If you own an E85 Z4 sooner or later you're likely to have to change the third brake light on the boot lid. It's not a difficult job by any means but there are pitfalls if you don't know.
Usually it's one end or the other which gets snapped off as they do sit a little proud of the bodywork.
To remove the light unit , raise the boot lid and look for three round holes in a line across the lid.
Remove the 2 plastic panels in the lid (2 screws in each) to allow access to the wiring connector, not possible to disconnect it without.
you can use something like this to remove the securing nuts and the screws in the panels.
Be careful not to loose the nuts or springs inside the lid skin.
Once you have removed the 3 nuts and disconnected the wiring you can remove the old light, this usually means it coming out in bits.
On the new (aftermarket) light the rubber seal wasn't a great fit .
So I glued it in place with a few dabs of superglue.
When you refit the light you have to be careful to route the wiring plug through the top right hand corner, where there is a gap for it.
Rather oddly, on the other side there is a huge gap where there is no wiring to route ??
Anyway, when you insert the light with the wiring going through the gap keep checking it isn't trapped as you push gently down to locate the light.
When you fit the 3 springs and nuts use only the socket and drive bit and tighten till it stops using only finger and thumb pressure, NO other tool.
Remember to reconnect the wiring plug (centre of picture) and test the light works before refitting the plastic panels.
I'll leave refitting a "Roadster" decal until a warmer day.
Tony.
ps. This is where I bought mine, there are several sellers on eBay now.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fit-For-BMW-E85-Z4-Clear-Third-High-Mount-Brake-Light-Tailgate-White-63256930246/352538076884?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Usually it's one end or the other which gets snapped off as they do sit a little proud of the bodywork.
To remove the light unit , raise the boot lid and look for three round holes in a line across the lid.
Remove the 2 plastic panels in the lid (2 screws in each) to allow access to the wiring connector, not possible to disconnect it without.
you can use something like this to remove the securing nuts and the screws in the panels.
Be careful not to loose the nuts or springs inside the lid skin.
Once you have removed the 3 nuts and disconnected the wiring you can remove the old light, this usually means it coming out in bits.
On the new (aftermarket) light the rubber seal wasn't a great fit .
So I glued it in place with a few dabs of superglue.
When you refit the light you have to be careful to route the wiring plug through the top right hand corner, where there is a gap for it.
Rather oddly, on the other side there is a huge gap where there is no wiring to route ??
Anyway, when you insert the light with the wiring going through the gap keep checking it isn't trapped as you push gently down to locate the light.
When you fit the 3 springs and nuts use only the socket and drive bit and tighten till it stops using only finger and thumb pressure, NO other tool.
Remember to reconnect the wiring plug (centre of picture) and test the light works before refitting the plastic panels.
I'll leave refitting a "Roadster" decal until a warmer day.
Tony.
ps. This is where I bought mine, there are several sellers on eBay now.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fit-For-BMW-E85-Z4-Clear-Third-High-Mount-Brake-Light-Tailgate-White-63256930246/352538076884?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
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