Was wondering whether anyone could recommend a good (not too expensive) garage in and around Basel to replace passenger side front headlamp (dipped beam) bulb?
I thought it would be a reasonably easy DIY job and bought the correct bulb for it (H7), but upon opening the bonnet quickly realized Im out of my depth.. The wheel arch is restricting access to what looks like a tightly fixed cover behind the lamp (torx screws). Its impossible to reach without either pulling the bumber off, or i suspect more likely that the wheel has to be taken off, then the underside panel covers... madness, for a bulb change
Can only find advice online on older cars <2010 (easier, no torx screw fixed cover) or newer models that arent quite the same as mine. I have a 2010 325d touring.
anyone know how much the labour charge should cost? recommendations for a garage muchly appreciated.
I'd read about the access via wheel arch and thought it would be like a Honda where you have to actually peel the arch liner back and get your arm trapped inside the wing (still got scars that look like I tried to commit suicide). Turns out the wee hatch is really easy to access, you just turn the wheels hard left for the right side and hard right for the left side. No need to remove the wheels. I actually removed the hatch then just done the job from the bonnet. Having the hatch open and the wheels turned allowed for more light so I could see what was going on. I'd imagine with the bigger engine models it would be more difficult to work from the bonnet as there will be less space. "
As I said i have done an online search, and ones that are closest to my car refer to the E90 series, where the hatch gives you access to an easily removable backing cover, in order to access the bulb/ wiring.
In my car I have the same access panel via the wheel arch, have tried it, but then im greeted with a black cover thats fixed in via at least 4 (what I can see of) hex screws that you either need special angled tool or very dextrous alien-like fingers in order to open. Im guess the wheels and lining need to come off. hence the question for a garage recommendation.
Can't promise anything for BMW garages but my local Ford dealer replaces bulbs for the price of the bulb only. Tail light cost me all of CHF 5 a few weeks ago. Took them at least 10 minutes so a bargain.
Its not the same. The LCI update included quite a few differences.
Anyway I did the inevitable and contacted the main dealer... bulb cost is peanuts. Labour charge is between 45-65 CHF (quote over the phone). They did advise the E91 is different to E90, more secure housing to access rear of the lights, less space because its a 3 litre, and yes the lining and wheel has to come off.
If anyone knows a local Basel garage that perhaps might do it for a cheaper than up to 65CHF price please let me know..
I find it outrageous that the car is designed in such a way that a roadside bulb replacement is next to impossible.. and probably a deliberate move to charge labour costs on a cheap maintenance item.
Same frustrations with our BMW 320d Touring. The main headlights are virtually impossible to change unless it's on a ramp. You could go to one of the self service garages listed in another thread to do the work and buy a bulb to fit yourself. We try to carry spares we have bought in France at Feu Vert/Leclerc Auto as prices much cheaper than CH. Feu Vert normally fit replacement accessories for free too but we give the mechanic EUR5 as a thank you as it's a sod of a job.
Yes I agree its not worth the hassle at that cost. However, when I posted initially I was fearing it would be much more. Since I heard back from main dealer in CH now, with that quote I was ~ok with it (by the way the main dealier over the border in DE quoted 150 EUR ).
In the meantime a local garage replied to an email sent over the weekend telling me its no big deal to do, hence checking them out tomorrow, and will report back if the cost is much less - for the benefit of other owners of the same type of car (my expectations would be ~20 for a simple bulb replacement).
20 chf expectations based on the local garage chap saying "its no big deal" he implied he knows how to do it without having to strip away the lining etc. which the main dealer was describing to me to justify the quote. Since I am curious about it I'll try the local place.
I meant that I could only find online videos / instructions on how to do it for pre-LCI E90 vehicles, where (if you watch the vids) the black cover for the lights are clipped on (easily removed). With mine they are screwed in which I cant undo myself without the right tools. If you find a site detailing how to do it for a post LCI E90/E91 would be great if you can share.
sorry folks. just a quick update to conclude on this story:
Local garage was mistaken, ended up quoting me 350 CHF after looking at what was needed to be done. So in the end its now with the main dealer for a 250 CHF (parts and labour) bulb replacement.
Thumbs up to BMW for designing the car in such a way that it's a royal faff to reach the light bulb