Buy BMW 528i Headlight Assembly

Overview

The BMW 528i headlight-also called a headlamp, front lamp, or head-light assembly-lets you see the road and lets others see you. Each unit holds a clear plastic lens, a reflector or projector bowl, bulbs, and wiring that connect to fuses and switches in the car. Early 528i models used halogen bulbs, later ones added xenon high-intensity-discharge (HID) projectors, and today's cars often come with bright, power-saving LEDs. (BMW BLOG)

Key Features

• Light source options - Halogen H7 bulbs (1997-2003 E39) are simple and low-cost. (ManualsLib) Xenon D1S or D2S projectors (2004-2010 E60) give a whiter beam. (BMW BLOG) Newer F10 and G30 generations add standard or optional adaptive LED arrays that swivel with the steering wheel. (BMW BLOG, BMW BLOG)
• Angel Eyes (corona rings) - Thin light rings encircle the low-beam lenses. They began on E39 facelift cars and became a BMW styling icon. (Bimmerfest)
• Self-leveling and adaptive motors - Sensors on the suspension keep the beam flat when the car is loaded, and adaptive units aim into curves for better night vision. (BMW BLOG)
• Housing material - Lenses are UV-coated polycarbonate. Over time they can yellow or haze but can be restored with sanding and clear coat. (Wikipedia)

Compatibility

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Maintenance

Clean the clear lens with car-wash soap; avoid harsh chemicals that strip the UV layer. If the lens turns cloudy, sand with fine grit (1000→3000), polish, and re-coat with a UV-clear spray. This can restore up to 70 % lost light output. (Wikipedia) Check the rubber rear cap to keep water out; moisture causes condensation. If fogging appears, remove the bulb cap, run the lights, and let the unit breathe until dry. Replace cracked seals to stop leaks. (Bimmerforums.com)

Installation Tips

1. Disconnect the battery to avoid shorts.
2. Remove the top trim screws, pull the head-light assembly forward, and unplug the harness. (E60 owners reach behind without pulling the bumper.) (ManualsLib)
3. Swap bulbs-do not touch glass with bare fingers.
4. Re-seat the gasket evenly to keep dust out.
5. Aim the beam on a flat wall: center mark at 25 ft should sit slightly below head-light height. Fine-tune with the white vertical and horizontal adjusters. (YouTube, Bimmerforums.com)
6. Replace fuse F20 (F10 chassis) if both lamps go dark. (Fuse Box, YouTube)

Common Problems

• Burned halogen bulb - Lifespan ~450 hours; replace in pairs.
• Flickering xenon - Often a weak ballast or failing D1S arc tube.
• Adaptive motor fault - Dash shows "head-light vertical aim control failure." Broken leveling link or motor gear is typical.
• Condensation - Caused by missing cap or cracked seal; dry and reseal.
• Yellow lens - UV breakdown; restore or replace the lens. (Wikipedia)

Safety & Regulations

All U.S. headlights must follow FMVSS 108. The rule says lamps must be "steady-burning" and meet brightness and beam-pattern limits. Replacement LED assemblies are legal if they self-certify to the same standard; each diode string must darken together if one fails. (NHTSA, NHTSA)

Upgrades & Options

• Replace halogen with H7 LED retrofit kits-look for ones that keep beam cutoff sharp.
• Install clear-lens projector retrofits for sharper HID output.
• Add brighter LED angel-eye rings on E60 and F10 cars for modern daytime running lights. (Bimmerfest)
• Coding tools can enable "welcome light" fades and anti-dazzle high-beam assist where legal. (BMW BLOG)

Environmental Impact

LED modules cut power draw by about 30 W per lamp versus halogen, saving fuel and trim-ming CO₂. When a polycarbonate lens is restored instead of replaced, about 1 kg of plastic stays out of landfills. (Wikipedia)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb size fits a 1998 BMW 528i low beam?
A: The sedan uses an H7 bulb for both low and high beams. (ManualsLib)

Q: Does the 2012 528i use xenon or LED?
A: For model year 2012 (F10), xenon adaptive projectors were standard and LED headlights were an extra-cost option. (BMW BLOG)

Q: How do I know if I have adaptive headlights?
A: Switch on the lamps while parked; adaptive units sweep left-right then level themselves. A steering-wheel-with-beam icon also shows in the i-drive menu. (BMW BLOG)

Q: My angel eyes are dim-can I swap to LEDs?
A: Yes. Plug-in LED halo bulbs fit the factory socket on E60 and F10 cars and shine 2-3× brighter. Make sure the set is CAN-bus error-free. (Bimmerfest)

Q: The head-lights point too low after a shock swap-why?
A: The front ride-height sensor link may not be re-attached, so the control module thinks the car is nose-up and tilts the beam down. Re-connect or replace the link. (Bimmerforums.com)

Q: Where is the head-light fuse on a 2014 528i?
A: It is fuse F20 (lighting) inside the passenger foot-well fuse panel. (Fuse Box, YouTube)

Q: Can I polish cloudy lenses myself?
A: Yes-wet-sand with 1000-, 2000-, 3000-grit, polish, then spray a UV-clear. The lens will look clear for years if the coating cures fully. (Wikipedia)

Q: Are laser headlights offered on the 528i?
A: No. Laser lamps are available on newer 5 Series trims such as M550i and not on the four-cylinder 528i. LEDs are the top option on that model. (BMW BLOG)

Q: Why do my xenon lights flicker when cold?
A: Arc tubes wear out; voltage spikes as they warm. Replace the D1S bulbs and, if needed, the ballast. (BMW BLOG)

Q: Is it legal to install color-changing halos?
A: FMVSS 108 allows only white or amber lamps on the front of a street vehicle. RGB halos should be used off-road or coded to white on public roads. (NHTSA)

Q: What torque spec for head-light mounting bolts?
A: Tighten to 5 Nm (hand-snug). Over-tightening can crack the plastic tabs. (ManualsLib)

Q: How long do LED modules last?
A: BMW rates them for about 15 000 hours-roughly the life of the car for most drivers. (BMW BLOG)

Q: Can I disable the adaptive feature?
A: Yes-scan the car with a coding tool and set "AHL" (adaptive head-light) to "nicht_aktiv." Lights will stay fixed.

Q: What's the difference between reflector and projector lights?
A: Reflectors bounce light off a bowl; projectors shine light through a lens for a sharper cutoff. Most xenon and LED BMW units are projectors. (BMW BLOG)

Q: Do I need to re-aim after swapping bulbs?
A: If you don't disturb the adjusters, the aim should stay. Still test on a wall because new bulbs can sit differently in the socket. (YouTube)

Q: My dash shows "Head-lamp vertical aim error." What now?
A: Check the rear suspension height sensor arm and the stepper motor inside the lamp; either can break. Replace faulty parts and reset the error with a scan tool. (Bimmerforums.com)

Q: Are aftermarket LED conversions plug-and-play?
A: Physically, yes, but only kits designed for H7 projectors keep a sharp beam pattern. Choose units that meet DOT or E-mark specs. (NHTSA)

Q: How bright should the beam be at 25 ft?
A: Low beam cutoff should sit 2 inches below center height and drop ½ inch toward the right to avoid glare for oncoming cars. (YouTube)

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(This guide is for educational purposes; always consult your BMW owner's manual and local laws before performing repairs.)