Yes, I wacked my tail light into a garbage pail today I have a nasty crack and a small opening. My Mini dealer wants $174 for the replacement part (installation extra) but I just saw new replacement tail lights on ebay for $70. Has anyone had to replace a tail light? How involved is the effort and has anyone used the ebay parts? Suggestions and help!!!!! My baby has a boo boo!!!!

 

I've bought parts off eBay for my MINI (headlights -entire housing). Worked fine.

I think there are two things to be aware of,
1) if it's important to you to have OEM, be sure the part specifies that it's OEM, -my headlights were not OEM, ..only difference were the types of screws used on the inside of the headlight assembly ...was not a big deal and not noticeable at all. Also did not come w/ the same OEM stickers and stamping on the plastic housing ...again, you'd never know.
2) make sure the part is the exact part specified for your car

...you should be able to replace the tailight yourself with a little digging around on these boards. I've actually removed mine. on a R56 you need to remove the plastic ring around the lights then a couple of screws and you have them off, ..it's pretty easy.

check out these sites for OEM parts ...shop around there are more like these sites:

http://www.autoxcooper.com/OEM_parts.html
https://dartauto.com/parts/Mini/
http://www.namotorsports.net/selmodel.cfm?make_id=18

..also consider a unique after market light? -there are a ton of possibilities.

good luck-

 

There is quite a difference in price with OEM vs replacement from eBay. I was trying to see if the 'replacement' on eBay had the Mini wings in the light. I don't think so. I'm probably going for the OEM part. The dealer quoted me $174 and I have found it for $114 (allminiparts.com) and still searching. Again a big difference. I am hoping we can get the ring off easily... Thanks for the info.

 

If anyone has removed their R57 taillight pls let me know how you did it. I am stumped by the tiny access opening provided by BMW and even with the hood in the easy load position visibility is very poor.

 

I have not removed it yet. I just recently received the correct replacement and now am searching for the tool to remove the ring. I did get the link to order the tool and am now waiting for that to arrive. There is a video on how to remove the ring...let me know via email if you want me to send it to you. It looks easy

 

By "ring" you mean the shiny plastic trim around the light ? It just pops off with careful levering with a flat screwdriver or plastic knife.

 

Bottom Line: Use two hands and get one behind and underneath the light fixture to push up and release the flexible holding tab at the bottom and push it through the tail light hole.

Removing the light was difficult for me on my '09 Convertible (R57) I have larger hands than some so It was a challange to get my hand behind the light through the fabric opening provided by MINI. Pop out the fabric/plastic cover which is directly behind the light. I used plastic instruments to remove the chrome ring around the light. With the screws out, and after 30 min of frustration, I had to use both hands to release the light.

For the driver's side rear light, I was able to get my right hand under the light and push up on the large plastic tab. It flexes and that's what hold the light in place at the bottom. While pushing it up with my index finger, I had to use my left hand to guide the upper portion of the light from outside down and out after that lower tab cleared the body of the light opening. Sorry it's so confusing, but this stumped me for 30 minutes. If you don't do this, you run the great risk of breaking the dark grey plastic that is at the top of the light.

Good luck!
PS. It's necessary to prop the convertible open while you do this. That's a lot of weight to support on your neck or shoulders while working.