E61 M5 - Rear Light Clusters

[BobbyK]

New owner of 57 plate M5 Touring, 1 week in and loving it, will post more details soon. But one quick question: Has anyone found that a small amount of water/dirt has got into the very top edge of the rear light clusters and then not drained away and left a green/brown deposit?? On both sides.

Any chance this could be deemed a warranty issue?

Just noticed it in the sunlight yesterday, Looks terrible close up and I'm not sure how you can ever get it out of there as it appears a fully sealed unit, even by removing the cluster completely.

Any valeters or detailers have any ideas??

[ecain63]

Yeah my E61 has this too. You can see the algae starting to build up aswell.

[BobbyK]

Hi Eddie, its Guy

I have just spoken to local dealer and they said if its a seal then wont be covered, but its obviously not that but a fault on the cluster itself. But anyway taking it in this afternoon for them to look at it.

Lady on the service team said that they have seen quite a few recalls on rear Touring lights, but non outstanding on the M5. Are the lights actually different between models?

Will post update shortly

[ecain63]

Hi Guy, The M5 tourers had the facelift lights as did the late regular tourers. Not sure what they'll say, but if you get good news let me know.

Eddie

[BobbyK]

Not a warranty issue according to my dealer, something about it being external... He said it would be if water had collected into the cluster. So he said that if you used a pressure hose on it that might work but you would probably force water in the cluster, which he said you could claim on warranty just not through that particular dealer! Brilliant.

But he got their valeting guy to come up and he sprayed some cleanser in the gap, which was used for cleaning leather seats, then left it for a few mins and then used a compressed air gun to blow the filth out. Worked pretty well after 3 times. There is some trace green left over but that seems to be the only way to deal with it. Possibly better results with stronger cleanser and repeated attempts, but happy with the results.

Or new cluster at circa £140 each...

[ecain63]

Oh well, you can only try. How do you reckon it would play with regards to the front headlights and condensation within? Mine have got watermarks where the xenons have cooked the moisture on the lense.