Feb 28 - another point

I was in a rush.

I noticed when I used the remote key open on the X5 that only half of the driver's side tail-light flashed, the half that's on the car vs on the hatch.  Prior to brunch, I went at the hatch to figure out what light I needed to replace.  Thank goodness for the internet, to google how to get at these things and why doesn't BMW make it easier, well probably because they get more service revenue this way.

I'm d'd if I'm going to pay a dealership to replace a bulb !  However, this wasn't easy.  I had to remove the plastic, all held in place with those plugs.  You worry about something breaking when you pry the panels loose but so far so good.  It ended there.  The light holder had obviously had water get to it and it was all corroded.  In fact, the holder was corroded and the connector was rusted through.  Rats.  Now we're talking about replacing the cluster, including the lens.  Well, that was even harder to remove, which I wanted to do to ensure that I was buying the right thing and to ensure that there was nothing that I could do to repair it, perhaps soldering the wires in place. Nope.

So ... I've ordered the cluster.  Prices ranged from $100 to $150 but I went with the Amazon version at $125, because a) quick and free shipping (so it's therefore among the cheapest), and I know that if it's the wrong thing, returns are dead-easy.

In the meantime, I put the dead cluster back in place but have left the inside paneling out.  I'll do the job when the cluster arrives, which is supposed to be on the 1st.  The only good thing is that there is still a rear light, but only half of it.  I still hve brake and signal lights.  I'm still legal. 

I repeat, thank goodness for the internet.  I've done so much car maintenance that would have been nigh onto impossible before.

That's it.