BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      03-26-2013, 10:53 AM   #23
sonicbimmer19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockstar1487 View Post
what year is your 1er?
2008 model year (April 2008 prouduction)
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      03-27-2013, 03:29 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sonicbimmer19 View Post
2008 model year (April 2008 prouduction)
yeah the metal shaving is gonna be difficult haha. if it was a newer one you wouldnt have to shave the metal tab because bmw got rid of it on the 2011+ models. let me know how it goes when you do it and if you have anything you would like to add feel free to do so
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      05-20-2013, 03:29 AM   #25
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Hi Guys,

I have a 2010 135i, my 3rd brake light basically fell off the past week, so i spent most of saturday trying install the replacement. I have cut out the middle part of the light but i have 1 question. On the old light i noticed that the middle (white part) is cut straight up to and including the red part of the light, has anyone actually cut the red part? I tried fitting the light without cutting the red part out but it doesnt budge and my fear is that if i cut into the red part thats just going to cause the light to eventually crack and break again....
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      05-21-2013, 05:19 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beast135
Hi Guys,

I have a 2010 135i, my 3rd brake light basically fell off the past week, so i spent most of saturday trying install the replacement. I have cut out the middle part of the light but i have 1 question. On the old light i noticed that the middle (white part) is cut straight up to and including the red part of the light, has anyone actually cut the red part? I tried fitting the light without cutting the red part out but it doesnt budge and my fear is that if i cut into the red part thats just going to cause the light to eventually crack and break again....
If you look at my picture, i didnt cut the red part. I just got as close to it as i could and sanded it a little bit just to smooth it out. Reading through previous posts in here also, mine slide right into place without having to force and jam anything in. Try sanding it a little bit and see if it helps. I replaced mine in january and still do not have any signs of cracking. Best of luck
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      05-21-2013, 06:46 PM   #27
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I got brave and brought out the Dremel to cut the metal tab on the trunk lid itself. Didn't want to but considering it was BMW's recommended fix I went for it. I did have some touch up paint on hand first to thoroughly cover it.

Removed that little plastic strip on the flip side of the light first w/ a pair of side cutters then finished it off very carefully with a razor blade.

What a PITA to do something so simple. Not sure how either of these changes to the light itself make it any better.
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      05-22-2013, 12:12 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tracer bullet
I got brave and brought out the Dremel to cut the metal tab on the trunk lid itself. Didn't want to but considering it was BMW's recommended fix I went for it. I did have some touch up paint on hand first to thoroughly cover it.

Removed that little plastic strip on the flip side of the light first w/ a pair of side cutters then finished it off very carefully with a razor blade.

What a PITA to do something so simple. Not sure how either of these changes to the light itself make it any better.
Did you take any pics? I'd like to see how it turned out!
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      05-22-2013, 12:58 PM   #29
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EXCELLENT POST SIIIRR!!! I found it kinda odd no one has posted it just yet
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      05-23-2013, 12:21 PM   #30
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Originally Posted by mechavore884
EXCELLENT POST SIIIRR!!! I found it kinda odd no one has posted it just yet
Thanks man!
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      08-06-2013, 12:57 PM   #31
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Posting for cross reference...

DIY third LED brake light replacement...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=845005
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      04-15-2014, 04:28 PM   #32
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Thanks for your DIY on this. My 3rd light has been cracked for years and the other day the lens finally fell off. Thanks to to your post, I was able to modify the new light and it slid right in place.
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      04-23-2014, 09:41 AM   #33
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Originally Posted by rocketpop View Post
Thanks for your DIY on this. My 3rd light has been cracked for years and the other day the lens finally fell off. Thanks to to your post, I was able to modify the new light and it slid right in place.
good to hear man!
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      10-15-2019, 06:27 AM   #34
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3rd brake light crumbled away - went to install the new light and realized there was some kind of spark/surge that happened at the wire connection to the light (I'm guessing it's due to water getting in). Has anyone else seen or dealt with this?

I'm guessing I need to completely rewire this...suggestions?
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      10-27-2019, 06:49 AM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bswindy View Post
3rd brake light crumbled away - went to install the new light and realized there was some kind of spark/surge that happened at the wire connection to the light (I'm guessing it's due to water getting in). Has anyone else seen or dealt with this?

I'm guessing I need to completely rewire this...suggestions?
Yes, I have dealt with it also. getbmwparts.com find the wire repair kit. cut the old connector off, strip the two wires make sure they look decent, re-pin it, and then your almost done. When it happened to my 08 135i, it ended up needing some kind of coding since it was burnt to shit. It trips something, but doesn't trigger a light in the dash. If you have a ODB reader, you might be able to see it and reset it yourself, but when it happened to mine several years ago, I didn't own one yet.
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      10-27-2019, 12:40 PM   #36
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A little thread detour.

How many of you are thinking of or have bought a 3rd brake light to inventory just in case they become no longer available?

If so, what brand, BMW or aftermarket?
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      02-17-2020, 05:56 PM   #37
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Thanks for this thread and thanks for a great community of 1addicts.
My third brake light needs tending too. I have scotch-taped the lens while waiting on replacement parts. Excited to have a project.
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      02-18-2020, 03:53 PM   #38
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I have bought OE BMW and Dorman. Dorman quality is OK. These TBL's are only used on 1 series and will become very difficult to obtain in the near future. My Dorman is a spare. Additionally I will never throw away a broken unit, keeping it as a spare to my spare. In 10, 20, 30 years these things will become gold. Look, 30 year old E30's are fetching over $10K if in reasonable shape. We'll be there too.
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      02-18-2020, 05:11 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthernDancer View Post
I have bought OE BMW and Dorman. Dorman quality is OK. These TBL's are only used on 1 series and will become very difficult to obtain in the near future. My Dorman is a spare. Additionally I will never throw away a broken unit, keeping it as a spare to my spare. In 10, 20, 30 years these things will become gold. Look, 30 year old E30's are fetching over $10K if in reasonable shape. We'll be there too.
You've convinced me to buy one to inventory. Now need to decide if spending the extra on OE is worth it.
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      02-18-2020, 07:19 PM   #40
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I installed a Dorman one bought off of Amazon, and the fit was good, but not perfect. There's definitely a small gap on one side. That being said, I don't worry about it too much.

I also have an OEM BMW one sitting in my closet, for when the time comes.
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      02-18-2020, 09:33 PM   #41
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Easy peasy. Had to cut the hole 1/4" closer to the red lens. I bought the part at Global BMW and they threw in new springs and nuts. Job done- my 1addicts.
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      02-18-2020, 10:45 PM   #42
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Just bought a new OE BMW one. Will cut my trunk rather than the light.

Might pick up another and full set of door/window seals.
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      05-03-2020, 10:46 AM   #43
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2013 BMW 128i  [10.00]
I had to replace this light on my wife's "new" 2008 128i and did not want to grind away the tab on the trunk lid or the new light. I work at a BMW dealer and even my price on the OE part was absurd.

After a bit of research, I found a replacement on Amazon for $50 with the opening for the tab made into the light: Brock Third Brake Light

I ordered the new springs from the TSB from my dealership, just to be prepared, and installed the new light with no issues. The new springs are shorter in their relaxed state.

You can't tell the Taiwan-made replacement from the OE in any way I could see, other than color of the seal, and there's no reason why this one won't work for all years without modification. It fit fine and looks perfect, lit and unlit.

The OE is the one on the right (below) with the lens falling out!

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      05-03-2020, 11:52 AM   #44
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Go out and buy another one for a spare. They are unique to the 1 series and some day will be NLA anywhere. In 5/10 years from now if you no longer have a 1 series, you'll be able to sell it for $100. And for me, I'm even keeping my old broken one.
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