Condensation in the headlamp

Waffle · 05-12-2011, 05:12 PM

Just one week old and condensation in the front headlamp after the rain of last weekend.

Anyone else experienced this?

LEDZEP · 05-12-2011, 05:16 PM

It's not unusual (to be loved by anyone...) to have some condensation during the first few weeks, depending on temperature and humidity levels. It should go away and not return. Driving with the headlights on will help dry it faster.

If it persists, contact your service department, in the unlikely event there is a leaky seal.

P.S. How many people have that song stuck in their head now? Muwahahahahaha

DJ Daddy-O · 05-12-2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

P.S. How many people have that song stuck in their head now? Muwahahahahaha

Why why why (Delilah) would you be so mean to do something like that.

Powerrunner · 05-12-2011, 08:46 PM

I would have the dealer replace it.

xDrive35i · 05-12-2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

It's not unusual (to be loved by anyone...) to have some condensation during the first few weeks, depending on temperature and humidity levels. It should go away and not return. Driving with the headlights on will help dry it faster.

If it persists, contact your service department, in the unlikely event there is a leaky seal.

P.S. How many people have that song stuck in their head now? Muwahahahahaha

You are a horrible, horrible person. I hope your TVs get permanently rick rolled.

Max1Factor · 05-13-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waffle

Just one week old and condensation in the front headlamp after the rain of last weekend.

Anyone else experienced this?

The Uk 5th Gear review gave their test car a pasting as it was new and had the very same. So unfortunate, 4 presenters and 3 million viewers have seen this.

LEDZEP · 05-13-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerrunner

I would have the dealer replace it.

Really? One of my tires has a small stone stuck in the tread - should I have my dealer replace it?

coiken · 05-13-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Really? One of my tires has a small stone stuck in the tread - should I have my dealer replace it?

Sorry but his comparison is so far off... having a stone there is normal, having water in your headlights is not! Condense in the headlights is something you should only expect with Lada, Fiat or any other crappy low cost brand

LEDZEP · 05-13-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coiken

Sorry but his comparison is so far off... having a stone there is normal, having water in your headlights is not! Condense in the headlights is something you should only expect with Lada, Fiat or any other crappy low cost brand

On the contrary, I have had five new BMW's and three of them had some condensation when they were new. If your bathroom mirror fogs up when you take a shower, do you contact the builder and demand a new bathroom? There are properties of the physical world that cannot be overridden just because you spent more money for your car.

The condensation will go away. If it does not, then it is wise to contact service in case there is an abnormal problem. Making statements like "make the dealer replace it" is just silly.

Waffle · 05-13-2011, 06:52 PM

I contacted BMW and sure enough they have told me to drive around with my lights on for a week confident in the knowledge that it will go away. The manual mentions this also. I'll give it a go and see what happens.

BIMMER UK 76 · 05-14-2011, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Really? One of my tires has a small stone stuck in the tread - should I have my dealer replace it?

It would be adviseable

Had the same in previous Jaguar and seal was changed under warranty (for every car with a defect, however minor BMW will make thousands that are perfect)

sblove · 05-14-2011, 01:27 PM

I had this happen on my new X3 a few days after picking it up. I took it in to service and they checked it out. Apparently, a little bit of condensation is normal as their is vent (?) that is in there. They said if there are actual beads of water dripping down all over, then it is a problem. A little condensation is not. So, I took the car back home. I had this happen on my 2004 325i as well after rains, so I think it's pretty standard.

Waffle · 05-23-2011, 04:53 PM

Update on the condensation. It will come as no surprise to ledzep in particular that the condensation has improved.

The first two pictures were taken 12 days ago, the third was taken yesterday. The permanent condensation is now confined to the area over the indicator probably because I've been driving with my lights on instantly.

However, I hand washed the car later in the day and small patches of fogging appeared instantly. My feeling is that the next time we have rain it will be back to square one.

Want the thrill · 05-23-2011, 05:05 PM

That would drive me nuts as it ruins the whole look of the headlight! I know they say it's normal, but it just doesn't seem right.

Harplayr · 05-23-2011, 05:44 PM

I’ve had Xenon’s in my last 3 BMW’s including my F-25.
I’ve never had anything like I see in picture #2.
My opinion is that is excessive condensation. If it does return after a rain or car wash absolutely bring it in and demand it be fixed.

Nahoa · 05-23-2011, 09:11 PM

Only the left, or both? Doesn't look like reasonable condensation to me. If it goes away shortly and doesn't return, fine, but if not something seems amiss.

Waffle · 05-24-2011, 05:19 PM

Only the left.

Nahoa · 05-24-2011, 08:48 PM

My 330i had some condensation. Much less and in both lights. Sure looks like a lot to me and with it being one light it doesn't seem to be simply environmental.

Bimar · 05-25-2011, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waffle

Update on the condensation. It will come as no surprise to ledzep in particular that the condensation has improved.

The first two pictures were taken 12 days ago, the third was taken yesterday. The permanent condensation is now confined to the area over the indicator probably because I've been driving with my lights on instantly.

However, I hand washed the car later in the day and small patches of fogging appeared instantly. My feeling is that the next time we have rain it will be back to square one.

keep us updated

honda4hundred · 04-11-2020, 08:14 AM

Have a look whats happening in the later G01 X3. Might be a carry over of bad practice/design.
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...0#post26034950

Bilbofraggins · 04-11-2020, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerrunner

I would have the dealer replace it.

Ditto..and when it happens again....hit em again...and then when/if it happens out of warranty, and the part is not that old...hit them again...

I have had my own experiences with this...don't have the problem anymore!

05-12-2011, 05:12 PM	#1
Waffle Private 19 Rep 84 Posts Drives: BMW F25 X3 xDrive20d SE Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Condensation in the headlamp Just one week old and condensation in the front headlamp after the rain of last weekend. Anyone else experienced this? __________________ BMW F25 X3 xDrive20d SE black sapphire \| black nevada leather \| wave wood \| 19" double spoke alloys \| xline \| xenons \| business advanced media package \| electric seats \| dab \| extended storage \| grey shade band \| auto
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05-12-2011, 05:16 PM	#2
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	It's not unusual (to be loved by anyone...) to have some condensation during the first few weeks, depending on temperature and humidity levels. It should go away and not return. Driving with the headlights on will help dry it faster. If it persists, contact your service department, in the unlikely event there is a leaky seal. P.S. How many people have that song stuck in their head now? Muwahahahahaha __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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05-12-2011, 08:46 PM	#4
Powerrunner Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 275 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Naperville iTrader: (0)	I would have the dealer replace it.
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05-13-2011, 06:52 PM	#10
Waffle Private 19 Rep 84 Posts Drives: BMW F25 X3 xDrive20d SE Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I contacted BMW and sure enough they have told me to drive around with my lights on for a week confident in the knowledge that it will go away. The manual mentions this also. I'll give it a go and see what happens. __________________ BMW F25 X3 xDrive20d SE black sapphire \| black nevada leather \| wave wood \| 19" double spoke alloys \| xline \| xenons \| business advanced media package \| electric seats \| dab \| extended storage \| grey shade band \| auto
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05-14-2011, 01:27 PM	#12
sblove Enlisted Member 13 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I had this happen on my new X3 a few days after picking it up. I took it in to service and they checked it out. Apparently, a little bit of condensation is normal as their is vent (?) that is in there. They said if there are actual beads of water dripping down all over, then it is a problem. A little condensation is not. So, I took the car back home. I had this happen on my 2004 325i as well after rains, so I think it's pretty standard.
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05-23-2011, 04:53 PM	#13
Waffle Private 19 Rep 84 Posts Drives: BMW F25 X3 xDrive20d SE Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Update on the condensation. It will come as no surprise to ledzep in particular that the condensation has improved. The first two pictures were taken 12 days ago, the third was taken yesterday. The permanent condensation is now confined to the area over the indicator probably because I've been driving with my lights on instantly. However, I hand washed the car later in the day and small patches of fogging appeared instantly. My feeling is that the next time we have rain it will be back to square one. Attached Images __________________ BMW F25 X3 xDrive20d SE black sapphire \| black nevada leather \| wave wood \| 19" double spoke alloys \| xline \| xenons \| business advanced media package \| electric seats \| dab \| extended storage \| grey shade band \| auto
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05-23-2011, 05:05 PM	#14
Want the thrill Lieutenant Colonel 330 Rep 1,560 Posts Drives: 2022 X4M40i, retired ‘11 X3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: MI iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 X4M40i [10.00]	That would drive me nuts as it ruins the whole look of the headlight! I know they say it's normal, but it just doesn't seem right.
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05-23-2011, 05:44 PM	#15
Harplayr Lieutenant 19 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i, F25 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I’ve had Xenon’s in my last 3 BMW’s including my F-25. I’ve never had anything like I see in picture #2. My opinion is that is excessive condensation. If it does return after a rain or car wash absolutely bring it in and demand it be fixed.
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05-23-2011, 09:11 PM	#16
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Only the left, or both? Doesn't look like reasonable condensation to me. If it goes away shortly and doesn't return, fine, but if not something seems amiss. __________________
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05-24-2011, 05:19 PM	#17
Waffle Private 19 Rep 84 Posts Drives: BMW F25 X3 xDrive20d SE Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Only the left. __________________ BMW F25 X3 xDrive20d SE black sapphire \| black nevada leather \| wave wood \| 19" double spoke alloys \| xline \| xenons \| business advanced media package \| electric seats \| dab \| extended storage \| grey shade band \| auto
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05-24-2011, 08:48 PM	#18
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	My 330i had some condensation. Much less and in both lights. Sure looks like a lot to me and with it being one light it doesn't seem to be simply environmental. __________________
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04-11-2020, 08:14 AM	#20
honda4hundred New Member 1 Rep 19 Posts Drives: BMW X3 G01 3.0d Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: North of England iTrader: (0)	Have a look whats happening in the later G01 X3. Might be a carry over of bad practice/design. https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...0#post26034950
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