Misting headlights on a '99 E36 coupe?

[nickyd100]

Is there any easy way to fix these? Or should I just get some new headlights to replace the misted ones?




Thanks

[roofer]

New gaskets should still be available from BMW. Easy to fit.

[MitchT]

Don't bother buying new headlights, they all do it. Mine have been doing it from new, as have the ones on every other E36 I know of. I've been told of various solutions but none have worked - the only thing I haven't tried it to drill tiny holes in the bottom of the headlamp units. BMW tried to fail one of the headlamps at an MOT one year so I played hell about it and they reckon to have only charged labour for fitting a new unit, but this one was just as misted up as the old one, so I reckon they charged me labour to change the unit and didn't bother actually changing it. I'd had enough by that point and was tired of arguing so I gave up and simply resolved never to go back to another BMW main dealer for an MOT. Independents seem happier to deal in truth, main dealers just want your money. These units are prone to misting so BMW should either replace them FOC (not that replacing them makes any difference), or pass them automatically.

Edited by MitchT on Sunday 7th September 22:20

[Paul_Dids]

I know of people who have just drilled a small hole in the top of the headlight unit and it's taken a day of two for it to dry out... might be worth a go for a cheap fix

[///MrSingh]

My E36 used to do this - I just took off the sidelight covers and left them off, never misted up again

[pstruck]

I also drilled holes in the removable plastic covers. Now very rarely mists up, only if weather really wet and then only for a short while.

I did take them apart and dried out all the water with a hair drier first though, then cleaned and re-set the seals.