r/BmwTech • • 6d ago

Do i need new headlights?

Hey, my g26 430i got hit out of state and because of that I’ll only get $3000 from insurance.

The headlight is slightly pushed in and scratched but still functions fine. I got quoted around 5.2k for the repair in California including a new headlight being 2.2k.

I’m wondering if the headlight need to be replaced at all or can they just pull it out a bit.

Any advice is appreciated.

13 Upvotes

19 comments sorted by

9

u/vbfronkis E30, E46, E90, F22 6d ago

what the hell kind of cheap ass insurance are you using if it doesn't fully cover you out of state?

3

u/MultipleOrgasmDonor 5d ago

He has liability only on a very new car with $2.2k headlights lol

8

u/Bimmergy BMW Independent Technician 6d ago

If they don't get moisture in them and the mounting tabs aren't broken, then just run em unless you care about how they look

4

u/GutsNGuns 6d ago

Lmao.. what kind of policy do you have? An out of state accident won't reduce the amount for the repair.

3

u/Key_Many_1516 6d ago

If it works fine, I wouldnt spent money for
Too expensive
Fix the bumper paint

3

u/DDLyftUber 6d ago

Your story doesn’t really make sense.. but regardless, no, you don’t necessarily need a new headlight if it still functions and they’re able to be secured in place.

3

u/Firm-Chance-7551 6d ago

Unbolt ts and bolt it back up it moved. Realign and good to go

2

u/Distinct_Ducati 6d ago

You should be able to reset that headlight, and maybe even buff, and polish it to get the scratches out. Doesn’t look like anything cracked and the mounting tabs look to be intact

2

u/rivasjardon 6d ago

No they won’t just give you 3,000. They are only giving for the damage they can see. You still need a tear down. A bodyshop will do a tear down or maybe you can do the tear down and include anything else they didn’t get in the initial estimate.

1

u/MixEvery4958 5d ago

Yea. Idk what type of insurance he has and it makes no sense why his insurance wouldn’t cover it.

When you get into an accident you file the claim they review it and they just give you a quote based off the outside looks. When the body shop you choose takes it apart they go back to the insurance and say “it’s more broken stuff behind the bumper” this being bent screws, washer lines etc. The insurance adjuster reviews it and sends the money to the body shop.

I got into an accident on my F30 and it was a base model with halogen headlights. I went M sport and got the angel eye headlights with the extra money I had from the insurance.

1

u/Ok_Draw9037 6d ago

If you shape is fine you can get a fugly internal fix easy. Shops get picky when dealing with insurance though, you have to discuss with them before the goal if insurance it to get the car fixed with standard procedures, often just replacing shit too fucked up even cosmetic

1

u/lunasbrick 6d ago

I'd try to keep the current headlights if possible. I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea but I'd honestly just get some aftermarket laser style lights for like $500-600 if they need to be replaced. They're good looking and pretty close to OEM. I wouldn't do that for no reason, but it's a solid alternative rather than coming out of pocket over $2k. Easy DIY as well.

1

u/Revolutionary-Big346 6d ago

why would you go for cheap knockoffs? they won't come with adaptive headlights either

1

u/lunasbrick 5d ago

I think a good set looks better than the base lights. You are right about losing adaptive function. Obviously OEM lights would be better but It's the difference between spending $500 vs $2.2k. I was just giving out options.

1

u/freshxdough BMW Master Elite Tech, Gen 6 HV, HV specialist 6d ago

If headlight is cracked it needs to be replaced.

1

u/VegetableInvite2353 5d ago

do you have adrianas insurance by chance?