Headlight Condensation

[Big1]

Just dropped off my 1er at Maranello BMW for this issue. I've searched this forum, and found that it's a hit and miss with some dealerships to resolve it. I hope Maranello hits it, and fixes the problem. Should be covered under warranty... will update with what transpires.

It's been 3 hours, and I miss her already lol

[Dackelone]

Have you changed your AE bulbs?

[Big1]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Have you changed your AE bulbs?

Nope, nothing's been done to the car YET but then again, I did buy it used. I did a quick look under the hood to see obvious signs of tampering prior to taking it in, and nothing. Everything looked in it's place, nothing broken... just crossing my fingers at this point.

[sasquatch]

Same thing happened to me. The first time I took it in the dealer said it was "normal", after I complained further they agreed reseal the headlight housing. However I had to go back in again after a heavy rainfall because the condensation reappeared and I got an adaptive headlight failure warning. This time they had to replace my headlight housing. This was all done under warrantee, but it did take a couple days to get resolved.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by sasquatch

Same thing happened to me. The first time I took it in the dealer said it was "normal", after I complained further they agreed reseal the headlight housing. However I had to go back in again after a heavy rainfall because the condensation reappeared and I got an adaptive headlight failure warning. This time they had to replace my headlight housing. This was all done under warrantee, but it did take a couple days to get resolved.

Cool, that's good to know.

Which dealership did you go to and how long exactly did it take? Would you recommend getting a rental?

[sasquatch]

I went to Town and Country. The first time i went in took 2 days because i refused to take the car back, i wouldnt accept that it was "normal". Which is when they resealed it.

When i took it back the second time it took 2 or 3 days because they needed to get approval from Germany to replace the entire unit.

I hope Maranello takes care of it the first time for you, i found it to be a really frustrating process when i went through it.

[Big1]

Thanks for the info. I've heard that out of Maranello, Autohaus, and Town and Country, Autohaus is the one to avoid. Maranello and T/C is neck in neck with regards to sales and service. This is just hearsay though.

First time I took my car in, took it to Maranello and their service was exceptional, hence the reason for taking it there for this problem. Hopefully everything does work out well, cause I'm at 78,xxx kms and I'll be out of warranty from here on out. Going to ask for a service record when I pick her up, and cross all the eyes and dot all the tees, make sure all recalls have been done. Then, off to warranty-less world in a BMW. Hope she treats me good..

[Big1]

Just to update, picked up the car right after work at Maranello. My SA, Brad, updates me that the unit is in order under warranty

Maranello - outstanding in my books

Sidenote: co-worker owns a 323, who dropped me off at Maranello. Told me a story where she had to replace a light bulb/LED in her tail-light. Town and Country quoted her something ridiculous, $360 I believe and said it to be a 2 hour or something job. She walked out laughing, went to a local shop specializing in BMWs (BIMX I think), replaced the LED in 5 mins and charged her nothing. I guess T/C tried taking advantage of her, thinking she was naive or something..

[sasquatch]

Glad to hear that they took care of it the first time. I wish my expereince was as smooth as yours when i went to T&C. I've had a couple bad experiences at T&C, it always seem that they want to get out of doing any repairs under warantee. The only other dealership thats close to me is Endras BMW, I think i'll take my car there next time and see how it goes.

[Detailer]

Lucky you. I've complained about that issue as well. All they did was to blow compressed air inside to dry it.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by Detailer

Lucky you. I've complained about that issue as well. All they did was to blow compressed air inside to dry it.

You should try to find another dealership and plead your case. As far as I know, condensation is not normal and shouldn't occur in a well sealed, properly assembled headlight unit.

[Detailer]

I'm out of warranty now. Anyway, they ended up replacing it, the leveling motor died.

[Big1]

Another update, received a call on Wednesday that the unit arrived and booked an appointment for the install the following morning. Dropped the car in and while speaking to my SA, he noticed that my warranty is just about to run out. So he got them to change my brake fluid and microfilter. Picked up the car with great satisfaction. Outstanding service from Maranello.

[sasquatch]

Im glad everything worked out well for you!

[litebulb]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Have you changed your AE bulbs?

Just in case anyone was thinking about. Got Alphine V3 HID AE in mine, so far no condensation, I did pick them up with the pre-drilled caps though.

[E82blu]

THIS HAPPENED TO ME

drove my car through a car wash, and then as i'm driving home, my passenger HID goes out. Then i noticed condensation when i get home.

Bringing it in to T+C tomorrow.... hope this isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg :'(

[Big1]

Originally Posted by E82blu

THIS HAPPENED TO ME

drove my car through a car wash, and then as i'm driving home, my passenger HID goes out. Then i noticed condensation when i get home.

Bringing it in to T+C tomorrow.... hope this isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg :'(

What I heard, do not bring to TC. If you're under warranty, 80,000 kms and 4 years, bring it to Maranello and they won't hassle you. As long as the unit itself isn't physically damage, then they'll replace it for you. I've heard bad things about TC, and I've been to Maranello a couple time and I have no complaints about them. A+ service in my books.

M

[E82blu]

So my car is over 80k kms. I bought it CPO from town and country. They said this is not covered by extended warranty. They said to fix this issue, it will cost $2400 for parts and $400 plus tax for labour

W t f

[Big1]

Originally Posted by E82blu

So my car is over 80k kms. I bought it CPO from town and country. They said this is not covered by extended warranty. They said to fix this issue, it will cost $2400 for parts and $400 plus tax for labour

W t f

Town and Country? Have you tried other dealerships? They have a rep of trying rip people off...

[E82blu]

Going to call Maranello and a few other shops but basically extended warranty doesn't cover issues caused by defect in seals.

Found some parts online/ at junk yards, so might just bring it to bimmex or J speed

[andrey_gta]

Any tips to recreate condensation.
I want to take images to document the issue before Warranty is over.

[theonlynameleft]

Originally Posted by sasquatch

Glad to hear that they took care of it the first time. I wish my expereince was as smooth as yours when i went to T&C. I've had a couple bad experiences at T&C, it always seem that they want to get out of doing any repairs under warantee. The only other dealership thats close to me is Endras BMW, I think i'll take my car there next time and see how it goes.

I know its an old post, I'm dealing with them now to get my lifters replaced (as per the ticking noise). I was told to take the car back the day I dropped it off so they could order the parts and that I would receive a call when the parts come in.

7 days later (today) they called me saying I needed to book an appointment so the parts could be ordered...... REALLY... I'm a little pissed off with them right now, I bought the car from BMWtoronto and was told that if warranty work has to be performed that a loaner car would be given free of charge. EndrasBMW is now telling me its $0.20 per km driven on a loaner car. F*ck that garbage.