MyE28.com

Hello Gang,
I recently purchased a euro-spec e28 parcel shelf (with integral sunshade) for my '87 535i and now have a question about how to install the 3rd "brake" taillamp along with this setup. Is it even possible? I'm guessing this tray must have been from an early e28. If need be, I'll disable the 3rd taillamp altogether but would prefer to have it functional for safety.
Any ideas?

Many thanks in advance,
Tim



[Edit by Tim in N FL on [TIME]1108403500[/TIME]]

[QUOTE="Tim in N FL"]Hello Gang,
I recently purchased a euro-spec e28 parcel shelf (with integral sunshade) for my '87 535i and now have a question about how to install the 3rd "brake" taillamp along with this setup. Is it even possible? I'm guessing this tray must have been from an early e28. If need be, I'll disable the 3rd taillamp altogether but would prefer to have it functional for safety.
Any ideas?

Many thanks in advance,
Tim


[Edit by Tim in N FL on [TIME]1108403500[/TIME]][/QUOTE]

Tim,

When you need help, who do you go to?

. . . not me, of course, but maybe you should, eh?

Below is a link to Todd Kenyon's website on his M5. I see he updated it last May with pics of his new wheels. Hmmm, I wonder where he's been lately. . .

http://home.insightbb.com/~todd.kenyon/bmw.htm

Here's the link to his install of a rear parcel shelf sunshade where he still uses the 3rd tail lamp:

http://home.insightbb.com/~todd.kenyon/shade.htm

Enjoy!

The euro integrated sunshade parcel shelf doesn't have a provision for the 3rd brake light. So in that respect you're stuck. But there are a few creative ways you can do to install the light. It won't look factory though.

I had a US parcel shelf, and installed the supplementary sunshade similar to Todd Kenyon's (between the speakers and step in the shelf). It works just fine that way, except for the fact that I believe the supplementary sunshades are now NLA....I *think*.

-Chris

Hey Shifty and Chris,
Thank you for your insights here. I am planning on retrofitting the "premium sound" speakers from my U.S.-spec to the new rear euro parcel shelf. Chris, I would be interested in your ideas/thoughts on mounting the 3rd taillamp in a creative fashion. I tried to source the supplemental shade but it is NLA and besides, I like the look of the integrated shade even if the 3rd taillamp has to go. I just don't want to look like
I've "pimped my ride" should I attempt to install the 3rd lamp with the euro shelf.
THANKS again fellas!
Tim

ps.
Hey Shifty...why you be bustin' on me, playa?

[QUOTE="Tim in N FL"]Hey Shifty...why you be bustin' on me, playa? [/QUOTE]

Because I can, sucka!

Tim,

Putting in the Premium speakers is a no-brainer.

As for the 3rd light, the problem, IIRC from one of Tim's cars, was the fact that the sunshade interferes with a large brake light housing. This is the case with the BMW OE one. So, you may need to find another brake light assembly there, and one with a stand of some sort to be able to mount it to the shelf (bolt or screws), and have it face flush against the rear window.

The one on Tim's car was glued to the window.

On my car, which originally came with the euro parcel shelf without a sunshade, they simply screwed the US 3rd lamp assembly to the shelf. It wasn't flush with the rear window, so every time I braked at night, I could see the reflection in the bottom portion of the rear window. Very annoying.

A quick search turned this up:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Prod ... 01/c-10101
but it's a stick-on.

You probably will find better luck trying to find a slim, LED style brake light, which will be almost guaranteed to fit without a problem.

I know someone on the old Welty Digest (late 90s) actually cut a block of wood to act as a stand, and then screwed the brake light to that, and then to the shelf, rather than buying the US shelf.

-Chris

My M535 came with the rear window shade, and when it was brought into the US they installed some kind of aftermarket brake light that mounts on a little stand; it sits forward from the shade, but is tall enough that it shines over the top of the shade when it's rolled down. Of course, if the shade is pulled up it blocks the brake light. You can just barely see it in this picture. It's not the best looking light, but if I were to remove it there'd be a dark spot on the parcel shelf where the light protected it from the sunlight.

You may be able to find something similar at J.C. Whitney or a local parts store.

Chris and Stuart,
These are excellent suggestions...thanks for giving me ideas here.
Stuart, if you have a more detailed photo of your rear parcel shelf/shade and
3rd brake lamp, I'd love to see it.
Thank you,
Tim

Unfortunately, I don't have any more detailed photos of the brake light in my car, and it's in storage until spring so I can't get you one any time soon...sorry.

Stuart,
No worries re: the photos....the information that you and Chris provided will be more than adequate to set me on my way.
Thanks again,
Tim