1) The lens on my '06 R50's 3rd brake light decided to part company with the rest of the assembly recently. Yesterday, I attempted to remove the light by removing the three screws on the inside of the hatch. The light is loose, but I can't seem to get it to come out. It seems my spoiler is in the way (it's the kind that is in contact with the hatch all the way across). I tried pushing on it to get a little flex, but can't get enough to free the light. I found a nut on each end under rubber plugs, but removing them didn't seem to make any difference. I don't want to break it. What does it take to remove the spoiler? Or is there some other trick to fish the 3rd brake light out?

2) The rear wiper, when selected on, stays on for a few minutes. While on, it is in constant sweep... which is not how it used to work. Also, if selected off, it will still continue to run. The only way to command it off is to turn off the key. When the key is turned back on, it will park... but sometimes on the other side. As dirty as the back window gets and as much as it rains in the Seattle area, it would be nice to have it work as advertised. (Actually, I think it would be better if it ran the same speed as the front wipers when they're on, but that's a separate issue.)

3) I have the OE Driving lights and recently hit a deer with my R50, it was a close call for both of us because I was able to come to an almost complete stop before contact. It seems the only damage the MINI suffered is a broken license plate frame and the passenger side driving light/bracket and a slight wow to the lower edge of the hood under the bracket. I have bent things back into place, but 2 of the 3 the "W" clips that hold the driving light lens in the housing broke. Can these be acquired?

4) Not related to the deer incident, but the lower RH fog light lens is broken (light still works), will this require a whole new light assy to fix?

 

A week and >125 views and no one can help with any of these items?

I've cured #3 & #4 by buying a pair of Hella 500's to replace the OE driving lights and a replacement fog light.

Still would like to learn about removing the 3rd brake light and rear wiper issue though.

ANYONE?

 

Hey I have some factory headlamps. From my 04 r50

 

My headlamps are fine. It's the fog & driving lights I was having questions about. Solved those two problems with replacement lights as I mentioned in my second post. Thanks though!

 

Don't have any helpful hints, but I think we have the same car!
Just spent the PM cleaning my Solar Red/Silver and always get my fingers wedged in the spoiler brake light trying to clean in there.....it is really tight !

 

I replaced the 3rd brake light on my daughter's '03. Design flaw here. I had the same issue trying to fit it in without removing the spoiler. I wound up removing the nut you spoke of on one side and prying up (very carefully) the spoiler which was held down with some 2 sided sticky tape. Thats why it's not loose after removing the nut. Doing this gave me just enough room to push the new assembly in. It's a real tight fit but it'll go in.

The old assembly came out in pieces :-/

Good luck.