The 2006 BMW 325I employs halogen or high-intensity discharge headlights for both the low- and high-beam units. The low-beam headlights are located on the outer edges of the headlight assemblies while the high-beam headlights are on the inner edges. There are a couple of ways to replace the headlight bulb, but the following procedure is illustrated in the owner's manual, although it is somewhat challenging for people with large hands and arms.
Start the engine and turn the steering wheel all the way to the right if you're replacing the driver's-side low beam or all the way to the left if you're replacing the passenger-side low beam.
Shut the engine off, remove the keys from the ignition and ensure that the headlight switch is in the off position.
Approach the front of the wheel well on the side whose low-beam you're replacing. (If you're replacing both, you'll have to replace one and then move the steering wheel in the opposite direction before replacing the other).
Locate the access panel in the wheel well and turn the two retaining clips of the access panel counterclockwise, with the slotted screwdriver. Remove the access panel.
Reach into the access hole and then remove the headlight cover by releasing the retaining latch and then pulling it off.
Unplug the wire harness connection to the blades at the back of the headlight.
Press in the top of the wire retainer to unlatch it and release the headlight. Remove the old headlight and dispose of it.
Put on a pair of rubber gloves before handling the new headlight. Oils in skin will damage the glass bulb of halogen or HID headlights and cause them to burst or fail prematurely.
Insert the new low-beam headlight in the headlight assembly, making sure to align the tab on the flange of the headlight at the top. Resecure the wire retainer.
Plug the wire harness back onto the blades of the new headlight and then test it by turning on the headlights (low-beam) before replacing the cover and access panel.
