Started washing my car today, and as I was rinsing it off, I noticed the entire right side tail light had fogged up from the inside. I also noticed it the other day when it was raining, but I didn't really think anything of it at the time. Has this happened to anyone else before?

I'm guessing it's under warranty but I have no time these days to take the trip to the dealer. I haven't modded the lights or tried to take them apart or anything.

 

the seal isn't air tight on the lens. Bring it to mini in that state and I'm sure you'll get a new one under warranty

 

You can have MINI replace it. But if you are out of warranty there is a way to fix it. It is similar to the Joey Mod. You stick it in the oven with the door open and melt the glue and separate the clear plastic from the rest of the taillight. Wipe the excess water off and take the glue off. Reseal it with clear silicone and it will be all good. Just make sure to do it in the a/c cause if there is any moisture there will be more fogging. And the RX-8s are horrible of doing this, just fyi.

 

why not just apply a thin bead of silicone around the lense where it seals to the back of the light then with your finger neatly swipe it into a nice firm air tight bead? lots quicker then the oven and theres no chance of you making the same mistake by having to reaply a whole new bead of sealer.

 

ive noticed this on mine a few times too
my tail light rings are also plasti dipped
coincidence?

 

I don't see how a trim piece would cause fogging in a so called "Sealed" enclosure.

 

The reason is you will seal in that moisture and you don't want that it will just keep fogging up

 

Obviously the silicone would be applied to the part after the moisture has escaped

 

Do the 09 taillights fit on an 07?

 

Why not just unscrew the bulb and let the moisture clear out?

 

Because it is going to come back as soon as it rains or he washes it again. Worse yet, you might have water pooling up in that light. Bad seal, get it replaced by Mini. I'm sure with your past history with this car they will be real happy to see you.

 

Another reason I'm not exactly thrilled about going back.

The only way I'd try to open it up myself and try to reseal it is if my warranty was up.

 

Taking it back is the best choice but like you said if not you could do it yourself. The really crappy thing is it is hard to get the moisture out without opening it up and resealing it