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Fitment Guaranteed for 2016 BMW M235i xDrive

What Size Bulbs Does a 2016 BMW M235i xDrive Use?

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

Installation Difficulty

Hard (Tight clearances)

Est. Replacement Cost

$15 - $40 (Halogen) / $30+ (LED)

What Lighting System Does the 2016 BMW M235i xDrive Have?

The 2016 BMW M235i xDrive features an extensive lighting system with 12 bulb positions. It uses halogen technology with H7 LED low beams and H15 LED high beams in a dual-bulb configuration. The M235i xDrive has been available from 2015 to 2016, and the 2016 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 2016 BMW M235i xDrive?

To upgrade the 2016 BMW M235i xDrive headlights to LED, you will need a H7 LED LED kit for the low beams and a H15 LED LED kit for the high beams. Start with the low beams since they are used most often and have the biggest impact on nighttime visibility. Important: BMW vehicles use a CANbus system that detects bulb wattage. Standard LED bulbs may trigger dashboard warnings or flicker. Choose LED kits labeled "CANbus-compatible" or add inline decoder resistors to prevent these issues. For the fog lights, a H8 LED LED bulb provides a clean white output that pairs well with LED headlights.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 2016 BMW M235i xDrive

The H7 bulb uses a spring clip or wire retainer that holds the bulb in the socket. To remove the old bulb, disconnect the wiring harness first, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it out. 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. When installing the new bulb, avoid touching the glass with bare fingers. Skin oils create hot spots that shorten bulb life. Wear clean gloves or handle the bulb by its plastic base only. 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 H8 LED fog light socket.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 12 Positions at Once

Low Beam: H7 LEDHigh Beam: H15 LEDFog Light: H8 LEDBrake Light: LED BulbTurn Signal Front: 12496 LEDTurn Signal Rear: 7506 LEDDome Light: 2825License Plate: LED BulbMap Light: 2825Parking Light: 64132Reverse Light: 7506Trunk Light: 6418
Shop Complete LED Kit

2016 BMW M235i xDrive Complete Bulb Size Chart

PositionBulb SizeShop
Low Beam
H7 LEDBuy H7 LED
High Beam
H15 LEDBuy H15 LED
Fog Light
H8 LEDBuy H8 LED
Brake Light
LED BulbBuy LED Bulb
Turn Signal Front
12496 LEDBuy 12496 LED
Turn Signal Rear
7506 LEDBuy 7506 LED
Dome Light
2825Buy 2825
License Plate
LED BulbBuy LED Bulb
Map Light
2825Buy 2825
Parking Light
64132Buy 64132
Reverse Light
7506Buy 7506
Trunk Light
6418Buy 6418

Want to upgrade everything at once?

Shop Complete LED Kit for 2016 BMW M235i xDrive
Installation Guide
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How Long Do 2016 BMW M235i xDrive Headlight Bulbs Last?

Standard halogen headlights on the 2016 BMW M235i xDrive have an expected lifespan of 500 to 1,000 hours, which works out to roughly 2 to 3 years of normal use. Signs of a failing halogen bulb include noticeably dimmer output, a yellowish tint compared to the other headlight, or intermittent flickering. At 10 years old, the original bulbs on your M235i xDrive 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 2016 BMW M235i xDrive?

The H7 low beam bulb on the 2016 BMW M235i xDrive is a specific fitment. There are no widely recognized cross-compatible alternatives, so make sure to purchase the exact H7 size. 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.

2016 BMW M235i xDrive Headlight FAQ

The 2016 BMW M235i xDrive uses a H7 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 2016 BMW M235i xDrive is H15 LED.

The 2016 BMW M235i xDrive uses a dual bulb headlight system. This means you have separate bulbs for high and low beams.

Yes, the 2016 BMW M235i xDrive comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a H7 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Yes, the 2016 BMW M235i xDrive takes a H8 LED 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 H7 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 H7 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of halogen H7 LED bulbs costs $15 to $40, while LED conversion kits run $25 to $60 per pair. 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 H7 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 M235i xDrive Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

The BMW M235i xDrive has maintained consistent bulb sizes across all model years from 2015 to 2016. The low beam has used a H7 LED bulb throughout, which means replacement parts and LED upgrade kits are widely available and well-tested for this model. If you find a deal on bulbs for any M235i xDrive year in this range, they will fit your 2016 model.

Other M235i xDrive Years

2015
128i135i228i228i xDrive230i230i xDrive318i318is

Other Vehicles That Use H7 LED Bulbs

These vehicles from other makes also use a H7 LED low beam bulb:

2023 Hyundai Kona2023 Kia Forte2022 Hyundai Veloster2021 Hyundai Tucson2019 Buick Regal Sportback2019 Buick Regal TourX