[awilson77584]

Hi. I have a 2014 320i and when one of the low-beam headlights failed a mechanic friend replaced the bulbs. I purchased it recently from a dealer. The lights point down and don't illuminate the road well.

I recently had the dealer examine them and asked them to align them properly. I was told that I would need a new $2100 headlight assembly. Could an experienced person please explain this? My service rep said something to the effect that the parts wear out over time. That doesn't make sense to me.

Thanks!

[Billfitz]

Doesn't make sense to me either. Which headlights do you have?

[awilson77584]

I think that they are simple halogens. The bulbs are just inserted into a socket on a cable and twisted into the holder.

Thx

[Wires]

Is it a failure in the auto-leveling portion? That would explain them pointed down, and why they are telling you then need to be replaced.

When you are parked so that the lights can shine on a wall, and turn the car power on, you should be able to see them both lift up, and then will go back down a bit.

[Billfitz]

If they're halogens, which I'd assume on a 320, the dealer is full of it. Halogens use a simple height adjustment.

[jsouth]

If the assembly needed replacing (I cannot imagine WHY they would if they are halogens), it is a big PITA. The front bumper has to come off and that is probably why the expense is so great. But that is ridiculous to suggest replacement rather than a simple alignment. I have aligned mine and it is effective and easy. Mine were off because the body shop didn't bother to do it right after a deer-hit repair.

[awilson77584]

Thank you.