How to Replace E53 Xenon Bulb DIY Guide
 

Surprisingly there were not many guides or videos on how to replace the D2S Xenon bulbs on our beloved E53 X5's out there, so I recorded one the other day while replacing the bulbs on my wife's X5.

link: https://youtu.be/PO3RFoYZSwI

Searching around on the forums has all kinds of suggestions ranging from removing the headlights to removing the front bumper first and then each headlight. In my experience, neither is necessary, provided your hands are small enough to remove the T20 torx bolt at the bottom corners of each headlight assembly.

It was a little tricky, but not too bad. I've been driving BMW's with Xenon for about 8 years and this is the first Xenon bulb I've ever had fail. I think that speaks to the longevity of them, much better than halogens.

Hope you all are well during these difficult times.

You made that lower outer screw look too easy. :rofl: That screw was a PITA for me. I ended up loosening the headlight assembly and pulling it forward as much as possible against the headlight washers and getting to that screw through the void behind the side of the headlight. At least I could see the screw at that point.

haha yeah things always look easier in the videos! To be honest though I didn't have much trouble with either side... but my hands are not huge

Both headlights rear covers have free and easy access on the diesel models. :thumbup:

wish we had the diesel e53 models in the us!

Ha ha diesel units!

Quick update that the pre-facelift headlights only have three torx screws—two on top corners as shown in the video and one in the center bottom which makes access much easier! Keep your magnetic pickup tool handy as they are easy to drop! ��

I KNOWW!!

Any ideas why one headlight is far more dim than the other? Both have new HID bulbs. The ballast/igniter? I bought a generic new one but it didn't work at all.