Xenon Bulb Replacement.

[Bumpy]

With one HID Bulb winking
Seems to have trouble igniting, but eventually does after I restart the Zed ..
I decided to do some R&D on bulb replacement.
I couldn't find much on here so I searched Z Post, Bimmerfest and You Tube ..
Looks like a DIY BMW Style ...
That means all the goodies are accessed via the port in the wheel well.
The igniter is attached to the end of the bulb.
A couple of plastic covers and metal clips to negotiate.
So Im getting ready.
Prices for bulbs are all over the place with Ebay and Amazon being the best.
All over the place means $149 to $39 for the same bulb.

But now my question :
Power ratings ?
Stock is apparently 4300
Recommended replacement from an Ebayer in Germany ..
6000
Max power looks like 8000
Anyone here have any experience with 6000 or 8000 hid bulbs ?
In all honesty I get enough sour looks and headlight flashes with my (apparently) 4300 bulbs.

 

[peste]

I had the same problem and just replaced the RHD bulb myself DIY style.

However, usually when a xenon bulb goes it turns red-ish before goign all they way out .
Like so: http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy1/jrodigan5/My%20Car/IMG00170-20100426-1752.jpg

It's quite easy to do and the only tools required are a coin and the bulb itself. The bulb is a xenon D2S bulb rated at 35W and color temperature is 4300K (like most OEM bulbs ) - the bulbs in my car were OSRAM Xenarc (may have been replaced as i bought the car SH).

4300k, 6000k and 8000k reffers to the color of the light. The higher the numebr the colder (more bluish) the light. If you want to go to 6000k (pure white) you have to replace both bulbs or it will look really strange.

See link for 4300k (yellow) vs 6000k (white) : http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r158/olaf2046/IMG-20130306-01158_zps94510b3d.jpg

In this link you can find a step by step on how to replace the bulb (just that the bulb he is showing is the wrong one, the procedure is correct however).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooh16mEY3hQ

Good luck with changing the bulb

 

[Bumpy]

Thankks peste..
I already watched that You Tube vid and I kinda thought the bulb looked like a regular H4 Halogen.
And when the repair didn't work I was surprised the vid just stopped there ..ha ha

When I picked up my used zed from the BMW Dealer..
The halo on that side didn't work and they had to order on in and replace it a week later.
So a tech has messed with that side.
My Xenon works well, has no colour deterioration at all. except that it has recently started to be ornery. Every now and then, but getting more frequent the right side intermittently does not ignite.
I restart the car and often this recycle gets everything back to normal.
I understand the stock bulb is rated at 4300 and I know about the related colours associated with 4300 and 6000.
I am happy with the stock colour so I guess Ill pick up a stock bulb. I don't need to draw anymore attention to my Zed ..

Thanks a bunch for all our advice

Cheers Bumpy

 

[parlivus]

Surely this is covered by warranty if its a BMW AUC/CPO car? From what I recall in the UK Xenon Bulbs are covered in the warranty .

 

[srhutch]

Surely this is covered by warranty if its a BMW AUC/CPO car? From what I recall in the UK Xenon Bulbs are covered in the warranty .

This is true, but ony if you keep the warrnty going.

 

[aquazi]

As a word of warning the 4300k, 6000k etc refer to the colour rating not power.

I've had 8k bulbs in a previous car... In the rain they are next to useless, more like uv lights :lol: the brightest lights tend to be towards the yellow end of the spectrum... As thats what the human eyes are most suited too... 4300-5000.

The bulbs usually come as 35w or 50w, stock being 35w 4300k.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

 

[MHZ4C]

I had a similar issue in that my far side (UK driver's side) xenon would not ignite when the lights were switched on. A bulb warning light illuminated on the instrument cluster when this would occur.
Turning off the lights, then turning them back on often made the dodgy bulb turn on, and the bulb warning light would go out. Both bulbs (when illuminated) looked similar in colour.
A trip to the dealers (AUC warranty if anyone stumbles on this with AUC) ended up with the igniter being replaced for that bulb free of charge without any persuading.

I know this doesn't apply to OP, but in the interest of people searching, I was initially told by main dealer that xenon was not covered under AUC, but a screen shot of BMW UK website AUC cover page, on which it states all bulbs EXCEPT XENON were not covered, soon clarified this. They still tried it on though, so be careful. This was March '13 incase things change. I initially asked about the bulbs to cover my arse, as it was likely bulb, ballast, igniter or gulp light control module at fault and I wanted to make sure all would be covered under warranty.

 

[Bumpy]

Update ..
The 'situation' seems to be deteriorating
That means the headlight works during the day (We have daytime running lights over here)
But tends to take a break during the evening.

So Ebay action is called for.
I discover a supplier of Xenon 6000's in Germany with free shipping out of Britain (???)
$27 USD So I went for that.
Then I search for an igniter because the symptoms suggest that is the problem.
I don't want to do this change over twice.
Shipping and handling from the US is more than the cost of the igniter
A supplier in China with a great rating sells used but certified BMW Hella Igniters
Including free shipping for $26 USD
Worth the risk. I expect all those BMW's ripped off in Hong Kong have given up their parts.

Waiting for the Post Man ..
:tumbleweed:
Bumpy

 

[jan_tekin]

I've got the same problem, one of mine fails to ignight so I brought a new igniter which I'm just waiting for it to turn up. Might look at replacing the bulbs as well. Must get ontop of it before my MOTs due.

 

[Bumpy]

Final solution ...

I ordered these from Ebay
They recommended the 6000 over the stock 4300.
Coming from Germany with postage and handling included I figured it was worth a gamble.
They arrived yesterday and I told myself to wait til the igniter arrived from China to do the install.
Today I needed garage time seeing as the temperature in the house wasn't pleasant.
So I went at the bulb. Just about every step required a re-do because the cramped location and various clips and flaps meant for a steep learning curve.
Eventually I was satisfied everything was in its proper and clipped location.
Taking your time is not necessarily a bad thing when garage time is needed.
Actually I wasn't confident of 100% success mainly because the electrical clip from the wiring harness to the igniter didn't appear to be snug.

Damn the torpedos ..Ignition on and ....
Let there be light ...From 2 headlights !!!
Plus high beams !!!
No error codes !!!
All good for now .

Cheers from Bumpy the Electrician

ps ..Not even one buzz from those 25000 volts I was warned about.

 

[wiseguy]

Final solution ...

I ordered these from Ebay
They recommended the 6000 over the stock 4300.
Coming from Germany with postage and handling included I figured it was worth a gamble.
They arrived yesterday and I told myself to wait til the igniter arrived from China to do the install.
Today I needed garage time seeing as the temperature in the house wasn't pleasant.
So I went at the bulb. Just about every step required a re-do because the cramped location and various clips and flaps meant for a steep learning curve.
Eventually I was satisfied everything was in its proper and clipped location.
Taking your time is not necessarily a bad thing when garage time is needed.
Actually I wasn't confident of 100% success mainly because the electrical clip from the wiring harness to the igniter didn't appear to be snug.

Damn the torpedos ..Ignition on and ....
Let there be light ...From 2 headlights !!!
Plus high beams !!!
No error codes !!!
All good for now .

Cheers from Bumpy the Electrician

ps ..Not even one buzz from those 25000 volts I was warned about.

Good to know, sounds like you achieved a great result. Please let us know if these parts fail prematurely, as we are all likely going to be in your shoes at some point. I'm there now. '07 car, right ballast replaced in '08, right xenon bulb (that is now burned out again) replaced in '10. Those were warranty repairs; this one's on my dime.

How long did you leave your battery disconnected before opening the headlight for replacement (that whole high voltage danger thing)?

 

[Bumpy]

I got a pair of 6000 Xenon Bulbs for 16.99 British Pounds.
Shipping was included.


The You Tube Video is very good at showing you the various fender flaps and clips that have to be removed.
I was careful not to touch the bulb with bare hands.
I did not disconnect the battery. The ignition was off.
You twist the igniter to the Open Position and then wiggle it straight out.
There are 4 plastic mounting hooks on it that have to slide out.

The Xenon bulb itself is held in place with metal clips almost identical to an H4 Halogen bulb..
Release the bulb and remove.

I am just learning about Xenons. For some reason I thought they were very long lived bulbs (ie they never failed)
I assume the wild swings in replacement price has got a lot to do with how new this product is.
On inspection vs the stock bulb the major difference I noted was that the base, where the bulb tube enters the plastic base, on stock there is a metal support.
On my cheapo bulbs the tube is glued into the base (no additional support)

I replaced both sides and so far I was not electrocuted and the headlights are functioning excellently.
If they fail py ..You will be my first post !

Cheers
Bumpy

 

[wiseguy]

I got a pair of 6000 Xenon Bulbs for 16.99 British Pounds.
Shipping was included.


The You Tube Video is very good at showing you the various fender flaps and clips that have to be removed.
I was careful not to touch the bulb with bare hands.
I did not disconnect the battery. The ignition was off.
You twist the igniter to the Open Position and then wiggle it straight out.
There are 4 plastic mounting hooks on it that have to slide out.

The Xenon bulb itself is held in place with metal clips almost identical to an H4 Halogen bulb..
Release the bulb and remove.

I am just learning about Xenons. For some reason I thought they were very long lived bulbs (ie they never failed)
I assume the wild swings in replacement price has got a lot to do with how new this product is.
On inspection vs the stock bulb the major difference I noted was that the base, where the bulb tube enters the plastic base, on stock there is a metal support.
On my cheapo bulbs the tube is glued into the base (no additional support)

I replaced both sides and so far I was not electrocuted and the headlights are functioning excellently.
If they fail py ..You will be my first post !

Cheers
Bumpy

Thanks for the info. I'm glad to hear your cheapos are working; I'm ordering a set of cheapos tonight. I remember reading somewhere (or perhaps my stealership told me this) that the xenon bulbs would likely never need replacement as long as I owned the car (perhaps they have them confused with LEDs?), as they are extremely long life. Considering the igniter failed when the car was 1, and the bulb at 3 or 4, BMW (as usual) is full of it. Halogens in my truck last 3-5 years, and there's no expensive igniter to replace. Of course, I can also change the truck bulbs with a simple turn of the wrist, from under my hood. 2 minutes flat and I'm done. I'm convinced the BMW headlight structure is set up to purposely make it difficult for the average consumer to replace bulbs, to lead them to the stealership for some $110/hour "expert work."

 

[bcworkz]

I remember reading somewhere (or perhaps my stealership told me this) that the xenon bulbs would likely never need replacement as long as I owned the car (perhaps they have them confused with LEDs?), as they are extremely long life. Considering the igniter failed when the car was 1, and the bulb at 3 or 4, BMW (as usual) is full of it.

Not just BMW, the entire high end automotive industry that uses them. I think it's just hype to justify the exorbitant cost of OEM bulbs. To be fair, if the bulb is absolutely perfect with not the slightest aberration in manufacture, maybe they do last quite a while. Considering the energies (plasma!) involved in such a small package, it's not surprising they internally self destruct in short order.

The number of alternative after market variants available indicate they usually do not last all that long, or the market would not justify what we are seeing. Fortunately, the other market force, competition, is making the procurement of affordable bulbs less painful. Unfortunately on the Zed you need shop equipment and the hands of a Chinese schoolgirl in order to change the stupid things.

 

[wiseguy]

Bumpy,

Just thought I'd share my result. My cheap xenon bulbs lasted 3 weeks, and then neither of the newbies would light. I swapped them in/out of both headlights, but they no longer worked. I bought an $80 bulb from the local part house, and it wouldn't light either in one headlight, but worked in the other headlight. So, off to my indy I went. He insisted on removing the bumper in order to change the lights, which added to the labor, and said I needed a new igniter and HID controller. The controller cost well over $400 from BMW. Total bill: $859 (plus $80 for the new bulb) = $939.

For a headlight.

Those halogen headlights are looking better and better to me all the time.

 

[Bumpy]

Holy Crap wiseguy !
That is a significant hit you took.
Sorry to hear that.

So far my cheapo lights are working fine.
I put them in via the port in the wheel well.
I was very careful not to touch the glass lens with my fingers.
Not sure if xenons and halogens share this characteristic.

I did have some trouble with my used igniter from China.
It arrived with one of the plastic attachment hooks broken.
The one I got wasn't the one in the Ebay Pic.
So that led to some back and forth emails before I initiated a dispute with Pay Pal.
Pay Pal refunded my payment so all is well on that front.

Hope the headlight fiasco is the last of your problems !

Best of luck
Bumpy