bumper removal to change headlights??
 

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...interfere.html

im in this same position, where i am changing out my entire headlight unit. the washer nozzles are in the way.... is it true that I must rewove the entire bumper to complete my headlight install?

isnt there a way to just take out the headlight washer nozzles, its the only thing in it way. I cant find any tutorial on how to remove the nozzles temporarily to make way for the headlights....

Because a tutorial does not exist. You must remove the bumper. It's not a hard process once you do it once. The first time is a pain. To remove those nozzle covers there is a spring type clip that slides in place to lock the cover and nozzle sprayer in place and is only accessible from underneath.

BTW, most modern cars are like this. Had to remove the bumper on a 2005 FX35 SUV in order to replace headlights too.

Edit: Spring clip is shown below.

https://images.cdnrrr.com//aut/0/0/0...kstukas_ai.jpg

As cw wrote, having to remove the bumper is common. My neighbor complained about the dealer cost to replace a headlight on his Chevy. One reason I read is that because the headlights are so expensive, having to remove the bumper acts as a theft deterrent.

yeah just finished my headlight install, removing the bumper was more time consuming then difficult. piece of cake. thanks for the clarification.

It is not impossible to remove the headlights with the bumper on the car (I only know for the pre-facelift). There are two screws on the back of the headlight that allow to slide the unit forward and off the bottom bracket. On the RH side this is easier if you remove the air filter housing (but still possible leaving it in). I am halfway through a headlight swap and will finish up today.

First time I swapped the headlights, I took the bumper off. After that I had some problems with the ABS module which lives behind the LH headlight and it was too much trouble to undo the bumper each time I had to get in there. So, Yesterday I installed a replacement ABS module and decided to put my modded headlights back in as well. Got interrupted while doing the wiring for the new AE rings and need to finish it up today.

I just did this on my new-to-me E53 LCI (2005). You risk damaging quite a few components if you are adamant on not removing at least part of the bumper. But at that point, you are just making more work for yourself. It's really not hard at all. For LCI headlights, you really need to remove the bumper. You can do it without removing wheels or jacking the car up. You just need to turn the wheel.