Replacing Headlight + Headlight Bulb on A3 Sline Black Edition 2011 Xenons

[AudiRyda]

Hi all,

New to forum, just bought a Black A3 Sline Black Edition 2litre TDI, previously had 1.9 White Sport model, however after purchasing i noticed the driver side DRL Xenon strip is slightly purple colour than the other side, got a quote from Audi over 700 for new headlight + replace, was thinking of doing the job myself but cant seem to find a guide anywhere on how to replace these headlights? If someone could kindly help me or send me a guide that would be great,

also i will be changing my 4300k D3S orignal bulbs to the 6000k ones however finding it difficult to find a way to change them, i heard the best way is taking wheel off and going under the wheel arch? Can someone also confirm this?

One last thing, my wing mirror L.E.D light has blown, is there a guide or easy way to fit this, Audi also quoted 140 to do this job.

Thanks - sorry if there is a post, i have searched forum thoroughly with no luck

[M1tchy]

If it's a 2011 model is it not still under warranty? If not see if they can give you a goodwill gesture towards the cost?

As for changing the bulbs, why? 4300k gives a brighter whiter light compared to 6k which you start to loose brightness and just get that chavvy blue look.


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[AudiRyda]

Yes its 2011 Model, not the new shape the one down from that, i have spoken to Audi theres nothing they can do for me

And the headlights give a yellow beam on cars etc and after looking at 6000k ones on google they look much whiter on the headlight itself, i possibly wont change them if they loose brightness tbf as dont want to tamper with 11 plate car,

Thanks for reply

[Guest 2]

A new headlight is £350, you only need to swap your ballast and bulb and you're good to go. Yes, changing the xenon bulb is easiest done with the bumper off and the headlight removed.

[AudiRyda]

Is there any guide on how to remove the bumper? Is it necessary to remove bumper it looks like you can just pull the headlight out by unscrewing the top screws, don’t really want to be messaging around unscrewing things without a proper guide, i messed around with my old A3 and done a crap job lol.

Also is there any guides on replacing the bulb in the wing mirror? i thought it was a L.E.D strip but after looking closey its a small bulb. Thaks

[M1tchy]

Send me your email address and I'll send you a how to guide


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[Fexo]

Yes, I had to take the car to Audi to change a Xenon bulb. By the time they had finished it was over £300 with taking the bumper off even at diagnostic rates! Bulbs are not covered by the 3 year guarantee.

They also left off the air intake cover which I did not discover for some months and they swore me blind that it was never there. It was found, broken, at the bottom of the engine compartment when my brakes were done.

[AudiRyda]

You joking?

Thats terrible... i wouldnt be happy one bit.

Worrying me about this car slightly knowing if the L.E.D does eventually blow it looks like its either go to Audi and spent 500+ or do the job myself and break parts or not put back on properly. Even worst to know i cant just change the headlight bulb. No wonder theres no guides people dont want to mess with them lol.

[Fexo]

By the way, the Xenon bulb from Audi was £170ish.......

[Guest 2]

get them from your local motor factors, they're the d3s type. don't bother with ones on ebay as most are fake.

bumper removal on the a3 is easy, remove the 3 torx on top of the grill, 3 in each wheel arch, then reach in behind the arch liner and you'll see a 10mm screw, remove this, you will then see a vertical torx around the same area when you remove the first lot of wheel arch torx. go underneath the bumper and you'll find a row of torx/starheads (dependent on year) and then pull the bumper away from the wings where you removed the screws.