xiTouring

One of my original angel eye bulbs has burned out. I am looking for DIY instructions on how to replace it as the owner's manual says to take it to the dealer.

Thanks! I'm getting tired of the warning chime!

John516

https://5series.net/forums/topic/120847-ae-swapping/

Good Luck

xiTouring

Thanks John516 for the link. I did a search before asking.

John516

No worries. I've been trying to find the best way to go about it as well. I am apprehensive about taking my headlight out but I may try it. I want to order some Mtec v3 but they seem so scarce. but anyway, you are welcome.

jaycal3

Piece of cake installation... nothing to worry about at all... search youtube as there is a bunch of good videos there,many of which have also been posted in numerous threads here.

Check with John from Motorcepts here on the forum... The vendor section here is packed with AE upgrade choices. And the MTEC v3.0's scarce? Thats what I am running... See below...

BMW535xia

[quote name='John516' timestamp='1328807197' post='1418549']
https://5series.net/forums/topic/120847-ae-swapping/

Good LucK

linnked thread with pics from above >>> https://5series.net/forums/topic/368...ge__hl__needle

John516

I know. I been in contact with Motorcepts. John is on vacation and I have called a number of times and they keep saying they haven't recieved their shipment :thumbsdown: its been bumming me out because I really want to change them ASAP

luigi524td

Might be worth putting up with the alert warning for a few days until you can get the AE's you want. Once you have those out it's real easy to remove the headlamps and that makes it easier to swap out the holders/bulbs unless you have really tiny hands and strong fingers

beken

I just replaced my bulbs today. My first time.

I followed .

As it was my first time, it took about 1/2 hour. The video does cut out a few snags that I encountered, but next time, it should take me about 10 minutes to do. Make sure you have the right tools before you start. (Torx screw driver and a 8mm socket driver with at least an 8inch extension).

If you have really (really really) small hands, you might be able to replace the bulb without removing the headlight assembly, but even then, the fit looked very tight.

A few observations:

Use a flashlight or something to see where all the two lower screws are. Know where they are. Also look at how the bulb fits before removing it so when you put it back, you have an idea how it needs to go in. It's really easy to put it back in misaligned. Do NOT totally remove the lower mounting screws. Just loosen them.

When removing the torx screws on top, take them off the car and put them aside where you can't accidentally drop them into the engine bay somewhere. They don't look like magnetic screws so may not be easily picked up of dropped inside somewhere.

When removing the headlight assembly, the wiring harness got caught against the holddown screw base on the lower mounting bracket. I had to carefully put my hand behind and move the harness towards the middle. It allowed the headlight assembly to come out far enough for me to disconnect the wire. In my case, I didn't disconnect it as it was long enough to allow me to change the bulb without pulling the assembly off the car completely.

It's a really tight fit for the parking light bulb and socket to come out. Watch carefully and remember how it came out as that is the way it must go back in. There are other wires and stuff that could get caught on it if you don't go back in the same way.

You probably already know this, but just a warning. Do NOT touch the highbeam/DRL bulb (or any bulb for that matter) with your fingers.



Other than that, it's a pretty simple job. Pretty complicated for a lightbulb change, but pretty simple by BMW standards, I guess.


Good luck.

BTW...how much do these bulbs cost in the US? I feel the OEM bulbs are rather expensive at $70 each in Canada.