Condensation in Rear Left Taillight

You are correct and manufacturers should know what works and what doesnt by now, but unless you actually are suffering from any of the known faults I wouldnt worry.
I have the condensation in one light and I am not worrying, I will just take it off and do what has been advised and hopefully no more issues.
Now if you want to talk about problems with Minis......... could be here all week.
 
Nictrix said:
How easily does the lens come away from the light?
Is it just clips that hold both parts and once released they come apart or do you have to force them apart?
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The lense does not come off.
It's the clip on fitting on the back that's the problem that has to be removed.

Suppose it was all designed by some graduate somewhere whose never had to remove one to, repair, replace, change a bulb, etc...
on any car. Like the stupid bulb holders where if you are not careful the bulbs fall out inside the lamp housing. (Happened once).
What's wrong with the bayonet fitting used for years.

Amazing, technology produces an almost everlasting light source then someone goes and **** ** it's use in a design.
Seen it before.
 
Nictrix said:
You are correct and manufacturers should know what works and what doesnt by now, but unless you actually are suffering from any of the known faults I wouldnt worry.
I have the condensation in one light and I am not worrying, I will just take it off and do what has been advised and hopefully no more issues.
Now if you want to talk about problems with Minis......... could be here all week.
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well .... we have 2 3rd generation minis (a mini one and cooper) both a year old now ... :)
 
jamesbond said:
Nictrix said:
You are correct and manufacturers should know what works and what doesnt by now, but unless you actually are suffering from any of the known faults I wouldnt worry.
I have the condensation in one light and I am not worrying, I will just take it off and do what has been advised and hopefully no more issues.
Now if you want to talk about problems with Minis......... could be here all week.
Click to expand...

well .... we have 2 3rd generation minis (a mini one and cooper) both a year old now ... :)
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You will probably be fine as problems dont seem to arise until they get a bit older.
Just in the last year I have replaced the clutch and crankcase seal, both rear calipers, passenger door actuator, another oil leak from the engine and now looks like the thermostat housing. Not to mention the engine management light neing on that I hope is linked to the thermostat housing and coolant leaking under the bonnet. :(
It is a 2007 with 73,000 miles on it though.
 
Nictrix said:
jamesbond said:
Nictrix said:
You are correct and manufacturers should know what works and what doesnt by now, but unless you actually are suffering from any of the known faults I wouldnt worry.
I have the condensation in one light and I am not worrying, I will just take it off and do what has been advised and hopefully no more issues.
Now if you want to talk about problems with Minis......... could be here all week.
Click to expand...

well .... we have 2 3rd generation minis (a mini one and cooper) both a year old now ... :)
Click to expand...
You will probably be fine as problems dont seem to arise until they get a bit older.
Just in the last year I have replaced the clutch and crankcase seal, both rear calipers, passenger door actuator, another oil leak from the engine and now looks like the thermostat housing. Not to mention the engine management light neing on that I hope is linked to the thermostat housing and coolant leaking under the bonnet. :(
It is a 2007 with 73,000 miles on it though.
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Hello

I think the 3rd generation is a big jump in quality, both use the new 3 cylinder turbo engines which are great. Both are a year old now .. the mini one had the complete windscreen wiper assembly change within 2 weeks, but I think this was a one off. Both minis have had the door seals changed due to creaking on the window glass .. I fixed this with Gummi Pledge, then I can hear brake friction sounds from the rear calipers when braking on the mini one.

But on the whole they have given us good service for the 1st year, both are averaging over 55 mpg
 
Well I just spoke to my BMW dealer as my 2009 car has just developed this problem, I sent him pictures of the heavy droplets and I just recieved an email this morning more or less saying that they are prepared to replace the units under warranty!!!!!!

I am surprised so I am just waiting to see when he can fit me in :)
 
well done

good result .. have the new ones been modified at all ? as this must be costing BMW money to keep changing the units .. have they been redesigned at all.

are all the Z4 E89 rear light clusters going to have issues ?
 
jamesbond said:
well done

good result .. have the new ones been modified at all ? as this must be costing BMW money to keep changing the units .. have they been redesigned at all.

are all the Z4 E89 rear light clusters going to have issues ?
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I have no idea but they have confirmed to me that they will replace the unit under warranty and it will be done first thing this Thursday morning :D now I didn't expect them to do that so I am chuffed to bits to say the least, I will try and persuade them to replace both units for me as they have two units there even though the offside seems fine it would be great to blag that one but maybe I am pushing my luck :rofl:
 
This is a very known problem for BMW light.
I had the same issue on my 2009 e89 (1 month ago) and on our 2008 e88.
I went to my BMW dealer both times and they changed the lights with good will for free. I just had to pay the wage, which was also quite expensive (175 €) for 10 min work, but still better than buying new lights.
 
I've just noticed it on my 2009 z4 when I had intermittent indicator malfunction.
I hope I can get mine done under warranty - worth a go at least now I see others have done it even that age car. Alternatively does anyone experience of the ones on ebay - they are titled Magneti and I'm not sure if these are original or copies?
 
As long as the rear light units are still servicable then it's not difficult to refit them in such a way that they don't allow water in through the seals.Dry them out thoroughly which might take a few days in a warm atmosphere or maybe 30 mins with a hairdryer.
Check the seal around the boot opening also,top section prone to leaking but easily removed and resealed.
Short video on YouTube which was very helpful (flybobbie I think)"
New rear light units are also available from ECP which I think might be original fitment....certainly same brand as the lights on my 2010 Z4 and just under £140.....think the bmw supplied lights are over £200 each.
I'm not quite finished with mine yet as MIGHT still have some leakage at vent on lower left behind storage cubby.....another known area prone to letting in water.
All these issues are curable with little more than hand tools and patience.....bit frustrating on a "quality" brand though.
 
Ok, Thanks! I'll see what BMW say and if its a no I'll try some of these options out. It does look like its failed along the bottom of the light although I can't quite see how so much water would go up into the assembly from there, so may be a leak up the top. The ones on ECP are the same ones as ebay, but ebay is slightly cheaper (142)
I'll post my results.
 
I think some people are getting free replacements then getting charged for fitting.
Be cheeky, try getting free and say thanks I will fit them myself!
Some where there must be a big pile of returned tail lights.
 
I went into Coopers in Chelmsford today, not my local dealer but that's where I am at the moment. Basically they'll charge £99 for an investigation, then if there is a problem they'll ask BMW to see if they will pay.

So I decided to take it to bits and it looks as if the water is coming in around the clipped in seal, not the plastic 'breakdown' others have said (well there was a lot of dirt there and it seemed to be inside the cover as well), so basically I emptied the water out, used a hair dryer to clear the condensation, cleaned the seal/areas around it and have re-assembled it.

I didn't have any sealant so I haven't put any in, so maybe I'll need to do that later if it continues.

I noticed that there were painted marks on the nuts holding the light in - I wondered if this was original or shows that its been fixed previously? Anyone have a view on that? The light has the right manufacturing age for my car (09), so its not been changed.
 
I had the same white marks on my 09 car.
Yes the dirt is a give away as to where rain water flows and penetrates the foam seal.
Take the lights off and glue the seal with plenty of Evostick glue. Assemble and then spray around the gap to seal.
I have had no problems now going on two years.
I think someone at Magneti ordered the wrong foam!
And just a rubbish design.
 
flybobbie said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHJa6z6e-a0
Take the lamp off and remove the clip on cover.
On the video I forgot to unclip the lamp socket from body work. It simply rotates to remove.
Underneath is foam gasket which should be closed cell foam, but isn't.
Dry the unit and foam and apply liberal amounts of Evostick glue to seal and clip back together.
Then finally apply a layer around joint.
The hardest part is re-seating the two oval seals back into bodywork.
If not fitted correctly, water will leak into boot.
Had no problems now for getting on 2 years.

Usual symptoms is fogging then dew drops, finally rapid flashing if very damp. Will dry and work normally.
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Hey Flybobbie, I just completed this today following your information and signs of a bit of water ingress, thanks for the solution and video!
 
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