E89 Rear light clusters

[Welsh Terrier]

Hi,
I have a 2.3i M sport straight six 2010 (UK). I could do with some advice please. I have ordered rear light clusters from BMW. I have taken mine off and as you can see in the picture it has three fixing points into holes in the car, where as the new part from BMW has only two fixing points. I have checked with BMW and they have confirmed via the VIN plate it is the correct new part. As you will be aware all the electrics are in the boot therefore I am worried about water getting in. Any advice or help will be appreciated

 

[B21]

There were at least 7 iterations of the design..the obvious one was a change from 3 screw mounting to 2 screw mounts..this was done to reduce stress on the join between the lens and the body..they tended to come apart at the outer top on the outside of the unit.

`To address the Issue the simplest solution is to put some duct tape on the degreased areas both inside and outside where the redundant hold is..simples..

That‘s what I did and no issues..

Be very careful to properly seat the rubber bellow seals internally ..many folks don’t then it leaks..

 

[Welsh Terrier]

Thanks for this as it is very helpful - as I now know more than I certainly did before on how to progress

 

[B21]

Thanks for this as it is very helpful - as I now know more than I certainly did before on how to progress