ImolaRedM

First post but long time BMW owner. I used to visit the 'other' `bimmer' Forum years ago before they were sold off and I'm glad to see some alternatives.

So my question is...

Are rear fog lights available as an option or is it an easy mod to get in US Spec vehciles? I tried to get them on my E39 but I was told by BMWNA that they won't do special requests in the early production runs for the year (this was fall 1999 for the 00MY). Getting them retrofitted was a chore. Is it easier to do with the 2006's? I'm thinking about finally trading the E39 540i/6 for an E60 530i but would really like the safety the rear fog lights offer. And if it's available as a non-standard option what's the option code?

znod

Welcome. I am unaware of any access to a rear fog lights for a 530i. Also, I have never seen this issue discussed here. Maybe someone else will have info for you. And, wouldn't they be illegal in the US anyway?--not that you would necessarily would care.

ImolaRedM

They're legal in the US. My NAS Land Rover (built when BMW owned them) had them standard as do Audi's, MB's, Volvo's and I think even the Mini. The E39's had a different wire harness but could be fitted with a new switch and running a wire from the tail lamp to the front (over simplified description) and putting in the bulb into the empty slot in the tail lamp. My hope with the E60 is that, at worst it's using the same wire harness that's used in the EU so that it might be as simple as putting in a new switch and insert the light bulb. That is IF I can't just order it from the factory with the rear fogs.

stream

They're legal in the US. My NAS Land Rover (built when BMW owned them) had them standard as do Audi's, MB's, Volvo's and I think even the Mini.
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Yes--that's my experience as well.

Rudy

I think US E60 cars use the rear fog light bulb as a part of the adaptive brake lights.

My biggest complaint about any US car with rear fog lights is with regard to our clueless driving public. Having to follow someone that has the rear fogs on for no reason (when it's not foggy) is actually worse than being blinded by someone's headlights (or other forward-facing lights ) since you're subjected to these things constantly.

I would be great to have rear fogs on our cars but they'd have to make the switch something that's hard to activate and they'd have to have some annoying warning light come on the dash the entire time they're on so the average US driver doesn't drive around with them on because the "look cool."

(Okay, maybe this is my "foglights"...)

Audi drivers seem to turn them on more than other makes. I see some M-B people with them on from time-to-time but clearly Audi wins the award for most annoying clueless owners

katheikia

Mercedes rear foglights look like crap because only one side has the bulb

ImolaRedM

That's true of most, other than my Land Rover (dual) and I think the Mini (bottom center like some peugeot's). But the issue isn't `looks' as much as safety. It's amazing how much it helps people see you in the rain, snow, and heavy fog. I really wish it was a DOT requirement in the US.

Rudy

The single rear fog light is by design -- it helps to distinguish it from the regular tail lights or brake lights. M-B is doing it right, Audi, Jaguar, and others are not executing things safely as they should be...

But only if the requirements to get a driver's license were a little more stringent...

jet190rs

Rear fog lights? I never knew such a thing existed....what does a rear fog light look like?

EuroCarFan

But only if the requirements to get a driver's license were a little more stringent...
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I remembered Audis only having one rear foglight, not two. I've seen a couple of A6s with them. My friend's Porsche also only has one.

Rear foglights are actually nothing like the front yellow/whitish foglights. They are red. They are usually on one side and glows brighter than the tail lights. Sometimes they're located in the same light cluster as the tail/brake lights but they also be in a separate location. I believe in the older A6, it's a separate light between the license plate and the tail lights.

At a glance, it would look as if someone has one of their brake lights on.