[dL.]

Hey guys,

For those who have lighting packages, you know how on your front doors there's an LED strip light shining down to the window controls and hand rest. There is also this plastic piece (either matte black or red or sometimes glossy depending on your trim) that covers the light so you don't see the light strip and the light shines downwards only.

My question is, does that plastic piece include the LED lights as well or is it separate? How hard is it to disassemble and reassemble?

Reason: I am noticing a slight light leakage upwards right where the LED light ends (towards the front, near the door handle grip) when driving at night. I was wondering if anyone else has seen that before, whether it's normal or not over time, and is there a quick fix to this? Sounds kinda dumb and minor to ask the dealership to fix so I thought I'd ask here. I can live with it but just want to see if anyone has it and if there's any quick solution.



Image credit: SFR002

Many thanks,

dL

[synclastica_86]

Definitely have the dealer look at it. Perhaps at ur next regular maintenance? In which lighting mode dose it occur may I ask? Is it possible to get a pic so that we know what to look out for?

[alienranch]

Shouldn't have any light leaking from the top. I would think this should be an easy fix for the dealer (certainly easy to diagnose).

[sfr002]

I knew that image looked familiar lol.

Good luck with fixing it.

[S4NoMore]

See here for the door mounting parts.



Looks like the plastic cover (#5) is separate, and although it appears to be held with clips I don't think I would mess with it personally for fear of breaking it and/or needing to release a clamp from inside the door panel.

See here for the lights themselves, which are an LED module conducted through a fiber optic strip.

[dL.]

I think I should leave it as I am afraid they might scratch the surroundings when they remove. What are your thoughts? Has anyone done any DIY with that piece?

I've managed to capture it this morning in the garage:



The pic exaggerated how bad it is, because I have to aim it at the exact angle to get this bright of a light. It's not the end of the world that's for sure but that goes to show how crap BMW's fit & finish is compared to other brands.

What I realize is if you push that plastic piece down on any F30, you will see the light leak at that exact spot. I guess that's just the weak spot of that trim and perhaps over time it will get loose? I tried to push down on a few courtesy cars and they all reveal the light leak at that spot.

Perhaps you guys can take a look tonight when you drive and see if yours has a bit of that also? Might make me feel better haha.

Originally Posted by sfr002

I knew that image looked familiar lol.

Cheers,

dL

[dL.]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

See here for the door mounting parts.



Looks like the plastic cover (#5) is separate, and although it appears to be held with clips I don't think I would mess with it personally for fear of breaking it and/or needing to release a clamp from inside the door panel.

See here for the lights themselves, which are an LED module conducted through a fiber optic strip.

Speaking of clips, I managed to yank the entire piece (#7 or 8) simply by closing both front windows lol... Dealership fixed it now.

Quality these days.

dL

[alienranch]

Originally Posted by dL.

I think I should leave it as I am afraid they might scratch the surroundings when they remove. What are your thoughts? Has anyone done any DIY with that piece?

I've managed to capture it this morning in the garage:



The pic exaggerated how bad it is, because I have to aim it at the exact angle to get this bright of a light. It's not the end of the world that's for sure but that goes to show how crap BMW's fit & finish is compared to other brands.

What I realize is if you push that plastic piece down on any F30, you will see the light leak at that exact spot. I guess that's just the weak spot of that trim and perhaps over time it will get loose? I tried to push down on a few courtesy cars and they all reveal the light leak at that spot.

Perhaps you guys can take a look tonight when you drive and see if yours has a bit of that also? Might make me feel better haha.





Cheers,

dL

I'm afraid to look at mine now, as I might find the same thing and it'll annoy the hell out of me. Once I notice that tiny pinpoint of light, it will become a spotlight blinding me every time I look at the door.

[dL.]

Originally Posted by alienranch

I'm afraid to look at mine now, as I might find the same thing and it'll annoy the hell out of me. Once I notice that tiny pinpoint of light, it will become a spotlight blinding me every time I look at the door.

I'm just gonna accept it as a fact of wear-and-tear, until I go to the dealership again. Clips get loose over time when you go through more bumps, and opening and closing the doors more often. I know for sure in the beginning when I got this car I didn't have this leak, so I can't think of anything else other than wear and tear.

Or perhaps, I might be the only one on this planet with this leak

dL

[Ali Shiralian]

In what lighting mode they come up anyways. My car is a week old and I barely noticed it last night in pitch dark. How do you increase the intensity of these lights??
Please help my wife really wanted them now she wants to return the car based on this issue alone!!!

[alienranch]

Originally Posted by Ali Shiralian

In what lighting mode they come up anyways. My car is a week old and I barely noticed it last night in pitch dark. How do you increase the intensity of these lights??
Please help my wife really wanted them now she wants to return the car based on this issue alone!!!

Brightness can be adjusted via iDrive in the Lighting section

[dL.]

Originally Posted by Ali Shiralian

In what lighting mode they come up anyways. My car is a week old and I barely noticed it last night in pitch dark. How do you increase the intensity of these lights??
Please help my wife really wanted them now she wants to return the car based on this issue alone!!!

You can increase the lights in Setting on your iDrive under Lighting I believe. Just turn it to the highest or you won't see sh*t lol.

dL

[openwheelracing]

Enjoy the "extended" ambient lighting at no additional cost

Seriously, I would let the dealer do it. They can probably do it under warranty at "defect". It will take them no time.

[dL.]

My car has been in the dealership for too long on minor problems like these. I'm gonna enjoy my car for the time being before I feel like driving a courtesy car again haha. But I've already e-mailed my SA about this.

dL

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by Ali Shiralian

In what lighting mode they come up anyways. My car is a week old and I barely noticed it last night in pitch dark. How do you increase the intensity of these lights??
Please help my wife really wanted them now she wants to return the car based on this issue alone!!!

Also try "Sport" lighting mode, it's a brighter white light vs. the "Classic" amber.

[Tim@codemybimmer]

Have the same problem.

Dealer ordered the whole door panel (its glued/ends are melted at the factory).

[dL.]

Originally Posted by Timbits93

Have the same problem.

Dealer ordered the whole door panel (its glued/ends are melted at the factory).

Whattttt? What does the entire door panel entail? Everything that you can see and touch on the door?

The window switch, the door handle, the leather resting area, water bottle area and even the rubber area where the lock is?

dL

[Tim@codemybimmer]

Originally Posted by dL.

Whattttt? What does the entire door panel entail? Everything that you can see and touch on the door?

The window switch, the door handle, the leather resting area, water bottle area and even the rubber area where the lock is?

dL

Its just the door panel with the lighting strip. Armrest and door handle (where the trim is) don't come with it.

The first replacement was worse than the original, so just waiting for the next one to come. Driver's side is just fine btw.

[expl0de]

I have the leak on all doors under certain angle, I keep the lights in sport mode and at full brightnes. Iittle disapointing, since in my e92 they were perfect.

[IAmATeaf]

Is it just me hat can’t see the pics the op has posted ?