Tail-light trim panel

[Jacobkayne]

Hello just wondering what purpose the tail light trim serves? If it’s functional or just aesthetic as it’s not sealed tight.

[kis]

As “functional” as any other piece of car trim really. If you don’t have it installed it’s quite a big gap around the light so not very aesthetic. It will also help practically by channelling water away from the rear light, without this trim piece you could experience more water ingress from the light seal area.

[darich]

Had my rear lights off last night trying to source a leak. That trim seems to be aesthetic as far as I could see. 3 screws loosens it but it seems to be clipped in place at the wing. I couldn't quite figure out easily how to remove it but I didn't need to so I just left it and refitted the lights

[Jacobkayne]

Had my rear lights off last night trying to source a leak. That trim seems to be aesthetic as far as I could see. 3 screws loosens it but it seems to be clipped in place at the wing. I couldn't quite figure out easily how to remove it but I didn't need to so I just left it and refitted the lights

Ah this what I thought

To remove it completely you haven’t unscrew the light cluster and move it out slightly (no need to disconnect the wires) and then pull out the trim which clips in to the quarter panel. Takes a good few pulls but it comes out eventually.

[darich]

Had my rear lights off last night trying to source a leak. That trim seems to be aesthetic as far as I could see. 3 screws loosens it but it seems to be clipped in place at the wing. I couldn't quite figure out easily how to remove it but I didn't need to so I just left it and refitted the lights

Ah this what I thought

To remove it completely you haven’t unscrew the light cluster and move it out slightly (no need to disconnect the wires) and then pull out the trim which clips in to the quarter panel. Takes a good few pulls but it comes out eventually.

I had the rear light units completely off the car. Disconnected and cleaned them up to check the seals. Looked ok.
But while they were off I noticed the trim piece that surrounds the light. I didn't need it off to do what I was doing so I didn't spend too much time checking it out

[Jacobkayne]

Had my rear lights off last night trying to source a leak. That trim seems to be aesthetic as far as I could see. 3 screws loosens it but it seems to be clipped in place at the wing. I couldn't quite figure out easily how to remove it but I didn't need to so I just left it and refitted the lights

Ah this what I thought

To remove it completely you haven’t unscrew the light cluster and move it out slightly (no need to disconnect the wires) and then pull out the trim which clips in to the quarter panel. Takes a good few pulls but it comes out eventually.

I had the rear light units completely off the car. Disconnected and cleaned them up to check the seals. Looked ok.
But while they were off I noticed the trim piece that surrounds the light. I didn't need it off to do what I was doing so I didn't spend too much time checking it out

Sorry mate, typo. I meant to remove it completely you “have to” not “haven’t”. Made myself seem a right nob

[darich]

Sorry mate, typo. I meant to remove it completely you “have to” not “haven’t”. Made myself seem a right nob

No worries
I don't need to remove that trim....But I don't think I've found the source of my boot filling with water!

[Jacobkayne]

Sorry mate, typo. I meant to remove it completely you “have to” not “haven’t”. Made myself seem a right nob

No worries
I don't need to remove that trim....But I don't think I've found the source of my boot filling with water!

When my boot was filling with water it was the air vent seal that perished. £70 for both, I replaced it and it stopped.

But now I’ve got another leak in my right cubby hole which is actually coming through a metal opening right above it!

[darich]

I've seen a few posts suggest the vent. I did see one of them when I had the tail lights out last night. Passenger side looks ok but it might be that I do need to replace them.
Did you need to strip much carpet out to get to them? Did you have a coupe? Not sure how different the boot internals are compared to a roadster

[Jacobkayne]

I've seen a few posts suggest the vent. I did see one of them when I had the tail lights out last night. Passenger side looks ok but it might be that I do need to replace them.
Did you need to strip much carpet out to get to them? Did you have a coupe? Not sure how different the boot internals are compared to a roadster

Yes I have the coupe but it’s essentially the same, they’re covered by the carpet. It’s preferred to remove the carpet and then remove the vents from the inside (give the vents a push and the pull out at an angle)

Alternatively you can remove the rear bumper and access the vents that way. So you won’t have to remove the carpet.

If you decide to remove the carpet you can inspect the vents by pouring some water through the area where the water drains from the boot. If it is the vents you will see some water ingress.

If I had to do it all again I’d remove the bumper, to remove the carpet you’ve got to strip back most of the plastic trim on the surrounding boot to access the screws/clips.

Here’s a video that will help https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c27_0KS2w ... e=youtu.be

[darich]

Great, cheers
I saw the vent on the passenger side when I had the lights off. I pulled back a bit of the carpet - it looked dry but I could only see it from one angle.
Pulling the bumper isn't something I'm worried about - probably prefer to do that than strip the carpets if I'm honest. I've had the front bumper off so taking the rear off shouldn't be a problem.

Maybe I'd be aswell to buy a couple of vents so I have them to pull the bumper off. Found them online from a BMW outlet for about £12 each. Presumably they just clip into place?

[Jacobkayne]

Great, cheers
I saw the vent on the passenger side when I had the lights off. I pulled back a bit of the carpet - it looked dry but I could only see it from one angle.
Pulling the bumper isn't something I'm worried about - probably prefer to do that than strip the carpets if I'm honest. I've had the front bumper off so taking the rear off shouldn't be a problem.

Maybe I'd be aswell to buy a couple of vents so I have them to pull the bumper off. Found them online from a BMW outlet for about £12 each. Presumably they just clip into place?

Yes if you’re taking the bumper off, pull vents outward to remove and push hard to clip them in and secure them.

Normally you won’t see any cracks or anything out of the normal, until you run a stream of water over it. The weak rubber seal will deform with the slight pressure of the water and let in small amounts of water. With a night of rainfall you’d be surprised how much it can fill up.

When I changed mine my cubby hole was half full of water.

[darich]

Yes if you’re taking the bumper off, pull vents outward to remove and push hard to clip them in and secure them.

Good luck!

I'll watch that video you linked and maybe do some more digging but hopefully it's not any more complicated than the front bumper removal, which is pretty straightforward.

[darich]

Not sure if this is good or bad.....
The other night when I was checking a few possible sources I dried out the battery tray and carpet.
No condensation in the car now which is great.
Car not moved for a few days and definitely not since drying out the boot.
Checking again tonight...carpet soaking but battery tray dry.
But if the car hasn't moved and I'm still getting water ingress then the vents, if leaking, are not the only leak.
I'll need to strip the boot to check the 3rd brake light. I replaced it a few weeks ago but I'll need to strip the boot lid and check it.