Xenon bulbs change

Z4@Phuket · 02-24-2010, 09:41 PM

I try to change the Xenon bulb to 6000K. But when I try to open the top cover, it is not turning to any direction. Do I need to remove the whole headlight to replace the bulbs??

any advise?

Ur_Up · 02-24-2010, 10:10 PM

I recently just changed mine to a pair of Philips 6000k bulbs. Lovin it! Nice white with tinge of blue and still very bright..

Turn the steering wheel all the way to left. Now crouch down on the RIGHT side of the car wheel. If you look behind the headlamp you will see a small square plastic panel.

Remove that by turning the plastic plugs.

You then will see the hid ballasts. Just now pull the connecting silver cable downwards and then turn the ballast base then pull out.

You then need to remove the black plastic adapter ring plate on the stock ones and connect it onto your new bulbs.

Took me less then 5 mins on each side.

Make sure not to touch the bulbs!

Hope that helps

mikeinaustin · 02-24-2010, 10:42 PM

help me out here, what is the purpose of the xenon's you are changing? ie what do they do? are they what lights up the rings?

flpnout · 02-24-2010, 10:57 PM

Xenon bulbs are the main headlight bulbs. People get higher numbers such as 6k to 7k to achieve white to slight blueish hues.

flpnout · 02-24-2010, 11:00 PM

Not sure what the halo bulbs are called? I think they start with H then a number??

mikeinaustin · 02-24-2010, 11:31 PM

thank you! anyone know what the stock bmw xenon's are? 5000k, 6000k...

Ur_Up · 02-24-2010, 11:39 PM

The bulb that light up the rings is a H8 bulb size.

The stock Z4 Osram D1s size has a temp of 4200k. Here in Australia anyway..

flpnout · 02-24-2010, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ur_Up

The bulb that light up the rings is a H8 bulb size.

The stock Z4 Osram D1s size has a temp of 4200k. Here in Australia anyway..

I think it is the same for USA at 4200k.

Z4@Phuket · 02-25-2010, 12:41 AM

Thanks for the info "ur up"

Z4@Phuket · 02-25-2010, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeinaustin

help me out here, what is the purpose of the xenon's you are changing?

Just for JOY

remember "JOY IS BMW" and "BMW IS JOY"

Alext · 02-25-2010, 01:14 AM

Ur Up: where did you get the Philips bulbs from? Online??

SV Concepts III · 02-25-2010, 12:44 PM

You can source the OE Philips bulbs from Tischer BMW. We also have xenon bulb replacements in 6000k or 8000k.

Ur_Up · 02-25-2010, 05:49 PM

I was recently in Japan and purchased them over there.

I searched online and never found any.. Unless someone here does?

I researched before buying these bulbs and the Philips and Osram were one the best for a 6000k output..

Piaa ones were re based from Philips units.

rmorin49 · 02-25-2010, 06:36 PM

I don't get this fascination with these "white with blue tint" bulbs. Unless they are actually more effective in lighting the way without offending oncoming drivers, why change them?

BBriner · 06-19-2017, 06:09 AM

Resurrecting an old subject.

I tried to change my 2009 sDrive 30i xenon bulbs this weekend as one of them seems to be fading and barely passed the inspection.

I removed both wheels for a better accessibility but it seems that there isn't enough clearance without removing the wheel arch lining. Am I missing something?

jparnes1 · 06-19-2017, 09:23 AM

It's been a long time since I changed mine, but iirc drl and headlight bulbs are accessed from above by unscrewing the round cover. I think the directional bulbs are accessed thru the wheel well.

02-24-2010, 09:41 PM	#1
Z4@Phuket Lieutenant 63 Rep 432 Posts Drives: Z4 E89 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangkok, Thailand iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW Z4 [8.00] 2004 BMW 525i [0.00]	Xenon bulbs change I try to change the Xenon bulb to 6000K. But when I try to open the top cover, it is not turning to any direction. Do I need to remove the whole headlight to replace the bulbs?? any advise? __________________ Last edited by Z4@Phuket; 02-25-2010 at 02:49 AM..
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02-24-2010, 10:10 PM	#2
Ur_Up Private First Class 30 Rep 197 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gold Coast iTrader: (0)	I recently just changed mine to a pair of Philips 6000k bulbs. Lovin it! Nice white with tinge of blue and still very bright.. Turn the steering wheel all the way to left. Now crouch down on the RIGHT side of the car wheel. If you look behind the headlamp you will see a small square plastic panel. Remove that by turning the plastic plugs. You then will see the hid ballasts. Just now pull the connecting silver cable downwards and then turn the ballast base then pull out. You then need to remove the black plastic adapter ring plate on the stock ones and connect it onto your new bulbs. Took me less then 5 mins on each side. Make sure not to touch the bulbs! Hope that helps
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02-24-2010, 10:42 PM	#3
mikeinaustin First Lieutenant 42 Rep 362 Posts Drives: 2010 z4 3.0 crimson red Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: austin, tx iTrader: (0)	help me out here, what is the purpose of the xenon's you are changing? ie what do they do? are they what lights up the rings?
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02-24-2010, 10:57 PM	#4
flpnout Major 81 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2010 Dinan S3 Z4-35i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2010 E89 Z4 [7.83]	Xenon bulbs are the main headlight bulbs. People get higher numbers such as 6k to 7k to achieve white to slight blueish hues. __________________ 2015 BMW i3 REX
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02-24-2010, 11:00 PM	#5
flpnout Major 81 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2010 Dinan S3 Z4-35i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2010 E89 Z4 [7.83]	Not sure what the halo bulbs are called? I think they start with H then a number?? __________________ 2015 BMW i3 REX
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02-24-2010, 11:31 PM	#6
mikeinaustin First Lieutenant 42 Rep 362 Posts Drives: 2010 z4 3.0 crimson red Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: austin, tx iTrader: (0)	thank you! anyone know what the stock bmw xenon's are? 5000k, 6000k...
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02-24-2010, 11:39 PM	#7
Ur_Up Private First Class 30 Rep 197 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gold Coast iTrader: (0)	The bulb that light up the rings is a H8 bulb size. The stock Z4 Osram D1s size has a temp of 4200k. Here in Australia anyway..
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02-25-2010, 12:41 AM	#9
Z4@Phuket Lieutenant 63 Rep 432 Posts Drives: Z4 E89 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangkok, Thailand iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW Z4 [8.00] 2004 BMW 525i [0.00]	Thanks for the info "ur up" __________________ Last edited by Z4@Phuket; 02-25-2010 at 02:53 AM..
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02-25-2010, 01:14 AM	#11
Alext Banned 138 Rep 2,042 Posts Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest iTrader: (2)	Ur Up: where did you get the Philips bulbs from? Online??
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02-25-2010, 12:44 PM	#12
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	You can source the OE Philips bulbs from Tischer BMW. We also have xenon bulb replacements in 6000k or 8000k.
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02-25-2010, 05:49 PM	#13
Ur_Up Private First Class 30 Rep 197 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gold Coast iTrader: (0)	I was recently in Japan and purchased them over there. I searched online and never found any.. Unless someone here does? I researched before buying these bulbs and the Philips and Osram were one the best for a 6000k output.. Piaa ones were re based from Philips units.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2010, 06:36 PM	#14
rmorin49 Major 53 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: 11 335d/10 Z4 s30i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hagerstown, MD iTrader: (1)	I don't get this fascination with these "white with blue tint" bulbs. Unless they are actually more effective in lighting the way without offending oncoming drivers, why change them? __________________ Colonel (Retired), US Army/Hagerstown, MD 2016 518ixdrive/MSport AW/Ivory White ED-01-10 2010 Z4s30i AW/Beige/Burl/ 6MT/SP/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB/CA (retired) 2011 335d BS/Oyster/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB(Daily Driver) 30+ mpg(retired)
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06-19-2017, 06:09 AM	#15
BBriner New Member 3 Rep 27 Posts Drives: Z4 E89 sDrive 30i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Lausanne iTrader: (0)	Resurrecting an old subject. I tried to change my 2009 sDrive 30i xenon bulbs this weekend as one of them seems to be fading and barely passed the inspection. I removed both wheels for a better accessibility but it seems that there isn't enough clearance without removing the wheel arch lining. Am I missing something? Attached Images
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06-19-2017, 09:23 AM	#16
jparnes1 Colonel 241 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	It's been a long time since I changed mine, but iirc drl and headlight bulbs are accessed from above by unscrewing the round cover. I think the directional bulbs are accessed thru the wheel well. __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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