How hard installing bulbs in Halogen headlight?

[Yvette]

planning to change into GP Thunder 7500K
low beam/DRL
turn signal corner light into chrome mirror super white bulb

Anyone have diy guide or advice for installing them?

[moveswiftly]

There's a page in your manual that tells you how to do it =)
it's very easy.....
On the back of each of he headlight covers you'll find two metal clips. push each of them in the opposite direction they're pointing. Once you do that remove the rear cover.

Then use the manual to help you with how to remove the bulbs, most of the time just turn the bulb counter clockwise to remove !

[supraking]

My manual said "replace bulbs." It provided no extra help.... so I figured it out on my own. Just be gentle, don't pull on anything connected to wires, and you'll be fine. It can be a pain to get the actual bulbs in/out without touching them though, be careful.

[bozola]

Just do a search for Bitch Clip on the forum.

[angrybaker]

wear gloves

[Mega Man]

Originally Posted by angrybaker

wear gloves

+1
I just did it today...and I sliced up my hand a little. Enough to draw blood on my thumb.

The install isn't hard. I just installed MTEC's today. It is a littler frustrating though.

The driver's side is a cinch. Pull the clips, fold back the headlight housing cover, twist the clip holding the H8 bulb, remove the bulb by prying the little grey plastic over the black clips on the bulb, replace.

The passenger side is where I sliced up my hand. There's a hose line that runs up next to the cover and you have to slightly push it out of the way. Also, the clips are a little harder to negotiate with on this side for some reason. It all adds up to: unless you have small hands, you're going to working in a confined space. I couldn't fit my hands all the way in this on, and my fingers could get in but not enough to apply force to turn the clip. So, I used a pair of plyers to grab the clip and turn.

Anyway, just grit your teeth, and get to it.

For anyone on the ropes about this mod, here's what I have to say:
They're NOT AS VISIBLE in broad day light at all. They are however, very nice during your morning/evening commutes. You'll pull up behind a darker colored vehicle and just stare in awe at your whitish-blue colored halos thinking, "my...how pretty they are," or, "man, those yellow ones sure were ugly." However, on your lunch break, you'll pull up behind another vehicle and think, "...are they even on?"

I opted for these over true HID Halos for mainly two reasons. First, I didn't want halos that overpowered my actual headlight; that is, I didn't want the halos to be more noticable than the headlight. Second, ease of installation and cost. It seems the true HID ones require drilling into the headlight housing. I wasn't comfortable with this. It's really silly when you think about it, because the glass part of the headlight has a bulb and the bulb's housing blocking moisture from getting in there, but I just didn't want to have to worry about it. They're significantly cheaper than true HID kits (and you can tell!).

[ad78]

this will test your patience. take your time and don't lose hope...

[supraking]

Ditto. Be patient, explore one piece at a time, don't pull anything too hard, remember that wires are connected in there.

PM me your email and I'll send you a couple pictures from my install. Or drive to Montreal and I'll help you install them :P

[aacabriolet]

Tried to install it myself, and it wasn't sitting properly in the halogen housing after install... That bitch clip is also a REAL bitch...

Ended up driving into my BMW service department and finding the workshop frontman who did it for me in about a minute flat

[gstopyra]

Just finished H8 and H3 install...about 30 minutes. Passenger side was a bit difficult, but not too bad. I McGyver'd the H3 covers open with a small screw driver and small chisel. pretty easy.

I went with GP Thunder 8500k for both. No pics tonight, but I'll take some in daylight. They are much dimmer, but color match is good with OEM HIDs. Hmmm...not liking the turn signals now...what to do?

Oh, and my car is no longer "new". I accidentally (stupidly) opened my door into a rake hanging on my garage wall. now I have a small scratch about this big: -- on my door. pissed me off more than the bitch clips (which really weren't for me). Guess I gotta get some touch up paint now.

-GS

[supraking]

Originally Posted by gstopyra

Oh, and my car is no longer "new". I accidentally (stupidly) opened my door into a rake hanging on my garage wall. now I have a small scratch about this big: -- on my door. pissed me off more than the bitch clips (which really weren't for me). Guess I gotta get some touch up paint now.

-GS

Someone smashed into my door the other day. Believe me, the pain from a little nick will go away quicker than you think. At least you don't have to wait 3 weeks for repairs.

Still sorry to hear that though, it sucks how something that happens so quickly is permanent...

[BimmerLearner]

Anyone offer any help? i took the entire cover off, guess i wasnt supposed to, now that wont go back on, its tight in there. I also dropped the old bulb down inside the car somewhere so its going well... cant find the h3 bulb either... HELP! thanks

[Yvette]

it was bitching to install... so tight spaces....

[BimmerLearner]

Got the drivers done, cover sucked!!! Found the h3 bulbs, 1 was easy the other I'm fd on.... The blue connector cable didn't come out with the bulb so I can't hook the new one up.

[e85sbm]

Looking to replace my H8 bulbs as well...any feedback on the M-Tec bulbs and how they look during the daytime?

Also, I am afraid I will get frustrated with the tight space...is there anyone willing to do this for me for a small fee?

[DrGadget]

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

There's a page in your manual that tells you how to do it =)
it's very easy.....
On the back of each of he headlight covers you'll find two metal clips. push each of them in the opposite direction they're pointing. Once you do that remove the rear cover.

Then use the manual to help you with how to remove the bulbs, most of the time just turn the bulb counter clockwise to remove !

Do the parking light bulbs also require an anti-clockwise turn? I am about to use a mirror and light to try and see what the setup is for these.

[Nickspensive]

Originally Posted by Mega Man

+1
I just did it today...and I sliced up my hand a little. Enough to draw blood on my thumb.

The install isn't hard. I just installed MTEC's today. It is a littler frustrating though.

The driver's side is a cinch. Pull the clips, fold back the headlight housing cover, twist the clip holding the H8 bulb, remove the bulb by prying the little grey plastic over the black clips on the bulb, replace.

The passenger side is where I sliced up my hand. There's a hose line that runs up next to the cover and you have to slightly push it out of the way. Also, the clips are a little harder to negotiate with on this side for some reason. It all adds up to: unless you have small hands, you're going to working in a confined space. I couldn't fit my hands all the way in this on, and my fingers could get in but not enough to apply force to turn the clip. So, I used a pair of plyers to grab the clip and turn.

Anyway, just grit your teeth, and get to it.

For anyone on the ropes about this mod, here's what I have to say:
They're NOT AS VISIBLE in broad day light at all. They are however, very nice during your morning/evening commutes. You'll pull up behind a darker colored vehicle and just stare in awe at your whitish-blue colored halos thinking, "my...how pretty they are," or, "man, those yellow ones sure were ugly." However, on your lunch break, you'll pull up behind another vehicle and think, "...are they even on?"

I opted for these over true HID Halos for mainly two reasons. First, I didn't want halos that overpowered my actual headlight; that is, I didn't want the halos to be more noticable than the headlight. Second, ease of installation and cost. It seems the true HID ones require drilling into the headlight housing. I wasn't comfortable with this. It's really silly when you think about it, because the glass part of the headlight has a bulb and the bulb's housing blocking moisture from getting in there, but I just didn't want to have to worry about it. They're significantly cheaper than true HID kits (and you can tell!).

+1 Totally agree..... I opted to change mine but just with 7500W H8. The whole drilling into the headlight and a wiring harness clip made my decision pretty easy. They arn't that visible during the day, but morning and evenings they look good!!

[Nickspensive]

here's come pics. I'm sure similar pictures have been posted on other threads. Thought this might help some of you...
Comparison vs stock:

[DrGadget]

Originally Posted by bozola

Just do a search for Bitch Clip on the forum.

Yes ... and a bitch they were when i had to replace halogen bulbs .... until I flicked the entire headlights LOL.