Several weeks ago I was at an amusement park and as I was backing up heard a loud *pop*. I got out and I had apparently backed into a small (yet empty) plastic trashcan. I've no idea where it came from as it was the only one in the very large parking lot, but that trash can fought back! Rather than simply falling over when my car hit it, it got snagged under my bumper and the popping noise turned out to be a nasty crack in my rear driver's side tail light.

I'm posting in this section because I know several of you guys smoke your tail lights and rings and probably have the best idea how to go about repairing the damage. Can it be fixed? How difficult is it? What is your guess at the cost?

Pic below:

 

James,

MiniMania has them for about $150 each w/o the whites...I would give Morristown MINI a call to see if you can get them for 20% off.

You need to replace that...putting film over it is not a good idea...

Page 7 of the market place has OEM tail light assembly for both sides for $75 but was dated back in Feb 09...It's probably sold but give them a PM...then you put film on those.

Lorin

 

So you are thinking I have to replace the entire unit? I've not taken it apart to see, but I was hoping I could replace only the outer layer of plastic?

I've no intention of putting film over the lights, I just thought that this would be the place to ask since people who put film over theirs would probably know best.

 

Yeah,

It might be a one piece unit...and by the time you do the legwork...it's just simple to just change out the left.

 

It's a factory sealed unit. Not separate parts.

Put some clear packing tape on it to keep the rain out for now.

Cheapest route is to post a wanted ad for a pre-owned tail light in NAM and with your local club if none immediately available.

And check eBay for OEM part.

Outside of that, the previous post on calling Morristown MINI in NJ is a good idea.

Using Lamin-x in this case will not work.

 

that's a tough one especially since you are selling your car! I feel for you man!

 

Salvage yard.

 

Well, didn't see anything in the marketplace for white tails, left a PM for a set of regular ones. Didn't find any tail lights on eBay or through other retailers via Google.

Called Morristown, $143.70 for just the LH Rear light with white inserts. It isn't in stock so I'd have to pay up front as they have to special order it for me. They wanted $120 to put it in for me! Hah! I'll go ahead and do it myself.

Another thread I saw suggested that Classic MINI in Ohio might be able source them for me, will try to call them this afternoon if I can.

Any ideas on how to explore salvage options as Blimey suggested?

 

Call a local salvage yard. Tell them what you want. Many are on networks where they can find cars in other yards.

OR - search car-part.com - enter your year, and "BMW Mini Cooper" - then Tail light, HT / clear lens - Left - it will find ones from compatible years - found 10 for me...

 

when you call classic make sure to ask for the NAM price.

 

Once you find a replacement here's how to swap it out.
Attachment 42856
Attachment 42855

 

Exactly the type of info I was looking for and more! Thank you sir!

Will do and report back!

Easier than I imagined! Thanks for the incredibly helpful PDF!

 

man that Oxybluecoop is always on top of his game. - looks like a piece of cake.

 

Hey guys, I just installed my tail light for a grand total of $85 shipped from a salvage facility (it was about the only good part left on the poor MINI that donated it) and about 15 minutes worth of work. Those instructions were priceless OxyBlue! Thanks again everybody for your help!