3rd Brakelight: content of BMW service bulletin

sysfailur · 10-19-2009, 11:52 AM

Randomquickness aside, since he stated his replacement broke shortly after it was installed...

How many of you have had your 3rd brake light replaced only to have it crack again? When installing your first replacement, did the dealership follow the service bulletin posted earlier in this thread?

Mine just cracked and I'm curious to see how effective this 'fix' is. Hoping it was a one-time experience for most of you.

JMH1983 · 11-07-2009, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sysfailur

Randomquickness aside, since he stated his replacement broke shortly after it was installed...

How many of you have had your 3rd brake light replaced only to have it crack again? When installing your first replacement, did the dealership follow the service bulletin posted earlier in this thread?

Mine just cracked and I'm curious to see how effective this 'fix' is. Hoping it was a one-time experience for most of you.

I checked mine the day i received it after getting the brake light cover replaced. It was already cracked in just the drive back from the dealership lol. Now this crack was however internal, so i cant be too sure that it wasnt done through someone being rough replacing it rather then the same reasons for the original to break.

Add1ct · 11-07-2009, 09:11 AM

haha when I had the first one replaced the second was cracked within a day too, the third seems to be doing better though

otterdoc · 11-23-2009, 03:35 PM

May 09 build, 6k miles, light broke over the weekend. Getting it replaced Wednesday. Gotta love the 'quirks' on these cars.

Novator · 02-06-2010, 03:33 AM

Car has approximately 16.5k miles and after slowly cracking for over a year if finally cracked in thirds. The first cracked and fell Tuesday morning, the second part fell off the day after and the last remaining third is still hanging on. It seems the whole assembly on mine might have to be replaced. I though it was just a seal, but its held on by an adhesive of some sort maybe?

Add1ct · 02-06-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otterdoc

May 09 build, 6k miles, light broke over the weekend. Getting it replaced Wednesday. Gotta love the 'quirks' on these cars.

haha I'm on my 4th third taillight so I don't consider it a quirk anymore. I'm also on my second left taillight and currently have a non-functionin right taillight. back to the dealer on monday...

tiwahu · 02-06-2010, 08:13 PM

Just got my 3rd (or 4th?) third taillight replaced, too. This time only an inch or so on the right fell off. No problem under warranty, but it is getting kind of ridiculous.

Novator · 02-06-2010, 09:42 PM

Replaced

brikman45 · 02-24-2010, 10:42 PM

had mine replaced today. SA knew about the service bulletin. in and out in an hour; with a car wash and vacuum to boot!

POEHAM · 03-13-2010, 07:18 PM

i juss joined the 3rd brake light club.....really starting to hate BMW at this point

Xaeryan · 04-01-2010, 11:29 AM

See here for a bigger list of ppl affected:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...=215349&page=5

NL-J · 05-15-2010, 03:47 PM

Hi all, new here

Just following this 3rd brake light issue. I have a 1 series vert and noticed a small crack in the light too, car is from may '09.

Do these new brake lights still crack? I guess not only overtighten it causes it to crack, but it looks to me that the lens cover is glued to the housing and this glue maybe is of poor quality?

SB says there's a metal tab they need to grind away before placing a new light. Now that is something I'm not looking forward to at all as I'm afraid it will be a future rust spot

So I'm actually hoping they improved the design of the brake light? Besides that I'd think/hope there would be another way of replacing it without the grinding, grinding just sounds nuts to me.

BSM Bimmer · 05-15-2010, 09:41 PM

LOL, I am on my 3rd third brake light after only 18k miles... The dealer seems to have no problem replacing it though.

Its a well known problem, but like all the other issues with this car, BMW doesn't care about it once they make the sell.

Itanius · 05-15-2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NL-J

Hi all, new here

Just following this 3rd brake light issue. I have a 1 series vert and noticed a small crack in the light too, car is from may '09.

Do these new brake lights still crack? I guess not only overtighten it causes it to crack, but it looks to me that the lens cover is glued to the housing and this glue maybe is of poor quality?

SB says there's a metal tab they need to grind away before placing a new light. Now that is something I'm not looking forward to at all as I'm afraid it will be a future rust spot

So I'm actually hoping they improved the design of the brake light? Besides that I'd think/hope there would be another way of replacing it without the grinding, grinding just sounds nuts to me.

I just had my 3rd brake light replaced last week and they followed the SIB, which has them apply paint over the areas they were instructed to grind. Corrosion shouldn't be an issue.

As far as the glue goes, my lens split away from the light housing, leaving some of the lens behind which tells me the adhesive was stronger than the plastic lens material.

NL-J · 05-16-2010, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itanius

I just had my 3rd brake light replaced last week and they followed the SIB, which has them apply paint over the areas they were instructed to grind. Corrosion shouldn't be an issue.

As far as the glue goes, my lens split away from the light housing, leaving some of the lens behind which tells me the adhesive was stronger than the plastic lens material.

Yeah I guess it is what it is

Visiting the dealer every couple of months as seems to happen to some of us isn't an option too lol.

Still think it's odd they have to be grinding away metal instead of redesigning the light. I believe the lights are made in Italy

Maybe someone has a photo of one before installing?

bakuretsu · 09-03-2010, 08:14 AM

I've got a 12/2008 E82 and I have had the third taillight replaced once due to cracking, and now the replacement is cracking as well!

I'm glad to know it's not just me, but at around $180 for the assembly itself, I can only hope that BMW keeps replacing them at their expense. This will be two replacements in under a year.

doublevanosrc · 10-01-2010, 06:02 PM

I took delivery of my 1er yesterday and I noticed that it was cracked. The dealer replaced it and now it's looking good. I was under the impression that slamming the trunklid would cause the cracking but apparently not.

enlightenment · 11-12-2010, 08:05 PM

I just took delivery of my 2011 135 on Monday (11/8/10) and noticed my brake light was broken too. Is this a continuing problem? You would think after 4+ years of production they would solve this.

gap · 11-22-2010, 12:13 PM

I had my 3rd brake light replaced for the 3rd time on my 08 135 last week. I think we need to get a extended warranty to cover these since they are just putting the same part with the same problem back on.

Spoetzl · 11-23-2010, 04:10 PM

I took delivery of my 2011 135 on 11/1/10 and had my brake light fixed today 11/23/10. My SA informs me it's still and issue, but it was fixed under warranty. So I'm not complaining.

EINSER M · 12-24-2010, 09:19 AM

mine getting replaced as we speak. came out from the store and the damn thing was gonzo!

dragon1761 · 12-24-2010, 01:42 PM

just had my 2nd one this tuesday. Hope it doesnt break again.

10-19-2009, 11:52 AM	#23
sysfailur Private First Class 5 Rep 114 Posts Drives: AW 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: this cube iTrader: (1)	Randomquickness aside, since he stated his replacement broke shortly after it was installed... How many of you have had your 3rd brake light replaced only to have it crack again? When installing your first replacement, did the dealership follow the service bulletin posted earlier in this thread? Mine just cracked and I'm curious to see how effective this 'fix' is. Hoping it was a one-time experience for most of you.
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11-07-2009, 09:11 AM	#25
Add1ct Lieutenant Colonel 59 Rep 1,859 Posts Drives: 135i, 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Palos Verdes Estates (SoCal) iTrader: (3)	haha when I had the first one replaced the second was cracked within a day too, the third seems to be doing better though __________________ E82 N54 6MT 6FL 668 KASW turned in E92 Crimson/Cream N54 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, ZCW, Nav, Sat radio, HD Radio, Logic7, PDC, Active Steering, Active Cruise, 6FL, CA
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11-23-2009, 03:35 PM	#26
otterdoc Mean Little Otter 2 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Detroit iTrader: (0)	May 09 build, 6k miles, light broke over the weekend. Getting it replaced Wednesday. Gotta love the 'quirks' on these cars. __________________ 2012 135i: M-Sport, Prem, DCT, Nav, iPod/USB, LeMans/Black.
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02-06-2010, 03:33 AM	#27
Novator Captain 48 Rep 711 Posts Drives: '04 E46 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Beaufort, SC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [8.00]	Car has approximately 16.5k miles and after slowly cracking for over a year if finally cracked in thirds. The first cracked and fell Tuesday morning, the second part fell off the day after and the last remaining third is still hanging on. It seems the whole assembly on mine might have to be replaced. I though it was just a seal, but its held on by an adhesive of some sort maybe? __________________
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02-06-2010, 08:13 PM	#29
tiwahu Gamertag: Boardwalk 35 Rep 82 Posts Drives: 2019 M240i xDrive Convertible Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M240i xDri ... [0.00] 2015 BMW X5 xDrive35d [0.00]	Just got my 3rd (or 4th?) third taillight replaced, too. This time only an inch or so on the right fell off. No problem under warranty, but it is getting kind of ridiculous. __________________ • 2019 *BMW M240i xDrive Convertible* Estoril/Cognac/Hexagon ZPP, 20Z, 3YA, 674, 552 • 2015 BMW X5 xDrive35d Mineral White/Terra/Hexagon ZMM, ZPP, ZCW, 2VF, 417, 3AG, 688 × 2008 BMW 135i TiAg/Coral/AgAl** ZSP, ZPP, 205, 322, 494, 4MG, 677, 6FL
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02-06-2010, 09:42 PM	#30
Novator Captain 48 Rep 711 Posts Drives: '04 E46 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Beaufort, SC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [8.00]	Replaced __________________
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02-24-2010, 10:42 PM	#31
brikman45 New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 128i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	had mine replaced today. SA knew about the service bulletin. in and out in an hour; with a car wash and vacuum to boot!
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03-13-2010, 07:18 PM	#32
POEHAM New Member 3 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 135i vert Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	i juss joined the 3rd brake light club.....really starting to hate BMW at this point
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04-01-2010, 11:29 AM	#33
Xaeryan Lieutenant 38 Rep 566 Posts Drives: Sideways mostly Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hazleton, PA iTrader: (4)	See here for a bigger list of ppl affected: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...=215349&page=5 __________________ 2014 SCCA Solo - Modifications by Class listing
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05-15-2010, 03:47 PM	#34
NL-J First Lieutenant 21 Rep 313 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: May 2010 Location: NL iTrader: (0)	Hi all, new here Just following this 3rd brake light issue. I have a 1 series vert and noticed a small crack in the light too, car is from may '09. Do these new brake lights still crack? I guess not only overtighten it causes it to crack, but it looks to me that the lens cover is glued to the housing and this glue maybe is of poor quality? SB says there's a metal tab they need to grind away before placing a new light. Now that is something I'm not looking forward to at all as I'm afraid it will be a future rust spot So I'm actually hoping they improved the design of the brake light? Besides that I'd think/hope there would be another way of replacing it without the grinding, grinding just sounds nuts to me.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-15-2010, 09:41 PM	#35
BSM Bimmer Banned 0 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Stillwater Oklahoma iTrader: (0)	LOL, I am on my 3rd third brake light after only 18k miles... The dealer seems to have no problem replacing it though. Its a well known problem, but like all the other issues with this car, BMW doesn't care about it once they make the sell.
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09-03-2010, 08:14 AM	#38
bakuretsu New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: Jet Black 2009 128i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	I've got a 12/2008 E82 and I have had the third taillight replaced once due to cracking, and now the replacement is cracking as well! I'm glad to know it's not just me, but at around $180 for the assembly itself, I can only hope that BMW keeps replacing them at their expense. This will be two replacements in under a year.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2010, 06:02 PM	#39
doublevanosrc Loves his G20 265 Rep 2,508 Posts Drives: 2020 330ix M sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin. Tx iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW [0.00]	I took delivery of my 1er yesterday and I noticed that it was cracked. The dealer replaced it and now it's looking good. I was under the impression that slamming the trunklid would cause the cracking but apparently not. __________________ 2020 330ix-Msport Past- 2013 135i 2011 135i
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11-12-2010, 08:05 PM	#40
enlightenment Private First Class 5 Rep 140 Posts Drives: Z4 ///M Coupe AW/IR Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Calabasas, CA iTrader: (1)	I just took delivery of my 2011 135 on Monday (11/8/10) and noticed my brake light was broken too. Is this a continuing problem? You would think after 4+ years of production they would solve this.
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11-22-2010, 12:13 PM	#41
gap First Lieutenant 105 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MS iTrader: (1)	I had my 3rd brake light replaced for the 3rd time on my 08 135 last week. I think we need to get a extended warranty to cover these since they are just putting the same part with the same problem back on.
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11-23-2010, 04:10 PM	#42
Spoetzl New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: MY 2011 135 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	I took delivery of my 2011 135 on 11/1/10 and had my brake light fixed today 11/23/10. My SA informs me it's still and issue, but it was fixed under warranty. So I'm not complaining.
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12-24-2010, 09:19 AM	#43
EINSER M Major General 377 Rep 5,730 Posts Drives: BMW i3 rex Join Date: May 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (44) Garage List 2018 I01 i3s \| CURRENT [0.00] 2018 G01 X3 \| CURRENT [0.00] 2017 I01 i3 \| SOLD [0.00] 2017 F48 X1 \| SOLD ... [0.00] 2016 I01 i3 \| SOLD [0.00] 2017 F22 M240 \| SOLD [8.00] 2016 F25 X3 diesel ... [0.00] 2006 E60 550 \| SOLD [6.00] 2011 E90 335 \| SOLD [8.66] 2012 E82 135 \| SOLD [5.50] 2011 E82 1M \| SOLD [7.94] 2007 E85 Z4M\| SOLD [4.50] 2003 E53 X5 4.6is S ... [9.00] 2008 E92 328 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E82 135 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E90 335 \| SOLD [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 \| SOLD [7.50] 2006 E90 330 \| SOLD [10.00] 2003 E46 330ZHP \| SOLD [0.00]	mine getting replaced as we speak. came out from the store and the damn thing was gonzo!
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12-24-2010, 01:42 PM	#44
dragon1761 Lieutenant 83 Rep 528 Posts Drives: 128i SGM 08; 328i AW 14 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Arcadia, CA iTrader: (0)	just had my 2nd one this tuesday. Hope it doesnt break again.
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