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Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
- steve_naive
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- Location: Northern Ireland
Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
I'd heard aftermarket lights were on par with the expensive OEM versions, so nabbed one off ebay:
Am I doing it wrong? Had to really tighten the nuts down to get the rubber seal to snug in, and even then it was questionable.
I'd bought the newer, softer springs from BMW to avoid the whole issue of pressure cracking. So this is a big no-no!
Anybody know of an aftermarket version that actually fits?
Edit: should point out that it's the rubber seal that's the issue. Too squared off for purpose. The seal on the one I already had in is bevelled, maybe I could reuse it?
Am I doing it wrong? Had to really tighten the nuts down to get the rubber seal to snug in, and even then it was questionable.
I'd bought the newer, softer springs from BMW to avoid the whole issue of pressure cracking. So this is a big no-no!
Anybody know of an aftermarket version that actually fits?
Edit: should point out that it's the rubber seal that's the issue. Too squared off for purpose. The seal on the one I already had in is bevelled, maybe I could reuse it?
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Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
I found that heating the assembly over a blow torch allowed me to bend it to the correct shape. I didn't notice the seal being the issue, more the overly shallow radius.
E85 2.5si Sport in dark blue. Calibre CC S wheels
What could possibly go wrong!
What could possibly go wrong!
- steve_naive
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- Location: Northern Ireland
Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
Ooh. Is that with an aftermarket piece?noiseboy72 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 24, 2019 9:43 pm I found that heating the assembly over a blow torch allowed me to bend it to the correct shape. I didn't notice the seal being the issue, more the overly shallow radius.
I don't own a blow torch, maybe a hot hairdryer! How do you assure an consistent radius when heating?
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Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
After market clear type.
I'm sure a hair dryer or hot air gun would work just as well. I just kept test fitting it until it was slightly over bent and then fitted the nuts.
Looking at it 12 months later, it's relaxed back a little, but is only a mm or 2 proud.
I'm sure a hair dryer or hot air gun would work just as well. I just kept test fitting it until it was slightly over bent and then fitted the nuts.
Looking at it 12 months later, it's relaxed back a little, but is only a mm or 2 proud.
E85 2.5si Sport in dark blue. Calibre CC S wheels
What could possibly go wrong!
What could possibly go wrong!
- steve_naive
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- Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2019 2:30 pm
- Location: Northern Ireland
Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
Sending mine back. Bought a genuine one for 50 quid.
- oldgitdave
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Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
Yeah, I had a nightmare with a non oem one, not the only one either:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=116958&p=1678206#p1678206
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=116958&p=1678206#p1678206
Zedless
- steve_naive
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- Location: Northern Ireland
Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
How did I miss that one??oldgitdave wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2019 11:15 pm Yeah, I had a nightmare with a non oem one, not the only one either:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=116958&p=1678206#p1678206
My connecter actually worked but the fit was rubbish. Literally only changed it to be watertight.
Also got my genuine one from prentice portadown BMW. Thought I'd be paying 80 quid.
- oldgitdave
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- Location: Derbyshire
Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
Me too. I was pleasantly surprised at the price from them . I also found that that, as well as the fit, the seal is much better quality than the non OEM. Let's hope they last eh? .steve_naive wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:29 pmHow did I miss that one??oldgitdave wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2019 11:15 pm Yeah, I had a nightmare with a non oem one, not the only one either:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=116958&p=1678206#p1678206
My connecter actually worked but the fit was rubbish. Literally only changed it to be watertight.
Also got my genuine one from prentice portadown BMW. Thought I'd be paying 80 quid.
Zedless
- steve_naive
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- Location: Northern Ireland
Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
I bought those softer springs and plan on being very gentle when closing the boot.oldgitdave wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:47 pmMe too. I was pleasantly surprised at the price from them . I also found that that, as well as the fit, the seal is much better quality than the non OEM. Let's hope they last eh? .steve_naive wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:29 pmHow did I miss that one??oldgitdave wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2019 11:15 pm Yeah, I had a nightmare with a non oem one, not the only one either:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=116958&p=1678206#p1678206
My connecter actually worked but the fit was rubbish. Literally only changed it to be watertight.
Also got my genuine one from prentice portadown BMW. Thought I'd be paying 80 quid.
- oldgitdave
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- Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 8:47 pm
- Location: Derbyshire
Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
Me too . After reading on here I bought new springs & nuts. Just got to train wifey not to slam the boot .steve_naive wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 4:29 pmI bought those softer springs and plan on being very gentle when closing the boot.oldgitdave wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:47 pmMe too. I was pleasantly surprised at the price from them . I also found that that, as well as the fit, the seal is much better quality than the non OEM. Let's hope they last eh? .steve_naive wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:29 pm
How did I miss that one??
My connecter actually worked but the fit was rubbish. Literally only changed it to be watertight.
Also got my genuine one from prentice portadown BMW. Thought I'd be paying 80 quid.
Zedless
- AndyBeech
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Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
With the OEM one it might not initially be flush but after fitting it'll settle into position. This is what I found with mine anyway. Also thought it was a problem but mine now sits flush like it should.
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Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
Hi guys my third brake light disintegrated. Went to bmw dealership Stockton on tees Cleveland £97.00 so what did you guys pay.
I’ve ordered a spurious one hope it fits because I certainly don’t want to pay £97.00 incl vat
I’ve ordered a spurious one hope it fits because I certainly don’t want to pay £97.00 incl vat
- saj77
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- Location: North East
Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
For a clear one...Mr roadster wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 5:17 pm Hi guys my third brake light disintegrated. Went to bmw dealership Stockton on tees Cleveland £97.00 so what did you guys pay.
I’ve ordered a spurious one hope it fits because I certainly don’t want to pay £97.00 incl vat
Item 122739985899 on eBay. £54:40. BMW Coventry
08 3.0 SI Roadster - Space Grey / Dream red, Eibachs & B4s, Z4M alignment
- oldgitdave
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Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
I bought this one:saj77 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 5:26 pmFor a clear one...Mr roadster wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 5:17 pm Hi guys my third brake light disintegrated. Went to bmw dealership Stockton on tees Cleveland £97.00 so what did you guys pay.
I’ve ordered a spurious one hope it fits because I certainly don’t want to pay £97.00 incl vat
Item 122739985899 on eBay. £54:40. BMW Coventry
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-BMW- ... 3717079258
A tad more than that but still reasonable .
Zedless
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Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.
Thanks oldgitdave that’s a hell of a difference in price I thought all bmw dealers charged the same obviously not thanks again. I will ring them.i will keep spurious one for spare.