Thank you so much for this video. Your instructions are excellent and I was able to replace the bulb and saved over $200. The shop estimate was just under 300 and I purchased the bulb for 104. I am sure the dealership would have been over 300. Took me a little time to get the light back into the vehicle. Pay particular attention to the lower bolts/washers and the off exposed light ( cover is off ). Fantastic video and I am so happy to be able to do this myself. Thanks again
Great Video! $30 for a pair of bulbs on Amazon. It felt so satisfying reading comments of people being quoted $600 from the dealership for 1. Took about 30 min and now my headlights make my 08 535xi look like a 2020!
I know has been a while, but thank you for posting this video. It would have taken me much longer and I might have broken something in the process. Thanks. Rick (2009 535i wagon)
This video saved me $400! I had the dealer replace my driver side headlamp four months ago for $622 (yes, ouch!). When the passenger side went out last week, I bought the bulb with my BMWCCA discount for $220 and installed it myself in 35 minutes. Thank you for such a clear instructional video!
You just saved me countless hours and dollars! I have been quoted $300 to diagnose if it is the bulb, the igniter or the controller as the cause of my light being out. My front end took the brunt of a piece of truck tire tread and I kind of figured it was the bulb. Everyone tells me the front bumper needs to come off to get to the controller and igniter. They are on the bottom of the headlight assembly! Anyway, swapped the drivers bulb with the passenger ("bad" bulb). Guess what...works fine with "good" bulb! If the dealer did the repair it was going to be just over $1000 for diagnosis, controller, igniter, programming of the controller and bulb! This is excellent video! By the way, mine is a 2008 BMW 528i not the 535i.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate people like you who put how-to videos like this on RU-vid. You're a lifesaver (and cash saver too). Well done, Andrew.
Awesome we (my wife and I) screwed around for about half an hour. I suggested youtube and after watching this we simply had to buy and extension and She knocked the job out pretty easily on her own. Pain in the butt to get back in but not too bad.
Thank you for the great video Andrew. I own a E61 520d LCI Touring and both xenon headlights went out within a week of each other. I asked for a quote from BMW and the replacement cost was around €200 each headlight + work costs. I managed to change them myself with about 1 hour work and with no need to remove anything apart from the headlights. Saved my day!
Thanks for this video. Did both headlights today in about 30+ minutes. A little pain to get headlights out and back in. This video provided the exact steps!
Great job! I watched several videos before yours, and I was confident that I could change my lights out only after watching yours. You saved me a lot of time and money! Thanks.
Great video! You gave all the important points and tips without any unnecessary talking found in most tutorials! Changed both bulbs on my LCI 2010 E61 in approx. 45 minutes including washing my hands afterwards =)
Thanks for your video. Very helpful. I just did my right beam. For other users, make sure you purchase the D1S Xenon lamp module (with the complete assembly), not the H7 bulb in the owner's manual.
Just did this today. This was really helpful and I think it took longer to watch the video than it did to change the bulb. Without you being so kind to bother recording and posting it would have not been so simple ...Thanks
Excellent video!!! One of the best instructional vids I’ve ever watched. And, if you have a long 3/8” drive extension there is no need for the flexible drive.
Stupendous video, many thanks indeed! couldn't and wouldn't have attempted this without it. I have a 2009 LCI 520d M Sport Business Edition with Visibility Pack and full Media pack so came with adaptive xenons from the factory. Only one bulb had gone (went pink then got dip beam failure light on dash) but swapped both out for longevity and symmetry. Replaced like-for-like Osram Xenarc D1S 66140 for a total cost of £102 plus less than 2 hours of my time. Dealer wasn't prepared to commit to work without "investigation" and we're saying the bulbs alone were upwards of £150 and they had to take the bumper off. I was easily staring at £400+ so have saved in my mind at least £300. Thank you Andrew. :-) Additional comments having read the others: I don't think you'd do this without removing the lamp unit; you probably don't need a flexible extension (the nuts are visible direct line of sight) but it makes life easier - and don't forget to plug the wiring loom back in as it really gets in the way when trying to refit the lamp unit... D'oh! wasted half an hour on that little mistake!
Really appreciate for making this video, It only took 25 minutes to replace the light, and 25 minutes to find my socket which I dropped accidently inside while hooking up the light LOL. Keep up the good work bro :-)
This is a good video. The technique definitely worked on my 2008 BMW 528i with ordinary H7 headlights. Two minor comments: (1) I did not need a flex shaft for the lower bolts. In my car, I could see straight down to the bolt head, so a straight extension shaft was sufficient. (2) It is possible to replace the bulb with no tools at all. I managed to get the plastic door popped out and almost finished the entire job before I decided it would be nice to loosen the assembly and get some room to maneuver. A person with smaller hands than mine could do it easily.
thanks so my much. Managed to save 100 of her majesty's pounds in garage costs by following your video. Did manage to break the trim though but that was me being lazy.
Thanks Andrew Pollock!! Directions are spot on. Like others posted, BMW dealer wanted $375 ($225 just for bulb) and local BMW exclusive repair center $325. NAPA Phillips bulb $100, believe they make about 50% margin so even that's not a bargain. I think their dealer scam is up as your video provides the path. My other 5 vehicles all have owners manuals with directions to replace headlamps, at least BMW could provide in theirs as well. Instead it says to contact BMW dealer.
Although I like the look of the LCI headlights, I'm grateful for a pre LCI car as the xenon bulbs are much cheaper because they are separate from the ballast. I was able to get some really bright Chinese knock offs (don't judge me they work) for $70 and change both my lights. Great video.
Great Video Thanks for posting. I followed your instructions and had absolutely no problems. (Good call on the flexible extender.) You saved me $$$. Thanks again!!!
Excellent tutorial. I've watched them all and yours is the best. Question about Angel Eyes: Car is complaining of driving light malfunction. I see only the halo is out. Same thing? I'd love to see a tutorial on replacing the halo bulb.
Excellent video and narration. One suggestion. Please take a minute to blow or brush off the sand particles that are all over the work area. I was cringing as you were about to open the cover on the headlamp assembly. I envisioned all the sand particles falling into the headlamp and getting into the connectors and adaptive motor. One other thought you may have mentioned as an afterthought; when removing the headlamp unit, take off the round cover cap to better expose that first bottom 8mm nut. With the cap removed you will have a better view and may not need the flex extension tool.
Thank you so much for this awesome tutorial Andrew. About the halo light, is there only one that lights up both eyes or does it need 2 halo lights for each side? I was planning to replace mine with LED Halo Lights but was hesistant because couldn't find a proper tutorial in youtube until I saw yours today! Kindly advice, thanks again.
Did everything you did and everything worked out good but my light still won't turn on I'm thinking its the ballast or igniter if you have any info would be appreciated ty and great video
only thing I can think of is to check the connections and make sure they're on correctly. other than that, it may be a deeper problem with the ballast or igniter, as you suggested.
Great Video. Thanks. Had no problem getting to 8mm bolts with a solid 6" extension and deep 8mm socket. Just wish the bulb wasn't "dealer" only supplied at $245. Ouch!!!
Andrew Pollock Yes, found them on Amazon for $60 but couldn't wait for shipping. Wife had to drive out of town on Sunday and dealership was only option on Saturday
one1uv4ev3r Daytime running light bulbs are accessed from the back of the headlight assembly. No need to remove entire headlight assembly. Also, daytime running lights are an option that must be turned on in your iDrive settings.
The good news is that I at least don't have to start from the trunk and disassemble the whole car going up to the head light to replace the bulb. LOL. This is so ridiculous. With my older Mercedes, this would be a 3 minute job with out any tools. I wonder if this "service oriented design" is the same way with ALL BMWs.
It seems some take the H7 and some the D1S depending on spec at manufacture. Pre 2007 most had H7 bulbs, but if you are LCI post 2007/2008 some have H7 and some have D1S, bit of a headache. I guess I will take it out check to be sure then order.
