BMW F30 & F31 Low Beam Headlight Bulb Replacement DIY (128i, 328i, 528i, 750Li, M3, M5, M6, & more)

►This video covers how to replace a low beam headlight bulb on a BMW F30 & F31 chassis. This will also carry over to halogen and xenon bulbs, as well as F20 2-series, and F30 4-series cars.
Replacing a low-beam headlight bulb is a relatively straightforward task, but on a BMW F30 3-series, you have to take the wheel off in order to do so. Our BMW Catalog Manager, Gareth Foley, is here to walk you through the process step-by-step.
Read this DIY on our blog: blog.fcpeuro.c...
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BMW 528i xDrive
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BMW 535i
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BMW 550i
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BMW 320i
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BMW 328d
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BMW 328d xDrive
2014-2015 BMW 328d xDrive Headlight Bulb
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[@fcpeuro]

We hope you found this DIY useful! Check out the Blog:blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-replace-a-headlight-bulb-on-a-bmw-f30? Buy Parts Used In This Video: BMW Headlight Bulb - Genuine BMW 6321716078: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-longlife-bulb-12v-55w-h7-63217160781?

[@neversaynever22ful]

FYI I just did it on my 320i and I did not need to remove the wheel. It’s a bit uncomfortable but you can do it.

[@michellebedard4291]

Was just going to ask this

[@geraldarcuri9307]

You can't do it without removing the wheels if your bulb is stuck. Ask me how I know. It is utterly absurd that BMW made it necessary to remove the front wheels to access to these bulbs.

[@El_Bueno]

What about turning the wheel?

[@jethrojohnson6681]

Thanks, actually addressed how to get the bulb out of the headlight housing. ...very much appreciated detail :)

[@mattylow_z34]

Life save bro thanks. I'm a mechanic now in my wife's eyes!

[@shahzeboy1609]

You can also do this by just turning the wheels left or right fully to get to the bulb

[@JJ-vy2vz]

Does it work good?

[@shahzeboy1609]

@@JJ-vy2vz I tried it, it's a bit tight and hard to see, but you can do it.

[@infomustatts]

If you have small hands

[@PaulsToolReview]

No need to remove the wheel unless you want great camera angles and actually see what you are doing. I did the first one on the driver side with the wheels turned in. It was tight and doable. You also have to do everything by feel, but open the bottom clasps by bending them slightly made it happen. Once the new bulb was in, I just gave them a little bend back. On the passenger side, left the wheels the way they were so it was turned out. I think this gave me slightly more room and I did everything with my left hand this time. Same procedure, just left handed. Either way, you must turn the wheels one direction but for some room but each has compromises on space. I also found using a quarter helped popped off the outer clasps in the wheel fender perfectly so no screw drivers needed either.

[@fcpeuro]

Great notes, Paul! And yes, typically we are pulling and removing whatever is in our way to give the best possible view when filming!

[@saabchaser]

Fantastic video right to the point... Big Thanks will upgrade my headlight blubs this weekend on my f30 hopefully no error messages. Thanks again..

[@fcpeuro]

You're welcome!

[@MrChintu1991]

which bulbs are you upgrading to?

[@farshadp6114]

Most important part which was putting it back and you skipped

[@jeansandmyshirt]

Excellent video fast precise to the point 👍

[@fcpeuro]

Thanks, 2fast4u!

[@Tefloncoated]

Don't need to jack it up or take the wheel off. 5 minute job. Just turn the wheel fully out the way and it's easy. Thanks

[@cacamp1]

I wish I believed you. I can’t unclasp the metal thing punching it on there with the tire. It’s been impossible.

[@etudiantbelle]

It has been done 2xs on my 3 series without removing the tire. Just turn the wheel the opposite direction.

[@berenger3226]

You’ve got little girl hands then

[@infomustatts]

You must have small hands

[@TomFeddorRealtor]

Great video! Thank you for uploading.

[@miamicyclist01]

Nice video. Whats is the official part name of the round cap you twist off?

[@elissae5020]

So frustrated. I literally can't get the bulb free from the electrical connector. I didn't take the wheel off so maybe that would help with access but still, i feel like it shouldn't be that hard.

[@micbels2080]

Thank you for making this video short and to the point! I'm also amazed that I gotta take the damn tire off to change a light bulb!

[@jnom07]

Actually you don't! I just watched this vid for the first time literally a minute ago, found the access panel, opened her up, screwed off the lid, pulled out the light, swapped it out and bam, I was good to go after putting everything back together! Granted the space was a tad bit tight but still room enough to get the job done without raising the car and taking the wheel off.

[@micbels2080]

@@jnom07 I eneded up jacking the car up and turning the wheel but not taking it off. It gave me more room but I still couldn't see what I was doing. After some hand cramps it got done.

[@pelipapa]

@@jnom07 ditto..however i banged up my hand in that tiny hole

[@davidbarlow7955]

my 2016 320-- the low bulb comes out by cc wise turn

[@antoinernb9398]

Thanks

[@danielblanchard4585]

Does not explain how or how hard it is to get the clamp back on the low beam !

[@ales4722]

Pain in the ass procedure for the otherwise finely engineered car. I'm pretty sure that the headlight assembly designer needed to justify his/her existence and job in order to design such an over-complicated housing. Terrible design. Great video!

[@MrCajunzx6]

I'm failing to see how this is a pain in the ass? I replaced bulbs in my wife's Tahoe and I had to remove the damn airbox to get to the bulb. Now that's poor engineering. Bimmer have this cool access panel, walk in the park imo.

[@d4lstuntman534]

Saying it’s a “finely engineered car” would be a lie as well, this 13 328i I got from the auction drove perfect for a week then the water pump went bust so I replaced it. A few days later the cooling fan went bad and the car also needed a wheel speed sensor and caused the car to ride like shit.... This is average stuff for when I buy bmws, terrible terrible cars.

[@cacamp1]

That’s great to get the bulb out and off but now I can’t get it back in place where it is housed.

[@xXLilFlipjgx]

Adam I did mine before and it took me awhile to put it back in place. It was a pain in the ass. Especially it’s in a small place

[@alexdigiore6810]

@@xXLilFlipjgx whats the secret??

[@stephaniemaldonado1815]

What kind of bulb is required

[@squidproquo2241]

Well it is still not as bad as the bringing down the whole front bumper but lift the car take the tire out etc. it is just a light bulb replacement. you open the hood stick your hand behind the headlight take the bulb out put the new one in close the hood ... or the European way like this we are lucky they did not put a special lock to reach the head light.

[@socalnitro]

My 2016 320i has a flat plastic part attached to the bulb harness. I see two flat metal tabs to release the bulb and two flat plastic tabs to separate the harness part. Not sure what’s up there. Hella part no 158 905-1

[@curtisheisner231]

you have to take the wheel off to take a headlight out. what sort of genius design is this!?

[@akshayksingh11]

I changed out my halogen bulbs to Led's and I am getting a malfunction code on my dashboard sometimes when I drive. Is there anyway I can get rid of the malfunction?

[@C4PTNINS4N0]

Akshay Singh Yes, you need to add load resisters or get bulbs with canbus built in.

[@akshayksingh11]

Matt Wilson thank u. Will this mess up my computer? If I don’t end up getting canbus kr resistors?

[@ruleone5209]

Google Bimmercode

[@ankitbhavsar9283]

Can you access the turn signal bulb from the same panel?

[@tedi4k869]

Yes, it's the same panel and even easier. That's a grey cap, just give it a twist and should come off pretty easily.

[@jaredglass775]

I have a 2013 328i is there a difference between the bulbs are they HDI bulbs or regular bulbs?

[@kv1881]

This is my favorite video on changing the low beams. If that upper tab couldn't get truly boogered in the process - this would all be eezy-peezy. "Kies M" mentions bending the (lower) tabs a tiny bit to get the release. I used that, plan B, saving the upper tab to hold the newly inserted bulb tight. (Well, on the 2nd one anyway!!) I truly hate the H7 receptacle design.And 'do' take the wheel and 'see' it through. When the upper tab thing is done right, it's great, ...but with hamhocks for hands, etc etc.

[@kunalpatel2319]

I'm having trouble putting the bulb back into the housing due to the fact I can't see inside it. What tips would you recommend for those that don't have a jack at home?

[@franksgaragehonda]

Kunal Patel I believe the bulb faces up. Make sure the tabs aren’t bent to much and you can look thru the headlight while you line it up. I’m not a big fan of these H7 brackets. They never get extremely tight like they would on a 9006 or so.

[@Stankykush1]

If 1 bulb goes bad will both lights not work ?? My low beams dnt wrk on neither side And all my light fuels are good

[@Stankykush1]

So do I need to change both bulbs or do I have another issue possibly

[@wrierkibbles]

there is no access panel in my wheel well.

[@01rueblake]

Is this the same for 2016 328i gt xdrive?

[@fcpeuro]

Same idea!

[@franksgaragehonda]

any room to put a LED with a fan in that housing ?

[@fcpeuro]

Yes, you'll be able to fit LED headlight bulbs. There's many bulb kits now available that are compatible with the F30.

[@franksgaragehonda]

FCP Euro thank you. I didn’t realize the highs and lows are both H7. So I used the braided h7 for the highs because it’s tighter and the H7 with the fan for the low. Thank you for your reply.

[@MichaelNunya]

My local shop wants to charge me 9/10ths an hour of labor, or 131$ to do this job (not including bulb).

[@fisherhanson509]

you can actually do it yourself without having to take off the wheel, all you have to do is turn the wheel fully inward on either side to get access to the panel.

[@ODCO23]

maybe you should have a better angle i didnt see anything i cant get the clip to release it

[@0xmedia]

🙏🙏

[@condor37244]

I don't get it, WHY can't someone make a MORE DETAILED VIDEO SHOWING exactly where these tads are and SHOWING how to release them.

[@geraldarcuri9307]

You can't do it without removing the wheels if your bulb is stuck. Ask me how I know. It is utterly absurd that BMW made it necessary to remove the front wheels to access to these bulbs.

[@imawesome6243]

Is this the same for a bmw f01?

[@fcpeuro]

The process will be similar if you have halogen headlights.

[@willdurand]

Don’t try this or pry anything on your F36. And you don’t need to remove a wheel to change the bulb on an F36 which is the same location design as what’s shown.

[@mmm-mmm-good]

Not for 328i

[@kitkat53ftw]

Because... an 328i... Is an e90 😳 not a f30 😳🤦🏾‍♂️😐

[@matonatomic]

@@kitkat53ftw I have a 328i that is an F30.

[@yousiftarek3334]

So to remove the daytime running light do you have to take off the engine? 😒😒

[@enveedub444]

Yousif Tarek nope the housing is on top easy to get to no hassle

[@ShunnyLoser24]

Anyone know what the tab looks like?

[@atrain818]

Should be silver in color. In a triangular form. One on top. 2 on the side. I think you could get away with only bending the 2 side ones and angling around the top one. I did all 3, but i tt a guy that said he got away w/only doing 2. Sounded bout right. Also, i got away with only jacking up the car. It gives enough clearance to see into the box in order to bend the tabs. Tho, its not a bad idea to take the rim off and clean where it seats to the axle. They get froze on there

[@JackRR15]

2010+ BMW with halogen light options? wtf

[@fcpeuro]

In the last couple years BMW has since switched to LED headlights for non xenon equipped cars.

[@robertweir5755]

Are the new BMW LED headlights better than the xenon lights?

[@fisherhanson509]

lol this is late but I want to reply... the halogen lights are way worse than the xenon lights because the halogens only come in a yellowish color from the factory while the xenon lights come almost blue. The xenons design also looks better. The only good thing about halogens is if you get an aftermarket set that have a bluish tint which you can get for around $50.

[@adonisamaya956]

You have to take out the whole tire? Wtf you can just go in from the top lol

[@robrodriguez4866]

Adonis Amaya just cut the wheel 👌🏽

[@raysmith2940]

nope you cant.

[@mhauto8814]

Garbage cars

[@adrianjgonzalez]

will this work for 6 series?

[@n0h0m0]

Adrián José González good question