[azbimmer5]

Did you use your fingers to bend the tabs? I tried but mine are pretty tuff to bend with just my fingers. Any suggestions with such little room to work with?

Thx

[Billfitz]

My LED thread shows what I did to make the low beam bulb clips accessible.
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1377259

[Undisputed0365]

I know its an old thread but i have a question since i just failed at trying to do this. Idk if BMW changed the bulb connectors for the LCI as I have a 2016. The issue I ran into is the connector the actual bulb itself is plugged into. It looks different and for some reason i cant disconnect the bulb to put the new one in. I pulled on it pretty hard to the point i thought i was gonna break something but it wouldnt budge. Any tips ?

[charcoalblack]

Originally Posted by Undisputed0365

I know its an old thread but i have a question since i just failed at trying to do this. Idk if BMW changed the bulb connectors for the LCI as I have a 2016. The issue I ran into is the connector the actual bulb itself is plugged into. It looks different and for some reason i cant disconnect the bulb to put the new one in. I pulled on it pretty hard to the point i thought i was gonna break something but it wouldnt budge. Any tips ?

I have an lci model too and ran into the same issue as you. the lci has an actual bulb holder which technically makes it easier but I was unable to remove the actual bulb from the holder. I didn't want to apply too much force with fear of breaking something. I couldn't get the bulb out either. Ended up putting everything back as it was.

[Mountain_Commando]

Hey guys,

What's the consensus on what's a good LED kit for a 2012 F30 (i.e. bright and safe for night driving)?

Cheers.

[Billfitz]

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1377259

[Nd0udoinwork]

Originally Posted by ARBMWGuy

This was not described properly in the BMW computer manual so I'm going to give you guys a heads up on what was a more frustrating bulb swap than I expected.

1. Turn wheel to one side to expose panel on inner fender.
2. Remove panel by pulling tabs down to expose circular headlamp bulb panel
3. Turn counter-clockwise to remove circular panel
4. Move bulb housing up and down to loosen and remove

So far these steps are as described in the manual, however bulb removal is quite annoying. After cutting my hand up pretty good and searching for at least 15 minutes online, I finally found a solution. There are three metal brackets that lock in the actual low beam bulb.



5. These brackets must be bent slightly outward in order to remove the bulb
6. After bending the backets slightly, the bulb loosens and easily slides out
7. Before installing the new bulb, bend the brackets back to original position and the new bulb will fit tightly and lock in when installed
8. Repeat previous steps in reverse order to put everything back together

I hope this helps for those wanting to do a DIY bulb only upgrade. Once I figured out the solution with the brackets, the second bulb took me less than 5 minutes to change.

how do i go about bending the clips back, bent them too far and now the new bulbs won't clip in.

[Billfitz]

7. Before installing the new bulb, bend the brackets back to original position and the new bulb will fit tightly and lock in when installed

[boafriend]

Originally Posted by quadwiz

Not absolutely necessary - turn the steering completely to the left and you should be able to replace the right low beams light. It's a bit fiddly but doable without removing the wheel. Replace the right low beam, test it (be careful since the bulb gets hot) and put everything thing back together. Then turn the steering completely to the right and repeat for the left low beam.

I'm currently doing this and can't even see the damn light though due to the tire. All I can do is blindly fiddle with my hand in hopes of removing the bulb.

[Billfitz]

At the risk of repeating myself:

My LED thread shows what I did to make the low beam bulb clips accessible.
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1377259

[John in VA]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

My LED thread shows what I did to make the low beam bulb clips accessible.
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1377259

Bad link, apparently:
PAGE NOT FOUND
Sorry
You seem to be lost.
Unfortunatly the page you are looking for cannot be found. A classic 404 error.
We wish you luck on your quest for the missing page. You will be automatically forwarded to our homepage soon.

[Billfitz]

I copied it from a few posts back, where it does work. Try this:
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1377259

[wakebord99]

Hey all-

Thank the OP and everyone for the great thread. This was very helpful since you have to do the whole thing blind. I wouldn't recommend trying to do this yourself if you have big hands.. it's a tight fit in there.

I see a lot of feedback on the Phillips, and it's my experience that the brighter bulbs die annually. Given the difficulty and expense of replacing the builds i tried something new.. Optilux H71070307 by HELLA XB Series H7 Xenon White Halogen Bulb Set, 12V, 100W

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here are the results:

OEM: https://photos.app.goo.gl/7CXPqKAnoi995det1

New: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dopI0pCD2PQYiJqj1

I would say better color and a 25% light output improvement. Better but not great.

[Billfitz]

I wouldn't use 100w bulbs with wiring intended for 55w bulbs. One advantage to LED is that they draw a lot less current than stock.

[BMW2014BLUE328xi]

I'm your typical 38 y/o female around cars...

I followed this thread, read all of the tips and shortcuts, and I was able to replace both of my low beams in under 10 mins on my own.

Just wanted to share that this thread saved me over $200 at the dealership to change these on my own. Got the bulbs on Amazon for $30... so approx $170 saved is fantastic!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/D1SFj6U9nFpSjYkt7

Philips H7 CrystalVision Ultra Upgraded Bright White Headlight Bulb

-Stephanie

[sspade]

Originally Posted by BMW2014BLUE328xi

I'm your typical 38 y/o female around cars...

I followed this thread, read all of the tips and shortcuts, and I was able to replace both of my low beams in under 10 mins on my own.

Just wanted to share that this thread saved me over $200 at the dealership to change these on my own. Got the bulbs on Amazon for $30... so approx $170 saved is fantastic!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/D1SFj6U9nFpSjYkt7

Philips H7 CrystalVision Ultra Upgraded Bright White Headlight Bulb

-Stephanie

You go girl!

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by BMW2014BLUE328xi

Philips H7 CrystalVision Ultra Upgraded Bright White Headlight Bulb

If you're satisfied all well and good, but those are no brighter than stock, the just appear whiter due to the blue tinting of the envelope. An LED bulb has whiter color than stock and will be on average three times as bright as halogen.

[earsly]

Best guide. Better than Youtube videos since it shows how to unlock the low beam housing.

[Radnish]

So I tried doing all the above steps. I managed to replace the old bulb. Placed the brackets to their original positions. I may have been slightly aggressive in doing the same.

Now the new bulb doesn't fit tightly at all and as a result is wiggling in the socket. Any suggestions?

[John in VA]

Originally Posted by Radnish

Now the new bulb doesn't fit tightly at all and as a result is wiggling in the socket. Any suggestions?

Make sure that the bulb is fully & properly seated in the socket. Replace the bracket/holder and push against the three tabs to lock it in place.

[BlackBetsy]

I struggled with acessing the h7 port with my hands... Do you need to jack up the car?

[Billfitz]

You need to jack the car, remove the wheel, then remove the fender liner, otherwise it's a struggle. Even after doing all that the low beams are next to impossible to work on. That's why I cut the tops off my lamp housings as shown in my bulb replacement thread.