license plate light bar

[asousa]

Hello all,

I have done some searching here and on realoem but I cannot for the life of me find the part number for the license plate light bar. I am getting the error to check my license plate lights and when I inspected one of the bulbs I realized that it was out and it was because the little clip that holds the bulb was completely broken. I figure I have to replace that entire circuit board. Can someone let me know the part number on this, I have an 04 3.0

Thanks

[asousa]

ok, so I think I found it... I need to replace the entire "trunk lid grip". I have also seen that this part needs to be painted to match. Does anyone know if they sell these anywhere pre-painted with the Toledo Blue?

[JohnD]

I have had to replace this several times on my 2001 X5 - your best bet is to buy the grip strip and drop it off at a body shop to have it painted, they charge around $75 to paint it

[asousa]

have you ever had any issues with a local body shop not matching the paint? Am I better off getting it painted at the dealer? Anyone know if I can buy it from the dealer painted?

[asousa]

I just wanted to send out an update in case anyone else has this issue someday down the road.

The part direct from the dealer in a black finish is $146. They said you would probably not even notice it being black, but if I wanted it painted they will paint it for $75.

Seems pretty silly to have to call through all this just for a license plate light... but I guess it is what it is...

Thanks