F31 tailgate light quality

jumperjohn · 07-18-2015, 04:57 PM

My first warranty issue.

I noticed water ingress after washing the car:

I took a closer look and the light came away:

So I rang the dealer and the lady suggested that they will need to inspect the car just in case it was caused by an impact, I assured her it wasn't accident damage, simply that the tab has broken.

She then suggested a date of 10th August...

I said that there doesn't need to be a ramp inspection, a chap in 5 minutes will see that it needs replacing, the phone went quiet, 'will next Tuesday be ok'?

It's secure for now with some sticky tape.

I'm sure I've seen this issue with rear lights before on this forum?

Its an unusual thing to happen, why would a fixing tab brake, it cant be fatigue as it doesn't move?

kitster · 07-19-2015, 09:02 AM

Similar thing happened to me; the inner light was just hanging off! Dealer checked for impact and them replaced the cluster under warranty.

teaston · 07-19-2015, 09:10 AM

My inner ones have been fine, but i've had both the outer ones replaced under warranty due to condensation.

awd2510 · 07-19-2015, 10:54 AM

Had mine replaced under warranty. New ones did the same.

jumperjohn · 07-19-2015, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awd2510

Had mine replaced under warranty. New ones did the same.

Good grief, how come they are so crap?

ukbeemerboy · 07-19-2015, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

My inner ones have been fine, but i've had both the outer ones replaced under warranty due to condensation.

Had the same on our 2012 car....

awd2510 · 07-19-2015, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumperjohn

Good grief, how come they are so crap?

Mines an early F30 and I thought it might have been one of those things that might have a modification on later models (like the aux pulley tensioner on my last car). To be honest the replacements are not as bad but I still get condensation in them.

jumperjohn · 07-21-2015, 08:10 AM

Well done Oxford BMW. I rang Saturday and a replacement lense fitted today!

sweels · 07-21-2015, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awd2510

Mines an early F30 and I thought it might have been one of those things that might have a modification on later models (like the aux pulley tensioner on my last car). To be honest the replacements are not as bad but I still get condensation in them.

+1 and again, outer clusters only.

I believe a lot of rear light clusters are open so they can vent heat (non-led bulbs on pre facelift for brake and indicator) but the gap should not be open to the weather (as these are due to the faulty tabs) so a bit of short-lived condensation after vigorous washing is ok I suppose, but not from just driving the thing in damp weather.

07-18-2015, 04:57 PM	#1
jumperjohn First Lieutenant 114 Rep 383 Posts Drives: BMW M340i X-Drive Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Oxfordshire iTrader: (0)	F31 tailgate light quality - need to replace My first warranty issue. I noticed water ingress after washing the car: I took a closer look and the light came away: So I rang the dealer and the lady suggested that they will need to inspect the car just in case it was caused by an impact, I assured her it wasn't accident damage, simply that the tab has broken. She then suggested a date of 10th August... I said that there doesn't need to be a ramp inspection, a chap in 5 minutes will see that it needs replacing, the phone went quiet, 'will next Tuesday be ok'? It's secure for now with some sticky tape. I'm sure I've seen this issue with rear lights before on this forum? Its an unusual thing to happen, why would a fixing tab brake, it cant be fatigue as it doesn't move?
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07-19-2015, 09:02 AM	#2
kitster Lieutenant Colonel 541 Rep 1,894 Posts Drives: G31 M Sport Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Similar thing happened to me; the inner light was just hanging off! Dealer checked for impact and them replaced the cluster under warranty.
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07-19-2015, 09:10 AM	#3
teaston Banned 10995 Rep 32,881 Posts Drives: X3 M40d Join Date: May 2012 Location: The High Seas iTrader: (1)	My inner ones have been fine, but i've had both the outer ones replaced under warranty due to condensation.
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07-19-2015, 10:54 AM	#4
awd2510 Private First Class 28 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 328i modern Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Stockport iTrader: (0)	Had mine replaced under warranty. New ones did the same.
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07-21-2015, 08:10 AM	#8
jumperjohn First Lieutenant 114 Rep 383 Posts Drives: BMW M340i X-Drive Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Oxfordshire iTrader: (0)	Well done Oxford BMW. I rang Saturday and a replacement lense fitted today!
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