Changing the rear brake light bulb on a BMW X3

Start by removing the plastic cover by sliding it up and then back.

Then access the two 10 nuts which are unscrewed using an open-ended socket wrench.

Unhook the lens by gently pulling it towards you.

Unclip the power plug for ease (red arrow)

Then release the electrical plate by unclipping the retaining lugs around its edge (

The plate is disassembled, the brake light bulb is at the top

Compare the new bulb at the top with the burnt out bulb at the bottom. The glass of the bottom bulb is stained black. Both bulbs are P21W.

Replace the new bulb in its housing on the plate (orange arrow).

Clip the electrical plate back into the optics

Clip the power supply onto the plate. Replace the optics in its housing in the rear wing and tighten the 10 nuts.

We replace the optics in its housing in the rear wing and screw the 10 nuts back on.

Finish by replacing the black plastic cover, push forward then down