2007 328xi Coupe Angel Eye bulb replacement

[Soxfan1966]

Not sure who the engineer was, nor what size hands they had, but I am having a devil of a time trying to replace these.

The opening is just big enough to get your hand in, but the bulb is in the back. Getting the old one out was a challenge. Getting the new one in has proven to be near impossible. I broke one of the new bulbs (the metal locking ring part, not the glass bulb).

Can someone explain what the trick is to getting these to seat even and lock into place.

[bstylz01]

U have to take off the whole wheel well

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[Soxfan1966]

The access for the bulb in the coupe is via a small panel in the engine compartment. There is no need to remove the wheel well. I am looking for a tip/trick to get the bulb seaTed in that miniscule comparment.

[d21spike]

The access for the bulb in the coupe is via a small panel in the engine compartment. There is no need to remove the wheel well. I am looking for a tip/trick to get the bulb seaTed in that miniscule comparment.

bstylz01 is correct, there is an access hole in the wheel well that makes things easier. If it's not big enough to accomplish what you are trying to do taking off the wheel well cover (it's split in half) is the next logical step and is pretty easy to do. I usually end up turning the wheel or even taking it off to gain more clearance.

[Soxfan1966]

Anyone have a pic of the access to the bulb when the wheel well panel is removed? From what I can tell from above, the headlight unit has no opening on the back but it is possible there is one underneath - which I think is what you are suggesting would be available if the wheel well liner ws removed?

And from the info I can gather, the process to replace this bulb is different in the coup vs sedan as well.

Thanks

[d21spike]

Anyone have a pic of the access to the bulb when the wheel well panel is removed? From what I can tell from above, the headlight unit has no opening on the back but it is possible there is one underneath - which I think is what you are suggesting would be available if the wheel well liner ws removed?

And from the info I can gather, the process to replace this bulb is different in the coup vs sedan as well.

Thanks

This is the view from the access hole
575035

This is with the wheel well removed, an arrow pointing to the angel eye bulb cover
575036

Picture taken from this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72nuNNbIixE

[Soxfan1966]

I looked at my wheel wells, and there is no access panel. As I mentioned previously, that wheel well access is for the sedan whereas the engine compartment space is for the coupe.

I looked at the engine compartment space and there is no opening on the back or underneath either. Only the from the cover on top.

I was able to get both new bulbs installed - the driver side went in easier (the angle of the opening seemed to work out better) and the passenger side took a little longer.

Hope I don't have to change those again for a very long time.