[Gorsh]

I've had a quick look and didn't find anything, so apologies if this has been asked before.

I was going to phone my dealer today but thought I'd ask here first about my Xenon adaptive lights. I have noticed lately when pulling up behind another vehicle the lights flicker - rather than going on and off I think they are jumping up and down a little. The lights are in auto mode and the adaptive main beam hadn't been turned on. Has anyone else had this?

TIA.

[JustChris]

Its been reported while raining Gorsh, was this in the recent bad weather?

[335dJa]

Likely it was raining?
Quite a common issue, rain drains off the bonnet across the lights and refracts it all over the show.

[335dJa]

Originally Posted by Chris10Bimmers

Its been reported while raining Gorsh, was this in the recent bad weather?

Ah, beat me to it

[ajfoggy]

Yep mine do it all the time most notice when I first set off in the morning and all the rain falls of the bonnet.

[TomJ79]

+1 on the rain diagnosis!

[JD6]

It does feel like the engineering and styling departments were in different buildings when they designed this - not something you would expect from BMW. For a car which works so well in most respects, it is a very odd problem to have. A slight redesign of the bonnet to shift the water flow by a few cm would solve it.

I guess that the LED lights of the LCI could be less affected, since the beam is wider as it passes through the headlight cover

[Gorsh]

Thanks for your replies everyone. Yes, I do believe the car was wet or it was raining - if it does it when dry I will get it checked. It is a strange problem as the light jumps quite a bit.

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by Gorsh

Thanks for your replies everyone. Yes, I do believe the car was wet or it was raining - if it does it when dry I will get it checked. It is a strange problem as the light jumps quite a bit.

Can't change the law of physics so it's a problem you'll have to live with

[teaston]

Another +1 for the rain

Not sure about the design comment, what could they do short of fitting guttering above the headlights!?

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by teaston

Another +1 for the rain

Not sure about the design comment, what could they do short of fitting guttering above the headlights!?

Agreed and the only time I notice it is when I first set off in heavy rain or if the car is very wet. There are bigger issues with the F30 than this

[335dJa]

Got me thinking after replying earlier, I would have thought something as simple as a little line of clear nail varnish or similar across the top of the headlight would alleviate a lot of the problem, or treat the headlamp with a "rain x" style product?

[Mattyk]

Rain + xenons = impromptu disco lights

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by 335dJa

Got me thinking after replying earlier, I would have thought something as simple as a little line of clear nail varnish or similar across the top of the headlight would alleviate a lot of the problem, or treat the headlamp with a "rain x" style product?

have you a make up kit or a tool kit?

[k44ENT]

I have the same effect when raining or the water has beaded on the bonnet and it runs off as I exit the drive on dark mornings. One thing I have noticed is the lights moving over sharp bumps in the road like they are loose. The lights aren't loose so it must be the shutter over the bulb moving which controls main and dipped.

[335dJa]

Originally Posted by Brigand

have you a make up kit or a tool kit?

Depends what day of the week it is..

Originally Posted by k44ENT

I have the same effect when raining or the water has beaded on the bonnet and it runs off as I exit the drive on dark mornings. One thing I have noticed is the lights moving over sharp bumps in the road like they are loose. The lights aren't loose so it must be the shutter over the bulb moving which controls main and dipped.

I've noticed the lights wobble over bumps too. Quite annoyed me at first, felt like an old banger with broken brackets

[JD6]

Originally Posted by teaston

Not sure about the design comment, what could they do short of fitting guttering above the headlights!?

They should have slightly altered the shape of the bonnet (or the lights) so the stream of water doesn't form in the exact same place as the xenon beam width. A couple of cm either way would probably do it. This problem seems to be unique to the F30/31.

While it isn't a big issue, almost every other car design seems to avoid it, so it shouldn't be beyond BMW's development team.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by JD6

They should have slightly altered the shape of the bonnet (or the lights) so the stream of water doesn't form in the exact same place as the xenon beam width. A couple of cm either way would probably do it. This problem seems to be unique to the F30/31.

While it isn't a big issue, almost every other car design seems to avoid it, so it shouldn't be beyond BMW's development team.

Are you winding us up you lil rotter?

[JD6]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Are you winding us up you lil rotter?

I think I've just become obsessed with rain, having not seen that hot orangey thing in the sky for a while.

I'm off to Wickes to buy a some guttering and a couple of downpipes...

[teaston]

Originally Posted by JD6

They should have slightly altered the shape of the bonnet (or the lights) so the stream of water doesn't form in the exact same place as the xenon beam width. A couple of cm either way would probably do it. This problem seems to be unique to the F30/31.

While it isn't a big issue, almost every other car design seems to avoid it, so it shouldn't be beyond BMW's development team.

I think they're far more concerned about aerodynamics and pedestrian safety!

[JD6]

Originally Posted by teaston

I think they're far more concerned about aerodynamics and pedestrian safety!

I'll make sure I use flexible guttering.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by JD6

I think I've just become obsessed with rain, having not seen that hot orangey thing in the sky for a while.

I'm off to Wickes to buy a some guttering and a couple of downpipes...

.....or buy an older BMW