[Huncowboy]

So when I am driving my E90 the lights kind of vibrate a lot more than I would expect it. It has been like this for a while and it think initially it was only one side. I mentioned it to the dealer and they said it was normal. Well... it aint my first car ever so I am pretty sure it isn't normal but I had no time to waste that day and I have not been back since. But a few months ago we also got an E92 and granted the lights are different but that one is steady, just like the other couple BMWs I had before.

What do you think? Does your E90's headlights vibrate as you go over bumps? I am not talking about major bumps, but even small stuff and slow speeds will make both sides go up and down. Btw I have xenon, and the sport package which makes things harder. The E92 has the same but no problems there.

Thanks!

[O-cha]

Here's the e92 TSB http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B631007g.htm

I preformed it myself and it absolutely fixed the shaking more then I expected (especially looking at the parts and while installing it thinking "there's no way in hell this is going to work.)

Probably a similar one for the E90.

[ScheerSpeed]

my euros vibrate like no other!

[Huncowboy]

Originally Posted by O-cha

Here's the e92 TSB http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B631007g.htm

I preformed it myself and it absolutely fixed the shaking more then I expected (especially looking at the parts and while installing it thinking "there's no way in hell this is going to work.)

Probably a similar one for the E90.

Thanks for posting this. So there is a BMW bulletin for this and they tell me this is normal. This pisses me off.

Thanks Vista BMW in Coconut Creek!

alright... where is my screwdriver?

[Huncowboy]

After a quick check it seems I will need the extra arms for the bottom. The top is tight. Dang it...

[tintivilus]

Originally Posted by Huncowboy

Thanks for posting this. So there is a BMW bulletin for this and they tell me this is normal. This pisses me off.

Thanks Vista BMW in Coconut Creek!

alright... where is my screwdriver?

You think that's bad? I gave my dealership the SIB number, and they said it only applied to "the 4-doors". I asked why it said it was for E92 and E93, and they said "well don't believe everything you read on the Internet".

I'm pissed. I'll be having words with the service manager if they keep flaking out on it.

[tintivilus]

Originally Posted by tintivilus

I'm pissed. I'll be having words with the service manager if they keep flaking out on it.

I just had to post a followup:

After printing out the SIB the SA said wasn't for my car, I went out to check the headlights... and found the four screws the SIB calls for!

I pulled out my service invoice and started going through the details. Line item "D" is "Client states both front headlights move up and down when driving over bumps" with resolution "Normal operation of Headlights."

But line item "A", "Client states the driver's side headlight rubber trim is broken" for the new headlight gasket they ordered, lists all the parts from the shakey-headlight SIB: four hex screws, two self-locking oval screws, and right and left support brackets in addition to the gasket they replaced.

So it appears that the mechanic performed the entire SIB action, but told the SA that he didn't.

very odd, but I guess I'm satisfied

[5soko]

Originally Posted by O-cha

Here's the e92 TSB http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B631007g.htm

I preformed it myself and it absolutely fixed the shaking more then I expected (especially looking at the parts and while installing it thinking "there's no way in hell this is going to work.)

Probably a similar one for the E90.

can i see if i have this brakcets without removing the bumper? looking from the top or something?

[Huncowboy]

Originally Posted by O-cha

Here's the e92 TSB http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B631007g.htm

I preformed it myself and it absolutely fixed the shaking more then I expected (especially looking at the parts and while installing it thinking "there's no way in hell this is going to work.)

Probably a similar one for the E90.

Is there on for the E90? They said there isn't.

[Vmax222]

there is also a TSB for the E90

Link

My dealer installed some brackets, but it didn´t solved the problem. But i don´t know if they installed the brackets from this TSB.
In my case, it seems only the right headlight vibrates.

[ubern00b]

my passenger one used to do this. it quit when i replaced a bent front passenger rim. sigh.

[Huncowboy]

Thanks for the link! It was only 1 light at first. Not surw which one. After 20k miles it started both.

[Huncowboy]

Today they got the parts for the lights. In case this happens to anyone, this is a special order part so be proactive. It saves you a trip.

It is kind of sad that I had to get the info from a member, from here (Thanks! o-cha) while BMW Vista or Braman BMW, both in FL was not able to find this on their own. A total of 5 visits (I have to add that none of the visits were solely for this reason) to get it done.

Overall I am happy with both Bremen and Vista but next time leasing a car, I will leave my $ with an internet dealer, from this website instead.

[bolinp78]

My 2008 E90 headlights do this as well, but only when I go over medium/large size bumps.

[Huncowboy]

Mine was doing it on a slightest bump.

[Vmax222]

Originally Posted by Huncowboy

Today they got the parts for the lights. In case this happens to anyone, this is a special order part so be proactive. It saves you a trip.

It is kind of sad that I had to get the info from a member, from here (Thanks! o-cha) while BMW Vista or Braman BMW, both in FL was not able to find this on their own. A total of 5 visits (I have to add that none of the visits were solely for this reason) to get it done.

Overall I am happy with both Bremen and Vista but next time leasing a car, I will leave my $ with an internet dealer, from this website instead.

Did it completely solve the problem of your vibrating Xenon´s?
I hate it that my light is vibrating the whole time when i´m driving over bumps. I am going to contact my dealer again, if the problem can be solved.

[Huncowboy]

I don't know because the car is still not done.

They have had the car for 2+4 days now, and it is still not done. Not a single phone call btw to inform me that I will be without a car again. So I got back from a trip today to learn that I am without a car, or a loaner.

What is a good way to get started with a service complaint? Because this just went beyond bad. Here is what happened if anyone cares:

About a month or two ago I drop the car off at Braman in West Palm Beach for regular service. I have also listed the vibrating lights, and a rubber seal pealing off on the rear windshield. I have also said that there may be a bulletin for the lights (but I thought that was for the E92 so I was not sure). My guy said there was none but he will check. (Btw BMW Vista in Coconut Creek said the same thing a year ago when I have first mentioned it.) Fine, I accept there is no fix for my lights, they do the service then they order the rubber sealing. "It should be there in a few days. We will call you."

I never get a call about the sealing. I don't care much about that rubber so I don't inquire. I figure next service I ask again. About a month later my wheel shows locked and the car does not start only after I juggle the wheel. So I learn about the problem on this website and realize it is a big deal. I bring in the car, mentioning the rubber sealing also. Meanwhile in this thread I learn about the TIS for the E90 so when I call I give the TIS number to the service guy.

Two days later I bring in the vehicle with an appointment. It takes them two work days to replace the rubber, the steering wheel column, but they have to order the part for the headlights. Prior to that they had two days to figure out they did not have them, they knew I was coming with that problem. Whatever... as long it will get done... we reschedule for when the parts arrive.

This time I get an automated call that my part is there. Meanwhile I realize they did not center my wheel so when I drive straight the wheel is off to the left... very annoying... and they broke my cruise control switch when they put the steering together. So I call them ahead to make sure we have an appointment so that they have time to align the wheel properly, install the arms for the lights, and fix the cruise control that now sticks in the accelerate position. I am still very nice, and understanding with everyone.

"No problem.... bring it in tomorrow we will have you on your way the same day." So next day I drop it off 10AM.

Day one goes by... no call... no nothing. I figure the car is not done. I did not need the car so I did not call or try push it. Next day I start to get uneasy because I have a trip the following day so I need the car. Toward the afternoon I call. Car is not done. No explanation why a max 3 hours worth work is still not done after two full workdays. "Sorry we will get it delivered to you in two days." I opt against it, because I want to make sure the damn wheel is centered when I pick it up. So I tell them I will pick it up myself on Saturday.

Nice... now my wife has to get up at 4AM as well just to get me to the airport. Too late for a loaner.

I get back home on Saturday... no calls for two additional days. Now they have had the car for a total of 4 days but not a single call from them. I call to learn that it is not done, and everyone is gone for the weekend. I have left a message with a manager, and with BMW NA.

I am fed up.

What is the best way to get a proper complaint going with BMW NA? Mr. Earnie R. at Braman Motors needs to learn that his phone is not for decoration on his desk.

[tintivilus]

Originally Posted by Vmax222

Did it completely solve the problem of your vibrating Xenon´s?

I can't speak for the E90's, but the E92 SIB helped but didn't completely fix the issue -- I don't get shakes when going over expansion joints anymore, but it's still very sensitive to bumps. I think the adaptive headlight mechanism just has play in it.

I don't buy the "leveling headlights" explanation at all. Our E46 has leveling xenons and they're rock-solid. It's completely trivial from a controls design perspective for the levelers to not respond to every little bump in the road, so suggesting that the levelers make the headlights shake with every little suspension jostle is just saying that BMW took a perfectly good system (existing on E46) and fubar'ed it without ever noticing and for some reason refuses to release a software update.

[Huncowboy]

Originally Posted by tintivilus

I can't speak for the E90's, but the E92 SIB helped but didn't completely fix the issue -- I don't get shakes when going over expansion joints anymore, but it's still very sensitive to bumps. I think the adaptive headlight mechanism just has play in it.

I don't buy the "leveling headlights" explanation at all. Our E46 has leveling xenons and they're rock-solid. It's completely trivial from a controls design perspective for the levelers to not respond to every little bump in the road, so suggesting that the levelers make the headlights shake with every little suspension jostle is just saying that BMW took a perfectly good system (existing on E46) and fubar'ed it without ever noticing and for some reason refuses to release a software update.

Similar experience here. It got better but not perfect. The sport package makes things worse. This has been our only BMW that ever had this problem.