BMW 318i Headlight Bulb Size

The BMW 318i high beam headlight uses a 9005 or H5001 bulb size, while the low beam headlight requires a 9006 or H5006 bulb size. The replacement chart covers vehicle production years spanning 1984 to 1998 with corresponding bulb size specifications.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

High Beam Headlight

If US Type and EU Type show the same value, a direct cross-reference for this bulb is not available or the data is insufficient.

Years	US Type	EU Type	Shop
1993-1998	9005	HB3	Check Price
1991	H5001	H5001	Check Price
1984-1985	H5001	H5001	Check Price

Low Beam Headlight

If US Type and EU Type show the same value, a direct cross-reference for this bulb is not available or the data is insufficient.

Years	US Type	EU Type	Shop
1993-1998	9006	HB4	Check Price
1991	H5006	H5006	Check Price
1984-1985	H5006	H5006	Check Price

Bulb Specifications

Description	Type	Shop
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament halogen bulb with P20d base. 12V, 65W.	9005	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). 4-inch square sealed beam unit. Not a replaceable bulb — the entire unit is replaced. 12V.	H5001	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament halogen bulb with P22d base. 12V, 55W.	9006	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). 5.75-inch round sealed beam unit. Not a replaceable bulb — the entire unit is replaced. 12V.	H5006	Check Price

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The BMW 318i uses the 9005 bulb for high beam headlights across the 1993-1998 model years. This bulb is an ANSI-standard single-filament halogen type rated at 12V and 65W, fitted with a P20d base.
The 9006 bulb serves as the low beam headlight across the same 1993-1998 range. It shares the same ANSI-standard single-filament halogen construction and 12V rating as the 9005, but operates at a lower 55W and uses a P22d base rather than a P20d base.
The P20d and P22d bases of the 9005 and 9006 are physically distinct and not interchangeable. Although both bulbs share the same voltage and general halogen construction, the differing base types prevent cross-fitment between high and low beam positions.
The 1984, 1985, and 1991 BMW 318i model years use sealed beam units rather than replaceable halogen bulbs. The high beam position takes the H5001, a 4-inch square sealed beam unit, while the low beam position takes the H5006, a 5.75-inch round sealed beam unit.
Because the H5001 and H5006 are sealed beam units, the entire assembly is replaced as a single component rather than just an internal bulb. This is a fundamental structural difference from the halogen bulb types used in later model years.
Both the H5001 and H5006 are rated at 12V and conform to ANSI standards applicable in the United States and Canada, consistent with the halogen bulbs used in the 1993-1998 model years.
The 9005 and 9006 bulbs are also ANSI-standard and recognized across the US and Canadian markets, which reflects a standardized fitment approach shared across both the sealed beam and halogen eras of the 318i headlight specifications.