Hi Everyone,

My Mini was almost broken into or just mistreated it for some odd reason. They broke my left side tail light, fog light and my A-pillar molding (at least this is all what I have noticed so far) . I have looked at parts on the internet and found some options. I came across some cheap tail light and fog lights on ebay for 40 some dollars. Are these any good or should I go with OEM used?

Thanks

 

I would go OEM. Apparently cheap tail lights are cheap for a reason and you may end up with water seepage, condensation and so on down the road. I am actually in the same boat, some jerkoff cracked my rear tail. I just got a used set of OEM, should be arriving tomorrow.

 

I'm sorry to hear about the trouble. These cars certainly stand out in the pack.

I agree with danny -- go with OE parts. You may have good success finding used parts. The R53s (and R56 for that matter) have been around long enough that there are some in junk yards getting parted out.

 

People suck. Brand new is probably the only way to go with the A-Pillar. From what I've heard, the clips tend to break upon removal, and it may fly off without warning. This happened to me after a windshield replacment (done before I got the car, so who knows how long it held on after R&R). I also recommend an OEM tailight. Mine just had a crack when I got the car, so I was able to wait until I found a junkyard pull for $40.00 delivered (from an eBay seller). Foglights are pricey, and if your car has some miles, they are probably pitted. Since they are relatively hard to notice, compared to taillights, I would try aftermarket. On my car, you will have to pull the bumper cover to change them, but it's dead easy on this car. If you know where the bolts are (check with Bentley, or on this forum for a tutorial), it will take 15 minutes or less for an experianced wrench, maybe triple that if you are learning as you go. It's not much more difficult than changing the taillight, just more involved due to more fasteners.

 

Thank you replies guys.

Well I was able to find a used Tail light for $40 at a junk yard close by. I just finished installing it. I think it might need some buffing. What type of compound have you guys used to buff out a few scratches?

Looks like I will have to go with a new A-pillar panel. Just waiting for cash to come in to get it from ebay for $56.

I will work on the fog lamp this week and and see what I can do. Looks like only the brackets for the fog lights broke.So I might see if it might be possible to put it back together. Any suggestion (glue etc)..?

I also have to shop around for a paint-less dent repair place for fix the area they leaned and kicked.

 

if you live in the US or somewhere that isn't a granny/police state I would also recommend adding a 9mm for your car to the list (and .308 w/ a starlight scope for the house,lol)

 

The OP made it sound like he wasn't there when the car was vandalized and broken into, so all that would mean is that the thieves/vandals would now be armed.

JK, btw. I assume that responsible gun owners lock their guns carefully when they leave them in a car.

 

Assuming they can't take them where they are going.

 

I would try metal polish on the plastic tail light lens. Metal polish works well on plastic headlights so will probably work on the tail light.

 

How bad of a buff does it need? You could always pick up one of the headlight buffing kits and use it on the tail light. I've got one of the (Mothers or Meguiars, don't remember which) kits that had the buffer that goes in a drill. I think it was like $20 and came with the compound and some other stuff. It works quite well, as long as you have a drill to put it in.