Genuine 3rd rear brake light

[rays545i]

Hi anyone else have a poor fitting genuine rear brake light ?

There is day a tiny amount of daylight at the ends
Haven’t over tighten but the whole light just doesn’t sit right
Fitment like a cheap Chinese copy
Not a happy bunny

 

[mr.tourette]

Thats why when i bought a replacement clear one I bought a cheap Chinese copy was fine for 3 years and still fine when I sold the car

 

[LichMike]

Interesting thread for me as I’m looking to order a clear one to replace my currently cracked red one. Looking at around £61 from Sopers, with forum discount, but after seeing this wondering if a cheap copy is as good an option as OEM...

 

[spazmochad]

My Chinese copy is out lasting the genuine light that game with the car and the genuine replacement I fitted after that. Honestly it's just a strip of LEDs and the all seem to be a tight fit with a balancing act when tightening them down. Too tight and they crack, too loose and they don't sit very flush.

 

[Greg 01]

Oops doesnt bode well ive just ordered one from bmw Coventry for £59 .

 

[Lance]

Yep, agree with the OP. I fitted a Sopers one a few months back and thought exactly the same, poor fit.

 

[tug]

I bought a cheap chinese copy from fleabay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-BMW-Z4-E85-2002-08-LED-High-Level-Brake-Light-Lamp-Red-Lens-New-63256930246/233323510859?epid=6034225402&hash=item36532a3c4b:g:tw4AAOSwQZRfKR0n

Fits perfect and been on me zed for over 18 months now, no problems.

Cheers, tug

 

[G600]

My fake one is lasting better than the replacement BMW one I fitted before.

 

[yipikayee]

i love to find a thread that exactly fit my needs
cracked red light, want to order new one. Now i know what to go for

 

[DMike]

I have replaced the 3rd brake light three times by now. Last I also went for an ebay chinese copy, which did not sit flush and had a seal made of relatively stiff material. Wasn’t happy so I ordered a genuine one, which had a better seal but still didn”t sit properly. So the chinese copy even copied the poor fit :fightwall:

 

[AndyBeech]

I found the genuine one didn’t sit flush on the corners at first which was a bit concerning but after a few weeks it seems to settle in to position and is perfectly flush ever since

 

[DMike]

Btw, took some photos for reference. Comparing side by side the only differences were the seal material and the connector.

Ebay Chinese:


BMW OEM:


Right with thicker seal is OEM:


Left is OEM:


Right is OEM:


Connector is slightly different but fits:

 

[rays545i]

Thanks for reply’s guys
Great pics mine is exactly the same slight lift at corners
Will just live with it not a huge deal but buying genuine I expected a perfect fit

 

[steveanders0n]

I upgraded mine to an aftermarket clear one.

The BMW red one, the bolts refused to come out so I had to break the front plastic to get to the front bolts.

 

[Z4C_er]

Interesting thread. Is it possible to get a clear one for an E86? I've searched but never found one.
The original press release photos had one though....

 

[buzyg]

Interesting read. My OEM replacement fitted fine and is lasting well. But it seems the cheaper coppies do too. Just check the buggers haven't inserted a bug or attached a virus to it. :wink:

 

[Z4C_er]

I have replaced the 3rd brake light three times by now. Last I also went for an ebay chinese copy, which did not sit flush and had a seal made of relatively stiff material. Wasn’t happy so I ordered a genuine one, which had a better seal but still didn”t sit properly. So the chinese copy even copied the poor fit :fightwall:

Just wondering... do you want to part with your broken lights? I'm interested in getting the LED strip out.

 

[DMike]

Just wondering... do you want to part with your broken lights? I'm interested in getting the LED strip out.

I’ve tossed it, unfortunately. The plastic just shattered when I removed it, no wonder that they crack one after another.

 

[groovy_hippy]

I have replaced the 3rd brake light three times by now. Last I also went for an ebay chinese copy, which did not sit flush and had a seal made of relatively stiff material. Wasn’t happy so I ordered a genuine one, which had a better seal but still didn”t sit properly. So the chinese copy even copied the poor fit :fightwall:

Just wondering... do you want to part with your broken lights? I'm interested in getting the LED strip out.

I've got one, PM sent Z4C_er....

 

[KevinC]

^^ They never released a clear one for the coupe, unfortunately.

I have an original dealership poster of that car, nicely framed. They turn up on Ebay occasionally, but less often as the years roll by.



Note that in this shot, the brake light is red! Many others exist with clear. Interesting.