Anyone tried the Chinese rear level brake lights?

J

junglist

Member
Need to replace my rear level brake light and I've noticed you can get them from China for half the price of the originals.

Not normally one to buy Chinese copies especially when it comes to car parts but can they really mess up a bit of plastic?

Anyone here took a punt on one?
 
I wonder if it's these?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-Clear-Lens-Third-Brake-Stop-Light-For-BMW-Z4-E85-2003-2008-63256930246/232870473680?fits=Plat_Gen%3AE85&hash=item3638296fd0%3Ag%3A6QoAAOSw3opbYVs7&_sacat=0&_nkw=e85+brake+light&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313
There are a few on ebay.
 
Yep, plenty of listings on eBay. Around £35 from a UK seller, £30 if you're happy to wait a couple of weeks from China.
 
The BMW ones are pretty fragile to start with.

Chinese ones here circa £23 delivered. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-Pcs-Car-LED-Rear-Tail-Light-Slim-Stop-Brake-Lamp-for-BMW-Z4-E85-02/32907969892.html?spm=2114.search0204.3.214.6da051d5wscsPr&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10152_10151_10065_10344_10130_10068_10324_10342_10547_10325_10343_10340_10548_10341_5012515_10696_5012615_10192_10190_10084_10083_10618_10307_10820_10301_10821_10303_10059_100031_10103_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_5_ppcChannel&algo_expid=24024ce8-9c74-482d-a767-606836a522fd-33&algo_pvid=24024ce8-9c74-482d-a767-606836a522fd&priceBeautifyAB=0
 
bladeowner said:
The BMW ones are pretty fragile to start with.

Chinese ones here circa £23 delivered. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-Pcs-Car-LED-Rear-Tail-Light-Slim-Stop-Brake-Lamp-for-BMW-Z4-E85-02/32907969892.html?spm=2114.search0204.3.214.6da051d5wscsPr&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10152_10151_10065_10344_10130_10068_10324_10342_10547_10325_10343_10340_10548_10341_5012515_10696_5012615_10192_10190_10084_10083_10618_10307_10820_10301_10821_10303_10059_100031_10103_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_5_ppcChannel&algo_expid=24024ce8-9c74-482d-a767-606836a522fd-33&algo_pvid=24024ce8-9c74-482d-a767-606836a522fd&priceBeautifyAB=0
Click to expand...

I've taken a punt on this, mines held together with silicone so I need one anyway, thought it was worth taking a chance for £22.62.
 
Cant be any worse than the BMW one, when I had my E85, I went through three, let us know what you think when you get it :thumbsup:
 
Just to be clear in this, the issue with the BMW ones was not with the unit itself but the springs that go on the bolt, IIRC. The new ones you buy have different, less ‘powerful’ springswith them. Also, you need to make sure you don’t tighten them too much.
 
Bing said:
Just to be clear in this, the issue with the BMW ones was not with the unit itself but the springs that go on the bolt, IIRC. The new ones you buy have different, less ‘powerful’ springswith them. Also, you need to make sure you don’t tighten them too much.
Click to expand...

100% correct, the 3 springs have a new part number.

I got a new light, kept old springs and just did them “finger tight” as couldn’t justify spending about £8 on 3 springs.... a year later my brake light cracked again.... I quickly paid for the 3 new springs and got a fully working replacement as part was still covered under BMW parts warrantee and as they saw I had used the correct springs they were happy to replace (I got lucky lol)
 
JINGLE said:
Bing said:
Just to be clear in this, the issue with the BMW ones was not with the unit itself but the springs that go on the bolt, IIRC. The new ones you buy have different, less ‘powerful’ springswith them. Also, you need to make sure you don’t tighten them too much.
Click to expand...

100% correct, the 3 springs have a new part number.

I got a new light, kept old springs and just did them “finger tight” as couldn’t justify spending about £8 on 3 springs.... a year later my brake light cracked again.... I quickly paid for the 3 new springs and got a fully working replacement as part was still covered under BMW parts warrantee and as they saw I had used the correct springs they were happy to replace (I got lucky lol)
Click to expand...

Hey mate,

I'm replacing my 3rd brake light and have ordered one from the dealer. Do you have the part number for the new springs? Are the new springs also to be finger tight?

Regards
Cmaza
 
Aren't BMW parts guaranteed for a year? I don't know how that works with DIY fitting. I did mine some time ago, finger tight and a 1/4 iirc, not loose yet.

Nick
 
Bing said:
Just to be clear in this, the issue with the BMW ones was not with the unit itself but the springs that go on the bolt, IIRC. The new ones you buy have different, less ‘powerful’ springswith them. Also, you need to make sure you don’t tighten them too much.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but that's not 100% correct.

I recently replaced one as part of the led strip stopped working. This particular failure was nothing to do with the springs.

So yes, the entire unit is a pile of rubbish. It's not just the dodgy old springs.
 
Fair enough - all the failures I recall seeing on here have been cracks and breaks, and the springs are a known problem corrected by BMW, but I can’t say I’ve seen every post and I’m happy to stand corrected. Even the youngest car is nearly 10 years old though - age will get everything eventually. Seems to on other cars too.

In any event I’d personally just get a replacement from BMW. At least it would come with a 2 year warranty :lol:
 
ben g said:
Bing said:
Just to be clear in this, the issue with the BMW ones was not with the unit itself but the springs that go on the bolt, IIRC. The new ones you buy have different, less ‘powerful’ springswith them. Also, you need to make sure you don’t tighten them too much.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but that's not 100% correct.

I recently replaced one as part of the led strip stopped working. This particular failure was nothing to do with the springs.

So yes, the entire unit is a pile of rubbish. It's not just the dodgy old springs.
Click to expand...

I get what your saying, mine had a crack in the corner AND some of the middle LEDs failed. It’s probaly due to water ingress, affecting the connections maybe? I do agree the whole unit itself is rubbish, but from what I’ve read/seen myself I would say 99% of issues are due to springs being tight, and the units cracking/breaking/letting water in, but I could be wrong of course
 
cmaza said:
JINGLE said:
Bing said:
Just to be clear in this, the issue with the BMW ones was not with the unit itself but the springs that go on the bolt, IIRC. The new ones you buy have different, less ‘powerful’ springswith them. Also, you need to make sure you don’t tighten them too much.
Click to expand...

100% correct, the 3 springs have a new part number.

I got a new light, kept old springs and just did them “finger tight” as couldn’t justify spending about £8 on 3 springs.... a year later my brake light cracked again.... I quickly paid for the 3 new springs and got a fully working replacement as part was still covered under BMW parts warrantee and as they saw I had used the correct springs they were happy to replace (I got lucky lol)
Click to expand...

Hey mate,

I'm replacing my 3rd brake light and have ordered one from the dealer. Do you have the part number for the new springs? Are the new springs also to be finger tight?

Regards
Cmaza
Click to expand...

Afraid not, I managed to get a set off the for sale forum on here purely by chance off somebody who bought them and sold car before fitting them
 
Just bought a set of new springs in readiness for the brake light, £12 FFS!
 
cmaza said:
MalNCH said:
Just bought a set of new springs in readiness for the brake light, £12 FFS!
Click to expand...

Hey buddy. Where did you get the springs from? Got a part number?

Regards
Azam
Click to expand...

Off ebay, I've been assured they are the newer less powerful spring, part no. 63257151981, dealers local to me wanted £6.99 per spring :cry:
They have changed the price slightly, they are now £13.55 inc. postage, for 3.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Compression-Spring-For-CHMSL-Third-Stop-Lamp-Brake-Light-63257151981/192436754192?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
 
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