BMW 328i Day-Time Running Lights Question

I have a 2007 BMW 328i sports wagon with xenon headlights. I have a question about the day-time running lights on the car.

From the outside of the article, looking straight at the headlights, it is apparent to me that the day-time running lights on one side of the car are brighter than on the other side. There is no light on in the car indicating that a bulb has burned out.

Just the other day, I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw an X5 behind me. That car also had the same "issue"--one of the day-time running lamps was brighter than the other.

What could be causing this issue? Is one of the lamps about to burn out and is that why it is more dim than the other? Or is all of this just normal and the way it is supposed to be.

Thanks for any insight.

Perhaps they are angled differently like the headlamps. The Driver's side lamps are aimed lower than the Passenger side lamps. YesNo?

It could be the angle. You may be right. Has anyone else noticed this?

The left headlight unit should be aimed slightly lower, but only slightly. It should not be significantly off. Often, hitting a pothole or severe bump may cause headlight misalignment. If it is under warranty, I suggest taking it to the dealer for realignment.

A way to check is to park a medium distance (about 10-15m away) from a wall, garage door, or other flat surface so that the low-beam xenon cutoff pattern is discernable. If the two sides are significantly out of alignment, that's your cue.

I bet you are right and they are misaligned. Unfortunately car is not under warranty. I wonder how much they will ding for something like tins.

Hello from the M3 and E39 side of the boards. I have a related question from a friend with 2007 E93.

His driver side running light is out, and he's getting quoted $130 from dealer to replace.

How difficult is this to DIY? Anyone have first hand knowledge?

I noticed this as well...does anyone know if it's something from the factory?

Originally Posted by Edgy36-39

Hello from the M3 and E39 side of the boards. I have a related question from a friend with 2007 E93.

His driver side running light is out, and he's getting quoted $130 from dealer to replace.

How difficult is this to DIY? Anyone have first hand knowledge?

If its just the bulb then it should be pretty easy.

Originally Posted by Edgy36-39

Hello from the M3 and E39 side of the boards. I have a related question from a friend with 2007 E93.

His driver side running light is out, and he's getting quoted $130 from dealer to replace.

How difficult is this to DIY? Anyone have first hand knowledge?

I just replace my AE and my fog lights and wanted to replace the running lights but it was so much of a pain that I decided to forget about it and just do the other bulbs.

The reasoning is that the running light are placed very deep in the headlight assembly and not easy to access. I even had the inner fender wells off and still didnt have luck.

Originally Posted by 335i Pal

I just replace my AE and my fog lights and wanted to replace the running lights but it was so much of a pain that I decided to forget about it and just do the other bulbs.

The reasoning is that the running light are placed very deep in the headlight assembly and not easy to access. I even had the inner fender wells off and still didnt have luck.

On the sedan it's a pain in the a$$, but on a coupe or convertible it isn't that bad.

On the sedan it's a pain in the a$$, but on a coupe or convertible it isn't that bad.

Thanks Sub, any details? And question -- so there is a difference between sedan and coupe/vert, AND a difference between early E90s and later?

Why does BMW make this so complicated huh?

Originally Posted by Edgy36-39

Thanks Sub, any details? And question -- so there is a difference between sedan and coupe/vert, AND a difference between early E90s and later?

Why does BMW make this so complicated huh?

Unfortunately that's really the extent of my knowledge. I have seen some DIY guides on E90post. I think the difference between the coupe/vert and the sedan is simply with how things are arranged.

The E90 (sedan) has two versions. The 2006-2008 models are the so called pre-LCI's. The 2009+ models are considered LCI's.

The E92 and E93 is the same way. Pre LCI is 2007-2010. LCI is 2011+

Closure - I suggested my friend have the dealer do it.

I reference this thread in my latest post -- asking BMW for less complexity, more transparency: http://cparente.wordpress.com/2010/1...-transparency/

the drl bulbs are a pain in the ass to change..if that clip is not on there just right it will be a little off...took me about an hour for both lol first time...