[parapaul]

This is deliberately not in the Technical forum because it's not a technical issue.

I completely understand the reasoning behind, and need for, the hatch in the wheel arch to access the headlight bulbs. It's a great idea. However, I would like to personally commend the Ministry of Crap Design for their contributions to the development of this feature:

• Of the 2 covers on the back of the headlamp unit, one can be reached easily by just opening the bonnet. Why is the one that can be reached NOT the one that is most likely to be needed?
• The hatch in the wheel arch can be seen with the front wheels turned at full lock. There are 2 catches to release, but with the standard 18" MSport wheels fitted, only one can actually be reached.
• The design of the catches is such that you need a chunky flat blade screwdriver to turn them. The design of the wheel arch is such that only a stubby screwdriver will fit. Nobody makes a stubby screwdriver with a chunky enough tip.

So, to sum up:

A car engineered in Germany, where I'm sure it is law to carry spare bulbs at all times in case one should blow, is designed in such a way that it is completely sodding impossible to change the sidelight or dipped beam bulb without jacking the car up and removing the wheel.

Fucking genius

It was quicker to change a bulb on my old Vectra where I had to take the bumper off and remove the headlight unit completely.

[tmarshall57]

Have you tried using a coin instead of a screwdriver. Not sure if the hatches are the same on your model (mine is a 2007 SE) but I recall using a 20p piece when I renewed 2 bulbs (1 each side) on my car recently.

[parapaul]

Yeah but no but yeah but no but...

The manual even says to use a coin! Oops!

[AlwynMike]

Had to replace a headlight bulb on the Ford Mundane-o last month. So easy it's not true! 2 quarter turn thumb screws to remove the grille, pull up a lever next to the light and the whole unit just lifts out so you can change the bulb out of the rain!! less than 5 minutes to change 2 bulbs (upgraded them to extra-high performance, 50% more light output Lidl specials)!

Mike

[Falmouthboy]

Volvo get 10:10 here, both on our old V50 and later C30.

Open bonnet, pull out a 4" metal peg (by hand), whole headlight unit easily comes out, bulb changed and unit re fitted. 3 mins tops.

AND, you can also remove each unit in the same way, flick a lever on each unit and you are set for driving on the right, again, 3 mins each side and no tools required.

So simple - If the Swedes can do it why can't the Germans?

[shrink]

must admit the E46 was a right Ba****d to change some of the bulbs in, as there was more space behind one headlamp than there was behind the other. On the plus side, the indicators just slid out and gave epic easy access to the indicators.

Not looking forward to the same job on the E90!

[CarAbuser]

The e92 is much better for bulb changing. I usually lose a bit of skin in the process but its quick.

My mk1 focus was a different story. You had to remove the battery to fit one side! Which meant recoding the radio and a load of other hassle.

[Stringbag]

If you are talking about crap design, you should see how TVR put their Griffiths together!
Battery in the pax footwell? ECU balanced on top? Yep
Brake fluid reservoir inside wheel arch? Tick
Rear Spark plug completely inaccessible? oh yes
Have to empty the boot to put the roof on? oh how they'll laugh in the rain.
and those are just the ones I can think of!

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by Stringbag

Have to empty the boot to put the roof on? oh how they'll laugh in the rain.

Yes but at least you're eventually sat in the dry while you try and get it started.

[ZURICH]

I had a blown dipped beam on a trip to the UK at Easter, went to halfords in Poole, bought a bulb for 12 quid and paid 6 quid for it to be fitted EASY why bother to try it yourself

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by tmarshall57

Have you tried using a coin instead of a screwdriver. Not sure if the hatches are the same on your model (mine is a 2007 SE) but I recall using a 20p piece when I renewed 2 bulbs (1 each side) on my car recently.

I used a coin when I had to undo mine although I didn't need to because I changed all bulbs from the top I left a fair bit of skin in the headlight enclosures as proof.

I went to BMW today to get new retaining turnscrews for the headlight flaps, 2 of mine are broken, the flaps only come as complete units despite the screws only clipping onto the corners. They're only about £3 each but it's still stupid to have to buy the whole lot

[Brennan]

i use a £1 coin to twist the turn screws on my wheel arch flaps, its the best tool for these lol

[Kelly-lad]

You must not be doing it right

As I just changed all my bulbs in my e90 320d there yesterday took me half an hour tops

[parapaul]

Originally Posted by Kelly-lad

You must not be doing it right

As I just changed all my bulbs in my e90 320d there yesterday took me half an hour tops

You have an advantage though, there's a load of stuff missing from your engine bay... 2 cylinders for a start

[Danny.B.]

Originally Posted by parapaul

You have an advantage though, there's a load of stuff missing from your engine bay... 2 cylinders for a start

ouch!

[Kelly-lad]

Originally Posted by parapaul

You have an advantage though, there's a load of stuff missing from your engine bay... 2 cylinders for a start

I have only turned 21 and working a part time job while studying, and have my car bought and paid for which is all I can afford

Can you say the same? if so fair play but would be interested in seeing the engine bay in your car?

Plus from pictures doesn't seem a big different in engine bay room than the 330 and the 320

[Business edition]

Originally Posted by Kelly-lad

I have only turned 21 and working a part time job while studying, and have my car bought and paid for which is all I can afford

Can you say the same? if so fair play but would be interested in seeing the engine bay in your car?

Plus from pictures doesn't seem a big different in engine bay room than the 330 and the 320

+1

[Mart1000]

I didn't need to access through the wheel arch hatch on my 06 e90 330d when I replaced both dipped beam bulbs. Hand on heart they were both a piece of piss to fit.

[Falmouthboy]

Originally Posted by Kelly-lad

I have only turned 21 and working a part time job while studying, and have my car bought and paid for which is all I can afford

Can you say the same? if so fair play but would be interested in seeing the engine bay in your car?

Plus from pictures doesn't seem a big different in engine bay room than the 330 and the 320

Shoulder chip interface or what! Fact - a 6 cyl engine is bigger than a 4 cyl one and has a few other 'bigger' bits - it's not a challenge on the fact you have a 4 cyl car - get over it!

[ed335d]

Originally Posted by parapaul

You have an advantage though, there's a load of stuff missing from your engine bay... 2 cylinders for a start

Originally Posted by Kelly-lad

I have only turned 21 and working a part time job while studying, and have my car bought and paid for which is all I can afford

Can you say the same? if so fair play but would be interested in seeing the engine bay in your car?

Plus from pictures doesn't seem a big different in engine bay room than the 330 and the 320

4 & 2 respectively, actually.

Play nicely children

[Business edition]

Originally Posted by ed335d

4 & 2 respectively, actually.

Play nicely children

Nicely said

[Brennan]

Originally Posted by Kelly-lad

I have only turned 21 and working a part time job while studying, and have my car bought and paid for which is all I can afford

Can you say the same? if so fair play but would be interested in seeing the engine bay in your car?

Plus from pictures doesn't seem a big different in engine bay room than the 330 and the 320

fair play lad, im 23 and have my remapped 318d e90, other bmw owners tend to look down on us sometimes, but i always come back with the line, 'did you have a bmw owned outright at your age?' that soon shuts them up lol