2009 128i convertible (e88) tail lights

[JimD]

My wife noticed my drivers side tail light was out last night and I got some time late today to look at it. I searched here and elsewhere on line and thought they were leds and I was looking at $125 or more for a replacement. Before I placed the order, I decided to take it out and look at it. I had tried rotating that socket but wasn't successful in getting it out until I got the housing out of the car (3 8mm nuts). It is a simple bulb, less than $7 for 2 from Amazon (1057 but might find it easier as P21W). Hopefully the new bulbs work when they arrive in a couple days. Certainly worth a try, the housing looks fine (and the brake lights work).

I wrote the above several days ago, maybe a week. I got the new bulbs but they did not fix the issue. So I ordered the housing from PartsGeek for about $125. It came today and I put it in. Fixed the issue. $125 if a lot for a non-functional tail light but at least it now works. It is three bolts, one push pin, and two electrical connectors to change it. Very simple. But expensive. The replacement part is a Hella and seems to be exactly the same as the old one - fits great.