[PNTDG42]

Originally Posted by John1973

I've had both headlamps replaced under warranty. The passenger headlamp in the replacement now contains water. Will be calling dealer again re this to have it replaced

That should fix it.

[g42bmw]

I took a long drive of over 300 miles and the headlight had entirely cleared up! I think I will just monitor it to see if it happens again. This is good news!

[Winrya]

That’s crazy how there is no water staining inside

[BMW2OWNER2022]

Headlamp arrived going to bmw to be fitted next week.

[Gazmob]

Not good news with condensation here, looks like water ingress in to the actual light and the light with the condensation is much dimmer than the other. We’ll see what the dealer says tomorrow, servicing and repairs closed early yesterday and don’t open on a Sunday.

[Gazmob]

Took the car along to two dealers today. First one was awful so took it to another that is actually slightly closer to home. Agreed that the unit should be replaced under warranty unfortunately they are on back order . Current date due in to Germany is a couple of weeks away and then it needs to make its way to the UK then up to Scotland. Hopefully will be sorted in around a month.

Whilst the daytime running light seems to be almost gone the dipped headlights seem fine.

[KJ10]

I picked my car up yesterday from the dealer. They had to fight with BMW a little as BMW is saying the headlights are vented to allow condensation to appear and dissipate but eventually they did say it would be covered and they ordered another headlight. I am in the same boat as most as they said the part is backordered to an undisclosed date.

[g42bmw]

Originally Posted by KJ10

I picked my car up yesterday from the dealer. They had to fight with BMW a little as BMW is saying the headlights are vented to allow condensation to appear and dissipate but eventually they did say it would be covered and they ordered another headlight. I am in the same boat as most as they said the part is backordered to an undisclosed date.

I find what BMW said about vented headlights to be true. Try to drive for a long period of time. That completely resolved my issue. No more water has came inside even during the rain season and after washes. And to my surprise there's no watermarks left over.

[KJ10]

Originally Posted by g42bmw

I find what BMW said about vented headlights to be true. Try to drive for a long period of time. That completely resolved my issue. No more water has came inside even during the rain season and after washes. And to my surprise there's no watermarks left over.

Agreed, mine did go away at first. Unfortunately living Michigan with our cold weather the water in mine would freeze and then it would leave residue steaks so I’m happy they are replacing it for me. It may happen again in the future even with a replacement.

[sleeves007]

3 minutes in - 71 Plate 220i, condensation in the headlights, seen and mentioned.

[PNTDG42]

Considering how they are not sealed and actually depend on ventilation and airflow to avoid condensate, it makes me wonder if the manufacturers ever consider just making the lenses serviceable. I know it would make them more expensive to design and produce if they wanted the lenses to be replaceable and cleanable. But now that it’s on my mind I’m feeling like it’s almost futile, just a matter of time before any unsealed headlight is going to be filled up with crap it acquired from the environment

[KJ10]

Originally Posted by PNTDG42

Considering how they are not sealed and actually depend on ventilation and airflow to avoid condensate, it makes me wonder if the manufacturers ever consider just making the lenses serviceable. I know it would make them more expensive to design and produce if they wanted the lenses to be replaceable and cleanable. But now that it’s on my mind I’m feeling like it’s almost futile, just a matter of time before any unsealed headlight is going to be filled up with crap it acquired from the environment

I've had the same thoughts after speaking with my local service center and learning how they are designed. I think this may end up being a thorn in BMWs side. While my car was in for this I was talking with the service manager and she told me they had bulletins out for the 3 and 4 series for the same problem and a few had already been in for replacements. I assume those cars have a similar vent design to alleviate condensation build-up in the headlight.

[Starsx37]

Just so everyone can be made aware… 1 headlight replacement is a 5 1/2 job.

And they need to be coded. Physically plugged into a computer and coded after install.

My car has been here all day - since 9am for 1 headlight & oil change.

Covered under warranty

5 1/2 hours guys… I watched a guy on YouTube change one out in like 30 min

Not complaining though cause I got a tour of the basement parking 🤤😉😉😉

But just so you all remember…. 5 1/2 hours

Annndddd the cost is about $4,750 per headlight.

That’s all.

[danallxt]

5-1/2hours is totally ridiculous.
What did the utube guy know the BMW techs didn't?
Nothing, he simply was not getting paid/or billing by the hour.
Half hour to 1 hour max.
I'd never use that dealer for anything again.

Side note, many moons ago i helped my older brother swap engines in an older pickup. Evening hours after his normal work hours we pulled engine from his pickup, pulled another engine from another pickup, and installed that engine in his pickup...2 engine pulls, 1 install in one evening. And i had no clue what to do, just following orders and bending wrenches.

[Bandit009]

Originally Posted by danallxt

5-1/2hours is totally ridiculous.
What did the utube guy know the BMW techs didn't?
Nothing, he simply was not getting paid/or billing by the hour.
Half hour to 1 hour max.
I'd never use that dealer for anything again.

Side note, many moons ago i helped my older brother swap engines in an older pickup. Evening hours after his normal work hours we pulled engine from his pickup, pulled another engine from another pickup, and installed that engine in his pickup...2 engine pulls, 1 install in one evening. And i had no clue what to do, just following orders and bending wrenches.

“And i had no clue what to do, just following orders and bending wrenches.”

Sounds like prison talk.

[danallxt]

when you've got an older brother you want to learn from, that's what you do.

[pw4]

If this helps anyone:

Page 329 of the owners manual states:
Headlight glass
During cool or humid weather, the headlight glass can mist over on the inside. When driving with the lights switched on, the condensation disappears after a short time. There is no need to replace the headlight glass.
If moisture increases, for example if there are water droplets in the lamp despite the headlights being switched on, have the headlights
checked.

Of course, whether or not this should happen is another matter.

[KJ10]

I just recently had mine replaced under warranty. Left the car there for the day and took a loaner. It was a long job from what I understood as it did require the headlight to be recoded. As far as what the owners manual says, I'm sure that is how they are designed but I can tell you this will be a problem for a lot of people. My headlight was to the point of the condensation almost never going away.

[g42bmw]

So I finally got my headlight replaced - the moisture returned after another rain season. The new one has been good so far.

The replacement process requires the entire bumper to be removed. My software was also updated to the latest 03.2023 build. Dealer needs to request approval from BMW. 5 1/2 hours billed time sounds about right. Probably take 1 hour max for the physical work and maybe 1/2 hour for software, that's about 5 1/2 hours total

[Xspeedracer]

Get a couple small desiccant bags they use to ship electronic parts in the box with and stick them in the back of the housing

[Starsx37]

Originally Posted by g42bmw

So I finally got my headlight replaced - the moisture returned after another rain season. The new one has been good so far.

The replacement process requires the entire bumper to be removed. My software was also updated to the latest 03.2023 build. Dealer needs to request approval from BMW. 5 1/2 hours billed time sounds about right. Probably take 1 hour max for the physical work and maybe 1/2 hour for software, that's about 5 1/2 hours total

They do have to remove the bumper!

So crazy too!

Most new vehicles now are like that.

700$ to change a headlight bulb in a new Avalon

The price for the one g42’s housing was just south of 5k$

Making it harder and harder for the average person to work on their cars…

But on the other hand… they’re so nice 😊

[PNTDG42]

Dang, I’d hate that they have to remove the bumper. I need them to replace one of my proximity sensors, and I have been holding out because I dread letting them remove the bumper. With my luck they will damage fender hardware and it will be sagging in the corners or they will marr up the paint.