Headlight Cracked...ARHHH

[rh71]

can someone identify what's new about this assembly for 09+?

[Weasel]

RealOEM.com BMW E70 X5 4.8i Headlight

[Herr Bauhaus]

Although my headlights cracked differently, I got them replaced under warranty from BMW on my 08 X5 (built February 08) as there seemed to be a manufacturing error with them. A BMW factory rep came by my dealer and confirmed this although it was the first time the dealer heard of it. Given the outrageous cost for parts + labour ($2-3k easily) I say it is worth trying to get this replaced under warranty. It should be noted that mine cracked from the inside (you could see but feel no cracking from the outside) which meant it could not have been caused by road debris. Pics attached. Good luck.

[jamesboags]

There are two models of the headlights .. those with a larger VL emblazoned on the cover than newer version which has a smaller VL.. hard to show on a photo.. I had a headlight replaced as part of an accident claim and my other 2007 original headlight has a larger manufacturer VL logo than the new one.

regards

[paulyz]

I just bought a 2007 4.8 out of state. I didnt notice until after I took delivery that the headlights appeared to be scratched/cracked from the inside. Its not that bad when the lights are off other than the visible cracks, but the lights seem fogged from the inside when they are turned on.

I brought it to a local dealership who said that this was not covered under warranty. I have the clear protective coat on my front end, and they claim that its possible that some sort of heat was applied to the hood when the clear coat was installed and it was the heat that cracked the headlight.

IS this even possible? I thought the clear coat was installed with an adhesive, and dont the headlights produce a ton of heat themselves.

Any info you have would be greatly appreciated.

Herr Bauhaus, did they tell you why yours were covered?

[Herr Bauhaus]

Originally Posted by paulyz

I just bought a 2007 4.8 out of state. I didnt notice until after I took delivery that the headlights appeared to be scratched/cracked from the inside. Its not that bad when the lights are off other than the visible cracks, but the lights seem fogged from the inside when they are turned on.

I brought it to a local dealership who said that this was not covered under warranty. I have the clear protective coat on my front end, and they claim that its possible that some sort of heat was applied to the hood when the clear coat was installed and it was the heat that cracked the headlight.

IS this even possible? I thought the clear coat was installed with an adhesive, and dont the headlights produce a ton of heat themselves.

Any info you have would be greatly appreciated.

Herr Bauhaus, did they tell you why yours were covered?

The headlights do produce a ton of heat, that's why they should not be covered themselves with clearcoat/film. I find it hard to believe a clearcoat applied to the hood would cause the damage.

Regarding my headlights:
- they cracked from the INSIDE
- they were replaced under warranty because it was a manufacturing defect. My dealer was not aware of this but a BMW factory rep that happened to visit looked at them and okay-ed replacement under warranty for this reason. It could be very true that your dealer is simply not aware either if the existence of this manufacturing defect

[paulyz]

Do you have any other details on the manufacturing defect that caused your lights to crack?

[Herr Bauhaus]

Pauly,

I just sent the following email to my BMW service advisor:

"Hi AJ,

An acquaintance with an E70 X5 in NY has the same cracked headlight problem I had a while ago and his dealer is not aware of the manufacturing defect that caused my headlights to be replaced under warranty. I know that BMW N Scottsdale was also not ware of this manufacturing defect until the factory rep came by. Do you have any information on my old cracked headlights problem (details, warranty code, internal BMW reference #) I can give my acquaintance to help him out?

Thanks!

Christiaan"

[paulyz]

Thanks I really appreciate the help!

[Quicksilver]

FWIW.

If your out of warranty the collision part of your auto insurance
may cover this. I recently had both of mine replaced this way.