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Fitment Guaranteed for 2017 BMW 535i GT

What Size Bulbs Does a 2017 BMW 535i GT Use?

Correct headlight, fog light, and tail light bulb sizes. Sourced from OEM catalog data.

Installation Difficulty

Hard (Tight clearances)

Est. Replacement Cost

$50 - $150 (HID System)

What Lighting System Does the 2017 BMW 535i GT Have?

The 2017 BMW 535i GT features an extensive lighting system with 13 bulb positions. It uses factory HID/Xenon technology with D1S projector headlights. The 535i GT has been available from 2011 to 2017, and the 2017 model falls in the late-generation years. As a BMW vehicle, it uses a CANbus electrical system that monitors bulb status.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 2017 BMW 535i GT?

The 2017 BMW 535i GT comes equipped with factory D1S HID/Xenon headlights. These already produce significantly more light than halogen bulbs, so upgrading is generally unnecessary. When your HID bulbs burn out, replace them with OEM-spec D1S HID bulbs to maintain the correct color temperature and beam pattern. Avoid cheap aftermarket HID bulbs as they can produce incorrect beam patterns and blind oncoming drivers. Your fog lights use a LED Fog Light halogen bulb, which can be upgraded to LED for a whiter color match with your HID headlights.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 2017 BMW 535i GT

To remove the headlight bulb, disconnect the wiring harness, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. BMW vehicles are known for tight engine bay clearances around the headlight assembly. You may need to remove the air intake duct, battery cover, or wheel well liner to access the bulbs. Budget 30 to 45 minutes per side for your first replacement. HID headlights operate at high voltage. Always disconnect the battery before working on the headlight assembly. Never touch the HID ballast while the headlights are on, and handle the D1S capsule with gloves to avoid oil contamination. The fog lights are accessed from underneath the front bumper. You may need to remove a few plastic clips or screws from the fender liner to reach the LED Fog Light fog light socket.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 13 Positions at Once

Low Beam: HID-D1S LEDHigh Beam: HID-D1S LEDFog Light: LED Fog LightBrake Light: LED BulbTurn Signal Front: LED BulbSide Marker: LED BulbTurn Signal Rear: LED BulbDome Light: 2886XLicense Plate: LED BulbMap Light: 2886XParking Light: LED BulbReverse Light: PW16WTrunk Light: LED Light
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How Long Do 2017 BMW 535i GT Headlight Bulbs Last?

HID/Xenon headlights on the 2017 BMW 535i GT typically last 2,000 to 3,000 hours, or about 4 to 6 years of regular driving. As HID bulbs age, they shift color toward pink or purple, which is a clear sign that replacement is needed. Flickering on startup also indicates a worn bulb or failing ballast. At 9 years old, the original bulbs on your 535i GT are likely overdue for replacement. Even if they still illuminate, reduced brightness significantly impacts nighttime safety. When one headlight burns out, replace both sides at the same time. Bulbs from the same batch age at similar rates, and mismatched brightness is distracting to oncoming drivers.

What Bulbs Are Compatible with the 2017 BMW 535i GT?

Using the wrong bulb size can cause improper beam patterns that reduce your visibility and blind other drivers. It can also cause overheating inside the headlight housing, potentially warping the plastic lens or reflector. Always verify the bulb number before purchasing.

2017 BMW 535i GT Headlight FAQ

The 2017 BMW 535i GT uses a HID-D1S LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 2017 BMW 535i GT is HID-D1S LED.

The 2017 BMW 535i GT uses a single bulb (dual filament) headlight system. This means one bulb controls both high and low beams.

Yes, the 2017 BMW 535i GT comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a HID-D1S LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Yes, the 2017 BMW 535i GT takes a LED Fog Light bulb for the fog light position.

Turn off the vehicle and open the hood. Locate the headlight assembly from behind, remove the dust cover or retaining clip, disconnect the wiring harness, twist the old HID-D1S LED bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. Note: BMW vehicles use a CANbus system, so LED replacements may need an anti-flicker decoder. The whole process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per side depending on accessibility.

LED bulbs used off-road or in auxiliary lights are legal everywhere. For on-road headlight use, legality varies by state. Many states allow LED retrofits as long as the beam pattern meets DOT standards. For the best legal compliance, choose a DOT-approved HID-D1S LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of HID HID-D1S LED bulbs costs $50 to $150. If you have a shop do the work, expect an additional $20 to $50 in labor per bulb. Replacing them yourself at home saves the labor cost and usually takes under 30 minutes.

Halogen bulbs produce a warm yellow light (around 3200K), last 500 to 1000 hours, and draw more power. LED bulbs emit a brighter white light (5000-6000K), last 25,000+ hours, and use less energy. LED upgrades for the HID-D1S LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements. Since the BMW uses CANbus monitoring, choose a CANbus-compatible LED kit to avoid dashboard errors.

Did BMW 535i GT Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

Over its production run from 2011 to 2017, the BMW 535i GT has seen bulb size changes in the Fog Light, Turn Signal Front and Reverse Light positions. The 2017 model uses the newer bulb specification introduced around 2016. Always verify the exact bulb size for your specific 2017 model year using the chart above, as using the wrong size can result in poor fitment or reduced light output.

Other 535i GT Years

Other Vehicles That Use HID-D1S LED Bulbs

These vehicles from other makes also use a HID-D1S LED low beam bulb: