Are these common problems?

[LeMan]

Hi guys, new to these threads...but not to car forums.
Have recently picked up an 06 3.0d MSport X3 and are loving it!
However, have got a few niggles which i want to sure with the wider brain, to see if they are common problems or warranty applicable.

I've got some blistering on the chrome kidney grills?
I've noticed some corrosion in the small grooves, but now some much bigger blisters have appeared too.

I've also got some strange cracking on my headlights - an area of lots of hairline cracks about 2"x1". It almost looks like a small spiderweb or a small patch of frost. It's on both headlights (driver and passenger side) in exactly the same place (infront of the dipped beam bulb) The rest of the headlight glass/plastic and front of the car is perfect (apart from the odd stonechip)
Could it have been caused by the washer jets perhaps, on a icy cold morning!?! Again, just looking to see if it would be a warranty thing, or if anyone has come across it before.

Apart from that my rear sensors have decided to stop working... that i know will be covered

Any help is much appreciated... (picts attached - if i can work out how)

[AzNMpower32]

:xoutpost:

Your problems do not appear to be common issues; it's the first time I've heard of or seen your issues. The headlamp washers shouldn't cause this because I have them and our headlamp covers are fine. Your issues should all be covered under warranty.

[Flyer1]

LeMan,

The cracking in your headlight covers appears to be what is called crazing. It is a series of fine cracks in the surface. It normally happens slowly as the plastics ages. It can also be caused by chemical attack and ultraviolet light. You see it a lot in small airplane windows (which are palstic, not glass) that have sat out in the sun for many years.

Did you happen to use a chemical harmful to plastic in your windshiled washer fluid? For example, I'm pretty sure RainX is bad for plastic.

I hate how new cars today use clear plastic over the refelctor headlights. So many of them craze and yellow as they get old. My '95 Maxima had good old glass prism lens - no problems!

Chip

[White05X3]

Those seem extremely odd to me! I have never heard of these. Keep us informed as to what happens!

[davidr]

Originally Posted by LeMan

I've also got some strange cracking on my headlights - an area of lots of hairline cracks about 2"x1". It almost looks like a small spiderweb or a small patch of frost. It's on both headlights (driver and passenger side) in exactly the same place (infront of the dipped beam bulb) The rest of the headlight glass/plastic and front of the car is perfect (apart from the odd stonechip)

Could be the previous owner fitted beam correction stickers for European travel (i.e. for right hand driving) - these things are hard to get off when back in the UK, user damage?

No corrosion on my grills but I do clean them carefully each week. Lots of corrosion on my side steps where brake dust has settled on the aluminium though which is hard to get off.

Enjoy the X3

David