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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      01-29-2012, 01:08 PM   #1
int2str
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3rd brake light lens

Walked up to my 135i today just to find the rear brake light lens gone... Did a search and this seems to be a common occurance. Is this a warranty item? Any updates on this issue? New parts/procedures?
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      01-29-2012, 01:11 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by int2str View Post
Walked up to my 135i today just to find the rear brake light lens gone... Did a search and this seems to be a common occurance. Is this a warranty item? Any updates on this issue? New parts/procedures?
They've been known to crack and break, but I'm not sure about the whole falling out....Best thing to do is take it to the dealer...Even if they don't cover it, its pretty easy to replace...
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      01-29-2012, 02:51 PM   #3
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Im on my 2nd one and its doing it again.
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      01-29-2012, 06:34 PM   #4
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On my second as well. The service bulletin calls for the dealer to grind off the metal tab on the top center of the trunk opening that the light inserts into. They did this the first time it was repaired. The second time the tab was gone so the service tech was nice enough to grind the outside of my trunk. Had to bring it back to have them repair the paint. Next time it will be a DIY. The light cost approximately $60, which is well worth the peace of mind knowing it was done right.
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      01-29-2012, 07:32 PM   #5
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We just had ours replaced after I noticed a hairline crack. No questions at all by the dealer, just an immediate booking with loaner, as the car was there overnight to allow the paint/rustproofing of the ground-down tab to cure.
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      01-29-2012, 07:41 PM   #6
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I am on my 2nd light, but it only took them an hour to replace it. So I'm guessing my replacement happened before the service bulletin.
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      01-29-2012, 08:11 PM   #7
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I also had the 3rd brake light cracking problem. You could barely see it and looked more like an internal crack. The dealer replaced it right away no questions asked under warranty
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      01-30-2012, 10:59 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pig Farmer View Post
On my second as well. The service bulletin calls for the dealer to grind off the metal tab on the top center of the trunk opening that the light inserts into. They did this the first time it was repaired. The second time the tab was gone so the service tech was nice enough to grind the outside of my trunk. Had to bring it back to have them repair the paint. Next time it will be a DIY. The light cost approximately $60, which is well worth the peace of mind knowing it was done right.
After my third visit for this issue, I got fed up and just decided to replace it myself when it breaks....So far, I'm going on a year with the current one with no cracks....I made sure not to tighten the spring loaded bolt and fastener so maybe that's why mine has lasted
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      01-30-2012, 09:06 PM   #9
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I seem to recall the service bulletin calls for something like 2 ft/lbs of torque. Yes 2 not 20. Maybe I will have my grandmother tighten the bolts by hand.
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      02-02-2012, 11:08 PM   #10
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Happened to me, started with a crack. Joel confer BMW in state college wanted to charge me $75 for the light alone. Took it to another dealer to get fixed at no cost with a loaded 328xi for a loaner : )
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      02-02-2012, 11:47 PM   #11
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Got it replaced today - under warranty, no questions asked.
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      02-03-2012, 08:07 AM   #12
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Mine was covered a year ago and hasn't broke since
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      02-03-2012, 08:32 AM   #13
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On my 135, light started cracking one night and I taped it as it was going to rain..three days later it was almost 1/2 cracked. Took it to dealer #1 and he said someone was trying to steal it and broke it taking it off, dealer #2 said...yeah, known problem, we have a service bulletin on it. replaced and no issues since.
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      02-03-2012, 02:06 PM   #14
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1st one cracked and replaced

6 mo later the 2nd one was just plain gone, didn't notice it cracked, but noticed one day as i walked up to car, no light. replaced that one, both warranty and ok since (over a year)
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      05-30-2012, 09:39 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pig Farmer View Post
The service bulletin calls for the dealer to grind off the metal tab on the top center of the trunk opening that the light inserts into.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE View Post
as the car was there overnight to allow the paint/rustproofing of the ground-down tab to cure.
So, I just got mine replaced. I was in and out in less than an hour. So there is NO way they did any painting/ rustproofing.

Does anyone have a link of the TSB? I searched and can't find it.

I also think the dealer did NOT grind down that metal tab at the top. If you look at the pic, you can kind of see the middle on top of the light is bent in Looks like they just shoved the light in and call it the day! I tried my best but it is actually quite difficult to take a pic to show the problem.

Thanks for any help.
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      05-31-2012, 05:58 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Riley1524 View Post
After my third visit for this issue, I got fed up and just decided to replace it myself when it breaks....So far, I'm going on a year with the current one with no cracks....I made sure not to tighten the spring loaded bolt and fastener so maybe that's why mine has lasted
Maybe I should to replace mine myself before the dealer makes it worse.

Any chance someone would have the detailed SIB available to post?

Thank you.
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      05-31-2012, 08:13 AM   #17
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This tail light plus the HPFP were what got the 135i its very low reliability rating from Consumer Reports. I don't think that BMW changed the way they were making the trunk lid until late 2011 MY.
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      05-31-2012, 03:04 PM   #18
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I replaced mine myself ( the revision where you have to cut/ grind the metal tab)...I don't think you could install it without cutting the tab as it's a very tight even when the tab is removed....If having it replaced from the dealer, I would ask specifics as what was done and what revision was used etc...Or better yet, replace it yourself and know ikt was done right.
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      05-31-2012, 05:12 PM   #19
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I got one of the first 2011 135i convertibles, as I picked it up as PCD in July 10. Great car, but just noticed that my second center stoplight (the first replacement was done in Sept of last year) has a crack. Bummer.

Did I hear it right that in late 2011 a proper fix was created?
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      06-02-2012, 12:20 PM   #20
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Me two!

My 135i developed a crack in the very center of the lens, which didn't change for a few months, then it worsened and became loose. Before I could get it into the dealer, I found the lens laying on the pavement!

My 128i had a very small crack in it, (also the very center), so as soon as I noticed it I took the car to the dealer for a replacement.

Both times, my dealer, Kuni BMW in Beaverton, Oregon replaced the lens at no cost to me.

Both fixes appear to be doing well, and I keep my fingers crossed.
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      06-02-2012, 08:37 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maxfx View Post
My 135i developed a crack in the very center of the lens, which didn't change for a few months, then it worsened and became loose. Before I could get it into the dealer, I found the lens laying on the pavement!

My 128i had a very small crack in it, (also the very center), so as soon as I noticed it I took the car to the dealer for a replacement.

Both times, my dealer, Kuni BMW in Beaverton, Oregon replaced the lens at no cost to me.

Both fixes appear to be doing well, and I keep my fingers crossed.
How long ago were these done? Mine was early last Sept, and mine cracked.
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      06-03-2012, 07:58 AM   #22
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This just happened to me. When I saw it I thought someone hit my car, but after searching online I saw that this is a common issue. I am currently out of warranty, but when I called BMW they told me it might be covered for free. I'm going to get the light fixed this week so I'll let you guys know.


TSB:

Vehicle: 2008 BMW 1 Series
Nature of Defect:
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Bulletin Number:
SIB-63-10-08
Bulletin Date:
Jun 2010
Summary:
BMW: MOUNTING TENSION OR THE CUTOUT AREA OF THE TRUNK FOR THE LIGHT IS CAUSING THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT LENS TO CRACK. THIS IS ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK IN. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10036986 )
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