Shaking headlights

Artemis · 08-06-2012, 10:58 AM

Drive the 1M over cobble-stones or a rugged road and the headlights shake/dance as if you ride a motorbike. Still not used to that phenomenon after almost 1 year. Light projection of headlights whilst driving over rough surfaces seemed more stable on all previous cars I drove.

Typical phenomenon for all 1ers or just the 1M ?

Anyone managed to stabilize the headlights ?

TheSt|G · 08-06-2012, 11:03 AM

Seems unlikely that it would be broken, but check your headlight tab:

Dackelone · 08-06-2012, 11:04 AM

I think its normal. My car did that too at first when new. Not just on cobble stone roads but on any bumpy roads. You could see the headlights wiggle when you when over a bump.

I think the problem is the headlight suspension sensors. On the suspension there are two headlight height sensors - they tell the AHL if the suspension is under braking or acceleration or just cruising. I think(my theory is that) the plastic ball joint linkage binds a little bit when new. After some miles (20Kms) they loosen up and you don't notice this so much.

I also noticed on a 1M I drove at night that when you touch the brake pedal... the headlights "pop" upwards, even before the car's suspension goes under "dive mode'. So perhaps this is also due to SW. ? I know my car doesn't do that when I touch the brake pedal.

Dack

Wolfpack · 08-06-2012, 12:02 PM

I've had the same issue on my 330 and my 1M. I think it is inherent in the auto adjustment feature of the lights to allow some flex and movement.

Dackelone · 08-06-2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

I've had the same issue on my 330 and my 1M. I think it is inherent in the auto adjustment feature of the lights to allow some flex and movement.

I noticed this "shaking" when my car was new. Now not so much (IF at all) now. I really think its the height sensors linkage binding since its new and tight. Now I don't see the lights wiggling when I drive.

Stratus650 · 08-06-2012, 01:02 PM

yup same here, that's the first thing i noticed when i first drove the 1M at night. i never had this issue in my previous 650i. maybe the rigid suspension does play a role here?

Romo · 08-06-2012, 01:44 PM

My car is as we speak 1 year old, collected her 06-08-2011 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my car

First a had sheaky headlights too, but now they are completly "normal", 16K km, also the JRZ-RS1 damper set is softer , maybe that helps to.....

UNO///M · 08-06-2012, 01:51 PM

Adaptive headlight feature. There is no problem with your car.

///M1 · 08-06-2012, 11:36 PM

Sadly...it is a normal feature

Denso · 08-07-2012, 01:00 PM

Mine did it much more when it was new, 11k miles later and i cant say i notice so much now.

08-06-2012, 10:58 AM	#1
Artemis Moderator 29642 Rep 13,136 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Competition Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Shaking headlights Drive the 1M over cobble-stones or a rugged road and the headlights shake/dance as if you ride a motorbike. Still not used to that phenomenon after almost 1 year. Light projection of headlights whilst driving over rough surfaces seemed more stable on all previous cars I drove. Typical phenomenon for all 1ers or just the 1M ? Anyone managed to stabilize the headlights ? __________________ ///M is art ↔ Artemis
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08-06-2012, 11:03 AM	#2
TheSt\|G Resident Tamed Racing Driver 298 Rep 4,697 Posts Drives: 911, 130is, E39 M5, E36 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Outside Philly iTrader: (2)	Seems unlikely that it would be broken, but check your headlight tab: __________________ 2005 E46 M3 Interlagos/Cinnamon with Sunroof Delete
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08-06-2012, 11:04 AM	#3
Dackelone European Editor 10596 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	I think its normal. My car did that too at first when new. Not just on cobble stone roads but on any bumpy roads. You could see the headlights wiggle when you when over a bump. I think the problem is the headlight suspension sensors. On the suspension there are two headlight height sensors - they tell the AHL if the suspension is under braking or acceleration or just cruising. I think(my theory is that) the plastic ball joint linkage binds a little bit when new. After some miles (20Kms) they loosen up and you don't notice this so much. I also noticed on a 1M I drove at night that when you touch the brake pedal... the headlights "pop" upwards, even before the car's suspension goes under "dive mode'. So perhaps this is also due to SW. ? I know my car doesn't do that when I touch the brake pedal. Dack __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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08-06-2012, 12:02 PM	#4
Wolfpack Private First Class 1 Rep 199 Posts Drives: Everything in my garage Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Mercedes ML320 [0.00] 2006 MINI Cooper S [0.00] 1997 Mazda Miata [0.00] 2011 BMW 1M [0.00] 2002 BMW 330 Ci [0.00]	I've had the same issue on my 330 and my 1M. I think it is inherent in the auto adjustment feature of the lights to allow some flex and movement. __________________ Wherever you go...there you are.
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08-06-2012, 01:02 PM	#6
Stratus650 Lieutenant 189 Rep 565 Posts Drives: 1er M Coupe Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dubai iTrader: (0)	yup same here, that's the first thing i noticed when i first drove the 1M at night. i never had this issue in my previous 650i. maybe the rigid suspension does play a role here? __________________ '12 Candy Grey Metallic 1M
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08-06-2012, 01:44 PM	#7
Romo Lieutenant Colonel 1762 Rep 1,668 Posts Drives: GR Yaris GT4RS Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	My car is as we speak 1 year old, collected her 06-08-2011 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my car First a had sheaky headlights too, but now they are completly "normal", 16K km, also the JRZ-RS1 damper set is softer , maybe that helps to.....
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08-06-2012, 01:51 PM	#8
UNO///M Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 249 Posts Drives: AW BMW 1M Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orlando,FL iTrader: (0)	Adaptive headlight feature. There is no problem with your car. __________________ AW BMW 1M, N55 mid pipe, Lightweight titanausphalangen CF front splitter, Bmw Performance CF rear spoliler, LUX AE, IND goodies...
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08-06-2012, 11:36 PM	#9
///M1 Brigadier General 275 Rep 3,164 Posts Drives: Many Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North of 7K RPM iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M2 CS [0.00] 1994 Audi RS2 Avant [0.00] 2021 Audi RS6 Avant [0.00] 1988 BMW E30 M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW 1///M [0.00] 2017 BMW F80 M3 30 ... [0.00] 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3 [0.00] 2015 Porsche Macan ... [0.00] 1998 Porsche 993 C4S [0.00] 1994 Lancia Delta I ... [0.00] 2008 Audi RS4 [0.00]	Sadly...it is a normal feature __________________ *2011 BMW E82 1///M: AW, all options; Renntech, Akrapovic, Forge, P3, RevoZ CF bits, many mods 1988 BMW E30 M3: Hennarot, S14, stock 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3: PtS, CXX, LWBS, PCCB 1998 Porsche 993 C4S: Zenith Blue, last aircooled widebody, Bilstein PSS10, Fister II + Fabspeed exhaust 2008 Audi B7 RS 4*: Sprint Blue, Audi Exclusive Euro Bucket Interior, Premium+Titanium, many mods
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08-07-2012, 01:00 PM	#10
Denso Lieutenant Colonel 715 Rep 1,529 Posts Drives: e46M3 Ruby, Porsche Cayman GT4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sailing the petrol lake iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00]	Mine did it much more when it was new, 11k miles later and i cant say i notice so much now.
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