Do you have to remove wheel to change xenon bulbs?

[Gunzaro]

I read another post someone changed their D1S Xenon bulbs by just turning the wheel and accessing the trapdoor in the wheel well without removing the wheel. Is this correct? Has someone else done this?

[ManiacGT]

Not me, as these bulbs are supposed to last for the life of the car, why would you? Equally given the voltage on HID systems, I'd rather also leave it to BMW! I'd rather be pulled over for a blown bulb than be dead by the roadside.

[Z4@Phuket]

Originally Posted by Gunzaro

I read another post someone changed their D1S Xenon bulbs by just turning the wheel and accessing the trapdoor in the wheel well without removing the wheel. Is this correct? Has someone else done this?

No need to remove wheel, you are correct, just turn the wheel

[jparnes1]

Which bulbs are these exactly? the low beam/high beam bulbs?

[Gunzaro]

Great thanks Z4 Phuket!

I have ordered some Philips D1s bulbs - stock ones look too yellow. I have driven cars with nicer HIDs so am upgrading. I find I prefer the light output of higher K-rating.

[rfx45]

Is this usually a plug and play replacement?

[STOOF]

Originally Posted by Gunzaro

Great thanks Z4 Phuket!

I have ordered some Philips D1s bulbs - stock ones look too yellow. I have driven cars with nicer HIDs so am upgrading. I find I prefer the light output of higher K-rating.

Technically you get less output from higher k-rating, but i do agree, the color is much nicer.

Did you get Ultinons, or just regular philips?


Yes, plug n play. Just change the bulbs.

[Gunzaro]

Philips Ultinon 6000k D1S bulbs. They are plug n play since OEM use Philips also but around 4500k. I hope it is easy to change out the bulbs.

[rfx45]

To those who does make the change, can you make a quick DIY? I might consider this mod too since it's plug and play.

[STOOF]

Originally Posted by Gunzaro

Philips Ultinon 6000k D1S bulbs. They are plug n play since OEM use Philips also but around 4500k. I hope it is easy to change out the bulbs.

Where did you get D1S Ultinons??

The fact that theyre philips doesnt make them plugnplay, its headlight bulbs, any D1S bulbs will fit.

[rfx45]

Any recommendation for some good D1S bulbs?

[STOOF]

Philips Ultinon are the best.

I just searched and found some on Amazon for about 120.

[rfx45]

Cool, thanks. Now just need a DIY guide.

[Gunzaro]

No, you are wrong ...it is exactly because they are genuine Philips that they are Plug 'n Play. I will explain - there are a LOT of fakes around of the D1S size. Like those on Amazon. Have a look at the 3-series forum and do a search. The fakes are very convincing , sure they will fit, but will end up blowing your expensive ballasts - therefore in a sense NOT plug and play!

[Gunzaro]

Z4 Phuket - did you have to remove the wheel well plastic guard or were you able to just bend the plastic guard back after loosing some of the bolts?

Looks time consuming to remove the entire guard....

[Gunzaro]

Well I got the bulbs but they appear to be fake Philips = looks like I won't be installing them and risking destroying my ballasts. I am very dissapointed by this.

[jparnes1]

Where did you get the bulbs?

[Gunzaro]

Got them from E92-Lighting - they use Philips burners (the glass bit) but the rest (ignitor unit & metal case) is not genuine and made in China and assmebled in Taiwan. The ones advertised on their website are completely different and say 'made in Germany' on them. I havent been able to try them in any case as I can't figure out how to remove the stock bulbs - not sure which way to rotate the casing to remove them without causing something to break.

Apparently there is a plastic bulb housing adaptor that secures the bulb according to realoem.com. Would be good to know what I should be rotating!