Replacing the rear central brake light cover

[ruddybloodygood]

Hi all!

Sadly my brake light cover seems to have just fallen off - and it's been lost, probably on a road somewhere.

I've seen replacement light units on eBay - but question #1, does anyone know if you can buy just the cover for this (in the UK)?

Also - anyone got any experience with fitting the cover and/or the whole part? Is it an easy job for someone that's not really a "car guy"? Or should I take it into a garage?

Thanks for your help

 

[Stuartt]

Hi If you open the boot and look behind you will see a couple of nuts that hold it in place.

You have to replace the whole unit, get the clear one its cheaper order it from Sopers BMW mention the forum and you will get a discount and if you order early enough it will be with you tomorrow.

10 min job to change just don't over tighten the nuts when you refit the new one.

Stuart

 

[Serpentine722]

I did mine last night - is a lot easier if you remove the x2 mounded inserts in the inside of the boot lid - this allows easier access so you can get your hands in the manually loosen/ tighten the x3 bolts and springs that hold the light assembly in place.

Hth
Matt

 

[rossonr]

[youtube]2Hzgdz6SH04[/youtube]
There you go that should help Ray

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Was that the original? When you get a replacement make sure you get the washers and weaker springs too, part numbers are about on here somewhere.

 

[ruddybloodygood]

Sincere thanks guys for the quick responses (and video!) - this is great. It looks simple enough and will give it a go at the weekend!

 

[ruddybloodygood]

^^ ordered from Sopers, with the discount. thanks again

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Hope you got the springs :roll:

 

[Stuartt]

Hope you got the springs :roll:

You don't have to replace the springs.

I didn't and mines fine.

Stuart

 

[Scooba_Steve]

No, you don't have to. And they're not guaranteed to prevent reoccurrence... ask me how I know.

But for the sake of a couple of pounds, wouldn't you play it as safe as you can?

 

[Serpentine722]

When you refit the new light just tighten the nuts up by hand - do not over tighten!

 

[MACK]

I wouldn't use BMW Direct on Ebay, absolute shower of sh!t despite the fact they are part of bmw uk.
better off going to a dealer like sopers like others have said.

 

[ben g]

Hope you got the springs :roll:

You don't have to replace the springs.

I didn't and mines fine.

Stuart

I didn't replace my springs and I'll tell you how many I've had cracking on mine....

Original red one - cracked.
New clear one - cracked.
Used red one - already had a small cracking in so doesn't count.
New clear one - cracked.

I've now learned my lesson and will order new springs. It doesn't help that when the missus shuts the boot she seems to do it in anger :lol:

 

[Stuartt]

Hope you got the springs :roll:

You don't have to replace the springs.

I didn't and mines fine.

Stuart

I didn't replace my springs and I'll tell you how many I've had cracking on mine....

Original red one - cracked.
New clear one - cracked.
Used red one - already had a small cracking in so doesn't count.
New clear one - cracked.

I've now learned my lesson and will order new springs. It doesn't help that when the missus shuts the boot she seems to do it in anger :lol:

There's your problem right there Ben. My wife doesn't go near my Zed let alone shut the boot

 

[dgmx5]

Removed the existing, cracked, light with a bit of persuasion including a hammer and chisel as two of the plastic housings in which the bolts are held had cracked so they were just spinning as I tried to remove the nuts.

Not too bad getting it out.

Fitting the new unit from BMW_Direct on ebay should be a breeze, no? Well I can't seem to get the unit to sit in the opening. Partly I think because the seal has a lump in the top right hand corner, see photos below (excuse the tape marks, I had to tape the old unit whilst I waited the arrival of the new unit)

Any suggestions as to how to improve the fit before I go for a final tightening of the nuts?

TIA

 

[DMike]

The upper edge should sit more flush, that one will be prone to leak. I’d return it and buy either oem, try another chinese copy, or cut the seal thinner and augment with some rtv.

 

[buzyg]

Here you go. All you need to know. https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=113602

 

[dgmx5]

The upper edge should sit more flush, that one will be prone to leak. I’d return it and buy either oem, try another chinese copy, or cut the seal thinner and augment with some rtv.

I may indeed return but this is OEM which makes it more frustrating.

 

[dgmx5]

Here you go. All you need to know. https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=113602

All I need to know apart from how to get it to fit flush when the sealant hasn't been applied properly during production.

 

[buzyg]

Here you go. All you need to know. https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=113602

All I need to know apart from how to get it to fit flush when the sealant hasn't been applied properly during production.

:worthless: