Drivers side headlight - how much is this going to cost....

[martins8585]

Hi guys - as per the title my drivers side headlight on my 2012 E70 recently failed.

I tried replacing the bulb and this didn't resolve this issue so off to a local independent garage who advised there's no power to the connector and that it's best to head to the main dealer as it's likely to be a control unit in the headlight. (They said the fault codes did change when they retested however predominantly it was headlight failure)

This sound wallet bruising, has anyone had a similar issue and will I need to remortgage the house to get this resolved.......??

Thanks in advance.

[X5Sport]

The control unit isn’t inside the headlight, but you do need to get the light unit out as it’s bolted to the bottom of it by the look of things. The procedure is here (copy of the BMW Tech Instructions used by Dealers). Same procedure for either side.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e70- ... ht/P0P4X5r

The module part number will be on Realoem - use the last 7 of your VIN (in the Serial No box) to get the right model/year - and have a look for it on line.

A main Dealer will charge you a fortune. Just remember if you have Xenon lights the voltages used (above 15KV) at arc ignition will bite so pay attention to where your fingers are. Disconnecting the battery is a very good idea.

I don’t know who the OEM is for the ballasts, but for my E71 (uses the same part) the unit cost varies from £40 to £250 each depending upon manufacturer and spec. The lamps are 35W rated if that helps.

Realoem shows: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?i ... 3117248050 as the latest version superseding previous units (check your year).

[martins8585]

Thanks X5Sport - that's really helpful.

I'm struggling to find a "good" independent close to where I live (Lichfield in the midlands) and the only one I've found is booked up for three weeks so I'm thinking of dropping it into my local stealership for a diagnosis........

[Wayfarer]

You could try Hughes brothers in Derby, they are BMW independent specialists, I used them for an interim service and found them to be very good on my 3 series a couple of years ago.

[martins8585]

Thanks Wayfarer - spoke to them this afternoon.

Really helpful, obviously knew their stuff and I'm heading over tomorrow for diagnostics (At least my disposable face will soak up my tears as I cry my way home....!! Lol)

[X5Sport]

Just be glad you don’t have adaptive LED units. I was told they can be £2k each if a headlight unit itself goes bad. That’s seriously silly money in my view.

[Wayfarer]

Matin - Glad they were able to help, I found them very helpful and knowledgeable, my x5 will probably go there for service etc at the end of the 3 yr warranty period and the 3 year bmw service plan.

X5sport - The adaptive led headlights are superb, knew they were expensive, but didn’t think they would be that expensive, hope they will be reliable.

[Leslie]

Hopefully you can get a control unit or igniter as I suspect bmw would say you need a new headlamp at a suitably crazy price , I have adaptive headlights on my 2009 x5 and even secondhand these are very pricey .

[Greydog]

Not so long ago we thought a gearbox issue was expensive but it seems LED lights are eclipsing that

How does the saying go "What price Progress"

[martins8585]

Just a quick update - I popped over to Hughes Brothers BMW in Derby. (Thank you Wayfarer!)

Really impressed (I used to run a Range Rover Sport so I've seen the inside of a lot of garages!! Lol), workshop was spotlessly clean, well organised, the technicians were clearly knowledgeable and friendly.

Unfortunately they weren't able to fully diagnose the issue there and then (in fairness, they did say they were fully booked but pop over and we'll have a quick look) as they were unable to get the bulb correctly seated in the mounting so it looks like something has got bent or broken when the last bulb was fitted.

It's booked in and the plan is wheel arch lining off to give them more room to hopefully see what's going on, if not it'll be bits of body work coming off to the headlight out......

As Greydog said, should it really be this much hassle for a headlight.....??

[henrym3]

Most manufacturers are the same. VW wanted £105 to change a sidelight bulb, that was 15 years ago and car still under warranty. I dread to think what it would cost today. Took the car home and changed the bulb using a pair of long nosed pliers in 5 minutes. Can’t believe the mechanics wouldn’t have done the same and then had a cuppa until the obligatory hour was up.

[X5Sport]

I put new Xenon bulbs into the X6 a year or so back and it was really fiddly to do. Lots of nasty sharp edges in the wing. There was a video on line that said to put a tea towel below the light in case of dropping the bulb as it’s a mare of a job to recover it. It can be done with care. Too many cars now are put together for fast assembly with no real thought about maintenance. I mean, the timing chain on my 40d is at the back of the engine. Changing it is major surgery to get the engine completely out, and that means half the front of the car has to be removed/disassembled first. The only winners are main dealers at £200/hr (plus VAT sir!)