New 3rd Brake Light

rps · 07-25-2011, 10:20 PM

I noticed a small crack in my third brake light last week. Called the dealer and they had them in stock. I had the light replaced today with the " new improved model". Those of you that have had these replaced, did the replacement do ok without cracking?

dtwyim · 07-25-2011, 10:31 PM

I have read that some people have multiples of it replaced. So I am curious also if the 'fix' is permanent. Mine is cracked only on the top edge but has not split off like some others. Do you guys think it is worth it to bring it in? Will the dealer replace it if it is cracked but not split open?

Sylon · 07-25-2011, 10:47 PM

Mine cracked this past winter. Made an appointment at the dealership and they fixed it in an hour under warranty. I heard that the 3rd brake light has been an issue with these cars, so I wasn't surprised when it happened to me. Im just glad BMW is happy to cover it under warranty.

Kinda curious if this "new improved model" is a perma-fix for it.

UdubBadger · 07-25-2011, 11:42 PM

god i think mine was cracked like 2 weeks after getting the car. not worth my time to fix till it gets worse

1ToBeOn2Wheels · 07-26-2011, 03:57 AM

Mine had to be replaced twice. Looks all good now.

m_thompson · 07-26-2011, 12:00 PM

Got mine replaced two weeks ago.

Tom K. · 07-26-2011, 03:02 PM

FWIW, mine is over 3 years old and has never cracked.

Tom

Red Bread · 07-26-2011, 03:06 PM

I haven't checked the part number on the latest one I've got. Mine was broken on delivery, but they were back ordered. When I got that one replaced, the next one lasted about a month, but the third one is nearly three years old now, so it appears they may have fixed the glitch.

doublevanosrc · 07-26-2011, 03:34 PM

Mine was broken on my delivery date which was 9/30/10, so far it's held up fine.

ptack · 07-27-2011, 11:15 AM

Join the club. I'm on #3 right now, but I should take a careful look at it and see how it's holding up.

KingOfJericho · 07-27-2011, 11:29 AM

My first cracked within about 2 months but I've had this one for about 20 months.

DriveHard · 07-27-2011, 11:41 AM

first one replaced 2 weeks ago..

Believe it or not, that light is mounted on little spring suspension bolts and nuts.

The problem with the light is not actually the light, but the decklid !! the light is mounted thru the shell of the deck lid.. meaning the outer flange of the light is in conact with the outer skin, and the inner attachment points are in contact with the inner, seperate structure of the deck lid..

They break when the trunk is closed, the 2 skins move at different rates and the plastic of the lense cant take the stress.

I hope that is understandable.

szcyxzh · 07-27-2011, 01:13 PM

Can anyone post a photo of it? i am scheduled to receive my 2012 128i soon and would check this during the delivery day.

THX.

DriveHard · 07-27-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by szcyxzh

Can anyone post a photo of it? i am scheduled to receive my 2012 128i soon and would check this during the delivery day.

THX.

Look in this old thread.. post # 96 has a pic of common failure, although my entire lense cracked off in my habd when i slammed / closed the trunk

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...3rd+brakelight

Sylon · 07-27-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriveHard

first one replaced 2 weeks ago..

Believe it or not, that light is mounted on little spring suspension bolts and nuts.

The problem with the light is not actually the light, but the decklid !! the light is mounted thru the shell of the deck lid.. meaning the outer flange of the light is in conact with the outer skin, and the inner attachment points are in contact with the inner, seperate structure of the deck lid..

They break when the trunk is closed, the 2 skins move at different rates and the plastic of the lense cant take the stress.

I hope that is understandable.

Yeah, lets wait until winter time before calling this little problem fixed. The changes in temperature will definitely test the strength of this thin plastic piece.

A simple fix would be to put a clear laminate over the piece before installing. It'll give more stregth to the piece.

HawkeyeNS · 07-27-2011, 06:21 PM

I just had mine replaced last week on my 09 135i with part number 63257164978.

It was in the shop 2 days because the dealer indicated they had the bodyshop flatten out a piece of metal under the light and re-paint it.

Hopefully that resolves the issue.

dtwyim · 07-27-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawkeyeNS

I just had mine replaced last week on my 09 135i with part number 63257164978.

It was in the shop 2 days because the dealer indicated they had the bodyshop flatten out a piece of metal under the light and re-paint it.

Hopefully that resolves the issue.

It worries me if they have to do any re-painting. I always feel that it might be prone to rust later on if not done perfectly.

Is it standard to have to re-paint?

From reading other posts, most people did not mention repaint.

bsantini · 07-27-2011, 06:43 PM

Mine was replaced before delivery. I have a 3 year old CPO.

Barry

rudyv1 · 07-27-2011, 10:46 PM

I have a brand new one in the box if anyone needs to buy one

Thanks
Rudy

busyguy8 · 07-27-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriveHard

first one replaced 2 weeks ago..

Believe it or not, that light is mounted on little spring suspension bolts and nuts.

The problem with the light is not actually the light, but the decklid !! the light is mounted thru the shell of the deck lid.. meaning the outer flange of the light is in conact with the outer skin, and the inner attachment points are in contact with the inner, seperate structure of the deck lid..

They break when the trunk is closed, the 2 skins move at different rates and the plastic of the lense cant take the stress.

I hope that is understandable.

I think this is dead on. My SA told me they actually modify the decklid a little to prevent rebreakage.

07-25-2011, 10:20 PM	#1
rps Captain 35 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2013 X1 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pace, Fl iTrader: (11)	New 3rd Brake Light I noticed a small crack in my third brake light last week. Called the dealer and they had them in stock. I had the light replaced today with the " new improved model". Those of you that have had these replaced, did the replacement do ok without cracking? __________________ NB8S Past Garage: Z4, 135i. Present Garage: 2013 X Drive X1 2.8i.
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07-25-2011, 10:31 PM	#2
dtwyim Captain 52 Rep 874 Posts Drives: BMW no more Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I have read that some people have multiples of it replaced. So I am curious also if the 'fix' is permanent. Mine is cracked only on the top edge but has not split off like some others. Do you guys think it is worth it to bring it in? Will the dealer replace it if it is cracked but not split open?
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07-25-2011, 10:47 PM	#3
Sylon Brigadier General 189 Rep 3,435 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, SG/CR, 6MT, M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Michigan / Ohio iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 135i [9.20]	Mine cracked this past winter. Made an appointment at the dealership and they fixed it in an hour under warranty. I heard that the 3rd brake light has been an issue with these cars, so I wasn't surprised when it happened to me. Im just glad BMW is happy to cover it under warranty. Kinda curious if this "new improved model" is a perma-fix for it. __________________ 2011 BMW 135i \| Space Gray \| ///M-Sport \| BMW CCA #450291 Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Twitter
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07-25-2011, 11:42 PM	#4
UdubBadger Banned 633 Rep 24,685 Posts Drives: '04 330i ZHP Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [9.50] 2011 135i [7.46] 2008 328xi [8.76]	god i think mine was cracked like 2 weeks after getting the car. not worth my time to fix till it gets worse
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07-26-2011, 03:57 AM	#5
1ToBeOn2Wheels Freude am Fahren 31 Rep 703 Posts Drives: B9 Audi S5 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sierra Nevada Foothills, California iTrader: (0)	Mine had to be replaced twice. Looks all good now.
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07-26-2011, 12:00 PM	#6
m_thompson Major 133 Rep 1,416 Posts Drives: M-Sport 128i, 328xi, 3.0CS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New England, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 128i [0.00] 1972 3.0CS [10.00]	Got mine replaced two weeks ago. __________________ '09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
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07-26-2011, 03:02 PM	#7
Tom K. Major General 124 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	FWIW, mine is over 3 years old and has never cracked. Tom
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07-26-2011, 03:06 PM	#8
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	I haven't checked the part number on the latest one I've got. Mine was broken on delivery, but they were back ordered. When I got that one replaced, the next one lasted about a month, but the third one is nearly three years old now, so it appears they may have fixed the glitch.
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07-26-2011, 03:34 PM	#9
doublevanosrc Loves his G20 265 Rep 2,507 Posts Drives: 2020 330ix M sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin. Tx iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW [0.00]	Mine was broken on my delivery date which was 9/30/10, so far it's held up fine. __________________ 2020 330ix-Msport Past- 2013 135i 2011 135i
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07-27-2011, 11:15 AM	#10
ptack Brigadier General 269 Rep 4,470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	Join the club. I'm on #3 right now, but I should take a careful look at it and see how it's holding up. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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07-27-2011, 11:29 AM	#11
KingOfJericho Major General 2452 Rep 7,341 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 135i Coupe [5.26]	My first cracked within about 2 months but I've had this one for about 20 months. __________________ The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bimmerpost. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude Hemi \| 2010 S4 Sold \| 2010 BMW 135i Retired \| 2006 Lotus Exige Sold
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07-27-2011, 11:41 AM	#12
DriveHard Colonel 115 Rep 1,998 Posts Drives: X1 and R58 JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	first one replaced 2 weeks ago.. Believe it or not, that light is mounted on little spring suspension bolts and nuts. The problem with the light is not actually the light, but the decklid !! the light is mounted thru the shell of the deck lid.. meaning the outer flange of the light is in conact with the outer skin, and the inner attachment points are in contact with the inner, seperate structure of the deck lid.. They break when the trunk is closed, the 2 skins move at different rates and the plastic of the lense cant take the stress. I hope that is understandable. __________________ X1, R58 JCW, M2 in my future if planets align
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07-27-2011, 01:13 PM	#13
szcyxzh First Lieutenant 19 Rep 399 Posts Drives: 128I Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (2)	Can anyone post a photo of it? i am scheduled to receive my 2012 128i soon and would check this during the delivery day. THX.
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07-27-2011, 06:21 PM	#16
HawkeyeNS New Member 5 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2023 M2, 2018 M240i, 2009 135i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Halifax iTrader: (0)	Re: New 3rd Brake Light Reply to Thread I just had mine replaced last week on my 09 135i with part number 63257164978. It was in the shop 2 days because the dealer indicated they had the bodyshop flatten out a piece of metal under the light and re-paint it. Hopefully that resolves the issue.
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07-27-2011, 06:43 PM	#18
bsantini New Member 8 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2023 230i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Mine was replaced before delivery. I have a 3 year old CPO. Barry
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07-27-2011, 10:46 PM	#19
rudyv1 Private First Class 36 Rep 193 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Convertible Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kitchener ON iTrader: (0)	I have a brand new one in the box if anyone needs to buy one Thanks Rudy
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