Normal cost to replace horns?

dmaxdmax · 04-26-2020, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC328_F30

Just an insight - this is a common issue with F30. Both mine failed at about 65k.

BMW covered parts and labor under warranty.

Why on earth would bmw take something that worked fine for them for years and do something to it so it failed so soon? It's a critical safety component. smh

Anyone happen to try to figure out how or why their horn(s) failed?

Paul D3 · 04-26-2020, 02:45 PM

Both of mine had failed at 25k, replaced under warranty.

exE36M3 · 04-26-2020, 03:00 PM

So... I made the video referenced in this thread. The Hella horns are less than $40 from Amazon. Pulling the wheel off allows you to peel back the fender well. You can BUY the OEM BMW horns and pop them on/off in less than 1 min. But I wasn't going to spend $100-$200 for a simple 5-10 min. wire splice job. (I had these parts already but, you will need wire pliers are $20, butt connectors $2, female plugs $2).

I get the reluctance to learn new things and just pay someone, but this isn't a job requiring a lift and specialized tools that you will never use. I don't fix my own cars because I am poor, I fix them because it's a skill I just learned over time to use.

Anyway...

The horns fail because the factory points the horns in the direction of air/water splash. So they are constantly being hammered by the elements.

For you guys who are working around the fenderwell, you can get a full-lifetime out of your horns if... you loosen the 10mm nut and TURN them so they don't face front or backward.

IK6SPEED · 04-26-2020, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exE36M3

For you guys who are working around the fenderwell, you can get a full-lifetime out of your horns if... you loosen the 10mm nut and TURN them so they don't face front or backward.

Likewise that decreases their volume to the other car.

Choose your poison.

upsidedownfunnel · 04-26-2020, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exE36M3

So... I made the video referenced in this thread. The Hella horns are less than $40 from Amazon. Pulling the wheel off allows you to peel back the fender well. You can BUY the OEM BMW horns and pop them on/off in less than 1 min. But I wasn't going to spend $100-$200 for a simple 5-10 min. wire splice job. (I had these parts already but, you will need wire pliers are $20, butt connectors $2, female plugs $2).

I get the reluctance to learn new things and just pay someone, but this isn't a job requiring a lift and specialized tools that you will never use. I don't fix my own cars because I am poor, I fix them because it's a skill I just learned over time to use.

Anyway...

The horns fail because the factory points the horns in the direction of air/water splash. So they are constantly being hammered by the elements.

For you guys who are working around the fenderwell, you can get a full-lifetime out of your horns if... you loosen the 10mm nut and TURN them so they don't face front or backward.

It might make more sense to put some acoustically transparent foam in the horn. Anyway, if you're going to go to the hassle of accessing the horns, you might as well just replace them when they fail. I doubt anyone will have to do this more than once.

John in VA · 04-26-2020, 08:23 PM

I placed some pantyhose over the trumpets of my Fiamm horns on the 2002 ~40 years ago!

bachmanj · 01-09-2021, 08:05 AM

I just spent > $500 to replace both horns on my 2015 328i. The mechanic told me that the horns had a design flaw that allowed water to enter the horn and damage them. They now make a new model horn to prevent water damage and should not happen again.

Why am I stuck paying for this? No recall from BMW, no class action suit found.

I love my car, but this is infuriating!!! BMW should be responsible for replacing these horns!!!

Billfitz · 01-09-2021, 10:56 AM

I guess you should have read this thread and followed exE6M3's advice before getting hosed.

frazervalley · 01-09-2021, 07:25 PM

Welcome to the site Bachmanj, I see this is your first post. Lots of good information on here and very knowledgeable folks.

Astone22 · 01-10-2021, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bachmanj

I just spent > $500 to replace both horns on my 2015 328i. The mechanic told me that the horns had a design flaw that allowed water to enter the horn and damage them. They now make a new model horn to prevent water damage and should not happen again.

Why am I stuck paying for this? No recall from BMW, no class action suit found.

I love my car, but this is infuriating!!! BMW should be responsible for replacing these horns!!!

Do you have the part number for the new model

BWbimmer · 01-10-2021, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomtendo

Yeah, I'm not going to take off a wheel, etc to do that. I don't even have the tools to do that, let alone patience

Would you mind sharing the partnumbers on your bill.

There seem to be two different set of horns. The asian market got more expensive horns. I can imagine why, especially in India, they need the put up to much more usage

I wonder which version was put into your car

Billfitz · 01-10-2021, 03:51 PM

The New York City market should get a super duper upgraded horn. Nothing is more amusing, nor more irritating, than New Yorkers sitting in gridlock blowing their horns, perhaps in anticipation that the cars in front of them will sprout wings and fly away.

cheewei23 · 01-21-2021, 09:18 PM

Hey guys, just wanted to share my find. My horns went out and I ended up ordering this set from Amazon for $30 shipped since they had a plug and play kit.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Only difference is the nuts (included) are 10mm. I ended up using the factory washers also and they fit the mounts perfectly. Hope this helps!

04-26-2020, 02:45 PM	#24
Paul D3 Private First Class 72 Rep 182 Posts Drives: Alpina D3 Join Date: May 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Both of mine had failed at 25k, replaced under warranty.
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04-26-2020, 03:00 PM	#25
exE36M3 BMW CCA Member 488 Rep 808 Posts Drives: 2015 435i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (4)	So... I made the video referenced in this thread. The Hella horns are less than $40 from Amazon. Pulling the wheel off allows you to peel back the fender well. You can BUY the OEM BMW horns and pop them on/off in less than 1 min. But I wasn't going to spend $100-$200 for a simple 5-10 min. wire splice job. (I had these parts already but, you will need wire pliers are $20, butt connectors $2, female plugs $2). I get the reluctance to learn new things and just pay someone, but this isn't a job requiring a lift and specialized tools that you will never use. I don't fix my own cars because I am poor, I fix them because it's a skill I just learned over time to use. Anyway... The horns fail because the factory points the horns in the direction of air/water splash. So they are constantly being hammered by the elements. For you guys who are working around the fenderwell, you can get a full-lifetime out of your horns if... you loosen the 10mm nut and TURN them so they don't face front or backward. Last edited by exE36M3; 04-26-2020 at 03:06 PM..
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04-26-2020, 08:23 PM	#28
John in VA Colonel 983 Rep 2,195 Posts Drives: 2015 228i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (6)	I placed some pantyhose over the trumpets of my Fiamm horns on the 2002 ~40 years ago! __________________ ____________________________________________ 2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
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01-09-2021, 08:05 AM	#29
bachmanj Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW 328I Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	Badly made Horns I just spent > $500 to replace both horns on my 2015 328i. The mechanic told me that the horns had a design flaw that allowed water to enter the horn and damage them. They now make a new model horn to prevent water damage and should not happen again. Why am I stuck paying for this? No recall from BMW, no class action suit found. I love my car, but this is infuriating!!! BMW should be responsible for replacing these horns!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-09-2021, 10:56 AM	#30
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8225 Rep 16,065 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I guess you should have read this thread and followed exE6M3's advice before getting hosed.
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01-09-2021, 07:25 PM	#31
frazervalley Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 217 Posts Drives: 2015 328i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: British Columbia iTrader: (0)	Welcome to the site Bachmanj, I see this is your first post. Lots of good information on here and very knowledgeable folks.
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01-10-2021, 03:51 PM	#34
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8225 Rep 16,065 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	The New York City market should get a super duper upgraded horn. Nothing is more amusing, nor more irritating, than New Yorkers sitting in gridlock blowing their horns, perhaps in anticipation that the cars in front of them will sprout wings and fly away.
	Appreciate 1 BWbimmer276.50 Quote

01-21-2021, 09:18 PM	#35
cheewei23 New Member 3 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 01' 330CI / 15' 435xi Join Date: May 2013 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (1)	Hey guys, just wanted to share my find. My horns went out and I ended up ordering this set from Amazon for $30 shipped since they had a plug and play kit. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Only difference is the nuts (included) are 10mm. I ended up using the factory washers also and they fit the mounts perfectly. Hope this helps!
	Appreciate 2 Billfitz8225.00 BimR245.00 Quote