[OceanView18]

Folks, any suggestions on a brighter halogen headlamp than what's stock on a 2011 328i Xdrive ? One of my lights are out and I figured it's worth upgrading them both to the brightest I can get that isn't xenon (as I hear that's a real hassle for the retrofit) I'll be taking it an independent shop to get it done - thanks in advance!!

[Ruddigger]

You're taking your car to a shop to change a light bulb?

[OceanView18]

absolutely - I don't have the tools / patience to do it at home - just wondering if it's worth paying a bit more for a premium brighter halogen - to buy that and take it to the shop myself - saw these Hella H7 high performance 2.0 bulbs. I'm reading that some of the more pricey ones don't last that long or are barely brighter than stock

http://www.tirerack.com/lighting/det...=Sport+Package

[Ruddigger]

The only "tool" you need is a quarter. Turn your wheel full lock, theres an access panel in the fender liner. Use the quarter to turn the 2 locking tabs, and you can acess the low beam easily. Switch out your bulb, repeat for the other side.

I used Philips diamond vision, my only complaint is they made my angel eyes look dim, even with the LED angel eye upgrade.

[OceanView18]

Thanks Ruddigger - I installed a Sylvania silverstar ultra and it comes on but the issue is that it doesn't aim as straight as it should - even though it's a whiter better light the older stock light is move level and shoots out further. Either I couldn't balance the bulb in there and level it just right or something but at this point I'll take it to a shop to try to align it or twist it in properly. Too bad they didn't make the light accessible from the engine bay or from the top of the hood.

[Ruddigger]

It probably just isn't seated in the housing correctly. Make sure that the little tab is lined up properly and it's all the way in. Then put the clip back on it securely and plug in the wires.