Changing passenger side H8 bulb? Tips to get the headlight cover off.

Lester · 02-14-2023, 04:00 PM

2008 135i, N54. There are a couple of hoses blocking the inside clip, and almost no room to maneuver the cover off. Does one simply use a pry bar to get the hoses out of the way?

They are suuported by a bracket and I'd hate to break anything.

My dealer charged an hours labour last time. Is that because they had to take some of the offending apparatus out of the way?

YouTube videos only show the drivers side, which I've done before with only minor bitch clip abrasions.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Goodmanfue · 02-14-2023, 04:08 PM

My hand was able to fit, but I had to pull/push the hoses back a bit with my other hand while trying to get back there.

I unbolted the vacuum pumps when replacing the old hoses and that might be a better approach. It doesn’t resolve the issue with the big hoses, but it gives you more room to maneuver around.

Lester · 02-14-2023, 07:01 PM

Ok, thanks!

SeaBlueBee · 02-16-2023, 09:37 AM

2009 135i here....I've been fighting with the passenger side headlight off and on for 3 days now.
Whoever designed should be sent to Gitmo 😄

drover135 · 03-14-2023, 05:50 AM

It’s been forever since I changed mine but I know I followed the guide on the Lux website and didn’t have too hard of a time http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/070...InstallE87.pdf
The way it tells you to angle it was critical, and there’s two little feet on the bottom of the cover that I didn’t know about, think you have to lift up to disengage them.
I didn’t have to remove anything to get the covers off but I do have an n55, not sure if that area is different. I almost certainly came out of there bleeding

ResinThirteen · 03-14-2023, 05:52 PM

It *is* possible, but yeah, it's super tricky. Once you unclip both metal bars, just kind of work the back cover off until it comes out. It doesn't actually require a ton of force--you just have to find the exact right angle.

If you lose patience, pop the bumper cover off, unscrew the headlight itself, and loosen the headlight brackets. That's give you plenty of room.

Lester · 03-15-2023, 04:09 PM

This Youtube video in an excellent primer:

02-14-2023, 04:00 PM	#1
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Changing passenger side H8 bulb? Tips to get the headlight cover off. 2008 135i, N54. There are a couple of hoses blocking the inside clip, and almost no room to maneuver the cover off. Does one simply use a pry bar to get the hoses out of the way? They are suuported by a bracket and I'd hate to break anything. My dealer charged an hours labour last time. Is that because they had to take some of the offending apparatus out of the way? YouTube videos only show the drivers side, which I've done before with only minor bitch clip abrasions. Any advice will be appreciated. __________________ 2008 135i, Jet Black, 6 spd, Canadian Sport package, black leatherette, manual seats, aluminum glacier trim, PDC. 1983 E21 Delphin, M10, 5 speed, LSD, MSW wheels, recaro seats, Hartge strut brace, rear sway bar. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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02-14-2023, 04:08 PM	#2
Goodmanfue Enlisted Member 21 Rep 35 Posts Drives: Bmw 135i Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	My hand was able to fit, but I had to pull/push the hoses back a bit with my other hand while trying to get back there. I unbolted the vacuum pumps when replacing the old hoses and that might be a better approach. It doesn’t resolve the issue with the big hoses, but it gives you more room to maneuver around.
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02-14-2023, 07:01 PM	#3
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Ok, thanks!
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02-16-2023, 09:37 AM	#4
SeaBlueBee Registered 2 Rep 2 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	2009 135i here....I've been fighting with the passenger side headlight off and on for 3 days now. Whoever designed should be sent to Gitmo 😄
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03-14-2023, 05:50 AM	#5
drover135 Enlisted Member 25 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2012 135i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 135i [0.00]	It’s been forever since I changed mine but I know I followed the guide on the Lux website and didn’t have too hard of a time http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/070...InstallE87.pdf The way it tells you to angle it was critical, and there’s two little feet on the bottom of the cover that I didn’t know about, think you have to lift up to disengage them. I didn’t have to remove anything to get the covers off but I do have an n55, not sure if that area is different. I almost certainly came out of there bleeding
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03-14-2023, 05:52 PM	#6
ResinThirteen Private First Class 191 Rep 128 Posts Drives: 09 135i Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [0.00]	It is possible, but yeah, it's super tricky. Once you unclip both metal bars, just kind of work the back cover off until it comes out. It doesn't actually require a ton of force--you just have to find the exact right angle. If you lose patience, pop the bumper cover off, unscrew the headlight itself, and loosen the headlight brackets. That's give you plenty of room.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-15-2023, 04:09 PM	#7
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	This Youtube video in an excellent primer: __________________ 2008 135i, Jet Black, 6 spd, Canadian Sport package, black leatherette, manual seats, aluminum glacier trim, PDC. 1983 E21 Delphin, M10, 5 speed, LSD, MSW wheels, recaro seats, Hartge strut brace, rear sway bar. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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