Front foglights next to useless? (facelifted)

Z

Zed-Shed

Member
North Derbyshire
Has anyone had problems with their front (facelifted) foglights I wonder? Mine are next to useless and seem to be full of condensation permanently.

BMW have taken a look at them and said that they are corroded. My car is just over 3 years old and so manufacturers warranty is out but I took the extended BMW (most expensive package) before I lost this option on it's 3rd birthday. Needless to say, BMW won't cover the foglights as, apparently, they're corroded. They want £75 + fitting + vat per luminaire to rectify.

Maybe I've missed the point and they're the new revolutionary foglights fitted to my Zed - in that the luminaire is actually full of fog :?
 
Best bet would be to remove yourself dry them out and then seal them with silicone. Unless you had reported this within the three years then BMW should still sort it out.
 
Thanks for that srhutch - I'm minded to have a go at them myself. There appears to be an access door within the inner wing plastic liner, I take it you get at the foglights through the removeable door and they're fairly easy to remove?

To be fair, I hadn't reported the problem to BMW within the 3 year period as I didn't expect it to be caused by corrosion.... What on earth are they made of?

I've owned the car since Feb this year and it had a big'ish service just short of 30,000 miles which was in March this year (within it's 3 year period) and I kind of expected the foglights to be sorted by default - evidently not! Hey-ho :|
 
Delaers wont fix anything unless it's pointed out so guessing the previous owner didnt say anything or wasnt persistant enough in getting fixed.

Not sure how these one come out, probably bumper off job though that isnt hard by all accounts. CJ10Jeeper should be able to tell you as he put a facelifted bumper on his car.
 
Zed-Shed said:
Has anyone had problems with their front (facelifted) foglights I wonder? Mine are next to useless and seem to be full of condensation permanently.

BMW have taken a look at them and said that they are corroded. My car is just over 3 years old and so manufacturers warranty is out but I took the extended BMW (most expensive package) before I lost this option on it's 3rd birthday. Needless to say, BMW won't cover the foglights as, apparently, they're corroded. They want £75 + fitting + vat per luminaire to rectify.

Maybe I've missed the point and they're the new revolutionary foglights fitted to my Zed - in that the luminaire is actually full of fog :?
Click to expand...

I thought BMW's extended warranty at its highest cover provided the same level with the manufacturer's cover? If not it's very expensive warranty!
 
You can get by without them at all - that's what us ///M owners have to do :P

I just find that front foglights reflect back in heavy fog and are of no use in light fog as dipped beam is fine. Seem a bit pointless unless you want to drive around on perfectly sunny days with them on to be 'chavvy' :wink:
 
I didn't even notice I had mine till I was pointed out on here - thought they should be nice and round like on pre-face lifts :oops:

I like them at night when you are stationary and want a good pic :) But otherwise hardly ever used them...
 
Next to useless lights and I had to fit them when I went facelift front. At least the pre facelift worked

I know you can get to the bulb through the access panel but doubt you'll be able to access the mountings to remove them. Frankly for the 10 minutes it takes pull teh bumper cover off and do the job more easily.

If corroded inside they are shot at but if just wet then dry thme with a hairdryer, ensure the rear bulb seal is OK and refit. If you do add aa bead of silicone be careful how much as the next time you come to change he bulb it will be a right pain
 
[/quote]

I thought BMW's extended warranty at its highest cover provided the same level with the manufacturer's cover? If not it's very expensive warranty![/quote]

I need to look into it - the service reception fella took a look at the foglights the other week and told my Mrs (who now drives the Zed all the time) the reason they were all "fogged up" was because they had corroded at the back of the reflectors, and unfortunately madam, your top notch BMW extended warranty does not cover anything affected by corrosion.... Thank-you very much have a nice day!

As you say - it's a very expensive warranty. Fortunately, I've already had a brand new exhaust manifold and twin-catalytic convertor (plus fitting labour) out of the warranty to date, as the last exhaust manifold split open ... :o

So I guess we may have just broke even on this years warranty fees....

It's been an interesting experience owning a Zed so far....... :roll:
 
I think it depends on the definition of the corrosion. The warrenty lists following as exceptions;

"Any item that has worn out rather than suffered from a defect"
"Weather strips and seals" :o

You could argue fog light is not meant to wear out (unlike breaks, tires etc). The second part might be sticker to argue though - I'm surprised on this one as it vertually lets them get away with it from many many defect (ahh, your on board computer has broken sir? Its because the seal on the car is gone and water has escaped through into the computer. Now we dont cover that on warrenty, but will only charge you £1 pound for parts and £1000,000 for labour +vat......)
 
The fog lights on my Z4 also have condensation all the times. I ignore it as it has not caused any problems. They still work if I switch them on.
 
Mine are still clear (last time I looked) but if they had condensation in them I would have to sort, as it just ruins the look of the car
 
I've noticed on AUC warrenty they specifically say "corrosion not included". Interestingly on the insured warrenty, in the comprehensive option which is same as AUC cover on everything else, they dont actually specify corrosion as not covered event.
 
I have the comprehensive option on the extended waranty, IIRC it stated electrical or mechanical failure, I can't remember anything about corrosion - I'll have to get the booklet out and have a good look.

I'm sure on the day my Mrs called with the car they may have simply fobbed her off.... Anyway, they're annoying me looking like this....

PA100396.jpg
 
That does look terrible. I must look at my new found fog lamps in the morning too:P

You could always try another dealer and see if they would sort it out for you?
 
RX-78 said:
That does look terrible. I must look at my new found fog lamps in the morning too:P

You could always try another dealer and see if they would sort it out for you?
Click to expand...


Yes - they look pants, and when you switch them on for the low spread light beam you need from foglights, because of the condensation the beam is diffused all over the place. They need to be on for about 30 mins before they clear too, so that's helpful! They spoil the look of an all-round tidy car. I've just posted some pics of my Zed on my newbie section post.

I'm almost tempted to visit the Sytner (Sheffield) open day tomorrow and see what they say, but unfortunately I have other things to do in the morning. I'd still prefer to go the Sytner open day though!
 
I was thinking of goin too - just to see the other guys and also wanted to see the new zed. But after going to peak district today not sure if I'm allowed to do the same thing tomorrow again. The missus might have something to say :cry:
 
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