Roadster Third Brake Light Defective

[3002 tii]

I replaced this with a brand new BMW genuine piece 3 years ago and the corner piece just cracked off, wtf? Why is this light casing so flimsy? At this rate I’m probably no worse off buying the made in china ones off eBay for $30

[Huz-Z]

I didn’t know that cheap knockoffs were available. At $30 they are a steal - I’ll bet they may last longer than OEM. I just had mine replaced last year with OEM but if it breaks after the 2 year warranty I’ll get a knock off.

[Steeler]

I hadn't really noticed the condition of my 2+ year old OEM 3rd brakelight until I saw this post.
It is cracked and chipped in a few spots.

Are the OEM's LED?
I see some LED units are available on EBAY.

[chickdr]

Yes- OEM is LED. This clear one is only 23 bucks shipped... https://www.ebay.com/itm/27536860877...Cclp%3A2047675

Must be an exposure thing. My 06 still has the original 3rd brake light and it's pristine. I have not had anything perish (original windshield surround and windshield cowl as well).

[Huz-Z]

My car is garaged nightly and I don’t even leave it sitting out most days so I think that the brake light just degrades over time.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

My car is garaged nightly and I don’t even leave it sitting out most days so I think that the brake light just degrades over time.

It’s crazy how brittle this thing is.

[ZeD4Mr]

I've read in prior threads that these lights can't be installed too tight as they're spring loaded at the back.

Also, since they're quite delicate and our trunk is heavy, slamming the trunk close might also contribute to a cracked lense.

I've since learned to let the trunk drop to close with it about half a foot in the air and thinking tinting it with a film might also help.

[gpraceman]

Slamming the trunk is an issue, as well as having the mounting too tight. I am very careful when closing the trunk, as I have seen many Z4's with cracked 3rd brake lights (and replaced the one on mine that was broken when I bought it).

I had been easing it down with the inside handle and then letting it drop for the last few inches. Unfortunately, I stupidly replaced the trunk lift pistons. Now, I have to push down on the trunk to close it. I just try to push on the roundel, not the lid itself. There used to be a trunk lid handle accessory for the bottom lip of the trunk, but it is no longer available. Sigh.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by ZeD4Mr

I've read in prior threads that these lights can't be installed too tight as they're spring loaded at the back.

Also, since they're quite delicate and our trunk is heavy, slamming the trunk close might also contribute to a cracked lense.

I've since learned to let the trunk drop to close with it about half a foot in the air and thinking tinting it with a film might also help.

I do the same.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

My car is garaged nightly and I don’t even leave it sitting out most days so I think that the brake light just degrades over time.

I guess I have just been lucky then....

[Piper1]

Knocking on wood no issues with my 03 roadster that has 109k on the clock never took mind how hard or soft trunk comes down but I don’t purposely power slam it down or anything but not delicate closing it with the 11 years I’ve had it. My 07e86 with a year having it 34k miles on the clock looks as factory new as my 03 but I’m much more mindful closing the hatch.

My 2011 128 that has 102k on it that I’ve had for 2 years corner cracked and shows on car fax it was replaced previously so definitely could’ve been over tightened for the first replacement.

[Piper1]

Originally Posted by chickdr

I guess I have just been lucky then....

You’re lucky on the cowl. My 03 was already cracked and so was the rubber windshield top trim when I got it in ‘11 with 64k on it. My 07 the lower cowl is cracking but not as bad as my 03 was. My replacement oem cowl for my 03 still looks like new after replacing it in ‘11.

[elerner61]

A small (one inch long) section of the top of my 3rd brake light came off when it got caught by a wash mitt. It's very hard to see unless you look for it. I've held back on replacing it due to everything we're talking about here, thinking that it will crumble when I try to even remove it. I even bought deeper small sockets that are needed to reach the spring loaded nuts.

Maybe paying more for an OEM version from FCP Euro and exercising their lifetime warranty if it goes bad frequently is a strategy. Not sure...

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by elerner61

A small (one inch long) section of the top of my 3rd brake light came off when it got caught by a wash mitt. It's very hard to see unless you look for it. I've held back on replacing it due to everything we're talking about here, thinking that it will crumble when I try to even remove it. I even bought deeper small sockets that are needed to reach the spring loaded nuts.

Maybe paying more for an OEM version from FCP Euro and exercising their lifetime warranty if it goes bad frequently is a strategy. Not sure...

I've been doing good so far with just mounting the brake light till snug and not slamming down the trunk lid.

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by chickdr

Yes- OEM is LED. This clear one is only 23 bucks shipped... https://www.ebay.com/itm/27536860877...Cclp%3A2047675

Must be an exposure thing. My 06 still has the original 3rd brake light and it's pristine. I have not had anything perish (original windshield surround and windshield cowl as well).

exactly the same with my garaged car, all plastics are perfect , like new.