[efrost6]

My 2018 X1 got a big crack on its tail light over the weekend.

So sad...at least there's no damages to the body of the vehicle. Not sure how it happens. One day the car looked immaculate. The next, a crack appears! The dealer is charging $700+ including labor. So I'm going to buy a replacement online and install it myself.

The problem... I have no idea how and am in need of an install guide. Does anyone know where I can find instructions? Thanks!

[ramonE90-NL]

I think you just need to remove the left side of the trunk and pull one or two screws. Then the whole unit comes out.

See the manual how to replace bulbs

[iceman7]

Pretty easy! Just remove 2 screws. See the manual on how to change lamps!
Please feel free to share the site where to find the replacement!

[spitpilot]

Removal:

Tape off entire area (1) with yellow plastic adhesive tape.

Release screw (1).

Carefully unclip the trim for the water channel (2) from the rear light.


Undo nuts (1) at rear light.

Pull rear light (1) evenly out of the side panel and the guides.

Unlock and disconnect the connector (1).

Release cable (2) from holders.

Remove rear light.


Installation:

Installation note:
Guide (1) and gasket (2) on rear light (3) must not be damaged or missing.

Connect connector (1) with the rear light.

Install cable (2) in the brackets.


Join the rear light (1) in the side panel.Installation note:
Make sure rear light (1) fits correctly seated in the guides.

Make sure gap dimension (outer) is uniform all round between rear light (1) and side wall.



Tighten rear light using nuts (1).

Tightening torque 63 21 1AZ.


Clip in the trim for the water channel (2) at the rear light.

Tighten screw (1).

Installation note:
Check trim for water channel (2) is correctly seated.

Sorry pics don't copy...but this is the procedure...they show putting something like masking tape along the edge of the cutout in the body to prevent paint scratches as the light is wiggled out after taking the mounting screws off. Next step is to remove the one screw holding the gray plastic cover (water channel) that is over the inner edge of the light unit..under it you will find the two mounting nuts remove those and light comes out...unplug connector. install torque on mounting nuts 2.8nM.
...I removed the taillight from my 328I (BMW had issues with LED modules in the LCD version of the E90) in just minutes...looked and found it was a sealed unit so had to replace whole assembly..$320!...Lucky I was low miles and just out of warranty..so BMW picked up 90% of the parts...dealer still charged me $75 or so in labor for less than 5 min work to unscrew two nuts and pull a connector of and plug it into new unit...screw nuts back on!

[iceman7]

[Bongbmw]

hey i know this thread is 5 years old, but i just had tail light cover cracked. Can i just replace the cover or do I need to replace wole unit? 2016 x1

[bmw2x]

unfortunately you will need to replace the entire taillight

once you remove the black cover you can see the P/N on the taillight

make sure you get a compatible one. for example mine is 2016 X1 and the part numbers on the labels are 7350713/7350714. when i go to

https://www.realoem.com and enter that number I can find out the full P/N and what is been superseded by

in my case it is for 7350713

and you are looking at ~ $220 direct from BMW or 20%-30% cheaper on eBay for a used unit.