Z4M sidelight replacement - new unit required?

[Cyc1one1000]

Hi,
This is my first post, and I'm hoping that someone here can give me advice that might save me £1000...

I have a sidelight out in my 06 plate Z4M (passenger side). Bulb warning light came on as expected, I was only a few weeks from my MOT so I thought I'd get it sorted then.

The garage has just called me to tell me that the bulb cannot be replaced on the bi-xenon unit, and that the only solution to this MOT failure is just over £1000 for an entire new headlight cluster.

Is that correct?

Various forums seem to list details about changing the bulbs, although sidelights are rarely mentioned, but Halfords think they can supply me a replacement sidelight (according to my reg details) for £2.99, and I've found threads on this forum talking about swapping the bulb out for an led equivalent.
Are my garage just mistaken, are they idiots, or are they trying to take me for a ride?

 

[Z4M-2006]

The sidelight bulb comes in a holder..

They are about £30 from bmw, but with a bit of messing about you can release the bulb from the holder and just buy the bulb..

They are a small halogen iirc and are a bit tricky to get hold of. Certainly the £2.99 option from halfords won't be correct..

I can't think of the bulb model number off the top of my head, although I have a couple in my toolbox ... Maybe a BA9S
Someone will be along with more info


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-433-OSRAM-12V-10W-BA9s-64113-HALOGEN-MINIATURE-BULB-SINGLE-CAR-BULB-/282035658883?hash=item41aaa2a083:g:vKcAAOSwt7pXNFuK

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmmm heard issues about this on here before

But from looking at my own cars pics
I only can see main/full hid that I replaced recently for nightbreakers, then the h7 that does the inner Angel eye
So I can't see what other mystery bulb is meant to be in unit??
I'll put lights on when I go to car later and see
But I can't for life of me remember any other bulb

Post once I've put lights on

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=417609

Read this apparatly it's a unit replacement not entire light haha
£20 or do as instructed in link
Im tempted to take mine out now and put in led

 

[Cyc1one1000]

Thanks guys, I think the angel eye is the side light isn't it? So that's what's failed.
I just spoke to a different local garage who told me that it's entirely possible to change the bulb, so I've repeated this advice to the original garage. I'll see what they say now.

 

[Anonymous]

Doesn't look too hard

Lights on these are a more of a pain to get stupid plastic cover back on than swapping bulbs out as that's just a twist off lift out refit job

As hid bulbs have a life of 10yrs so most doing them now anyways

Take wheel off and take plastic cover off inside arch, then unclip cover from back of head light and tadaa
I swear I saw an h7 bulb in my inside halo though hmmm

Cars going to detailer soon and taking CSLs off for that so may go look haha as not exactly bright

 

[mmm-five]

I've replaced mine with the full thing. It's part number 63127170858 (#15 on below diagram), and cost me about £30.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice,
I'm tempted to led them
Why oh why would you make such a bloody stupid thing instead of a bulb holder ??

Number 7 I hate you oh I really really do

 

[grobda]

Hi

New to forum but this thread came up via google and provided the most useful information when replacing my sidelight. I had difficulty sourcing a replacement so ended up buying one from Latvia Via Ebay for £28. Was a bit wary but it arrived with free signed for tracked post and looks identical to the other side so very happy.

As I had a surplus dead spare I had a fiddle about and found if you cut a small notch where the bulb bayonet lugs want to come out you can simply replace the bulb rather than the whole unit - I'll be keeping this as a spare.

The bulb is a Philips 12082 AKA H10W and equivalent to Osram BA9S.

Notches cut;

Bulb removed;


NB; I wondered if the notches might result in the bulb possibly coming loose and springing out into the headlight pod (and that BMW made it captive for that reason) but the bayonet fitting is very secure.

 

[Papa_Zee]

Why do they do it? I couldn’t look myself in the mirror!

I did this on my MR just 2 weeks ago. Yes, you can totally do this yourself although I think tou should just go and collect your car for now and re-do the MOT when you are done. This is because you need to order the bulbs and then tou can change both.

Installation video:
https://youtu.be/HhJTkCQk7HQ

The guide on this page is what i followed and you will kick yourself at how easy it is once done.

I also add the bulbs I replaced the stock ones with they are 20w and have caused no issues whatsoever (stock are 10w)

Goodluck

 

[Papa_Zee]

I know that post was 2 years ago but hope my post will help someone someday...

Dont pay £1000!