3rd Brake Light Convertible Solutions

[Radar]

So my 1991 M3 Cab and I are emigrating to NZ. All cars manufactured after Janury 1st 1990 need to have a 3rd brake light. Mine has a build date of April '91. So theoretically should have one.

What was once a common car in NZ, at least where I grew up... now seems to have vanished off the roads... there's hardly any for sale and parts seem scarce.

Does anyone know a source of either brand new (NOS) 3rd brake lights for convertibles or reasonably priced 2nd hand ones?

US ebay currently has 3 but the best looking one won't ship outside US and the other two look awful...

I hate having to add the additional brake light... so will attempt compliance without it, though I don't have high hopes.

[BristolE30]

I feel like it probably wouldn’t be an issue... but then again I’ve never lived there

[coopman]

You may be able to pick one up from a breaker in Australia and have it shipped to NZ (Peninsula BM, ASV, etc). Facebook groups are a good source as well (from memory there is a small E30 scene in NZ).

Or take the risk. I lived in NZ for a while and the penalties for driving offences were really, really minor.

[Satan]

Can it not be classed as a "classic" and be exempt?

[Blanca]

I would think that they can't insist on retrofitting to comply with a local (NZ) law. But,,,, I know it's not kosher but a Jaguar boot lid one would look OK.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAGUAR-XJS-F ... SwtTlfBe5Q

[Radar]

Or take the risk. I lived in NZ for a while and the penalties for driving offences were really, really minor.

I have to get it through compliance first... after that I could probably lose the 3rd brake light, whatever I use will have to be convincingly installed to pass the compliance inspection... which is almost forensic.

[Radar]

Can it not be classed as a "classic" and be exempt?

I wish. I will speak more with the compliance inspectors. It might be possible if I can get it classified as a 'special interest' vehicle. NZ has an annual quota of 200 SI vehicles. February should be the right end of the year to get inside that quota and according to the M registry there's only one other E30 M3 Convertible in NZ. The 'immigrant's vehicle' classification also relaxes some criteria so that's a possibility too.

In the stop light section of the inspection manual one of the reasons for rejecting is: "1. A class MA vehicle first registered or manufactured on or after 1 January 1990 is not fitted with one high-mounted stop lamp."

So far the compliance places I've spoken to have little or no idea of what the car is and are more interested to take my money. Most places wonder why I'm bringing an old BMW to NZ. They're geared up to comply the 1000s of used Japanese cars that come to NZ each year, not 30 year old European cars. I need to find a place that is staffed and run by petrol heads who do more than just tick boxes and have half an idea of what they're looking at. I had hoped to get stuff underway before I arrived there, however I think it might be better to deal with it when I get there so I can 'interview' a few compliance places before I commit to one.

[Satan]

Stick on light on the boot lid may work, also if you are taking the car with you as it it yours and not importing as its already yours are there certain other rules?

There is always a way around things.

[martauto]

Now , is this an "eye level" OR "third brake light" ??

My e46 cab has one in the boot lid which may look nice, but does not really help the situation.
This is not "Eye level" but is third light .

All yours mate.

Mart.

[twright]

Here's a US sight that lists a bunch of places that have used brake lights for sale: https://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

I don't know if they would be willing to ship overseas, but its worth a try.

[twright]

Here's a better link: https://www.car-part.com/

[twright]

Search under "Third brake light"

[buzzbee]

the U S have a mold fitted half way up th boot and they look awful along with the american bumper