attn 135i owners: do either one of your headlight assemblies show condensation?

[twinturbo135i]

Here's the deal. over the past couple weeks or so, my passenger side headlamp assembly has been showing signs of moisture. I didn't know how to handle this at first because we've had some serious rain here in the central FL area for the past two weeks or so. I really wasn't sure if I could blame it on that or if something is going wrong with the headlamp's sealing system.

I took it to the dealership and they agreed to order me a new headlamp for the passenger side. but while the car was over there, I also noticed that the driver's side is also starting to show signs of moisture build up.

I told my SA this and he said that according to BMW, a certain amount of moisture is acceptable just as long as it burns off once the headlights are turned on. I honesty don't buy that because I have never noticed any moisture with either assembly up until about two weeks ago. the car is coming up on my one year anniversary.

so now I'm wondering if I should make a big stink about getting both assemblies replaced or if I should be patient and see what happens.

so I ask you guys and gals this. do either one of your headlight assemblies reveal any moisture at any time? if so, please come forward and let me know.

[raceman]

It happens often.
Both on 7-series and 1.
Dunno why.
BMW should invenr something to prevent such shit.

[Kokanator135]

Make a big stink!! I. like you had replaced my angel-eye bulbs with LEDs, and wound up with condensation. It progressed thus: 1st condensation noticed in drivers headlight, then, "left adaptive light" error (eg left headlight looks cockeyed), then left bulb stops lighting altogether, then right bulb stops lighting. I was without my car for 2.5 weeks. Luckily BMW covered a rental car for the whole time, as it was short notice to get the car in. It took 4 days to diagnose, and another 2 weeks for a wiring harness to come from Germany. Apparently, the control units for the headlights (adaptive part? I'm not sure) are housed under the headlight assemblies, which are vented, but there is no drain underneath. Supposedly, the lights igniting should burn off any moisture before it becomes a problem, but my SA told me that there were puddles under each headlight assembly. I don't know if it is that the xenons don't burn as hot or what, but I wound up with puddles.

Luckily, I removed my LEDs prior to service, and my car's back to 100%, but I'm now nervous about reinstalling the LEDs for fear of this recurring.

Good luck with your problem....hope it's not as involved as mine was....

[new2the3]

Every time I wash my car I see a few drops of water in both head lights...

[bimmerboy]

after seeing more and more bmws, i think its normal. when i wash the car my headlights usually get a little condensation around the corners, but always dry off eventually... If its already being serviced it wouldn't hurt to try to get the other one changed as well though.

[ad78]

if you removed the cover before, check it out again. you might not properly latch the black cover. i had this problem also and now no more condensation.

[Linoleum87]

Ive noticed that in both of my lights as well. It does go away, but its something that I wish didnt happen. I have a list of issues to discuss with my SA soon, and I will add this to it.

[TP 135i]

I've never had any moisture in either of my headlights.
14 months and counting.

[MINI135i]

I just used the TSB BMW has published and the dealer changed the light, no problem. Print this out and take it to them:



Technical Service Bulletins for the BMW 1 SERIES 2008 - 121000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
Make : BMW Model : 1 SERIES Year : 2008
Service Bulletin Number: SI B63-04-08
Replacement Service Bulletin Number:
NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 10025983
Date of Bulletin: 06/01/2008 Date Added to Database: 09/22/2008
Component: 121000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: BMW: HEADLAMP MOISTURE: FAULT DIAGNOSTICS. WATER OR CONDENSATION IN ONE OR BOTH HEADLAMPS. MODELS 5 SERIES, 6 SERIES, 7 SERIES, X5, X6, 1 SERIES, AND 3 SERIES. MODEL YEARS 2000-20008. *PE

[Excitmnt94]

we have sold quite a few 1-series here and have a few on the lots as well. i can only remember seeing one with condensation in the headlight housing.

nice thing is, our service department just takes care of issues like this. it is warranty...meaning...the customer is satisfied because it gets fixed...the service department gets paid...BMW takes care of both the dealership and customer. no reason not to do it.

[twinturbo135i]

Originally Posted by Excitmnt94

the customer is satisfied because it gets fixed...the service department gets paid...BMW takes care of both the dealership and customer. no reason not to do it.

see, that's what I'm saying.

the fact of the matter is this. I've had my car for one year now. this just started happening about two weeks ago. this tells me something has changed and I don't like it one bit. I paid damn good money for my car. this means it should always be in perfect condition. (at least until the warranty runs out.)

I'm not happy right now.

[themyst]

No condensation in my 135i's headlights. I even opened them up to put in my GP Thunders and still no problems. It rained for 6 days straight here at one point too, so I'm sure that's a pretty good test of the seal.

[993 911]

My passenger side headlight can fog up quite bad.

[Robert]

I park indoor so I haven't seen it

[Simon_135i]

happened to the vehicle tonight..

[Séve]

I will never touch GP Thunders again or any other mod to the lights for your exact reason. Having to get the car back to stock and dealing with everything, to me, isn't worth it. Good luck, though!

[italiantank26]

Put HIDs in my car, its a 128, not 135, I have condensation on my passenger side, not driver side, but the HIDs dry them quick

[1013mm]

yes a little, but the 3 has it worse. itll go away

[jeremyc74]

If you're getting condensation, you've got a bad seal. If it's because you've replaced your bulbs with aftermarket, that's one thing, but if the car still has the factory bulbs in there, it should be a warranty item. More than likely the welds around the housing have failed.

[Kokanator135]

I'm starting to get condensation in the passenger light post-wash, even after my big warranty replacement. I'm trying to turn on my headlights for a little while, hoping this might act to "burn it off". It has since gone away, but I'm scared it's gonna come back.

[Simon_135i]

DAMMIT its reoccuring too damn often. Will schedule a fix with my SA when I get my oil change

[1speedbike]

I've personally never seen any, after washes, in humid weather, or in rain in exactly 10 months since I got my 1er.