no sense to me. They went 90% of the way to where most 'black out' owners want to go. But I'll evaluate that later after I put some quality miles on the car. My car is still technically "vaporware" until it hits land (hopefully April 10th).
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Same. With the black rook and mirrors, and Island Blue below, I want to live with the bright belt line a while and decide if I like the way it delineates the greenhouse from the body. How much is the OE belt line kit from the parts department?
 
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