R50/53 Cracked tail light cover question...ARRRRGH!
#1
Cracked tail light cover question...ARRRRGH!
So I have my first battle scar. My daughter didn't put her bike away last night, and I backed into it coming out of the garage in the dark when running to the store for some late night groceries. It smacked the rear tail light, putting a nice little spiderweb crack in it, and then slid down the rear, scratching the paint a bit on the way down.
I don't think the paint was scratched much deeper than the clearcoat, so that should hopefully not be too much of a problem, but does anyone have experience with a cracked tail light? Does the entire assembly need to be replaced, or can just the clear plastic be switched out? How much does it cost?
I am coming up on my service time, so I think I'll just call and schedule an early appointment to give it the once-over in addition to making the small repairs. It was a painful experience, but I had to expect something like that to happen sometime.
I don't think the paint was scratched much deeper than the clearcoat, so that should hopefully not be too much of a problem, but does anyone have experience with a cracked tail light? Does the entire assembly need to be replaced, or can just the clear plastic be switched out? How much does it cost?
I am coming up on my service time, so I think I'll just call and schedule an early appointment to give it the once-over in addition to making the small repairs. It was a painful experience, but I had to expect something like that to happen sometime.
#2
#3
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Burning-Ham Alabama
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Hope you went ahead and completely ran over the bike so it would be a painful lesson for your daughter as well. . . .
Just kidding. . .
I remember when I was a kid and was told to put my big wheel away and not leave it in the driveway. My lesson was learned when I looked out from breakfast to see the garbage men tossing my beloved big wheel into the truck. I ran out there just in time to see the huge hydraulic jaws crushing my big wheel into pieces!
I'm not sure how much a new tail light assembly costs, but you might likely find a used one if you post a want ad in the marketplace forums. Enough people have switched to aftermarket lights that you could replaced it with a used piece rather cheaply.
Just kidding. . .
I remember when I was a kid and was told to put my big wheel away and not leave it in the driveway. My lesson was learned when I looked out from breakfast to see the garbage men tossing my beloved big wheel into the truck. I ran out there just in time to see the huge hydraulic jaws crushing my big wheel into pieces!
I'm not sure how much a new tail light assembly costs, but you might likely find a used one if you post a want ad in the marketplace forums. Enough people have switched to aftermarket lights that you could replaced it with a used piece rather cheaply.
#4
#6
As has been said, the whole assembly must be replaced. It's VERY easy to R&R the lense - one connector, one bolt, and a few pressure clips. The individual lights are ~$85 from the dealer. Haven't seen any '05s on ebay, but (if you want to save money) you can also look at any online wrecker - there should be a few crashed '05s() by now.
#7
Great suggestions, I really appreciate it. I have my 10K appointment at the dealer on Friday, so I may just have them take care of it.
I'm glad I didn't run over the bike for a number of reasons. She felt bad enough about damaging the "super cooper" as my kids call it, when she woke up this morning. I just kept thinking how horrible it would have been if I would have backed up into someone rather than something - although that is pretty unlikely at 11pm.
It was sad to see the scratches, but I think that after all is said and done, I really would have felt worse if I had ruined her bike, she really loves it and it would have broken her heart. As much as I love my MINI, I love my daughter infinitely more!
I'm glad I didn't run over the bike for a number of reasons. She felt bad enough about damaging the "super cooper" as my kids call it, when she woke up this morning. I just kept thinking how horrible it would have been if I would have backed up into someone rather than something - although that is pretty unlikely at 11pm.
It was sad to see the scratches, but I think that after all is said and done, I really would have felt worse if I had ruined her bike, she really loves it and it would have broken her heart. As much as I love my MINI, I love my daughter infinitely more!
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#8
Originally Posted by rednwhitecooper
he has an 05 tho, it might be harder since few of us 05 owners have put in pre04 lights yet. when i put my lights in, i'll have a set of 05 lights ready and waiting for ya.
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