What on earth has happened here - light issues

[JoshW]

I bought it from a dealer called Lee State Cars (http://www.leestatecars.co.uk). Annoyed as it's something basic that I should have noticed but to the eye it looked okay, I thought the smaller bulb was a separate flasher bulb.

I'll keep posted on what develops. Thanks guys

[patriot66]

I have these fitted to my car. They are Sonar/2xcite aftermarket headlights. Definitely not Xenon !

[Roundozo]

I had a bulb out on the outside, in that funny shaped projector lens. When I took the access cover off, it was just as found as above. I would have expected to find an ignitor for the xenon but it appears to have been modified. Full beam seems to be the bulb next to the projector lens, but none of them are xenon.

They should be as the VIN confirms it and the advert of sale did also

As others have said, they are not original headlights. Aftermarket jobs. What does the light control switch look like also? Do you have a wheel next to the switch? If so then they have either changed this also or the car never had xenon.

Also do you have yellow stickers under the bonnet warning of xenon high voltage?

I'm just trying to work out if it did once have xenon but maybe the previous owner had a little bump or they broke and couldn't afford to fix.

Another side note, you still get projector lenses on the halogen headlights on the z4.

[jamiez]

It wasn't an AUC sadly, I imagine BMW would have spotted this a mile off. It was advertised with Xenon's and I checked the VIN - sadly I didn't actually check them when I bought the car, didn't think anything of it as it's not usually a thing one would expect.

I'll see what I can do. Thanks for the help anyway, much appreciated. Thanks, Josh

How long have you had the car?

Your VIN does indeed state xenons as as per an earlier post, your light switch inside the cabin should not have an additional rocker switch to adjust the level which you may have seen in other cars.

Since the VIN states Xenon but after markets have been installed I would would little concerned as to why this course of action was taken? Is it covering up an unregistered history of a smash possibly? Or did a past buyer simply have a problem with them and they thought swapping them for halogen was better (strange choice and quite a lot of work)

Either which way, it's unlikely that the dealer will refit xenons. You'll need to decide what you want to do. If the car is within the 28 day period - I expect you are eligible to return the car.

[jamiez]

I had a bulb out on the outside, in that funny shaped projector lens. When I took the access cover off, it was just as found as above. I would have expected to find an ignitor for the xenon but it appears to have been modified. Full beam seems to be the bulb next to the projector lens, but none of them are xenon.

They should be as the VIN confirms it and the advert of sale did also

As others have said, they are not original headlights. Aftermarket jobs. What does the light control switch look like also? Do you have a wheel next to the switch? If so then they have either changed this also or the car never had xenon.

Also do you have yellow stickers under the bonnet warning of xenon high voltage?

I'm just trying to work out if it did once have xenon but maybe the previous owner had a little bump or they broke and couldn't afford to fix.

Another side note, you still get projector lenses on the halogen headlights on the z4.

Lol. What I just wrote. Sorry I didn't just requote you

[Z4M-2006]

Xenons are £1500 a side from bmw..

We have had 2 in now that are full of water and ballasts have been shorted out ..

Sounds like someone has just taken the cheap option...

I would be asking the selling dealer the question, but I doubt you will get far

[MACK]

I bought it from a dealer called Lee State Cars (http://www.leestatecars.co.uk). Annoyed as it's something basic that I should have noticed but to the eye it looked okay, I thought the smaller bulb was a separate flasher bulb.

I'll keep posted on what develops. Thanks guys

This guy seems to be a home trader and always has zeds on eBay that on the face of it look immaculately prepared. As a small time dealer who does a lot of these he must have known it had aftermarket lights on it, they do look completely different to standard units. It is a strange one as its not like the cars is a pre facelift with someone looking to get that clear indicator look.

As Jaime said I would be suspicious of a front knock that damaged the originals and as they're circa £1,500 from BMW and the Sonar/2excite ones are something like £400. However its equally possible the car hasn't been bumped and the rear covers have been off for bulb replacement etc. Often once the covers have been disturbed their perished seals never seat properly leading to condensation build up in the light that drains through a hole straight onto the ballast killing them. They ain't cheap from the dealer and if the condensation is bad enough and left for long enough it ruins the light unit as well. It could simply be that a previous owner found themselves in this situation and staring down the barrel of expensive BMW parts went aftermarket.

As others have said there are a number of forumites who have these without issue and you bought the car because you like the look of it, its just whether you can live with it now you "know!"

[JoshW]

Hi All,

I've had the car for about 6 days, only noticed this due to a headlight bulb blowing. My light switch control is the normal one but there is no wheel to adjust the headlight level so I assume it has been modified from stock Xenon.

I have tried to look for evidence of a front end collision but can't really see anything or any welds/folded/repainted metal - is there any way you can tell if it's been in a smash? The HPi didn't show anything.

I have looked over the service history and seen that a garage noted that the front driver's headlight wiring block was faulty (as an advisory). Maybe they were changed to halogen out of expensive costs?

[jamiez]

Hi All,

I've had the car for about 6 days, only noticed this due to a headlight bulb blowing. My light switch control is the normal one but there is no wheel to adjust the headlight level so I assume it has been modified from stock Xenon.

I have tried to look for evidence of a front end collision but can't really see anything or any welds/folded/repainted metal - is there any way you can tell if it's been in a smash? The HPi didn't show anything.

I have looked over the service history and seen that a garage noted that the front driver's headlight wiring block was faulty (as an advisory). Maybe they were changed to halogen out of expensive costs?

Good to know. Sounds like the car had xenons and have been switched to those aftermarket jobbies for some reason (TBC!) and either the wiring was done badly and hence picked up at mot or it's gone bad after being installed and again picked up at mot time.

If you were to remove the bumper you should find 2 ballasts which are needed for xenon light. If they are present and untouched I imagine the previous owner couldn't work out what was wrong and too a drastic route of going aftermarket. Or if they have been fettled then maybe they were changed at some stage and instead the problem was with the lights.

One explanation could be if simply both or even one headlamp unit was smashed of simply "pushed in" from the outside which in turn will snap the plastic clips which hold them in place. A replacement unit is expensive from a dealer but can no doubt be located online. If the clips were snapped again they can be plastic welded.

All in all - you have been mis sold a car which stated xenons (and are stated on the original spec) and clearly a bodge has been done. It would have been different if it was clearly stated at purchase time and you accepted that plus if it was reflected in the price.

As an earlier poster said, the garage seams clued up so either it was a genuine oversight of they knew and was tying to pull a fast one - which if true would be disappointing.

Take it back

[JoshW]

Hi All,

I've had the car for about 6 days, only noticed this due to a headlight bulb blowing. My light switch control is the normal one but there is no wheel to adjust the headlight level so I assume it has been modified from stock Xenon.

I have tried to look for evidence of a front end collision but can't really see anything or any welds/folded/repainted metal - is there any way you can tell if it's been in a smash? The HPi didn't show anything.

I have looked over the service history and seen that a garage noted that the front driver's headlight wiring block was faulty (as an advisory). Maybe they were changed to halogen out of expensive costs?

Good to know. Sounds like the car had xenons and have been switched to those aftermarket jobbies for some reason (TBC!) and either the wiring was done badly and hence picked up at mot or it's gone bad after being installed and again picked up at mot time.

If you were to remove the bumper you should find 2 ballasts which are needed for xenon light. If they are present and untouched I imagine the previous owner couldn't work out what was wrong and too a drastic route of going aftermarket. Or if they have been fettled then maybe they were changed at some stage and instead the problem was with the lights.

One explanation could be if simply both or even one headlamp unit was smashed of simply "pushed in" from the outside which in turn will snap the plastic clips which hold them in place. A replacement unit is expensive from a dealer but can no doubt be located online. If the clips were snapped again they can be plastic welded.

All in all - you have been mis sold a car which stated xenons (and are stated on the original spec) and clearly a bodge has been done. It would have been different if it was clearly stated at purchase time and you accepted that plus if it was reflected in the price.

As an earlier poster said, the garage seams clued up so either it was a genuine oversight of they knew and was tying to pull a fast one - which if true would be disappointing.

Take it back

It was not the MOT that spotted it, but when the car was taken in for a full all round brake disc/pad change or the ABS Pump repair (not sure which) - it was taken to an Alfa specialist called Autolusso which also noted that a rear spring was snapped and the headlight wiring block was faulty. Whether this meant the original xenon's which were then subsequently replaced for Halogens, or the actual halogens themselves I'm not sure.

Anyhow I've contacted the dealer and he said he was unaware of it but not to worry as he will sort it - he says he is going to ring a BMW specialist he uses in Sheffield on Monday for their assistance.

[Marlon]

Sounds like a result If the garage do sort it out for you then fair play, in all likelihood they were unaware of the issue.

[jamiez]

Good luck and keep us posted!

[cj10jeeper]

Hi All,

I've had the car for about 6 days, only noticed this due to a headlight bulb blowing. My light switch control is the normal one but there is no wheel to adjust the headlight level so I assume it has been modified from stock Xenon.

I have tried to look for evidence of a front end collision but can't really see anything or any welds/folded/repainted metal - is there any way you can tell if it's been in a smash? The HPi didn't show anything.

I have looked over the service history and seen that a garage noted that the front driver's headlight wiring block was faulty (as an advisory). Maybe they were changed to halogen out of expensive costs?

Good to know. Sounds like the car had xenons and have been switched to those aftermarket jobbies for some reason (TBC!) and either the wiring was done badly and hence picked up at mot or it's gone bad after being installed and again picked up at mot time.

If you were to remove the bumper you should find 2 ballasts which are needed for xenon light. If they are present and untouched I imagine the previous owner couldn't work out what was wrong and too a drastic route of going aftermarket. Or if they have been fettled then maybe they were changed at some stage and instead the problem was with the lights.

One explanation could be if simply both or even one headlamp unit was smashed of simply "pushed in" from the outside which in turn will snap the plastic clips which hold them in place. A replacement unit is expensive from a dealer but can no doubt be located online. If the clips were snapped again they can be plastic welded.

All in all - you have been mis sold a car which stated xenons (and are stated on the original spec) and clearly a bodge has been done. It would have been different if it was clearly stated at purchase time and you accepted that plus if it was reflected in the price.

As an earlier poster said, the garage seams clued up so either it was a genuine oversight of they knew and was tying to pull a fast one - which if true would be disappointing.

Take it back

It was not the MOT that spotted it, but when the car was taken in for a full all round brake disc/pad change or the ABS Pump repair (not sure which) - it was taken to an Alfa specialist called Autolusso which also noted that a rear spring was snapped and the headlight wiring block was faulty. Whether this meant the original xenon's which were then subsequently replaced for Halogens, or the actual halogens themselves I'm not sure.

Anyhow I've contacted the dealer and he said he was unaware of it but not to worry as he will sort it - he says he is going to ring a BMW specialist he uses in Sheffield on Monday for their assistance.

Looks like the dealer is acting correctly so far.
I would ensure you have a copy of the advert which specified xenons. The fact it had the oem xenon is not relevant to your purchase, however you purchased a car as advertised.
The fact that xenons have suspension controlled sensors and motor load levelling of the beam level and your car does not now have the manual system in place is an issue and needs fixing.
The dealer is likely to have a change of heart when he sees a £3k bill for 2 new correct year and model related xenons, plus c£500 for ballast, bulbs, controllers and auto electrician and to retrofit
Good luck, but in reality returning the car is more likely than getting oem xenons fitted

[JoshW]

Update guys:

The dealer has contacted Quarry Motors in Sheffield who have stated that it will be £345 per side plus £300 install, so over £1000 in total. Dealer has stated it isn't viable so it is going back for a refund.

Absolutely and utterly gutted, back on for the Z4 Coupe hunt I guess

[cj10jeeper]

Update guys:

The dealer has contacted Quarry Motors in Sheffield who have stated that it will be £345 per side plus £300 install, so over £1000 in total. Dealer has stated it isn't viable so it is going back for a refund.

Absolutely and utterly gutted, back on for the Z4 Coupe hunt I guess

Considering he's using second hand parts £1k is a cheap fix compared with new parts.

Gutting, but I guess lesson learnt, good approach by dealer and the best solution for you