X1 Adaptive Headlight Issue

Thought I would ask the communtiy as a new BMW owner about an issue I see with the X1 I just purchased.. I got the option with the adapitive headlights and while driving they seem to "jostle" or "bounce" when I go over the smallest bump. Is this common for BMW's?

Originally Posted by ryan2482

Thought I would ask the communtiy as a new BMW owner about an issue I see with the X1 I just purchased.. I got the option with the adapitive headlights and while driving they seem to "jostle" or "bounce" when I go over the smallest bump. Is this common for BMW's?

I have the lighting package, but haven't noticed that problem.

Vince.

I took it to the local BMW dealer once already and they told me it was normal.. Hope not cause it sure doesn't meet my expectation of "BMW quality"!

I don't have an X1 but I've had 3 BMW's with adaptive headlights. They all bounce a bit compared to non-adaptive lights. I think this might be more related to the self-leveling than anything else. If you've never had HID's before, that plus the sharp light cut-off make the movement quite obvious.

I can't say whether this is true of all cars with adaptive/self-leveling HID's, nor do I know if your car is behaving normally, but I can say that if you've never had such headlights before you will notice the difference compared to what you are used to.

Go test drive another BMW or other brand with self-leveling HID's and see. BMW would be best so you can compare as different manufacturers behave slightly different. Like dgkfl said and I just want to add a +1, the hard cut off on HID and auto-leveling is different. The HID's are bright enough though that they have to make sure they're facing down and bumps in the road put the lights into their 'leveling' program.

Thanks for all the replies.. I traded in and 07 Acura with projector HID headlights for my BMW.. Never had this type of issue with the Acura!.. I can tell you as a Quality Assurance Professional, the design on my X1 headlights is ****!

I'm about ready to take the car back and go back to Acura!

Have ridden in a 2013 Cadillac SRX with adaptive HID headlights, and that AMERICAN engineering and quality seems to be much better.

As a Quality Assurance Professional, you should know that one vehicle's issue does not reflect the entire brand. While your dealer may not yet be convinced, it sounds like an issue isolated to your vehicle.

It is almost laughable that you would move to another car vendor without following the advice given. BMW's warranty and maintenance is unmatched.

Report back and let us know how you like the RDX in comparison.

I will try and convince Braman BMW in Jupiter, FL about that.. Haha.. They don't seem to want to fix the issue.. Just tell me it's normal.

Originally Posted by ryan2482

I will try and convince Braman BMW in Jupiter, FL about that.. Haha.. They don't seem to want to fix the issue.. Just tell me it's normal.

Test drive one of their demos and see how it behaves (or find another dealer). I've owned two BMWs with active Xenons, never noticed anything different compared to my E46 and s2000, both with non-active Xenons.

IMO this has everything to do with bright light, sport suspension and most of all, the sharp cut-off inherent to Xenons. Sounds very normal to me.

Let me clarify.. This has NOTHING to do with the projector beam focus line moving with the car as it bounces!.. I am talking about the internal mechanism being loose and moving around freely causing the lights to flicker and vibrate and jostle as I drive!.. I had projector beam HID's on my TL Type S which had even stiffer suspension then my new X1 and I NEVER had an issue or noticed the type of flicker and jostle I am seeing with my X1.

I really don't think it's normal. Can I post a video?? I'd love to show everyone what I mean.

In my 06 E90 it bounced around quite a bit, in my new F30 it's perfectly stable...

Originally Posted by ryan2482

Can I post a video?? I'd love to show everyone what I mean.

I suppose you should. Id like to see it.

I haven't noticed any jitter in the lights at all. There is definitely something wrong with your lights if you see any shaking. On my previous car, an audi, with adaptive lights I did have a lot of bounce once. It turned out to be a broken casing support.

Solid as a rock here, I've had some cars with the bouncy HIDs and I hated it.

Originally Posted by ryan2482

Let me clarify.. This has NOTHING to do with the projector beam focus line moving with the car as it bounces!.. I am talking about the internal mechanism being loose and moving around freely causing the lights to flicker and vibrate and jostle as I drive!.. I had projector beam HID's on my TL Type S which had even stiffer suspension then my new X1 and I NEVER had an issue or noticed the type of flicker and jostle I am seeing with my X1.

I really don't think it's normal. Can I post a video?? I'd love to show everyone what I mean.

I have owned three 335's all with Xenons and none did what you describe. Have you tried hitting the lens with your hand to see if you can create the flicker?

Yes.. Even when I just close the door the headlight beam bounces around. (left headlight for left door, and right for right door).

Well I just picked my X1 up from the dealer as they just finished REPLACING the headlights..This is after filing a complaint with BMW North America...

Lets hope that the issue is fixed.. if not, then I will be contacting BMW again to dicuss either:

1) They go to there Engineering team to develope a "fix"..

or

2) Crediting me back the cost of the adaptive headlights and replacing them with the standard lights (with a xenon upgrade).

Sorry to hear of your problems, but my X1 has 6k miles now and I haven't noticed any jiggle - rock solid here.

I think you'll be fine with the replacements. You did the right thing going to BMW corporate with the issue. I took delivery of my X1 a few weeks ago and have had no problems with the adaptive Xenons.

Well, the replacement headlights didn't fix the issue!.. Guess BMW engineers will need to get on a fix.. That, or investigate to check and see if there is an issue with the mfg'r of the headlights.

Originally Posted by ryan2482

Well, the replacement headlights didn't fix the issue!.. Guess BMW engineers will need to get on a fix.. That, or investigate to check and see if there is an issue with the mfg'r of the headlights.

WOW!

Originally Posted by ryan2482

Well, the replacement headlights didn't fix the issue!.. Guess BMW engineers will need to get on a fix.. That, or investigate to check and see if there is an issue with the mfg'r of the headlights.

You'll probably have better luck withthe FL Lemon Law than getting BMW to admit to an engineering problem.

Florida Lemon Law 681.104 Nonconformity of motor vehicles.

(1)

(a) After three attempts have been made to repair the same nonconformity, the consumer shall give written notification, by registered or express mail to the manufacturer, of the need to repair the nonconformity to allow the manufacturer a final attempt to cure the nonconformity. The manufacturer shall have 10 days, commencing upon receipt of such notification, to respond and give the consumer the opportunity to have the motor vehicle repaired at a reasonably accessible repair facility within a reasonable time after the consumer's receipt of the response. The manufacturer shall have 10 days, except in the case of a recreational vehicle, in which event the manufacturer shall have 45 days, commencing upon the delivery of the motor vehicle to the designated repair facility by the consumer, to conform the motor vehicle to the warranty. If the manufacturer fails to respond to the consumer and give the consumer the opportunity to have the motor vehicle repaired at a reasonably accessible repair facility or perform the repairs within the time periods prescribed in this subsection, the requirement that the manufacturer be given a final attempt to cure the nonconformity does not apply

In an effort to further investigate the issue I am asking if anyone that is NOT having the same headlight issue as me, if they could please look at the manufacture date of there X1's adaptive headlights. (There is a sticker on the casing.. You will need to look under the hood to see it.. Placed right on the top center of the light.)

Thanks!