Z4 - Smoked up headlights

A

angus

Member
Hi,

I'm picking up my 3.0si coupe on friday.

Just one point, the dealer told me the lights are xenons, and they do appear more of a whitle light, so I guess he is telling the truth.
But, the lense covers glass looks a bit cloudy, not clear like normal glass. It doesnt seem to be caused by condensation as I could see no water causing it.
Are they all kind of cloudy white colours or is it that they are getting old ????

Cheers
 
AlanJ said:
Should be clear not cloudy!
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Sometimes light casings call dull abit over time, a polish with some propper plastic polish should bring them back to their original state. Even if they have dulled slightly though they should still look clear, not cloudy! I'd bet it's condensation, seems to be a common problem (which is usually easily fixed with some new foam gaskets) on the Zed!
 
If they are not right get the dealer to fix them. cloudiness or condensation are both problems that need fixing

Xenons will have no beam height adjuster ont he light switch, hazard stickers under the bonnet and will flicker on for the fist second. Don't be fobbed off as peole fit whiter bulbs in halogens and externally unless you're and expert they look identical.
 
If they are damp inside and not drying out after a few minutes then the dealer shoudl replace the rear covers or entire lights. To some extent it depends on the amount of condensation.

If it's the light units clouded and not condensation they should change them

Just don't drive it off until agreed !!
 
I should have said something the 1st day I viewd it. It was very wet day and the lenses looked very cloudy. Then I booked a test drive which was on a dry day and the lights didnt see too bad. However, on reflection I guess as soon as it gets wet again they will cloud up.
I might say something to the dealer when I pick it up tomorrow, It might even be raining so will have the chance to point it out then.
Anyone else living with condensation in the lights ???????
 
I've searched for loads of these coupes, owned 2 now and I love them.

Check the lights look like the pic above... many garages try and sell them as xenons when they are actually halogens. Anything after a facelift will have halo lights if xenons. If there are no halos then they are halogens.

Most coupes have condensation in the fogs, a design fault so I'm told. I haven't seen any with the headlights clouded up...

I would def tell the dealer and ask im to do somethng about it. Is it a franchised dealer?
 
The easiest way to I'd halos is no leveller wheel bu the light switch and hazard labels under bonnet.

Leaking lights is not a design fault and is usually a poorly fitted rear hatch. Wires trapped or sela distorted. Don't be fob Ed off by the dealer as even if they dry or can leave streaks on the lens.
 
I find my headlights mist up a little when its damp outside... older plastic lens can cloud up or yellow (but i thought the Z had glass so this shouldnt happen) something like megs plastix can clear them up... however on an si (which would only be 4/5 years old at most) that should have happened.
 
Yes, a frachise dealer.

He told me it has xenons aswell, which I'm now not sure he is telling truth.

Sorry, can you just clarify how I can tell if they are halogen or xenons again ????

I looked at them on main beam and they did look very white with a hint of blue. Didnt pay attention about checking for a halo effect though.
 
The best way to tell IMO is halos/coronas - switch the lights on and you should see a clear ring halo around the main light.

When you switch the lights on you should also see the auto leveller work to begin with (I.e. light beam moves up then down).

The pic above by Jan_Tekin are xenons, halogens look different.

Another way to tell is the light casing, on halogens the inside has a shiny finish, on the xenons the finish is more metallic and matt.

If yours are halogens I would ask the dealer to knock some money off or give you a part refund!

Could always phone BMW and they will tell you for defnite but beware they charge £1 per minute! I've used the service before and to be fair to them they are quick to give you the info so you shouldnt be on more than 1 minute. Just give them the reg and tell them you want to know if the car has xenons
 
angus said:
Yes, a frachise dealer.

He told me it has xenons aswell, which I'm now not sure he is telling truth.

Sorry, can you just clarify how I can tell if they are halogen or xenons again ????

I looked at them on main beam and they did look very white with a hint of blue. Didnt pay attention about checking for a halo effect though.
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Just a CJ has said - for Xenons there is no beam height adjuster (with halogens a rotary switch just below the main light switch). Open the bonnet and there's a warning sticker on both sides just near the headlight unit warning of high voltage. Sit in the Zed parked facing a wall or similar and when you switch the headlights on they will take a brief moment to 'fire up' and you can see the beam raise into position as the self levelling unit operates. Don't accept anything less than perfect operation and clear headlight units.
 
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