Gd.Dam Third Brake Light

rowsdower · 05-21-2018, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

The one that's least expensive, because they all break eventually?

The one owned by someone who knows not to slam the trunk.

Esteban · 05-21-2018, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowsdower

The one owned by someone who knows not to slam the trunk.

I don't slam my trunk and I still got a Gd.Dam crack in the third brake light.

chris_flies · 05-21-2018, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowsdower

The one owned by someone who knows not to slam the trunk.

I don't slam my trunk and I still got a Gd.Dam crack in the third brake light.

Lol mine was already cracked when I got the car...

So far, it's been fine through an abnormally hot summer (consistently in 100s, with 95% humidity) and a record cold winter (consistently in the teens).

Esteban · 05-21-2018, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

Lol mine was already cracked when I got the car...

So far, it's been fine through an abnormally hot summer (consistently in 100s, with 95% humidity) and a record cold winter (consistently in the teens).

Mine was too, and I bought the car new. At least I think it was already there. All I know is I noticed the crack one day, shortly after purchase.

ShocknAwe · 05-21-2018, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

The one that's least expensive, because they all break eventually?

Maybe so, but still want the one that is the brightest, fits the best, and connects like OE. If that's OE, then so be it, if an aftermarket company makes one that's brighter but needs a little dremeling to fit 100%, then I'd like to know about that one too.

Not gonna lose any sleep over an extra $20 spread out over 6 years (how long my last one survived).

Gangplank · 05-21-2018, 08:06 PM

Part arrived today. It's the doorman of Amazonia.bezos I'm planning to install it this weekend. Will report back..

Tommm · 05-22-2018, 08:25 AM

When I installed my Dorman I as halfway through and it wouldn't go in. Thought all kinds of things, then realized one of the screws was not lined up with the hole. Duh!

mackeroni · 05-22-2018, 12:34 PM

Dang. I thought the problems with the center light had been fixed before my '11 went into production. Now I have something else to look forward to.

Esteban · 05-22-2018, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mackeroni

Dang. I thought the problems with the center light had been fixed before my '11 went into production. Now I have something else to look forward to.

You mean yours doesn't have a crack? It's a miracle! lol

I wonder how many people have a crack in the third brake light vs how many don't?

ShocknAwe · 05-22-2018, 08:01 PM

OK so what's the deal between OE and Dorman. Is it just a cheaper OEM? Or different in any way. Someone has to know. Anyone?

cptgonzo · 05-22-2018, 08:16 PM

Got my Doorman waiting to be installed this weekend. Will report back on fitment etc. got from amazon, just was cheaper hopefully it fits and works. . .

Tommm · 05-22-2018, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

OK so what's the deal between OE and Dorman. Is it just a cheaper OEM? Or different in any way. Someone has to know. Anyone?

I destroyed my original taking it off, but when I held the corpse next to the dorman I didn't see any difference other than the lack of logo on the lens. Its a crappy design from the get go, so I went cheap.

I know the purists will bitch about non original parts, but if the original is crap

, go with the knock off.

its been about a year/15000 miles, and it hasn't cracked (yet)

Gangplank · 05-23-2018, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

OK so what's the deal between OE and Dorman. Is it just a cheaper OEM? Or different in any way. Someone has to know. Anyone?

BMW buys parts from different suppliers over time. Some make OEM quality under their own brand. We'll see.

Gangplank · 05-23-2018, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cptgonzo

Got my Doorman waiting to be installed this weekend. Will report back on fitment etc. got from amazon, just was cheaper hopefully it fits and works. . .

I think all of the new design take some filing and/or trimming. There is a thread on it around here somewhere.

JimVonBaden · 05-25-2018, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

You mean yours doesn't have a crack? It's a miracle! lol

I wonder how many people have a crack in the third brake light vs how many don't?

My 2011 with 84K miles has the factory brake light. Not sure if it is original, but it isn't broken.

Esteban · 05-25-2018, 03:36 PM

Here's the TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on the third brake light. It leads you to believe adding spacers will relieve the tension that makes it crack. It's for a 2008 1er but I'm pretty sure the part is the same for 2008 through 2013 1ers. Also, it lists the wrong P/N. It shows 63-25-7-165-978, but the correct P/N is 63-25-7-164-978.

I don't know if the spacers are enough to stop it from cracking again. On that subject, Here's Dackel's DIY thread on installing the third brake light, for anyone who is interested and hasn't already seen it.

Esteban · 05-25-2018, 04:07 PM

Whoops! The links in my above post were erased. Have added them back in.

Gangplank · 05-28-2018, 06:29 PM

Steve, thanks for linking Dackels thread. I had seen it before and having it handy helped immensely.

My 2011 has the silly metal tab. The Doorman replacement light didn't have a cutout and it did have the raised line on the bottom side.

I followed Dackels thread. What should be a 10 min fix takes 30-45 depending on how quick you work. Taking everything apart was easy peasy. I used a screw driver and pry bar to gently remove the plastic nuts holding the trunk carpet.

Took off the old light and the screws came out of the plastic so I had to use pliers to remove the cap nuts. After that got out the dremmel, removed the metal tab, removed the raised plastic spine and it all went together no problem.

Just tightened the nuts hand tight + a little bit. Not over tight. Simple job, anyone can do it.

Esteban · 05-29-2018, 11:44 AM

Nice work, Josh. It looks perfect!

Good to know the Dorman fits fine for half the price of the OE part.

Following Dackel's DIY means it shouldn't crack down the road.

PS - how are the lights? As bright as OE?

Gangplank · 05-30-2018, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

Nice work, Josh. It looks perfect!

Good to know the Dorman fits fine for half the price of the OE part.

Following Dackel's DIY means it shouldn't crack down the road.

PS - how are the lights? As bright as OE?

;-). Thanks. We'll see if it cracks. Honestly if the part (oem or aftermarket) were made right there would be no need to modify it or the car. BMW huh?!?

I'm convinced the cracking is from tightening the nuts too tight and it sitting in the sun. Mine was ok when I was in Vegas. Cracked but ok. Soon as I had to park it outside for a few months in the sun it got noticeably worse. Or it just aged out.

blue135 · 05-31-2018, 03:09 PM

I suspect your comment about not tightening the nuts too tight (springs are there for the tension) is right on. Too tight and the expansion/contraction of heat and cold can do much damage.

mackeroni · 06-01-2018, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

You mean yours doesn't have a crack? It's a miracle! lol

I wonder how many people have a crack in the third brake light vs how many don't?

At risk of invoking the wrath of the taillight gods, no... mine does not have a crack in it after 7 years and 60,000 miles. Do you think my water pump will last forever too?

Peace

05-21-2018, 08:06 PM	#28
Gangplank Brigadier General 1541 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: 2011 e82 135i n55 Sport w/ DCT Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Vero Beach, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 135i [0.00]	Part arrived today. It's the doorman of Amazonia.bezos I'm planning to install it this weekend. Will report back.. __________________ 2011 135i w/ DCT \| ZSP Sport Pkg \| PPK \| Ohlins R
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05-22-2018, 08:25 AM	#29
Tommm Driven Crazy 190 Rep 505 Posts Drives: his wife nuts 128i 6m Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: The Mile High iTrader: (1)	When I installed my Dorman I as halfway through and it wouldn't go in. Thought all kinds of things, then realized one of the screws was not lined up with the hole. Duh! __________________ '08 128i 6M
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05-22-2018, 12:34 PM	#30
mackeroni Former Opel GT Pilot 327 Rep 771 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, AW, CR, 6MT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Canton, OH USA iTrader: (0)	Dang. I thought the problems with the center light had been fixed before my '11 went into production. Now I have something else to look forward to. __________________ So, that's it. I am doomed. There is no patch, no methadone, no substitute. Curse you BMW. Curse you and your seamless power delivery. Curse the incredible sense of road feel. Curse the comfort, the luxury, the envious looks from the masses. I am... hopelessly addicted.
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05-22-2018, 08:01 PM	#32
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,893 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	OK so what's the deal between OE and Dorman. Is it just a cheaper OEM? Or different in any way. Someone has to know. Anyone? __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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05-22-2018, 08:16 PM	#33
cptgonzo Private 11 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2011 135i sport pkg. Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Chi-Town iTrader: (0)	Got my Doorman waiting to be installed this weekend. Will report back on fitment etc. got from amazon, just was cheaper hopefully it fits and works. . .
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05-25-2018, 03:36 PM	#38
Esteban Major General 43540 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Here's the TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on the third brake light. It leads you to believe adding spacers will relieve the tension that makes it crack. It's for a 2008 1er but I'm pretty sure the part is the same for 2008 through 2013 1ers. Also, it lists the wrong P/N. It shows 63-25-7-165-978, but the correct P/N is 63-25-7-164-978. I don't know if the spacers are enough to stop it from cracking again. On that subject, Here's Dackel's DIY thread on installing the third brake light, for anyone who is interested and hasn't already seen it. __________________ Last edited by Esteban; 05-25-2018 at 04:03 PM..
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05-25-2018, 04:07 PM	#39
Esteban Major General 43540 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Whoops! The links in my above post were erased. Have added them back in. __________________
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05-28-2018, 06:29 PM	#40
Gangplank Brigadier General 1541 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: 2011 e82 135i n55 Sport w/ DCT Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Vero Beach, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 135i [0.00]	Steve, thanks for linking Dackels thread. I had seen it before and having it handy helped immensely. My 2011 has the silly metal tab. The Doorman replacement light didn't have a cutout and it did have the raised line on the bottom side. I followed Dackels thread. What should be a 10 min fix takes 30-45 depending on how quick you work. Taking everything apart was easy peasy. I used a screw driver and pry bar to gently remove the plastic nuts holding the trunk carpet. Took off the old light and the screws came out of the plastic so I had to use pliers to remove the cap nuts. After that got out the dremmel, removed the metal tab, removed the raised plastic spine and it all went together no problem. Just tightened the nuts hand tight + a little bit. Not over tight. Simple job, anyone can do it. Attached Images __________________ 2011 135i w/ DCT \| ZSP Sport Pkg \| PPK \| Ohlins R Last edited by Gangplank; 06-15-2019 at 08:17 AM..
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05-29-2018, 11:44 AM	#41
Esteban Major General 43540 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Nice work, Josh. It looks perfect! Good to know the Dorman fits fine for half the price of the OE part. Following Dackel's DIY means it shouldn't crack down the road. PS - how are the lights? As bright as OE? __________________
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05-31-2018, 03:09 PM	#43
blue135 Captain 366 Rep 650 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Convertible Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Sarasota, FL iTrader: (1)	I suspect your comment about not tightening the nuts too tight (springs are there for the tension) is right on. Too tight and the expansion/contraction of heat and cold can do much damage.
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