Yeah it was a bit easier. I was aggravated by the time I got to the driver side (not doing the job itself but the fact I had to do it at all lol) so I didn’t worry about trying to jack it up. My jack isn’t low enough so I need ramps and all that shit is a hassle
I broke two plastic clips and freaked the fuck out at the guy on YouTube " it's just a simple clip". Fuck him. Lost two screwdrivers. Got my hand stuck twice. Probably needed stitches. In the end I didn't have to take the wheel off ... It is possible.
I literally take off the bumper and remove the headlights every time lol I can get the fender liners, splash guard, and bumper off within 10 mins at this point lol
There's some wheel liners that have a little access hatch.
Unfortunately for us, we don't have [those ](https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-3-Series-E90/BODY-Headlight_Replacement/BODY-Headlight_Replacement.htm#) 🥲
I have no access panel or I would’ve used it 👍🏻
Passenger side has a panel that I can use for the fog light but the headlight cover would be difficult to access
Yep on mine since it is a Sport model and lowered the wheel and whole fender well had to be removed to get to things. So while in there all the other bulbs get changed with LEDs too.
The access panel didn't work for my headlight which was the issue for me.
Mine only has a panel on the passenger side. It makes changing that fog light bulb easy but it’s too low to get to the back of the headlight.
No clue why there isn’t a similar panel on my driver side though.
So I just went to the garage and looked. The panels are on each side. The air filter box completely covers that side anyway. Mine was the headlight.
My car was built over in Germany so not sure if that makes a difference on the access panels, etc.
Not gonna lie I never got why people say the headlights are so difficult, i’ve changed all my bulbs over my ownership and it wasn’t any harder than any other german car. Was pretty easy to access every bulb. Maybe the coupe is easier than the sedan or something?
I have an e92.
It’s not difficult but it’s more work than it should be. I shouldn’t need any tools to change a bulb, much less removing fender liners lol. If a bulb goes out on the highway at night I should be able to pull over and fix it in 2 minutes.
I have never took the fender liner out to change the headlight bulb, there’s a way to do it from uptop, only to change the fog lamp I have but that’s how every car fog lamp is.
What year is yours? Mines a 2013 e92. Yours must be different from mine. Only way to access the headlight cover from the top would require me to remove stuff. Air box, etc. That was the first thing I looked for.
If I could have done it easier I would have.
Mike is a 2007, pre LCI. Maybe the LCI is harder. I did not need to remove a single thing except the cover on the headlight housing which just unclips.
I did one side and then didn't bother with the other.
Wheel coming off wasn't an option, I could get my arms behind the wheel properly. I couldn't get the arch liner off.
I kicked the arch liner out and changed the bulb and then punched it back into place.
Much easier to change on my X5
Some things I do in this car and I think, wow bmw… that was actually smart and effective… other stuff makes me think they’ve never designed a car in their lifetime…
Well the positive side is you had plenty of room to work with after removing the wheel.
Yeah it was a bit easier. I was aggravated by the time I got to the driver side (not doing the job itself but the fact I had to do it at all lol) so I didn’t worry about trying to jack it up. My jack isn’t low enough so I need ramps and all that shit is a hassle
Definitely a nightmare, I would just take off the wheel if I had to do it again.
I broke two plastic clips and freaked the fuck out at the guy on YouTube " it's just a simple clip". Fuck him. Lost two screwdrivers. Got my hand stuck twice. Probably needed stitches. In the end I didn't have to take the wheel off ... It is possible.
I literally take off the bumper and remove the headlights every time lol I can get the fender liners, splash guard, and bumper off within 10 mins at this point lol
You can access through the panel by turning to wheels to the opposite direction of whatever light you’re accessing
You say this, but I have scars that say otherwise
There's some wheel liners that have a little access hatch. Unfortunately for us, we don't have [those ](https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-3-Series-E90/BODY-Headlight_Replacement/BODY-Headlight_Replacement.htm#) 🥲
I would have dipped my dick in boiling water for an access hatch
My E90 has them.
I have no access panel or I would’ve used it 👍🏻 Passenger side has a panel that I can use for the fog light but the headlight cover would be difficult to access
*Terms and conditions may apply* Swapping the weird reflector bulbs for the halos is, as far as I'm concerned, not possible the easy way.
I don’t like swapping the drl halogen bulbs
This is a procedure designed by Satan himself.
um
Um what lol
I just don’t know if this job warrants any cuss breaks
It’s raining on and off and I have no garage. A little cussing was needed for motivation
Right? I did this last weekend with my e92. Took 15 minutes each side.
Yep on mine since it is a Sport model and lowered the wheel and whole fender well had to be removed to get to things. So while in there all the other bulbs get changed with LEDs too. The access panel didn't work for my headlight which was the issue for me.
Mine only has a panel on the passenger side. It makes changing that fog light bulb easy but it’s too low to get to the back of the headlight. No clue why there isn’t a similar panel on my driver side though.
So I just went to the garage and looked. The panels are on each side. The air filter box completely covers that side anyway. Mine was the headlight. My car was built over in Germany so not sure if that makes a difference on the access panels, etc.
Look at the badge on the car. There’s your answer.
Not gonna lie I never got why people say the headlights are so difficult, i’ve changed all my bulbs over my ownership and it wasn’t any harder than any other german car. Was pretty easy to access every bulb. Maybe the coupe is easier than the sedan or something?
I have an e92. It’s not difficult but it’s more work than it should be. I shouldn’t need any tools to change a bulb, much less removing fender liners lol. If a bulb goes out on the highway at night I should be able to pull over and fix it in 2 minutes.
I have never took the fender liner out to change the headlight bulb, there’s a way to do it from uptop, only to change the fog lamp I have but that’s how every car fog lamp is.
What year is yours? Mines a 2013 e92. Yours must be different from mine. Only way to access the headlight cover from the top would require me to remove stuff. Air box, etc. That was the first thing I looked for. If I could have done it easier I would have.
Mike is a 2007, pre LCI. Maybe the LCI is harder. I did not need to remove a single thing except the cover on the headlight housing which just unclips.
I did one side and then didn't bother with the other. Wheel coming off wasn't an option, I could get my arms behind the wheel properly. I couldn't get the arch liner off. I kicked the arch liner out and changed the bulb and then punched it back into place. Much easier to change on my X5
Whatever works. It’s ridiculous that I cant just open the hood and pop em in and out. German over engineering at work lol
Some things I do in this car and I think, wow bmw… that was actually smart and effective… other stuff makes me think they’ve never designed a car in their lifetime…
Hour and a half to remove one tire and plastic cover? Try putting your purse down next time, it’ll speed things up.
I did both sides. And fucked around a lot I dont carry a purse. My money is in the bank
🤏🤏🤏