Okay, I managed to get a little more light to the area (passenger side) and was able to see enough of the spring to release it. Local Advance Auto Parts store wants $99 for a D1S, and I'm not even sure the bulb is the culprit. Maybe I'll swap with the driver's side to see if it's bulb, ballast, or circuit first, then order my parts online for less. Even if cheaper online parts are not as good, at least I can justify some "try & see if it fixes it".

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2009 X5 3.0
2001 X5 4.4 - Sold