Aftermarket 3rd brake light poor fit.

S

steve_naive

Member
Northern Ireland
I'd heard aftermarket lights were on par with the expensive OEM versions, so nabbed one off ebay:

z4-rear-brakelight.jpg

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?
 
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.
 
noiseboy72 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Ooh. Is that with an aftermarket piece?

I don't own a blow torch, maybe a hot hairdryer! How do you assure an consistent radius when heating?
 
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.
 
steve_naive said:
oldgitdave said:
Yeah, I had a nightmare with a non oem one, not the only one either:
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=116958&p=1678206#p1678206
Click to expand...

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. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Me too. I was pleasantly surprised at the price from them :thumbsup: . 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? :D .
 
oldgitdave said:
steve_naive said:
oldgitdave said:
Yeah, I had a nightmare with a non oem one, not the only one either:
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=116958&p=1678206#p1678206
Click to expand...

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. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Me too. I was pleasantly surprised at the price from them :thumbsup: . 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? :D .
Click to expand...

I bought those softer springs and plan on being very gentle when closing the boot. :D
 
steve_naive said:
oldgitdave said:
steve_naive said:
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. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Me too. I was pleasantly surprised at the price from them :thumbsup: . 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? :D .
Click to expand...

I bought those softer springs and plan on being very gentle when closing the boot. :D
Click to expand...

Me too :thumbsup: . After reading on here I bought new springs & nuts. Just got to train wifey not to slam the boot :roll: .
 
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.
 
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 :headbang:
 
Mr roadster said:
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 :headbang:
Click to expand...

For a clear one...
Item 122739985899 on eBay. £54:40. BMW Coventry
 
saj77 said:
Mr roadster said:
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 :headbang:
Click to expand...

For a clear one...
Item 122739985899 on eBay. £54:40. BMW Coventry
Click to expand...

I bought this one:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-...ke-Light-Third-Brake-63256930246/253717079258
A tad more than that but still reasonable 👍.
 
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.
 
oldgitdave said:
steve_naive said:
oldgitdave said:
Me too. I was pleasantly surprised at the price from them :thumbsup: . 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? :D .
Click to expand...

I bought those softer springs and plan on being very gentle when closing the boot. :D
Click to expand...

Me too :thumbsup: . After reading on here I bought new springs & nuts. Just got to train wifey not to slam the boot :roll: .
Click to expand...

I couldn't find the nuts/washers for sale anywhere! Hopefully that doesn't do much harm.
 
well i paid £60 for OE from bmw, fitted them correctly and two weeks later it cracked ....so i phoned bmw and explained the part had failed and they wanted me to take the car down for an inspection and if they agree it is a faulty part it would be replaced, if not they would charge for their time.....what a joke -so i'll be buying the cheap Chinese ones, because the OE ones are the same quality anyway...wouldn't be surprised if they come from the same Chinese factory...
 
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