F15 Handle Lighting Element Replacement

[BeeBeau]

Recently the lighting element on my '14 X5 went out, while I had it in for service I asked for a quote to replace the light, I knew the light wasn't covered under warranty, no lighting elements are. The service tech called me the next day and said they had to replace the whole handle which was around $170, not bad I thought so I told them to go ahead and do it to save me the time - at this point I knew the lighting element had it's own part number but trusted the handle had to be replaced... since you know, they told me so - I also couldn't find any posts talking about replacing the lighting element in the handle, probably because it's an LED and it shouldn't have burnt out. Another day goes by and I am informed the handle comes unpainted, $120 more to get it painted... Well shit, this is getting expensive for what I thought was going to be a $50 light (51217433845). I agree and then two weeks after initially dropping the car off I get my X5 back, I requested the old handle because I was skeptical of the whole ordeal, rightfully so.

After about two minutes of looking at the handle I figured out that the lighting element is easily removed and replaceable... Figured I would share this with the group in case your handle light goes out.







Now to complain to my stealership and continue to DIY for all my out of warranty services, should have known better.

UPDATE as of 3/13/2018 --

Originally Posted by BeeBeau

To update this post, got a call from the service manager and they are going to refund the cost of paint and the difference in the whole handle as opposed to just the light, AWESOME! He explained that the problem incurred from the decoded VIN# says the light is not separate from the handle in their system yet when he inputs a generic 2014 BMW X5 xDrive35d it comes up as the light being separate, he said he is going to relay this information to BMW so it hopefully doesn't happen again.

All in all I am very happy at how they handled this and look forward to my future services and purchases from their dealership.

[LocksmithNick]

This happened to mine during the first week of ownership. Replaced free of charge under cpo warranty. Back right if I’m not mistaken.

[BeeBeau]

Originally Posted by LocksmithNick

This happened to mine during the first week of ownership. Replaced free of charge under cpo warranty. Back right if I’m not mistaken.

It should honestly never fail for how little it is on... My front left went out at approximately 50k.

[LocksmithNick]

Originally Posted by BeeBeau

It should honestly never fail for how little it is on... My front left went out at approximately 50k.

I had just purchased with 30k. I went in to get a bulb and then they told me all that.

[Violator]

Mine went out as well, rear driver's side at 16K miles, replaced under warranty.

[LocksmithNick]

Originally Posted by Violator

Mine went out as well, rear driver's side at 16K miles, replaced under warranty.

Are you RHD?

[Violator]

No, NA spec X5.
Left side, read door.

[twelve535i]

Wow that dealership is extra sleezy

[turboawd]

I'd find a different dealer.

[LocksmithNick]

That’s the same thing my dealer told me..

[BeeBeau]

Originally Posted by twelve535i

Wow that dealership is extra sleezy

Originally Posted by turboawd

I'd find a different dealer.

I had heard only good things about this dealership, it's one of three in the Seattle area. I have been in contact with their service manager, hopefully they can do me right, I have (had?) intentions of replacing my E90 soon with them.. had such a pleasurable buying experience with my F15.

[CeeTeeX5]

Well shit, just realized you are in Seattle. Which dealership?

[BeeBeau]

To update this post, got a call from the service manager and they are going to refund the cost of paint and the difference in the whole handle as opposed to just the light, AWESOME! He explained that the problem incurred from the decoded VIN# says the light is not separate from the handle in their system yet when he inputs a generic 2014 BMW X5 xDrive35d it comes up as the light being separate, he said he is going to relay this information to BMW so it hopefully doesn't happen again.

All in all I am very happy at how they handled this and look forward to my future services and purchases from their dealership.

[CeeTeeX5]

Originally Posted by BeeBeau

To update this post, got a call from the service manager and they are going to refund the cost of paint and the difference in the whole handle as opposed to just the light, AWESOME! He explained that the problem incurred from the decoded VIN# says the light is not separate from the handle in their system yet when he inputs a generic 2014 BMW X5 xDrive35d it comes up as the light being separate, he said he is going to relay this information to BMW so it hopefully doesn't happen again.

All in all I am very happy at how they handled this and look forward to my future services and purchases from their dealership.

Good to hear they owned up to it and sorted it out. I've had service departments give me a load of crap about what needs to be done so I always do some up front research. Helps save wasted time and frustration.

[BeeBeau]

Originally Posted by CeeTeeX5

Good to hear they owned up to it and sorted it out. I've had service departments give me a load of crap about what needs to be done so I always do some up front research. Helps save wasted time and frustration.

Yeah, usually I am on point with my research - I knew there was a part number for the lighting element but couldn't determine ahead of time if it was able to be replaced separately or not. Hindsight is 20/20 after all.

[Nichoarevalo]

Hi, I just recently bought a X5 F15 and the lightning element on the driver side was bad, so I went ahead and bought it and after reading your post I was able to remove and replace it but I can not re install the whole handle, it seems like is not being completely secure, for sure I'm missing something. PLEASE HELP! It would be greatly appreciated... I have been trying for 4 hours now without any luck.

Thank you