Why the hell do they make changing headlight bulbs so awkward!

I

Ilogik

Active member
Not sure if it’s just my setup being old and worn out, or if in general this thing is just a complete PITA.

First off, the plastics are rubbish—worn away to the point where you can’t even fit a coin in to turn it. Once I finally got into the unit, the metal pull cord wouldn’t budge.

Eventually, after some wrestling, it turned and opened fine for the Xenon. But getting it back in? Dear Lord. I prayed, I shouted, I swore and after doing the same thing for forty minutes straight, it finally decided to go back in.

Why on earth did they make it so awkward? :rofl:
 
😆 Try an E82 bulb change! I found the E85 a breeze in comparison.
I found a large coin better than any screwdriver and take the opportunity to give it a good clean in the arch and the panels.
 
And now you've disturbed that back cover you'll be back on here in a month or two asking how to get rid of the condensation. :confused:
 
Some modern cars its a bumper off job. I thought my E85 was actually quite easy to do!
 
Ilogik said:
I need to get this done soon as it’s a bit slack, you recommend going to a specialist?
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It depends on how handy you are with a long, pointy screwdriver! Have a look at some videos first, and yes, you do need to push in the adjustment spring in the cabin, which you can only just see with a torch, then adjust the handbrake through a wheel nut hole.
 
I've managed to avoid changing any front lights so far. When one of the Xenons on my current Z4 started to fail it was booked for a service so I let Ross at RBM change both bulbs. :D

I had to change a blown sidelight bulb on my E90 and that involved removing the airbox - it's at times like that when I can the appeal of an old classic!
 
Mr Tidy said:
I've managed to avoid changing any front lights so far. When one of the Xenons on my current Z4 started to fail it was booked for a service so I let Ross at RBM change both bulbs. :D

I had to change a blown sidelight bulb on my E90 and that involved removing the airbox - it's at times like that when I can the appeal of an old classic!
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Ah yes an old classic car. I remember many moons ago being able to change a headlight bulb on my MG BGT whilst still driving it. It was that easy.

Erm, maybe not lol. But I do get the gist of what you are saying, and totally agree!
 
gcsa said:
Ah yes an old classic car. I remember many moons ago being able to change a headlight bulb on my MG BGT whilst still driving it. It was that easy.

Erm, maybe not lol. But I do get the gist of what you are saying, and totally agree!
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It's because since about 30 years ago manufacturers presume that ALL maintenance will be done by a dealer. In fact I believe they changed their practices to ensure you DO get everything done by a dealer.

Then dealers (and all garages followed suit) started charging more than barristers per hour.

Reminds me of that fairly modern joke......"in the old days a car's owner's manual told you how to adjust the timing. Now they warn you not to drink the contents of the battery".

Also you should think yourselves lucky that you CAN change a bulb. In modern cars you not only can't change a bulb but if you did it wouldn't work unless programmed by manufacturer-specific software so that the 'system' recognises it.
 
Pondrew said:
Also you should think yourselves lucky that you CAN change a bulb. In modern cars you not only can't change a bulb but if you did it wouldn't work unless programmed by manufacturer-specific software so that the 'system' recognises it.
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That's one of the reasons I have no desire to update either of my cars!

The newer you go the worse it gets. :(
 
Pondrew said:
It's because since about 30 years ago manufacturers presume that ALL maintenance will be done by a dealer. In fact I believe they changed their practices to ensure you DO get everything done by a dealer.

Then dealers (and all garages followed suit) started charging more than barristers per hour.

Reminds me of that fairly modern joke......"in the old days a car's owner's manual told you how to adjust the timing. Now they warn you not to drink the contents of the battery".

Also you should think yourselves lucky that you CAN change a bulb. In modern cars you not only can't change a bulb but if you did it wouldn't work unless programmed by manufacturer-specific software so that the 'system' recognises it.
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They call this progress :mad:
 
Mr Tidy said:
The newer you go the worse it gets.
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I remember my late father (he's dead not just a bad time-keeper) saying about modern cars with all the 'tech' and 'computers' that when they get to a certain age they will be scrapped because of the cost related to electronics issues, not mechanical ones.

He was bright bloke, my old man.
 
enuff_zed said:
And now you've disturbed that back cover you'll be back on here in a month or two asking how to get rid of the condensation. :confused:
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Yep, been there! The fact I trapped a wire when reassembling definitely didn’t help, but the whole process was a nightmare. From drying/cleaning them to getting the bumper on and off not a single thing was simple.

I had a bulb warning come on again this year and the panic started all over.

IMG_1018.jpeg

New on the left.
 
lol heat gun and the rear cap off, problem is in this weather moisture can get trapped. I did have some cracked plastic from silly pot holes I had to get plastic welded not he one headlight as finding a replacement xenon was like finding alien life.
 
I've got front passenger side bulb to change. I'm gonna tackle it tomorrow wanted to get the bumper off anyway I have water dripping from somewhere around the expansion tank
 
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