How many BMW techs does it take to change a light bulb?

*clyde* · 11-17-2006, 10:00 AM

To those of you with E46s with xenons...

To make a long story short, the actuator (motor) for the driver side xenon on the wagon went out last winter leaving the lamp rotated to the full down position. The car was at the dealer for something else this week and I asked for a quote to repair the light as well. $573. $67 part, 4.9 hours book time to replace.

FC · 11-17-2006, 10:13 AM

WTF?!!

JST · 11-17-2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyde

To those of you with E46s with xenons...

To make a long story short, the actuator (motor) for the driver side xenon on the wagon went out last winter leaving the lamp rotated to the full down position. The car was at the dealer for something else this week and I asked for a quote to repair the light as well. $573. $67 part, 4.9 hours book time to replace.

That's nothing. Headlamps for the Audi (just the part) cost $797.
Come as a unit only; no replacements of individual components.

ff · 11-17-2006, 10:35 AM

Dude, weekend project! Don't give your money to the man.

killerdeck · 11-19-2006, 07:50 PM

I recall an accident that my dad had in his 2000 323Ci. He lost one xenon light and was quoted $1200 for a pair since they came only in packs of 2.

John V · 11-20-2006, 08:03 AM

Damn, so there are advantages to my car's low-rent halogen headlights. $15 bulbs and "can't give 'em away" used headlight housings.

FC · 11-20-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John V

Damn, so there are advantages to my car's low-rent halogen headlights. $15 bulbs and "can't give 'em away" used headlight housings.

I'm sure P-Xenons are not cheaper than BMW Xenons either.

John V · 11-20-2006, 10:31 AM

Dunno about the bulbs, but the entire retrofit kit is $1100 new.

lupinsea · 11-20-2006, 10:29 PM

When our 330i was sideswiped part of the damage was the cracked headlight housing with the Xenons. Supposedly you cannot just get the plastic housing but must get the entire xenon headlight assembly for a wopping $900. Seems a bit steep (and ridiculous) to me but the other guy was paying so I didn't press things too much.

It was one of the things that I sorta wonder about. I really like the Xenons and they do put out a nice amount of light but given the potentially pricey replacement cost is that light all THAT much better?

rumatt · 11-20-2006, 11:18 PM

I opted to save $700 when I bought my 330. No regrets.

11-17-2006, 10:00 AM	#1
clyde Chief title editor Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 26,599	How many BMW techs does it take to change a light bulb? To those of you with E46s with xenons... To make a long story short, the actuator (motor) for the driver side xenon on the wagon went out last winter leaving the lamp rotated to the full down position. The car was at the dealer for something else this week and I asked for a quote to repair the light as well. $573. $67 part, 4.9 hours book time to replace. __________________ OH NOES!!!!!1 MY CAR HAS T3H UND3R5T33R5555!!!!!!1oneone!!!!11 Team WTF?! What are you gonna do?

11-17-2006, 10:13 AM	#2
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,263	WTF?!!

11-17-2006, 10:35 AM	#4
ff . Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 13,514	Dude, weekend project! Don't give your money to the man.

11-19-2006, 07:50 PM	#5
killerdeck Crotchety Join Date: Nov 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: 2016 BMW M3 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,376	I recall an accident that my dad had in his 2000 323Ci. He lost one xenon light and was quoted $1200 for a pair since they came only in packs of 2.

11-20-2006, 08:03 AM	#6
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	Damn, so there are advantages to my car's low-rent halogen headlights. $15 bulbs and "can't give 'em away" used headlight housings.

11-20-2006, 10:31 AM	#8
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	Dunno about the bulbs, but the entire retrofit kit is $1100 new.

11-20-2006, 10:29 PM	#9
lupinsea Jeeped Join Date: Sep 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata Location: Seattle Posts: 10,214	When our 330i was sideswiped part of the damage was the cracked headlight housing with the Xenons. Supposedly you cannot just get the plastic housing but must get the entire xenon headlight assembly for a wopping $900. Seems a bit steep (and ridiculous) to me but the other guy was paying so I didn't press things too much. It was one of the things that I sorta wonder about. I really like the Xenons and they do put out a nice amount of light but given the potentially pricey replacement cost is that light all THAT much better?

11-20-2006, 11:18 PM	#10
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	I opted to save $700 when I bought my 330. No regrets.