4th 3rd brake light.

[Guildenstern]

I just got a crack on the 4th replaced 3rd brake light on my '08.

Has anyone had a successful repair of this thing? If so what dealer, and did they mention what procedure they did?

Is there an aftermarket solution at this point?

[Lexington]

You might want to send a PM to dbtheo he used to work for Ganley but last I heard he is with Dave Walter BMW in Akron. I figure he could ensure it was done right.

[Dackelone]

There IS a fix for this. You might try searching. I remember seeing some DIY pics and the TSB once. The shop removed the light.... and grinds away the inner corners of the trunk where the light sits into it. The dealer should also use some touch up paint to prevent rust from grinding down to bare metal inside of your trunk.

[Eddie135]

I had my mine crack twice.

2 major issues affecting the crack:

1. The spring loaded screws over-tightening
2. The boot locking latch.

First time crack was the spring loaded screw over-tighten and second time was the boot locking latch.

As I have to slam the boot to close it, now, I just leave it slightly and let it drop and it closes smoothly.

[Guildenstern]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

There IS a fix for this. You might try searching. I remember seeing some DIY pics and the TSB once. The shop removed the light.... and grinds away the inner corners of the trunk where the light sits into it. The dealer should also use some touch up paint to prevent rust from grinding down to bare metal inside of your trunk.

I've had that procedure done now 2 lights ago.

My guy is at Ganley (bought my car through dbtheo) Car has been to both Ganley and Davis Cleveland BMW same outcome. Either the procedure was done incorrectly (not super likely, but hey it's an art not a science grinding stuff free hand), or this just hasn't been solved yet from BMW.

Eddie135 i'm curious to know who told you about the slamming, is BMW in Australia putting out a different Service Bulletin?

[Eddie135]

Because I cannot close my boot without slamming it.

If I let it drop by itself, it will not close.

From my past experience, it is either the locking latch or the screws behind the brake light.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Eddie135

Because I cannot close my boot without slamming it.

If I let it drop by itself, it will not close.

From my past experience, it is either the locking latch or the screws behind the brake light.

I don't have to slam mine. Well... not hard that is. IF I just let the trunk drop... yea, it will not latch. But I don't really have to use that much force to shut it. Just a light hand on the trunk lid will make mine latch close. Perhaps that is why I have never had to replace mine third brake light. Mine's a 2010.

[dtwyim]

For those of you that had the 3rd brake light replaced, would the dealer replace it if it is just cracked or does it have to fall off? Mine has been cracked for more than 3 years but still staying on. I rarely use the trunk so maybe that is the reason.

Should I even bother getting it 'fixed'? My 4 year warranty is up next July.

Thanks

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by dtwyim

For those of you that had the 3rd brake light replaced, would the dealer replace it if it is just cracked or does it have to fall off? Mine has been cracked for more than 3 years but still staying on. I rarely use the trunk so maybe that is the reason.

Should I even bother getting it 'fixed'? My 4 year warranty is up next July.

Thanks

I would have it replaced. You could always "help" it come off the car somewhat.

[HIPSI]

Cracked is good enough. I had two replaced under warranty early on because of being cracked, this last one instaledl two years ago has held up fine...

[cricri]

Just found out mine is cracked again, it'll be my 3rd reflector. Will get it changed under warranty just like last time..

[qcodec]

This is really strange. Mine is '08 too. But I never have this problem.

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by qcodec

This is really strange. Mine is '08 too. But I never have this problem.

Look closely at the top edge. It starts with a crack in the middle that you have to look carefully for.

Or did you get the car second hand and maybe it is already fixed?

[qcodec]

Yeah you're correct. My dealer handled it.

Just checked the repairing record, and it shows 3rd brake light was replaced under the recall (04/11). But I'm sure my 01/08 didn't show any sign of crack.

[Motohip]

Will they replace this outside of warranty?

[nnguyen04]

^ i want to know this as well. my car is out of warranty and cracked. didnt notice that till recently. surprise dealer didnt see this. There is a TSB right?

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by Motohip

Will they replace this outside of warranty?

Originally Posted by nnguyen04

^ i want to know this as well. my car is out of warranty and cracked. didnt notice that till recently. surprise dealer didnt see this. There is a TSB right?

I would say it depends on your dealer. Since it is not a safety recall, they can choose not to cover it.

[Venom]

Originally Posted by Motohip

Will they replace this outside of warranty?

I am not sure if the service bulletin extends this coverage, but if you have had the part replaced then they extend the warranty on that part for a year from when it was replaced. Or so I was told by my dealer.

[Louder]

I just discovered my first crack. 1st timer on a 2010, argh, don't like going to dealerships but at least it's under warranty.

[mzman]

My car is an 08 and I've had to have mine replaced twice now. One at 7k miles and the second time at 16k which was 2 months ago.

It must be a time related thing where the plastic starts degrading because the car only has 18k miles on it, I have only opened the trunk maybe 10 times ever and it stays in a dark climate controlled garage 6 days a week. So pretty much as little abuse from the elements as possible and it still falls apart.

[nnguyen04]

wow i called 3 dealership in my area and none have gotten back to me in 3 days. horrible!!!

[nnguyen04]

getting my 3rd brake light replaced at dealer right now. if bmw have already replaced it while in warranty, its extended for another 2 yrs unlimited miles. yayyy