[mooney058]

how difficult it is to change a xenon bulb in F25? Have not got my car yet, but after year or so I am thinking of changing the bulbs myself. is it an easy DIY or does it require dismounting some of the equipment to have access to it?

[ReturnZero]

Why would you want to change the bulb?

[mooney058]

Originally Posted by ReturnZero

Why would you want to change the bulb?

well, was thinking of a OSRAM XENARC SILVERSTAR to replace the standard bulbs and keep standard as a replacement if Xenarc fails. I am ussed to have some basic items in my car and replace it myself if need be (for example when I am traveling to skiing etc). I would then buy some good replacements bulbs only if you could do it yourself.

[ReturnZero]

Honestly the stock bulbs are very good and you won't be able to purchase anything better aftermarket. I would look for other goodies to work on.

[mooney058]

Originally Posted by ReturnZero

Honestly the stock bulbs are very good and you won't be able to purchase anything better aftermarket. I would look for other goodies to work on.

like what?

[ReturnZero]

I don't know, what are you interested in? You could build a cable and do some customization though coding, maybe look into LED bulbs to replace the normal bulbs, golf tee mod for the exhaust (depending on your model), other accessories you could get for it.

[mooney058]

Originally Posted by ReturnZero

I don't know, what are you interested in? You could build a cable and do some customization though coding, maybe look into LED bulbs to replace the normal bulbs, golf tee mod for the exhaust (depending on your model), other accessories you could get for it.

coding cable and coding would be most interesting, but I am affraid to screw things-up as I am not that IT capable. I would rather prefer to pay to someone who has already done it and knows how it all works (anyone from Belgium/Holand or western part of Germany did this?). Interior LED lights or outside styling lighting are not that relevant to me. But if I could further improve the performance of already good xenon lightning - why not, and I would keep standard bulbs for replacement purposes.

[Teemo Panda]

why not you let BMW change it for you, since it is covered under warranty?

Im Kinda against DIYing the bulb because, when you get your fingerprints on the bulb, it would shorten its life. Plus buying your own bulb out of pocket.

I had experience changing my headlight assembly numerous non xenon with cheep aftermarket headlight with halo's, it is definitely a dangerous job that we risk getting electrocuted :X

anyways Good Luck thu~

[nonagon]

The stock xenons are pretty good IMO...wheels, tires upgrading, or a tune would probably be more useful mods and better ways to spend your money.

[ReturnZero]

Originally Posted by mooney058

coding cable and coding would be most interesting, but I am affraid to screw things-up as I am not that IT capable. I would rather prefer to pay to someone who has already done it and knows how it all works (anyone from Belgium/Holand or western part of Germany did this?). Interior LED lights or outside styling lighting are not that relevant to me. But if I could further improve the performance of already good xenon lightning - why not, and I would keep standard bulbs for replacement purposes.

I see, I guess what I was getting at was even if you replace the bulbs with aftermarket ones you won't really get any better performance out of them. OEM bulbs are some of the brightest available.

[Beyu]

I'm not sure if the xenons follow the same method as the halogens for replacement but if you're feeling adventurous and are confident enough then give it a try.

If you're serious about changing out your lights why not give the fog lamps a try first and swap out those ugly yellow ones. The instructions are on the following page of the headlights pic I have up. (pg. 222 paper manual, pg. 256 digital)

[welkerbrads]

The lamps are easy to change. I changed my lamps to the silver star. They a some what brighter. You get a whiter light. The oem lamps have a yellow cast. They are very easy to change. There is a cover on the back of the lamp assembly. Just turn it and it come off. The lamps are held in by a spring. Just pull on the bulb assembly and it will come out. Unplug the lamp, plug in the new one and push the bulb into the lamp assembly. Done

[mooney058]

thanks, will give it a try when my car finaly arrives in a month time

[n55x3]

Make sure you guys are talking about the same thing. Halogen bulbs are typically all the same size so a swap is relatively easy. On the xenon front, I've seen different length bulbs so that is something to be aware of. Clearance may be an issue when looking to replace your HID (xenon) bulb in the projector housing. If the HID bulbs are of different size that can have an impact on how the projector focuses the light. I'd certainly measure the OEM xenon length before ordering any aftermarket HID bulbs.

And just for the fun of it, here is a shot of a halogen next to a HID bulb:

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpo...97&postcount=7

[mooney058]

Originally Posted by n55x3

Make sure you guys are talking about the same thing. Halogen bulbs are typically all the same size so a swap is relatively easy. On the xenon front, I've seen different length bulbs so that is something to be aware of. Clearance may be an issue when looking to replace your HID (xenon) bulb in the projector housing. If the HID bulbs are of different size that can have an impact on how the projector focuses the light. I'd certainly measure the OEM xenon length before ordering any aftermarket HID bulbs.

And just for the fun of it, here is a shot of a halogen next to a HID bulb:

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpo...97&postcount=7

yep, I know there are different types/fittings of xenon bulbs, I would only change if correct type is available - would never put an item into my car that was not intended/approved by the manufacturer. I have changed many halogen bulbs in my life, but have heard that on some cars access to xenon bulbs is not so easy (well my hands/palms are of an average size). On the other hand, most of motorways/highways are lit-up during the night in Belgium, I only noticed the need for more light in my ex E60 when driving late/early in Alps (but that is again 2-3 times a year).

[MattUK]

My Xenons are far from yellow, and are in fact very bright white.. does the US have different lights?

[n55x3]

Traditionally BMW has gone with a color temp close 4300k which offers a mostly white light with a yellowish tint. Pure white is usually measured between 5000k and 6000k. ANything above 6000K starts getting blue and the higher the color temp the lower the actual light output is.

I've got aftermarket 5000k bulbs in my Legacy and when both the X3 and Legacy lights are on in the dark garage the X3 has a more yellowish tint to it while the 5000k bulbs are crystal white with the slightest tint of blue.

They both look good though.

[nonagon]

The OEM xenons to me look white with a hint of blue. I read somewhere color temp is 5000K. I would not describe them as yellowish at all.

[welkerbrads]

Sorry I miss read your forum. I do have halogen bulbs and not the xenon and they are easy to change.

[n55x3]

Originally Posted by nonagon

The OEM xenons to me look white with a hint of blue. I read somewhere color temp is 5000K. I would not describe them as yellowish at all.

I think color is pretty subjective as everyone views colors in slightly different tints and hues.

HIDs are becoming more and more popular and across all the manufacturers you'd be hard pressed to find an OEM HID that was above 4500k. Pretty much an industry standard. There's lots of good info out there, just google BMW OEM HID color. Some good comparisons in the various forums of OEM HIDs next to aftermarket 5000k HIDs. I also think it's really hard to tell the difference until you've got 2 cars, with HIDs warmed up, shining on a wall side by side. I'll see if I can snap a picture this weekend of them side by side. The BMWs alone look nice and white but the yellow really comes out when they are next to a 5000k bulb.

Regardless of color temps, the OEM xenons are top notch and provide adequate lighting, far better than that of conventional halogens.

HIDs will slowly diminish over the next few years in favor of adaptive LED setups. I've driven an A6 with LED lights and they were amazing. They really reach down the road to illuminate signs and such.

[SomeRandomer123]

As someone mentioned earlier, changing the Xenon bulbs is a dangerous job!