how do you remove the H7 headlight?

C

chikku Discussion starter

13 posts · Joined 2009

• Add to quote
Only show this user

#2 · Aug 19, 2009

123d_msport_mark said:

It really is as simple as it sounds, remove the cover disconect the elec conector then there is a metal clip above the bulb, push it towards the front of the headlight and to one side the bulb will then practically drop out!

Click to expand...

eek... i must give it a go again tonight then

so u push the clip towards the headlight and to the side as opposed to pushing it downwards? ah... im just a noob

 

S

SimonK

8 posts · Joined 2009

• Add to quote
Only show this user

#3 · Aug 20, 2009

I think it's a nightmare and have ended up with fingers like the above photo!

Best advice is to get a small mirror and use it to watch what you are doing. Then it's not actually too difficult.

HTH

 

C

chikku Discussion starter

13 posts · Joined 2009

• Add to quote
Only show this user

#4 · Aug 23, 2009

bah i dont know how to undo them :S tried again this weekend but the clip wont budge, cant even disconnect the wires =(

oh well

 

B

bmwownage

14 posts · Joined 2009

• Add to quote
Only show this user

#5 · Aug 23, 2009

Simple?? Hell no, the manual makes it sound simple.. "simply" push down the clip.. whatever... man, that was a nightmare seriously. Taking it off is relatively simple, afterall you're just loosening everything and you can feel that things will come off, but the clip "must" clear those wires or else you can't pull the clip further down, this invovlves some fine finger manouever techniques... there is no need to disconnect the wires.
OK then you take the bulb/holder out and pull the bulb off. Not the highest quality or the best design i've seen, you really can't avoid touching the bulb itself and the holder feels cheap, but anyway you replace the bulb, then you realise you need to put everything back - put the bulb back into the hole and clip it back, but which way round??? there is only one coordination that would allow the thing to secure, so you start trying, sounds simple again but you won't know if you were right until you put the bulb/holder back into the hole and pull the metal clip back up, and try to secure it as it was before, but this again invovles "the clip clearing the wires" because they are ALWAYS in the way, then chances are you will find out you were wrong, and repeat the whole process again, just to find out you were actually right... :band: I used to think E46s bulb replacement was difficult enough but this makes the E46 job a piece of cake.
AND, that headlight cover..!!! not the easiest fitment, and I dropped one of those metal pieces (that tightens the holder) down because i was trying so hard to fit the cover back.
I should add that maybe the newer or facelifted models is improved? i don't know, mine's just a 2004.

By the way, i still can't figure how to take off the side repeater bulb... i tried to just pull, but it doesn't come off, and it certainly doesn't look like a twist and pull because there's a clip thing that holds it in place. WOuld be nice if someone can give me tips on that

 

S

sootyvrs

6,242 posts · Joined 2008

• Add to quote
Only show this user

#6 · Sep 11, 2009

Just changed mine to Philips X-treme bulbs and it was relatively easy and took around 15 mins for both. I have read very mixed views on the bulb upgrades but for £18 I thought it was worth a try.

Luckily on the 130i the drivers side has plenty of room which gives you a good view of what you need to do with the clips. The passenger side has the airbox in the way which restricts you quite a bit and you work a little blind feeling around but as I did the easy one first, I knew what to expect.

The pics I've seen on the 123d looks like the problem area is on the drivers side as seen here (pic from Neversaydie)

Here's the pic of the 130i - lots more room on drivers side but no room on passenger side

Now got to wait 'til dark to see if they are any good?

 

C

chikku Discussion starter

13 posts · Joined 2009

• Add to quote
Only show this user

#7 · Sep 13, 2009

thanks for ur help

i managed to figure out how to undo them so thank you all for ur help

i changed to philips diamond visions, i wonder how these compare to ur philips "x-treme" vision, ive never heard of these ones? diamond visions look white when looking directly at the headlight but the light it emits mostly white with a tinge of yellow and arent as bright as xenons obviously

cheers

 

S

sootyvrs

6,242 posts · Joined 2008

• Add to quote
Only show this user

#8 · Sep 13, 2009

Just tested the Philips X-treme on my car the other night and to my surprise they are excellent giving a much brighter light throw which is very noticeable.

I used to think the std. lights were an absolute joke but I think they were set too low to start with! After I lowered my suspension on my car this became much worse, with lights pointing almost to the floor!

I made some twists with the adjustment (also ensuring they were not set too high) and they were much better than before with the std. bulbs. Now it was safe to drive them on dipped. The Philips X-treme just gives it a much more even spread of light and the light is much whiter compared to the yellow'ish tint from the OEM bulbs.

In time I will also replace the main beam bulbs with the same and perhaps also the side light bulbs also.

 

J

jislaaik

132 posts · Joined 2009

• Add to quote
Only show this user

#9 · Feb 7, 2010

After trying for about an hour yesterday to 'undo' the clips I gave up and searched on the forum. The 'push the clip forward and to the side' proved to be as easy as it comes. Did the passenger side in about 10 minutes (dipped, high beam and parking). Have put in the H7 Ring Xenon Max + 100% 12v 55w as well as the blue 501.

For me the secret of getting them back in is to keep them sideways until the clip has cleared the connector and then rotate them. I found if you try an pull the clip back over with the orientation correct it catches on the connector.

Has it made a difference? Photos will be added but they certainly give a whiter light than standard, as to brighter, that will have to wait until tonight. The parking light is certainly white but seems much less bright than the standard.

Right off to tackle the drivers side. It's a bit of a bugger on the 123d (see earlier post) due to clearance issues.

All done. Photos

http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=16428&p=174124#p174124

 

S

stonehenge

4 posts · Joined 2009

• Add to quote
Only show this user

#10 · Feb 10, 2010

After you have fitted new bulbs, adjust the lamps ups a few turns using the white 5mm hex adjuster on the top. If you have a car like me that runs Xenons (535d) then you can compare the two against a garage door (as Xenons are auto leveling). I found the 120d headlamps to be set lower than the 535d. Probably to compensate for the poorer light output from the Halogens. I used Osram Nightbreakers (+90%) and setting them the same as the 5er gives a good light output.

 

V

vmessy

12 posts · Joined 2010

• Add to quote
Only show this user

#11 · Mar 2, 2010

Wow i spent a good hour today doing this. Managed to drop one of the metal clips down the side...had to use a magnet on some string to get it out. dont see myself doing this at the road side ever.

 

H

HaiderGill

1,191 posts · Joined 2009

• Add to quote
Only show this user

#12 · Mar 2, 2010

vmessy said:

Wow i spent a good hour today doing this. Managed to drop one of the metal clips down the side...had to use a magnet on some string to get it out. dont see myself doing this at the road side ever.

Click to expand...

I gave up half way through and took it to the local BMW dealer and they retrieved the metal clip I dropped too. They also unblocked the rear wash wipe so now it does actually work. All for free I bought the Philips Xtreme bulbs over the net to boot.