LCI/Ikon headlights outer ring yellowing

[ZeeF82]

I have a 2020 F82, came from the factory with ikons.
About 35k miles - has anyone else experienced this where the outer ring is yellowing? It’s the same situation with both headlights. Would buying new LED modules and replacing the existing make them white again?
Pics for ref

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by ZeeF82

I have a 2020 F82, came from the factory with ikons.
About 35k miles - has anyone else experienced this where the outer ring is yellowing? It’s the same situation with both headlights. Would buying new LED modules and replacing the existing make them white again?
Pics for ref

I think most people who have encountered this required a new headlight.

[ZeeF82]

Originally Posted by N1rve

I think most people who have encountered this required a new headlight.

Dang was hoping that wouldn’t be the answer. Out of warranty so likely not worth the $$ and trouble…
I guess I can swap with yellow DRL modules or stick with these

[Weißbier]

I made a thread here recently about the same issue I’m having. New modules don’t solve it. Also contemplating whether it’s worth replacing the headlight (~$2,500 each).

[alex2364]

I believe NickyC had the same issue and had to get both headlights replaced.

[M3SQRD]

As everyone has stated, only fix is headlight replacement, unfortunately.

[White340]

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...86226-9999.pdf

Look into that. Not sure if it is applicable in your case but worth investigating.

[Danlnyc88]

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1962494

I thought you reposted a picture from my thread cause I made one similar too at a similar angle. I'm starting to think this is a defective design only affecting 2020's.

Long story short, brought the car into dealership. Fortunately was still under warranty. Barely made it like a week before it ended.

They tried to deny my claim at first. Called them out. Asked them to find me a SINGLE car on their lot with yellowing DRL's and I'll accept it no questions asked.

They escalated to BMWNA which first replaced the modules, that did nothing.

They ended up replacing the entire headlights on both sides.

DO NOT increase your DRL brightness to 100%. It just burns it out faster and probably one of the reasons they burn out so fast. Not saying you did, but a few people have told me their modules burned out after long periods of having them at 100%

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by White340

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...86226-9999.pdf

Look into that. Not sure if it is applicable in your case but worth investigating.

Why is the applicable models only the G series but the picture is of an F8X/F3X icon headlight? LOL

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by alex2364

I believe NickyC had the same issue and had to get both headlights replaced.

Yep, got both of my headlights replaced on basically the last day of OEM warranty due to this issue. They tried the modules first, no help so full replacements were warranted. Seems like a common failure with these headlights, you frequently see used cars for sale with the outer rings dimmed. Serious bummer due to replacement cost as well.

[ZeeF82]

Will pop out the existing modules to see if I can find anything burnt out like in that NHTSA link.

If I switch to yellow or amber DRLs with aftermarket modules, I’d imagine it would probably even out the coloring a bit more. But not too sure how I feel about the look

[tle6160]

I have done the swap from white to yellow DRL’s and it definitely isn’t as noticeable. Tried swapping modules too but in the end realized only new headlights can bring back that factory white look. Hope this helps!

[ZeeF82]

Popped out the existing modules, no visible issues on either the tube or LEDs themselves. Tempted to buy 1 module to pop in and see if a new one makes a difference.

The side with 3 LED’s points to the outer ring tube, but looks the same as the other set of LED’s and inner ring tube

[omgdee]

Originally Posted by ZeeF82

Will pop out the existing modules to see if I can find anything burnt out like in that NHTSA link.

If I switch to yellow or amber DRLs with aftermarket modules, I’d imagine it would probably even out the coloring a bit more. But not too sure how I feel about the look

Keep us posted, curious to see if you decide to go with yellow or amber drl I think it’ll hide the issue? I’m not a tech genius in anyway tho

[WhiteFox]

What happens is the leds are hot and warm the plastic tube to yellow. It will be the first few mm of the tube to yellow and that then causes the light to look yellow as acts like a color filter.

If you can shave a bit off might help but usually a new headlight job or change DRL to yellow.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by omgdee

Keep us posted, curious to see if you decide to go with yellow or amber drl I think it’ll hide the issue? I’m not a tech genius in anyway tho

I personally like the yellow DRL over an amber DRL (too much orangey color mixed in). However, the amber DRL might do a better job of hiding the yellowing if indeed the beginning of the DRL tube is turning yellow with age/use.

[Busa1]

Shit, I was thinking of buying OEM Ikons. After seeing this thread, F*** that.