130i - what would you do?
Discussion
Morning all, I’ve owned a 130i m sport for around 17 years. It’s one of those cars I thought I’d never get rid of, but this last year it’s proved problematic in one unlikely area; headlights.
In a nutshell, I need a new one and it’s proving very tricky. I won’t go into it too much here but essentially it seems the bi xenon on the pre LCI was only available for a very short time period before the active headlight came in (which can’t be retrofitted without loom changes) and xenon’s were themselves an option which most didn’t order. They’re like hens teeth. Took me ages to track one down and that turned out to be a dud, so I don’t really want to go down that road again.
So, my options seems to be as follows:
1) WBAC (headlight currently working but for how long…)
2) Sell privately being honest with issue / spares or repairs
3) Stick it under a car cover in the too hard for now pile (don’t really have the room)
I’m gutted as I think it’s probably one of the better 130is out there (baring the headlight issue) - just 77k miles with FSH.
The car’s since been replaced and it doesn’t really owe me anything, but nevertheless a fabulous car scuppered by a headlight makes me a little sad.
So, what would you do?
In a nutshell, I need a new one and it’s proving very tricky. I won’t go into it too much here but essentially it seems the bi xenon on the pre LCI was only available for a very short time period before the active headlight came in (which can’t be retrofitted without loom changes) and xenon’s were themselves an option which most didn’t order. They’re like hens teeth. Took me ages to track one down and that turned out to be a dud, so I don’t really want to go down that road again.
So, my options seems to be as follows:
1) WBAC (headlight currently working but for how long…)
2) Sell privately being honest with issue / spares or repairs
3) Stick it under a car cover in the too hard for now pile (don’t really have the room)
I’m gutted as I think it’s probably one of the better 130is out there (baring the headlight issue) - just 77k miles with FSH.
The car’s since been replaced and it doesn’t really owe me anything, but nevertheless a fabulous car scuppered by a headlight makes me a little sad.
So, what would you do?
I loved my 130i LE for the short period I owned it and then had to sell it on...
IMO keep it; fix it and keep enjoying it - you'll regret selling it
Keep an eye on eBay for the parts; maybe contact Cotswolds BMW / Douglas Park BMW for quotes and see what they'll charge; and maybe research to see who's out there that could potentially fix/upgrade them for you
IMO keep it; fix it and keep enjoying it - you'll regret selling it
Keep an eye on eBay for the parts; maybe contact Cotswolds BMW / Douglas Park BMW for quotes and see what they'll charge; and maybe research to see who's out there that could potentially fix/upgrade them for you
Move it on. It's been replaced, lack of use will just lead to more challenges with NLA parts which is becoming common for this era
You've had your fun, now WBAC/motorway, maybe can get a couple of thousand
Look at it the other way, how much will you pay for the next MOT? Or does it become a headache paperweight
You've had your fun, now WBAC/motorway, maybe can get a couple of thousand
Look at it the other way, how much will you pay for the next MOT? Or does it become a headache paperweight
An option may be to get one repaired at https://homeofheadlights.co.uk/pages/about-us
Maybe be possible
Maybe be possible
Heathwood said:
Morning all, I ve owned a 130i m sport for around 17 years. It s one of those cars I thought I d never get rid of, but this last year it s proved problematic in one unlikely area; headlights.
In a nutshell, I need a new one and it s proving very tricky. I won t go into it too much here but essentially it seems the bi xenon on the pre LCI was only available for a very short time period before the active headlight came in (which can t be retrofitted without loom changes) and xenon s were themselves an option which most didn t order. They re like hens teeth. Took me ages to track one down and that turned out to be a dud, so I don t really want to go down that road again.
So, my options seems to be as follows:
1) WBAC (headlight currently working but for how long )
2) Sell privately being honest with issue / spares or repairs
3) Stick it under a car cover in the too hard for now pile (don t really have the room)
I m gutted as I think it s probably one of the better 130is out there (baring the headlight issue) - just 77k miles with FSH.
The car s since been replaced and it doesn t really owe me anything, but nevertheless a fabulous car scuppered by a headlight makes me a little sad.
So, what would you do?
Which side headlight? Just had a quick look on eBay and there are a few headlights on thereIn a nutshell, I need a new one and it s proving very tricky. I won t go into it too much here but essentially it seems the bi xenon on the pre LCI was only available for a very short time period before the active headlight came in (which can t be retrofitted without loom changes) and xenon s were themselves an option which most didn t order. They re like hens teeth. Took me ages to track one down and that turned out to be a dud, so I don t really want to go down that road again.
So, my options seems to be as follows:
1) WBAC (headlight currently working but for how long )
2) Sell privately being honest with issue / spares or repairs
3) Stick it under a car cover in the too hard for now pile (don t really have the room)
I m gutted as I think it s probably one of the better 130is out there (baring the headlight issue) - just 77k miles with FSH.
The car s since been replaced and it doesn t really owe me anything, but nevertheless a fabulous car scuppered by a headlight makes me a little sad.
So, what would you do?
Have you also looked to see (dare I say) what aftermarket headlights are available?
I have exactly the same issue. Pre LCI 130i with xenons which are starting to play up.
My indi will likely fix them when they finally go. I certainly won't be getting rid of the car for that reason - everything is fixable.
Plan on keeping mine for at least the next 10 years as our family hack.
My indi will likely fix them when they finally go. I certainly won't be getting rid of the car for that reason - everything is fixable.
Plan on keeping mine for at least the next 10 years as our family hack.
Thanks for all the comments and advice folks. Looks like the general consensus is to keep it and find a way to fix. It is probably the most sensible long term option but I’ve just bought a new (live in project) house and I’m not sure I have the headspace for it. One to mull over I think.
Mr Tidy said:
I wish I could find a 77K mile 130i!
I'd keep it and keep looking out for a replacement unit. Failing that you could downgrade to Halogens as a last resort.
I have found some BMW halogens on older cars can work well with a simple bulb upgrade; so that maybe worth a try.I'd keep it and keep looking out for a replacement unit. Failing that you could downgrade to Halogens as a last resort.
Any lowish millage fun BMW; that you know the history of, is worth hanging onto IMO. Depends storage/parking of course
Edited by skylarking808 on Sunday 6th September 00:42
Have you tried Quarry Motors there BMW site has a request a part form.
https://quarrymotors.co.uk/request-a-bmw-part/
https://quarrymotors.co.uk/request-a-bmw-part/
Whats the issue? I've been in the same boat with my 130 with the same headlights, most issues are the ballasts which sit on the bottom of the headlight and collect water. Mine would wink on and off randomly and do the up/down start up thing while driving. They're a common Valeo part used in various other cars, you'll find the code on the backside of the ballast, either pull the headlight out, or remove the inner arch and you can get to them, silver box held in with a few small torx bolts. They are available on ebay, though most are fakes, the metal stamping isn't as sharp and I think the pcb visible inside is a different colour, they won't last, try and find an original one from a breaker. I think they're 70 quid ish.
Actually first thing i'd do is remove it, see how wet it is, leave it to dry for a while, that's worked for me in the past.
My ex later smashed it into something immovable, breaking a headlight, which it turns out are about £700 and not available. Lens was smashed and the body of the light was totalled, but but fortunately the reflector inside was fine, you can get a replacement lens easily (bit of a chew to remove and fit) and most of the main bodies are the same regardless of headlight type, I think i had to drill out a lens hole that was blanked off, but reassembled it all without any problems.
Actually first thing i'd do is remove it, see how wet it is, leave it to dry for a while, that's worked for me in the past.
My ex later smashed it into something immovable, breaking a headlight, which it turns out are about £700 and not available. Lens was smashed and the body of the light was totalled, but but fortunately the reflector inside was fine, you can get a replacement lens easily (bit of a chew to remove and fit) and most of the main bodies are the same regardless of headlight type, I think i had to drill out a lens hole that was blanked off, but reassembled it all without any problems.
Flood said:
Whats the issue? I've been in the same boat with my 130 with the same headlights, most issues are the ballasts which sit on the bottom of the headlight and collect water. Mine would wink on and off randomly and do the up/down start up thing while driving. They're a common Valeo part used in various other cars, you'll find the code on the backside of the ballast, either pull the headlight out, or remove the inner arch and you can get to them, silver box held in with a few small torx bolts. They are available on ebay, though most are fakes, the metal stamping isn't as sharp and I think the pcb visible inside is a different colour, they won't last, try and find an original one from a breaker. I think they're 70 quid ish.
Actually first thing i'd do is remove it, see how wet it is, leave it to dry for a while, that's worked for me in the past.
My ex later smashed it into something immovable, breaking a headlight, which it turns out are about £700 and not available. Lens was smashed and the body of the light was totalled, but but fortunately the reflector inside was fine, you can get a replacement lens easily (bit of a chew to remove and fit) and most of the main bodies are the same regardless of headlight type, I think i had to drill out a lens hole that was blanked off, but reassembled it all without any problems.
You’re quite right Flood, it is the ballast that ultimately fails. I’ve been down the path of replacing the ballasts (OEM ordered from Germany) but they failed again in no time. Then had the casing lightly modded, whereby you drill drainage holes underneath to (supposedly) prevent water from getting through to the ballast. After that didn’t work, I had the ballasts replaced again and the headlights fully dried out and resealed. This has worked on one light, but the drivers side refuses to play ball and a replacement headlight is now required. Must have thrown well over £500 at trying to get it sorted and that’s before the latest bill from my BMW Indi. Actually first thing i'd do is remove it, see how wet it is, leave it to dry for a while, that's worked for me in the past.
My ex later smashed it into something immovable, breaking a headlight, which it turns out are about £700 and not available. Lens was smashed and the body of the light was totalled, but but fortunately the reflector inside was fine, you can get a replacement lens easily (bit of a chew to remove and fit) and most of the main bodies are the same regardless of headlight type, I think i had to drill out a lens hole that was blanked off, but reassembled it all without any problems.
I did find a replacement headlight after many months of searching, but there were tabs missing and the self adjust mechanism was faulty, so back to square one. I know there’ll be more headlights out there that will materialize eventually but with so much else going on I just haven’t got the time or headspace for it, so I think it’ll just have to go for whatever I can get for it.
Heathwood said:
You re quite right Flood, it is the ballast that ultimately fails. I ve been down the path of replacing the ballasts (OEM ordered from Germany) but they failed again in no time. Then had the casing lightly modded, whereby you drill drainage holes underneath to (supposedly) prevent water from getting through to the ballast. After that didn t work, I had the ballasts replaced again and the headlights fully dried out and resealed. This has worked on one light, but the drivers side refuses to play ball and a replacement headlight is now required. Must have thrown well over £500 at trying to get it sorted and that s before the latest bill from my BMW Indi.
I did find a replacement headlight after many months of searching, but there were tabs missing and the self adjust mechanism was faulty, so back to square one. I know there ll be more headlights out there that will materialize eventually but with so much else going on I just haven t got the time or headspace for it, so I think it ll just have to go for whatever I can get for it.
I have sent you an email. I did find a replacement headlight after many months of searching, but there were tabs missing and the self adjust mechanism was faulty, so back to square one. I know there ll be more headlights out there that will materialize eventually but with so much else going on I just haven t got the time or headspace for it, so I think it ll just have to go for whatever I can get for it.
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