what kind of bulb is this? - BMW Forum

Terina777 · 05-21-2009, 08:53 AM

I need to find out where I can order a headlight bulb for a 535i BMW. It is very small and fits into a silver bowl like thing. It illuminates the outside perimeter of the headlights. I'm a female that doesn't know much about this smaller bulb.
Any suggestions as to what the name of this is and where I can order this online. I also need to order the socket for the third brake light. I did find that at an online store, but can't find the other light. I believe it would cost too much to get it at the BMW store.
Thank you!

witeshark · 05-21-2009, 08:57 AM

What year 535i? My first guess is that you're looking for the bulb for city lights, A European version of parking lights.

Terina777 · 05-21-2009, 09:18 AM

It is a 2001 535i. Thank you for anything you can tell me. I was looking on line and I saw something that talked about an LED ring marker. That illuminates the perimeter of the headlight. Maybe my friend described the needed part wrong.
Thank you.

witeshark · 05-21-2009, 09:23 AM

Do you have a pic of your headlights? The rung type LED lights are halo, or "angle eye" lights. Your car would not have those as stock; but they may have been later added. City lights are lit by a small conventional light bulb.

Terina777 · 05-21-2009, 09:27 AM

Will get a photo and post later today some time. Thanks.

witeshark · 05-21-2009, 12:43 PM

Okay, I had to log off for a while, T-storm knocked out power for almost 3 hours.

Terina777 · 05-22-2009, 08:03 AM

Oops. It's not a 535i I need information on, it's a 525i.
How do I attach a picture that doesn't have an URL? It's on my computer.

witeshark · 05-22-2009, 08:40 AM

Attaching pics: use the go advanced button followed by manage attachments

Terina777 · 05-22-2009, 07:14 PM

Here is the picture of the 525i headlights. Thanks for your help again.

witeshark · 05-22-2009, 07:24 PM

It looks like you may have halo rings, if the rims of the light actually light up. If you mean the bulb in the inner most light (to the left as you're looking at the pic), that should be a flash (pulling back on the turn signal lever; xenons are too slow to flash) and possibly a DRL. An auto parts store should have one that works.

royalrot · 05-25-2009, 11:05 AM

does it look like this? i replaced mine with white LEDs from ebay. here's the link.

MTEC 3W LED BULBS FOR BMW E39 E53 E60 E61 E87 ANGEL EYE:eBay Motors (item 360157032441 end time May-28-09 22:53:50 PDT)

Terina777 · 05-25-2009, 08:13 PM

Yes, it looks like a halo light. Cool. I have to get a better look at the bulb to determine the exact one. Perhaps I can take a picture of that too. Maybe the bulb has a part # on it. We'll see.
Thank you so much for your help. I'll be so glad when I get this taken care of.
Terina

royalrot · 05-26-2009, 03:05 AM

click on the link-its a better bulb coz its white, or get one like OEM at bavauto.com

Terina777 · 05-28-2009, 04:50 PM

Well, I ordered the halo rings and the third brake light socket from Bava. I spoke with them on the phone. Nice people. Thank you both for making this go a whole lot faster and easier than I anticipated.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Terina

witeshark · 05-28-2009, 07:36 PM

Glad you have it all sorted.