installing tail light assembly

sarnomel99 · #1 06-11-2007, 09:18 PM

I have a 2001 X5 and the dealer told me that the entire tail light assembly was burned and the whole assembly needed to be replaced. The dealer charges $150.00 each side and the $160.00 for labor. I found the assembly on ebay for $135.00 for both sides. I don't want to pay the dealer for installation unless I need to so I was hoping that someone has had this same problem and could tell me if this would be difficult for me to do myself and if so could you tell me how. Thank you
Melanie

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NINCHS · #2 06-11-2007, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarnomel99

I have a 2001 X5 and the dealer told me that the entire tail light assembly was burned and the whole assembly needed to be replaced. The dealer charges $150.00 each side and the $160.00 for labor. I found the assembly on ebay for $135.00 for both sides. I don't want to pay the dealer for installation unless I need to so I was hoping that someone has had this same problem and could tell me if this would be difficult for me to do myself and if so could you tell me how. Thank you
Melanie

there might be DIY on the homepage

Sedoy · #3 06-11-2007, 10:15 PM

Shit... $160.00 for the labor... I guess I save quite a bit by doing everything myself.

2002Silver4.6is · #4 06-11-2007, 10:44 PM

Do it yourself!!! It is easy!!!!!! Oh, you should be able to find the tail lights with clear lenses for $40 - $50 each on Ebay.

You will need to remove the CD changer on the driver's side then there are only 3 nuts holding the tail light assembly on. I have not poked around the passenger side but I bet it is as easy as the driver's side.

rogerkiu · #5 06-11-2007, 11:13 PM

It is very very easy to do it yourself. I have a pair of tail lights with yellow corner for sale, let me know if you are interested, I can sell them to you at low price. PM me.

DipnX5 · #6 06-12-2007, 12:35 AM

160 for labor!!! What a rip...

I have taken my tail lights out on my 2002 X5 multiple times to work on the not so rare electrical issues they have.

Simply unscrew three nuts per side, unplug harness, get new tail light, add bulbs with bulb holders (suggest buying all new bulb holders maybe even bulbs) to new tail light, plug harness into new tail light, screw the three bolts back in!

Feel free to ask more specifics if needed.

Good luck,

Austin

NOVAX5 · #7 06-12-2007, 12:53 AM

When they say the whole assembly was burn they meant socket holding the bulb burns a hole the housing at the contact point. So there is no contact between the housing and the socket. Easy fix with lead and soldering gun to fill the gap and spread the lead even at the contact point (you will see it as soon as you look at the housing) 10 bucks to fix. soldering gun is $7 and lead is $3. Worst case senario buy clear tail lights on ebay and fit it right in. You must not always take it to dealer for small issue. They will rob you like they did to me the one and only time i brought mine in for regulator repair $460. After that i did all small problems myself or have a good BMW mechanic do bigger job. NOT DEALER.

Davud · #8 06-12-2007, 01:10 AM

I did myself...30 min job...don't waste ur money! do it urself!

Zuraxus · #9 06-12-2007, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOVAX5

When they say the whole assembly was burn they meant socket holding the bulb burns a hole the housing at the contact point. So there is no contact between the housing and the socket. Easy fix with lead and soldering gun to fill the gap and spread the lead even at the contact point (you will see it as soon as you look at the housing) 10 bucks to fix. soldering gun is $7 and lead is $3. Worst case senario buy clear tail lights on ebay and fit it right in. You must not always take it to dealer for small issue. They will rob you like they did to me the one and only time i brought mine in for regulator repair $460. After that i did all small problems myself or have a good BMW mechanic do bigger job. NOT DEALER.

It's so simple to change it, as all previous posts reads, just 3 bolts to hold it and unplug the connectors. I jjust recently changed the light my self (I had same problem as yours couple years back whan I bought replacement from EBAY). If u need pair of replacement with clear corners ( I just did my facelift to 06' so I have new 04-06 pair installes) I have them available for sale, u can PM any time. thx. Zuraxus

sarnomel99 · #10 06-15-2007, 10:05 PM

Thanks everyone for your help. I had my friend install them in about 30 min and I watched him do it and saw how easy it was so I can't believe the dealer wanted $160.00 to do that. Next problem my brake light is on so I'm assuming my brakes and roters need to be replaced. What do you all recommend as far as brand and installation. Is this something anyone can do?

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