BMW Z4 Headlight Range Control Issues Need Quick Fix

Hey there. I had a similar issue with my 2011 BMW M3 last year. The symptoms were exactly like yours, inconsistent beam height and that annoying warning light. Turned out the headlight servomotor was failing. Got it fixed at an authorized service center. They had to replace the entire servomotor unit in the headlight assembly. It wasn't just a quick fix, they needed special diagnostic tools to calibrate the new unit. The repair took about half a day, but it was worth it. It's not a life-threatening issue, but I wouldn't put it off too long. Bad beam alignment can be dangerous at night and might get you in trouble with law enforcement. Since then, my headlights have been working perfectly. I'd recommend going to a certified BMW specialist for this one. These adaptive headlight systems are pretty complex and need proper diagnostic equipment to fix properly.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's exactly what I was worried about with my Z4. Good to know I'm not the only one who's dealt with this servomotor problem. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks?

Hey again! Yes, happy to share the update, since I posted my initial reply, I actually got my M3's headlight issue completely sorted. The total bill came to 1040 Euro for replacing the defective servomotor, and honestly, it was worth every penny. The headlight range control fault that was driving me crazy is now completely gone. It's been working flawlessly since the repair, no more warning lights, no more wonky beam heights, just perfect illumination every time. Haven't had a single electrical problem since then. The mechanic really knew what they were doing with the calibration, and it shows in the results. I know the price tag might seem steep, but considering how critical proper lighting is and how complex these systems are, I'd say it's a justified expense. Plus, it's way better than dealing with the constant annoyance of malfunctioning headlights or potentially getting pulled over for incorrect beam alignment. Trust me, you'll feel the difference once it's fixed properly.

Thanks so much for the detailed cost breakdown and follow-up! I bit the bullet and got my Z4 fixed last week. You were spot on about going to a specialist. My repair bill was actually pretty close to yours, 980 Euro. The mechanic was super thorough and walked me through everything they were doing. Turns out it wasn't just the servomotor, but also a faulty sensor that was causing the issues. The best part? They had it done in about 4 hours, and the difference is like night and day. No more warning lights, and the beams adjust perfectly now. The mechanic even threw in a complimentary alignment check. So glad I didn't try to cheap out or postpone this repair. The peace of mind alone is worth it, especially for night driving. Really appreciate your advice, it helped me make the right call. The headlights work beautifully now, just like when the car was new.