Diy Replace Third Brake Light

ShocknAwe · 05-04-2020, 11:00 AM

[QUOTE=BMWCCA1;26128240]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!

Great find!

Gomeler · 05-31-2020, 12:32 AM

Took ~12 years but my third brake light on my 1er finally failed. Went with the OEM light assembly, and it is pretty straight forward to modify the trunk lid to accept the newer assembly. A rotary cutting tool, a slim triangle file, some touch-up paint and some vacuuming does it.

Lucky1 · 07-15-2020, 08:01 PM

Mine is starting "peel" away at one corner. A little loose. Is there a fix to this or does the whole 3BL need to be replaced?

NorthernDancer · 07-15-2020, 08:58 PM

If it works, take it out CAREFULLY, and glue it into place with a very good plastic glue. Likely hold it together with numerous elastic bands, 24 hours or time specified on glue instructions.

05-04-2020, 11:00 AM	#45
ShocknAwe 1Addict 5380 Rep 9,253 Posts Drives: N54 E82, M57 E70, 964 C4 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	[QUOTE=BMWCCA1;26128240]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! Great find! __________________ 2010 E82 1 Series M Clone Hydra Performance augmented OEM+
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05-31-2020, 12:32 AM	#46
Gomeler Lieutenant 504 Rep 411 Posts Drives: '16 M235iR, '16 M4 GTS Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Boulder, CO iTrader: (0)	Took ~12 years but my third brake light on my 1er finally failed. Went with the OEM light assembly, and it is pretty straight forward to modify the trunk lid to accept the newer assembly. A rotary cutting tool, a slim triangle file, some touch-up paint and some vacuuming does it.
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07-15-2020, 08:01 PM	#47
Lucky1 Colonel 857 Rep 2,295 Posts Drives: '08 M3 E90 Alpine White 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 340i xdrive [0.00] 2008 BMW E90 M3 [0.00] 2015 Porsche 911 Ca ... [0.00] 2006 Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	Mine is starting "peel" away at one corner. A little loose. Is there a fix to this or does the whole 3BL need to be replaced? Attached Images
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07-15-2020, 08:58 PM	#48
NorthernDancer Colonel 955 Rep 2,380 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	If it works, take it out CAREFULLY, and glue it into place with a very good plastic glue. Likely hold it together with numerous elastic bands, 24 hours or time specified on glue instructions.
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