E85/E86 replacement horns from R53 Mini

[TriggerFish]

Hi all,

I suspected the low horn on my E86 wasn't working, and I was just working on my R53 (which is parked next to my E86), and suddenly saw the horns, and thought 'i wonder if they fit?', and... They do!

A Mini R50/R53 horn is a direct replacement for an E85/E86 horn. You need to change the bracket over, but that's just the bolt you'd undo to remove the horn anyway, so no big deal there. The wiring connector is exactly the same, and there is enough slack in the wiring to match the mini horn's different orientation.

I post this, as I think I've seen people struggling to find horns for the Z4 for a reasonable price. Hopefully I've not made this up!

Here are the mini parts numbers
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=RE32-EUR-03-2006-R53-Mini-Cooper_S&diagId=61_1418

Under £10 on eBay, and plenty to choose from if you search for 'r53 horn' (rather than the part number)

I think the r56, and possibly E90 series horns are also compatible, but do your own checks there. R50/R53 definitely is

 

[caius]

I have a sneaky suspicion most BMW horns are interchangeable as long as you have the adapter clipped onto the horn for the Z4 one - a spare one off an E36 fits my Z4 if I swap that adapter clip over. I fitted a E87 1 series horn to mine recently, and it also fitted the same way.

 

[TriggerFish]

I have a sneaky suspicion most BMW horns are interchangeable as long as you have the adapter clipped onto the horn for the Z4 one - a spare one off an E36 fits my Z4 if I swap that adapter clip over. I fitted a E87 1 series horn to mine recently, and it also fitted the same way.

It was actually your post that sprang to mind as I posted this, for all those who don't want to mess with adaptor clips.

I agree though, I suspect they're all much of a muchness, but I guess most people don't want the gamble if they have to remove the bumper/take the car off the road, only to find the horn they ordered doesn't fit and they have to repeat the job once the correct part arrives

 

[caius]

Agreed, definitely useful to know if ones are plug n play too. These are bits of plastic that live under the bumper and get everything off the road thrown at them - no guarantee undoing clips after many years of the elements is a successful outcome!