BMW 740i License Plate Bulb Size

The BMW 740i license plate light requires a DE3423 bulb size for proper installation and function. Available information covers the specific time period from 1993 through 2001 for the specified vehicle.

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

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Type	Shop
1997-2001	DE3423	Check Price
1993-1995	DE3423	Check Price

Bulb Specifications

Description	Type	Shop
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423	Check Price

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The BMW 740i uses the DE3423 bulb for its license plate lighting across the 1993-1995 and 1997-2001 model years.
The DE3423 is a festoon-type bulb, meaning it is cylindrical in shape and makes electrical contact through metal caps at each end rather than through a base socket.
Festoon bulbs are held in place by spring-loaded clips that press against the end caps, a mounting method common in enclosed interior and exterior lighting cavities.
The DE3423 has a nominal length of 41mm, which is a standard festoon size also referenced in some catalogs as the 41mm or C10W category.
The bulb operates at 12 volts, consistent with the standard electrical system voltage found in passenger vehicles of this type.
The DE3423 designation follows ANSI standards applicable in the United States and Canada, indicating the bulb meets defined performance and dimensional criteria for those markets.
Because festoon bulbs are available in multiple lengths, substituting a bulb of a different length, such as 36mm or 44mm, would result in an improper fit within the BMW 740i license plate housing.
The consistent use of a single bulb specification across all listed model years indicates that the license plate lamp housing design remained unchanged throughout the 1993-2001 production span covered by these specifications.