Rear license plate lights; How do you pop them off?

[zinkster]

Greetings,
Went to change the bulbs and damaged the 2 light boxes. How exactly do you pry these boxes out of the bumper without damaging them? I already bought 2 new boxes and replaced. Would like to know how to do this without ruining them again! Thanks, Zinkster

 

[Nick_in_Suffolk]

A good place to look is the Bimmian site, where there is a video showing you how to replace all the small light bulbs on the car with their 'xenon' equivalents (for that whiter look).

But the real secret is to look at how the fittings fit into the aperture and then work out how you should (gently) use a screwdriver to remove the item.

 

[zinkster]

Thanks Nick. After more research you need a special tool part number 64 1 020. I tried extreme care with a screw driver but you cannot release the metal clip without damaging the light box. I know, special tools are BS, but this one is rather unique. I am tracking down this tool now. Replacement boxes are about $12 bucks at getbmwparts.com which is what I had to do after playing around trying to get them out without damage. If anyone got these light boxes off and changed the bulbs with a screw driver please let us know how. Also Bimmerian did not have any videos or even offered the license plate bulbs for the Zed. Thanks, Zinkster

 

[20ducks]

These are easy to remove and replace. I'll try to post a pic of them off the car so you can see what you are up against.

 

[20ducks]

Check these out and see if it helps:

I remove by pulling down the clip side. Check the photo of the face to see the orientation of the lense (blank area is the side that had the clip on mine). Push in then pull down and out. Trial and error for me.