BMW 325i Headlights

Your BMW 325i headlights are designed to give you maximum visibility at night and during foggy or hazy weather conditions. But as they are constantly exposed to various pollutants, different weather conditions, heat that emanates from the engine, harmful UV rays, and even time and age, you will encounter a number of headlight troubles. It will be good to know the causes so you will be able to avoid them as much as you can.

Condensation

Driving at night or through cold, snowy or rainy weather puts your headlights in a difficult situation, especially if you have faulty sealants. The headlight assembly is an area where heat that comes from the engine and cold air that comes from the external environment meet. And you know what cold air does to water vapor-turns it right into the moisture that you can see inside the lenses, blocking useful light. In addition, leaks in headlight washers in certain models are also to be blamed for this. Familiarize yourself on how to take off the headlight assembly so you can clean the inside and apply more effective sealants.

Oxidation

In the past when headlights were made of sturdy glass material, headlight oxidation did not happen. But nowadays, manufacturers turn to polycarbonate plastic because it can easily be shaped to conform to the design of modern vehicles, and it is also cheaper and lighter. But with much exposure to weather, salt, and harmful UV rays, the surface of the headlights gets oxidized, giving it a pitted yellow, hazy appearance.

Busted HIDs

Your BMW 325i headlight bulbs use xenon gas to emit bright light and are made to last 2,700 hours. But just as normal bulbs expire, so the HIDs also expire. There are a number of possible causes for this: bulb burnout due to age and use, damaged housing, loose power wiring, faulty ballast, and a dying battery that causes power dips. Another major cause of HID bulb failure is touching the bulb with exposed hands when cleaning up the inside of the headlight assembly. The oil from the fingerprints will eventually cause the bulb to shatter. So when you opt to clean the inside of the lenses, always use gloves or a piece of clean cloth when handling the bulb.

The BMW 325i was designed to be the replacement for the 325e. It is a great car that boasts a powerful engine, sleek exterior styling, and an interior cabin that provides a luxurious and premium feel. Aside from these qualities, the BMW 325i is also known for its top-notch handling and exceptional reliability.

This model is made up of high-quality parts and accessories. However, with time and regular use, even the most durable components can wear out or incur damage from external factors. When that happens, repair or replacement will be necessary. One part that must be immediately replaced as soon as it fails is the BMW 325i headlight.

Headlights are crucial to ensuring your safety on the road. If you want to be able to rely on them while driving under low visibility, make sure to replace faulty lights as soon as they fail.

Here are some symptoms to watch out for:

Flickering Headlights

Your vehicle’s headlight should be able to provide a steady stream of light whenever it is on. If it starts to flicker on and off, you need to have it checked for possible faulty components. The BMW headlight bulb may be close to completely burning out. Since this part has a limited lifespan, the only solution to this problem is to replace it with a new one.

If the bulb is not the problem, however, you should inspect the other headlight components like the headlight bulb socket and electrical wires of your headlight assembly. A corroded socket or wire can disrupt the flow of electricity and make your headlight lose power from time to time.

Malfunctioning High or Low Beams

Malfunctioning high or low beams can be caused by faulty headlight bulbs. It’s possible that the BMW 325i headlight bulbs may have reached the end of their service life. Aside from the bulb, other headlight parts within the assembly can also be the cause of this problem. Check each part one-by-one if changing the bulb doesn’t work.

Headlights Not Working

The most obvious sign that you need a BMW headlight replacement is when it doesn’t work at all when you turn on the headlight switch. Ask a professional mechanic to inspect your vehicle’s headlight assembly to ensure that you can find the faulty part and replace it. You may have a busted bulb, blown fuse, worn-out bulb socket, or damaged electrical wires.

The price of an aftermarket BMW 325i headlight falls anywhere between $20 and $1,300. It is sold as a single component, in pairs, or in sets of various quantities. Aftermarket headlights are offered in a variety of finishes and are compatible with different types of light sources, such as halogen, LED, and HID or xenon.

• Use regular white toothpaste.
• Cleaning your car's headlights with toothpaste is probably the simplest measure to keep them in top performing state. Make sure the toothpaste you use, though, is the regular white one. Whitening and mint toothpaste may contain extra compounds that may cause damage to your headlight.
• Use aluminum polishing compound.
• When you are sure that the light blockage is caused by an oxidized outside cover, simply washing it with soap and water will not be enough. It is necessary to polish it up with an aluminum polishing product by applying the polish material in circular motion. Let it dry to a haze afterwards and then wipe it off with a clean cloth. You may need to do this up to three times to achieve the desired effect.
• Use wet sandpaper.
• You can actually use a piece each of 400 grit, 1200 grit, and 1500 grit sandpaper to remove the yellowing factory coating. Make sure to soak the sandpaper first to soften it before using on your headlights. When you are done sanding the surface, wipe it off with a soft cloth.
• Use headlight deoxidizer.
• As they are constantly exposed to different types of pollutants as well as harmful UV rays, your headlights are prone to oxidation. Using a headlight deoxidizer is the best way to clear out the discolored appearance. This will cost you a few bucks but it is guaranteed to help increase your night vision.

Other cleaning tipsAs it is best to clean your BMW 325i headlights at room temperature, we recommend that you let the car cool down after a drive. Also, we highly recommend that you do it in a shaded area, such as your garage. This will prevent water from drying up too fast. In addition, when there is moisture inside the lenses, you can check your car's model year manual and follow the instructions on how to properly disengage them so you can clean the inside. Never handle the HID bulbs with your bare hands, because the oil from your fingerprints will eventually cause the bulbs to burst.