Headlamp Bulb Replacement

[RickRob]

The high beam headlamp on the offside of my Z4MR has blown, so I have some probably silly questions:

1. When this happens is it normal when on sidelights for the orange piece to stay illuminated?

2. Just how difficult is it to replace this bulb? The car is going into my local Indy on the 22nd (air con belt replacement and oil leak ) and it could wait until then, so should I:
A) get the Indy to do it?
B) get Halfords to do it? (A scary option)
C) do it myself? (Possibly a scarier option unless someone can assure me that it really is anidiot proof job)

3. Any recommendations as to where I should get the replacement bulb(s) from?

4. Should I replace both, or can I get away with just one?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Anonymous]

No idea ref indicator staying on
But two options

Full lock wheel and access using flap on inadequate of wheel arch (fatherless) to put back if remember on exs
Or take wheel off if want full and easy access

Bulb there are a few on eBay or Bmw themselves on eBay
Or BMW dealer/specialist or if take out it should be a match up job at Halfords or auto store

Xenon replacement bulb
D2S H7 4300k
I believe

 

[Anonymous]

Hope helps

 

[zmaster007]

Best to replace in pairs as if one goes then the other one won't be far behind. Worth swapping bulbs side to side first before spending money - there are a few other things that can make a xenon bulb go out - if the fault follows the bulb then it's definitely the bulb.

It's not too tricky to change but easier to do with the wheel off - maybe leave it to the indy?

As for bulbs - why not upgrade to something with a better output - I went for Osram Nightbreakers from autobulbsdirect

 

[Anonymous]

Good idea incase ballast has gone

Osrams


Utterly my fail !!
Noticed high beam
The main beam is xenon
High is H7 halogen sorry!

 

[zmaster007]

Good idea incase ballast has gone

Osrams


Utterly my fail !!
Noticed high beam
The main beam is xenon
High is H7 halogen sorry!

On the M it's a bixenon unit, the D2S bulb does dipped and high beam

 

[Anonymous]

In that case go with earlier thoughts haha

 

[Argenta]

Might be a good idea to change everything yourself, easypiecy job.

Also, as BMW dealer servicing go, they seem to fit s**t cheap lamps sometimes. I just swapped horrible "Maxlux" ones for new Philips 4300K. What a difference!

 

[RickRob]

Thanks for all of the replies.

As the car is going into the Indy garage next week my provisional plan is to buy a couple of bulbs and get the garage to fit them. I have concluded that this is not a job I should do without adult supervision!

I was looking to get the bulbs from somewhere that offers a no quibble returns policy in case it's not a blown bulb after all.

On eBay I saw these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/D2S-INTENSE-BLUE-XENON-HID-LIGHT-BULBS-HEADLIGHT-HEADLAMP-10000K-35W-OEM-FIT-2-/171875189811?fits=Car+Make%3ABMW%7CModel%3AZ4%7CCars+Year%3A2007%7CPlat_Gen%3AE85%7CCars+Type%3AM&hash=item28048f4433:g:LYAAAOSw9N1Vud4r

Does this sound sensible? Any better ideas gratefully received.

Thanks again.

 

[Anonymous]

Nope
As that'll be a very blue colour buddy

Around 4300-6000k are best

Anything higher and you'll look like a corsa chav with blue lights

I'd go home take both bulbs out of each light n swap over n see if just bulb
If it is replace with upgrade bulbs

 

[RickRob]

Thanks D4dawg. Corsa chav is certainly not a look I aspire to!

I had no idea what the 6000k type numbers meant - thanks to you now I do.

I'm still not sure that I have sufficient confidence and competence to swap the builds around myself - looks a bit complicated from what I have read, but maybe I'll be up for the challenge at the weekend.

Thanks again.

 

[Anonymous]

No problem buddy

The k is temperature they run at and light discharge
Hence different colours higher doesn't mean better
Simply that annoying blue you see
Both of good for vision nor legal I think?

I'd stick with 4300 or 6k

It's the clips that for me on exs z that were a pain
But I left wheel on
I'd take off of did again
N welcome

 

[markeg]

To answer the first question - yes, when a bulb is out, the front indicator stays on.

As others have said, I would replace both - and avoid dealers as their xenon bulb prices are way off! I've used HIDs Direct before, and had no issues with my replacement D2S bulbs.

 

[Anonymous]

Treated my car to a pack of night breakers
Shall fit once find time to do so

 

[RickRob]

I am slightly ashamed to admit that in the end I didn't have the time to get a replacement bulb(s) and I bottled out of any plan to replace it/them myself.

As the car was going into the garage today anyway, I got them to replace the bulb (singular). Probably paid over the top, but it's done now.

Thanks for all of the advice chaps. It did help me decide the best, and certainly the safest, solution. :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Epic

 

[mr wilks]

I had a bulb out last weekend & it was jack up , wheel off head inside with a torch for me
I'm sure once you have changed a few then yeah it possible with wheel on full lock but you'd need to be very dextrous :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

With the hands of a 5 yr old haha

 

[Bigpow]

I changed mine for ones from eBay. If I did it again I would employ a 5 year old to fold their arm around the tire and clip the buggers in. I went for whiter bulbs which are less effective in the rain (like driving with side lights on).

Ill be upgrading before the winter...

 

[Anonymous]

Which ones did you use buddy
I've bought night breakers but as car at detailers there in box