2016 BMW 535d in the shop; may sell it

[wavinwayne]

When I bought my 2016 BMW 535d back in 2023, I promised to share its trials and tribulations with you guys. Today I dropped her off at my trusted indy BMW shop in North AL. I discovered last week that I have heavy condensation (large water droplets) on the inside of my driver's side headlight lense, which points to a failed seal somewhere on the headlight assembly; I can't find any leaks or cracks. The car has 88k miles on it. Apparently this is a common failure on the F10 5-series, and somehow I didn't discover the potential issue during my pre-purchase research in 2023. If left this way, the moisture will eventually ruin the electronics modules that control the adaptive headlights. This is going to be a very expensive fix, no way around it. The parts alone can be several thousand dollars. I knew before buying this car that owning an out of warranty BMW can be very expensive, and I can afford it, but a multi-thousand dollar bill for a headlight repair wasn't on my bingo card. C'est la vie.

I love the way this car handles and drives. I dig the F10 body style. The N57 engine's torque is unbelievable and it gets 36 mpg, which is amazing. That said, this BMW was an itch I always wanted to scratch, and now I've done so. I'm probably going to sell it later this year. My in laws, who live next door, and bought my 2018 Subaru Forester when I got the 535, are looking to get something different and have offered to sell the Subie back to me. I may very well buy it back, we'll see. To be continued.

 

[meep]

Might your trusted Indy be “euro tech?”

I had an x30e for about a week and took it back… there was so much complexity to the vehicle that it scared me quite a bit in terms of long term ownership. The 535D was on my list as a top contender because of the engine and larger body, but I completely understand your dilemma. My LED headlights went on, off, up, down, left and right, all the time, and per the interwebs were prone to burning out the DRL chips.

 

[Chris142]

And after the new parts are installed they have to program the system to "see" the new parts. Often this does not work and has to go to a dealer.

 

[wavinwayne]

Might your trusted Indy be “euro tech?...

I use one of their competitors. The guy who runs my trusted shop used to run Euro Tech. He left years ago and started his own shop.

 

[wavinwayne]

And after the new parts are installed they have to program the system to "see" the new parts. Often this does not work and has to go to a dealer.

My guy uses ISTA so I'm hoping he can handle it. If not, oh well. Dealer is a last resort as always for me.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

5 family members have had BMW's they all got rid of them too costly to maintain!

 

[The Critic]

You should reconsider. A mid 4 figure repair can happen on any modern vehicle, regardless of brand.

On the other hand, a 5 figure repair is certainly a valid reason to give someone pause.

 

[The Critic]

And after the new parts are installed they have to program the system to "see" the new parts. Often this does not work and has to go to a dealer.

Sounds like your shop needs to invest in factory tooling and not rely on “Autel” for the main makes you service.

 

[edyvw]

And after the new parts are installed they have to program the system to "see" the new parts. Often this does not work and has to go to a dealer.

I can do that in my garage with INPA and ISTA. Give me a break.

 

[wavinwayne]

You should reconsider. A mid 4 figure repair can happen on any modern vehicle, regardless of brand.

On the other hand, a 5 figure repair is certainly a valid reason to give someone pause.

I'll be thinking on this for a few months, then make a final decision. Truth be told, there are several things about the 535d that scare the crap out of me and always will. If the DEF system or the HPFP took a dump, cost to repair could be greater than what the car is worth. Then if I decide to sell it and buy my old Subaru back from my in laws, it comes with it's own potential ticking time bombs (CVT, has a parasitic battery drain at present...). First world problems, all.

 

[edyvw]

When I bought my 2016 BMW 535d back in 2023, I promised to share its trials and tribulations with you guys. Today I dropped her off at my trusted indy BMW shop in North AL. I discovered last week that I have heavy condensation (large water droplets) on the inside of my driver's side headlight lense, which points to a failed seal somewhere on the headlight assembly; I can't find any leaks or cracks. The car has 88k miles on it. Apparently this is a common failure on the F10 5-series, and somehow I didn't discover the potential issue during my pre-purchase research in 2023. If left this way, the moisture will eventually ruin the electronics modules that control the adaptive headlights. This is going to be a very expensive fix, no way around it. The parts alone can be several thousand dollars. I knew before buying this car that owning an out of warranty BMW can be very expensive, and I can afford it, but a multi-thousand dollar bill for a headlight repair wasn't on my bingo card. C'est la vie.

I love the way this car handles and drives. I dig the F10 body style. The N57 engine's torque is unbelievable and it gets 36 mpg, which is amazing. That said, this BMW was an itch I always wanted to scratch, and now I've done so. I'm probably going to sell it later this year. My in laws, who live next door, and bought my 2018 Subaru Forester when I got the 535, are looking to get something different and have offered to sell the Subie back to me. I may very well buy it back, we'll see. To be continued.

Man, my Sequoia has sealed headlights and fog lights. Any failure would require complete replacement. If you think that is a BMW thing, oh boy.

 

[wavinwayne]

Man, my Sequoia has sealed headlights and fog lights. Any failure would require complete replacement. If you think that is a BMW thing, oh boy.

I don't think it is "a BMW thing". I discovered after the fact that apparently moisture intrusion is a common failure on F10 5-series BMW headlights, that's all.

 

[edyvw]

I don't think it is "a BMW thing". I discovered after the fact that apparently moisture intrusion is a common failure on F10 5-series BMW headlights, that's all.

Could be. I'm not sure, but I would wait and try to figure out if there is a potential solution. Also, there is always an used headlight.
Moisture, though, is an issue in Alabama.

 

[KrisZ]

Drill a small hole at the lowest point of the headlamp housing and the condensation problem will go away.

 

[The Critic]

I can do that in my garage with INPA and ISTA. Give me a break.

Offline coding and online coding are two different things.

 

[edyvw]

Offline coding and online coding are two different things.

Well, if the garage cannot purchase ICOM but wants to fix BMW, then...

 

[Chris142]

Sounds like your shop needs to invest in factory tooling and not rely on “Autel” for the main makes you service.

Boss just spent something like $10k on the Mercedes stuff. We can't clear the maintenance light on a 21+ Alfa or Maserati. But it's not worth buying it for the 1 car a month that rolls through.

 

[The Critic]

Well, if the garage cannot purchase ICOM but wants to fix BMW, then...

It separates the real Euro shops from the wannabe Euro shops.

 

[edyvw]

It separates the real Euro shops from the wannabe Euro shops.

Still, it is astonishing how many shops don't use INPA or ISTA although they could be downloaded for free. Get AUtel on Amazon, and call it a day. If it does not work, well: "you know, these Euro cars..."

 

[f355spider]

I don't think it is "a BMW thing". I discovered after the fact that apparently moisture intrusion is a common failure on F10 5-series BMW headlights, that's all.

Check for DYI fixes on Youtube if this is a thing.

I have a E39 and G30, no issues with those series. G30s do have issues with the headlight LED modules for the angel eyes failing. Dealers want to sell you a new headlight for $2600 (part only) but there are some DIY fixes that can sometimes work. Requires taking the bumper and fender liners out to access the headlight (labor intensive) then replace the led module, and grind the end of the plastic tube that comprises the angel eye as it gets melted from the overheated LED module failure. Seems about a 50 to 60% success rate at the fix. Sometimes the LED color won't match unless you replace both sides module as a set, since the color temperature changes with age apparently.

With some headlights the seals can fail, most commonly on the lens to housing interface. You can bake them in your oven at the lowest temp (250F) and that will soften the seals so you can (pry) remove the lens. Then you can reseal them with 3M WindoWeld automotive windshield sealant (a sort of rubber caulk) and get a good tight seal on the lens to the housing.