New Owner, New Service Problem

recon7 · 03-24-2014, 07:02 PM

Hi guys,

First post, and a problem... Bought a used '08 convertible locally a couple of weeks ago, one owner with only 35000 miles. The passenger side angel eyes burnt out a few days after leaving the dealership (non-BMW, used high-end cars dealer). They replaced the bulb and sent me on my way. A few days later I ran it through a car wash and all hell broke loose. The passenger side headlight is now burnt out, and I have condensation in the housing. I suspect the service tech didn't properly seal the housing after installing the angel eyes bulb, and water got in during the wash. Taking it back tomorrow and hoping they make it right.

Otherwise, besides horrible creaking from the a-pillar over rough roads, it's a dream to drive!

Kevin

Rob Daman · 03-24-2014, 07:06 PM

welcome to the forums. i'm a 2 week noob myself.

i got a strutbar and it helped a lot with cowl shake

MuNkY6913 · 03-24-2014, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recon7

Hi guys,

First post, and a problem... Bought a used '08 convertible locally a couple of weeks ago, one owner with only 35000 miles. The passenger side angel eyes burnt out a few days after leaving the dealership (non-BMW, used high-end cars dealer). They replaced the bulb and sent me on my way. A few days later I ran it through a car wash and all hell broke loose. The passenger side headlight is now burnt out, and I have condensation in the housing. I suspect the service tech didn't properly seal the housing after installing the angel eyes bulb, and water got in during the wash. Taking it back tomorrow and hoping they make it right.

Otherwise, besides horrible creaking from the a-pillar over rough roads, it's a dream to drive!

Kevin

I hope nothing inside is damaged. My igniter, motor and bulb went out and it was a $1700 estimate. Luckily warranty covered it.

RoundelM3 · 03-25-2014, 10:14 AM

Can't help with the bulb problem, but you probably have the right idea - sounds like it was not sealed properly.

Regarding the A-pillar creaking, I've successfully used silicone spray (with one of those long "straws") to squirt a little lubricant into the joint where the bottom of the pillar meets the dashboard. That eliminated it for me, and it's easily re-done if the creak comes back. I think the suggestion about the strut bar is a great one, and I'm going to definitely do that.

1ToBeOn2Wheels · 03-25-2014, 10:23 AM

This is a very common issue when people have replaced their angel eyes. The back cover on the headlight must be carefully sealed and the two connecting bars need to be snapped into place, otherwise moisture gets in and kills the adaptive motors and other components. Make sure you hold that dealer accountable because it's an expensive fix.

Canefan · 03-25-2014, 10:54 AM

You ran your convertible thru a car wash?

stangman · 03-25-2014, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canefan

You ran your convertible thru a car wash?

MDecals · 03-25-2014, 12:13 PM

Sounds like some bad sealing. I hope the dealer makes it right

3002 tii · 03-25-2014, 12:51 PM

Replacing bulbs are a major PITA b/c it's nearly impossible to snap the cover back on if you don't have small hands. Most times the clips are not fully seated and the cover will come off. Last time I did my bulbs, I didn't even fully remove the cover, I just cracked the top and slipped the bulb in that way. I have a feeling the guy didn't get the cover back on, water got through, end of story.

128Convertibleguy · 03-25-2014, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canefan

You ran your convertible thru a car wash?

I've run mine through a few of them. No leaks at all.

halfhalo · 03-25-2014, 07:43 PM

I'm decently paranoid about those covers, especially the passenger side one. The first time I swapped my angel eye bulbs one of the metal clips fell off and dropped down onto the pan, which was fun to retrieve, and the last time I swapped bulbs (the first pair I put in, GP Thunders, royally sucked for some reason) I could not for the life of me get the cover to slot back into where it was supposed to go. I ended up having to take the front right wheel off and get at it through the access panel to get it properly closed.

Those damn bracing bars are stupidly annoying.

I'm looking into a strut bar, but first, I must get rid of the bane of my existence... a squeak from the rear passenger window when it is fully up. (Lightly pushing on the window == squeak). I have dubbed it the squeak of DOOOOOOOM.

Also, I highly recommend the wind deflector. Its the bee's knee's. With it, the top is down as long as it is not windy or raining.

recon7 · 03-25-2014, 08:40 PM

Thanks for the posts guys. The dealership is making it right. Though they deny that they are the cause of the problem, they have ordered the parts and the ballast will be replaced tomorrow.

I will try the silicone spray and see if that helps. Both the driver's side and passenger side creak, but the passenger side is really bad. Any recommendations on the silicone spray and where to purchase?

And, yes, I ran it through a car wash with a little trepidation. As it turns out, it's a good thing I did, considering the limited warranty. I would have hated to get a few months down the road before this happened!

Kevin

03-24-2014, 07:02 PM	#1
recon7 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Convertible Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	New Owner, New Service Problem Hi guys, First post, and a problem... Bought a used '08 convertible locally a couple of weeks ago, one owner with only 35000 miles. The passenger side angel eyes burnt out a few days after leaving the dealership (non-BMW, used high-end cars dealer). They replaced the bulb and sent me on my way. A few days later I ran it through a car wash and all hell broke loose. The passenger side headlight is now burnt out, and I have condensation in the housing. I suspect the service tech didn't properly seal the housing after installing the angel eyes bulb, and water got in during the wash. Taking it back tomorrow and hoping they make it right. Otherwise, besides horrible creaking from the a-pillar over rough roads, it's a dream to drive! Kevin
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-24-2014, 07:06 PM	#2
Rob Daman Captain 32 Rep 826 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: OC, CA USA iTrader: (2)	welcome to the forums. i'm a 2 week noob myself. i got a strutbar and it helped a lot with cowl shake
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2014, 10:14 AM	#4
RoundelM3 Major General 1837 Rep 6,990 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	Can't help with the bulb problem, but you probably have the right idea - sounds like it was not sealed properly. Regarding the A-pillar creaking, I've successfully used silicone spray (with one of those long "straws") to squirt a little lubricant into the joint where the bottom of the pillar meets the dashboard. That eliminated it for me, and it's easily re-done if the creak comes back. I think the suggestion about the strut bar is a great one, and I'm going to definitely do that. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2014, 10:23 AM	#5
1ToBeOn2Wheels Freude am Fahren 31 Rep 703 Posts Drives: B9 Audi S5 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sierra Nevada Foothills, California iTrader: (0)	This is a very common issue when people have replaced their angel eyes. The back cover on the headlight must be carefully sealed and the two connecting bars need to be snapped into place, otherwise moisture gets in and kills the adaptive motors and other components. Make sure you hold that dealer accountable because it's an expensive fix.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2014, 10:54 AM	#6
Canefan Private 15 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2008 Monaco Blue 135i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (0)	You ran your convertible thru a car wash?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2014, 12:13 PM	#8
MDecals The Vinyl Guy 64 Rep 587 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Glendale, CA iTrader: (9)	Sounds like some bad sealing. I hope the dealer makes it right __________________ Your Source For All Things Vinyl! Official Decals: Bimmerpost \| E90post\| M3post \| F30post
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2014, 12:51 PM	#9
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2283 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	Replacing bulbs are a major PITA b/c it's nearly impossible to snap the cover back on if you don't have small hands. Most times the clips are not fully seated and the cover will come off. Last time I did my bulbs, I didn't even fully remove the cover, I just cracked the top and slipped the bulb in that way. I have a feeling the guy didn't get the cover back on, water got through, end of story. __________________ Follow for latest mods
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2014, 07:43 PM	#11
halfhalo Private 3 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 08 E88 135i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW F83 [0.00] 2008 135i [0.00]	I'm decently paranoid about those covers, especially the passenger side one. The first time I swapped my angel eye bulbs one of the metal clips fell off and dropped down onto the pan, which was fun to retrieve, and the last time I swapped bulbs (the first pair I put in, GP Thunders, royally sucked for some reason) I could not for the life of me get the cover to slot back into where it was supposed to go. I ended up having to take the front right wheel off and get at it through the access panel to get it properly closed. Those damn bracing bars are stupidly annoying. I'm looking into a strut bar, but first, I must get rid of the bane of my existence... a squeak from the rear passenger window when it is fully up. (Lightly pushing on the window == squeak). I have dubbed it the squeak of DOOOOOOOM. Also, I highly recommend the wind deflector. Its the bee's knee's. With it, the top is down as long as it is not windy or raining.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2014, 08:40 PM	#12
recon7 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Convertible Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the posts guys. The dealership is making it right. Though they deny that they are the cause of the problem, they have ordered the parts and the ballast will be replaced tomorrow. I will try the silicone spray and see if that helps. Both the driver's side and passenger side creak, but the passenger side is really bad. Any recommendations on the silicone spray and where to purchase? And, yes, I ran it through a car wash with a little trepidation. As it turns out, it's a good thing I did, considering the limited warranty. I would have hated to get a few months down the road before this happened! Kevin
	Appreciate 0 Quote