Replace Head Lamp Bulb
 

Hello all:
Last night one of my Xenon low beam HeadLamp failed ( I have a 2002 X5 4.4). It started me on all different thoughts.
Option 1: Just replace the bulb. The owner manuals says because the high voltage on Xenon, people shouldn't replace by themselves. And should have professional to do it. I haven't check with my dealers to see how much yet, but if anyone has done it, what's the price range looks like? Also I found several replace bulb for it..
1.The factory version for low beam.. One is 120+ and one is like 8 bucks... What the hell?
http://www.stopshopanddrive.com/Rend...opshopanddrive
2. The after market. I don't know which ones are good or fit to my vehicle.. But this one looks pretty nice..
http://www.eautoworks.com/html/produ...source=froogle
If I do get a bulb myself. How difficult or dangours is to install myself? Giving I am not mechanically inclined, but I did manage to replace fog light bulb and rear turn signal myself last year.

Option 2: Change to Angel Eye. Which is something I rather wanted to do in a long time, but the wife said I can only do it when the bulb dies (well it just died)... There are several options on the market for angel eyes for 00 - 03. All around 100 + (does that mean it doesn't last as long as the factory ones?)
I also took look at the great instructions that this site posted regarding Angel light, First of all, baking scares me a little, and the fact afterwards I have to handle hot assembly. But seriously, how difficult and what's the failure rate on doing one of this? And if anyone have experience what is one of the better Angel eyes on the market(there seems to be so many)...


I guess I am asking for opinion and suggestion here! Either option, what is the best way to do it. And what should I be watching out for?

Thanks in advance! cheer

I had a xenon bulb replaced at the dealer once.. They charged $300 including installation !!!!

The $120 bulb in your link looks like a real xenon bulb, the $8 one is just an ordinary halogen bulb..

The second link is not real xenon bulbs designed to fit BMW's with HID lights.. they're simply xenon look alikes for halogen headlights..

If you follow the directions, this is a piece of cake. As far as handling the hot assembly, I put on a pair of leather work gloves to work with it while it was still hot. Once it was pulled apart, just sit it to the side and allow it to cool down.

True HID bulbs should run you near $100 per bulb.

Just got off the phone with Dealer and it's 350 ish.. Depend on of course it's actually a failed bulb. If it's something else it can be up to 800. With that said. i am not complete understading the angel eye structure. It still needs a functional Xenon bulb for it to operate right? I mean it's just a ring of LED's. It still need the xenon low beam to be functional. Correct?

Thanx X5Dawg.. Appreciate the suggestion. Two question for you still.
1. I asked dealer about the HID's, They said it's not a Xenon bulb. It's simply a Holagen lamp that looks like a bulb and wouldn't work with my assembly because it take much less voltage.
2. If I was to install Angel eye. What is a good one to buy? umnitza runs about 200. Same as Jlevi. But there are ones on Ebay for less than 100. I want to buy one matching exactly to my Xenon light (that's under assumption that both Angel Eye and Xenon light up during option).. Which ones do you recommand?

Based on what I have read, the ones on eBay seem to be about the same as the ones from Umnitza/ JLevi. I paid for the more expensive ones and I am still having to replace two of the rings because of discoloration - not sure if it is a defect or something wrong with my install. I just know it wasn't there when I put them in.

I would not pay the dealer that much to install a headlight bulb - HID bulb install is not much different that replacing a regular bulb. I pulled out my HID bulbs before installing the AEs.

Thanx X5Dawg for your information. Is there any link on replace headlight bulb instructions? Thanx

I've changed xenon bulbs 3 times without any problems. What works for me is loosening the screws that attaches the headlight assembly, pulling it out slightly so you can take out the black, round plastic that covers the xenon bulb. Once you get the black cover out (this has 3 small torx screws), simply twist the bulb socket/wire (the one that connects to the ballast) to detach it from the bulb. The next step is to twist the round plastic lock that locks the bulb in place, unlock it, take off the old bulb and reverse the procedure to install the new one.. It takes me no more than 30 minutes to replace the bulbs on both sides.

Thank You George1202. Do you then have a recommanded brand to buy? and where to buy them? Thanx

Get the OEM brand which I believe is Phillips Xenarc D2S bulbs