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DEPO headlights - $520 later... DEPO headlights - $520 later...
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  #51  
Old 08-07-2010, 11:04 PM
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a year later....

Condensation in both left and right side DEPO headlights sparatically...Pretty rediculous for a $500 aftermarket replacement.
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  #52  
Old 08-07-2010, 11:48 PM
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Originally Posted by rocky1536 View Post
a year later....

Condensation in both left and right side DEPO headlights sparatically...Pretty rediculous for a $500 aftermarket replacement.
Thats a bummer...mine are still fine, no problems at all. See if you can return them for a replacement
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  #53  
Old 08-08-2010, 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by rocky1536 View Post
a year later....

Condensation in both left and right side DEPO headlights sparatically...Pretty rediculous for a $500 aftermarket replacement.
The factory headlights have the same problem...it sucks man, its just a poor design. You didn't expect the Chinese to try and improve the design did you??
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  #54  
Old 08-08-2010, 12:26 PM
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"bad design" is too easy of an answer...

What is a bad design, the headlight housing or the headlights? I expect the Chinese and the Germans to be able to properly seal a housing- I think there is something else going on here.

I'm starting to think that there is water getting in the headlight from the back, likely in one of the bulb sockets.
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  #55  
Old 08-08-2010, 03:28 PM
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The rubber o rings probably dried out and let the moisture through.

Take them out and let the condensation dry - bring em into an air conditioned environment, etc.

When putting them back in, use a lithium grease around the seals, that should help to hold off any condensation issues.
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  #56  
Old 08-10-2010, 10:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rocky1536 View Post
"bad design" is too easy of an answer...

What is a bad design, the headlight housing or the headlights? I expect the Chinese and the Germans to be able to properly seal a housing- I think there is something else going on here.

I'm starting to think that there is water getting in the headlight from the back, likely in one of the bulb sockets.
What don't you investigate it and let us know? This problem has been going on for 10+ years on BMWs, I'd love to be able to solve it.

Chris
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  #57  
Old 08-10-2010, 03:42 PM
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The right headlight on my 2k4 X5 4.4i look really bad, I'm going to buff it with a special compound but I was wondering if worst come to worst, beside the BMW original headlamp for about 2000$ cdn a pair is there any other viable option ? I mean equivalent quality and look, I want to keep my Xenon as well.

I only see HL for 2k to 2k3 as for the 2004 I only see the OE for two much money. Dont get me wrong I'm not cheap by any mean, but 2G for a set of headlamp is ridiculously high and I refuse to pay that kind of money for that alone.
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  #58  
Old 08-11-2010, 06:08 AM
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Originally Posted by DoubleA View Post
The right headlight on my 2k4 X5 4.4i look really bad, I'm going to buff it with a special compound but I was wondering if worst come to worst, beside the BMW original headlamp for about 2000$ cdn a pair is there any other viable option ? I mean equivalent quality and look, I want to keep my Xenon as well.

I only see HL for 2k to 2k3 as for the 2004 I only see the OE for two much money. Dont get me wrong I'm not cheap by any mean, but 2G for a set of headlamp is ridiculously high and I refuse to pay that kind of money for that alone.
3M has a kit to polish the headlight lens. Did it on my 2001 and the scratches came out and it looks like new. Just follow the directions. I did use a spray bottle to add water as needed. Afterwards, I had the local clear bra installer put the protective plastic over them before they got scratched again. Autozone is where I picked up mine, but I imagine most parts dealers should have it.
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  #59  
Old 08-11-2010, 10:36 AM
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Is it possible to remove the clear cover ? The reason I'm asking is because some of the haze look to be inside the clear cover. I have different stuff to buff, but I have a very good compound that I use on a 1 hp buffer with 8" cotton wheel, this worked very well in the HL of my 2k1 maxima, those where full of scratch and they are now better than new, really.

Thanks

AA
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  #60  
Old 08-11-2010, 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Chris F. View Post
What don't you investigate it and let us know? This problem has been going on for 10+ years on BMWs, I'd love to be able to solve it.

Chris
I will let you know if I can figure out whats wrong with mine but I think every case is different...

One clear design flaw is with the factory rubber gasket that covers the top of the headlight. driving in heavy rain, if you look close the way it is angled you literally have a "ram water" system- directing everything over the lens/housing seal and toward the back of the headlight.
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