Bmw e36 headlight removal. These are a pig if you dont know how to get them out. The answer is get a small piece of stiff plastic about 4 inches long and half inch wide. Insert around 1 inch from the top of the lamp between the bumper moulding nearest to the registration plate and the lamp and it will pop out. Simple.

The 2008 CTS is the same as my 2009 CTS.
To access the any of the bulbs, you need to remove the bumper/grille assembly.
I just did mine and installed some aftermarket HID bulbs.
If you have some skill and patience, it will take you around an hour.
I'll try to remember all the steps, but I did find a video on youtube that shows it very well:
Remove the long plastic cover over the radiator, by unscrewing the 6 plastic clips. There some rubber molding attached, but you can just flip the cover over on top of the engine.
This exposes 2 10mm screws that can be removed - they'll look like they are attached to the grille. Don't remove them yet.
If front of each front tire in the edge of the wheel well, there are two plastic pins. The pins are actually two pieces, pry the center piece straight out about a quarter inch, then the whole pin can be popped out.
Under the front lower edge are 5-7 similar clips that need to be removed the same way. There about 15-20 of them under there, but you don't have to remove them all. I recall that two of them are upside down.
Now he scary part.... back to the wheel well. Get a flashlight. I recall the inner fender is under the bumper edge; it needs to be pulled out from behind the bumper. Then pull the inner fender backwards from the bumper; it's very stiff, but you need to pull it about 3/4" and look straight up through the gap. There is a 10mm screw, about one inch from the edge of the bumper/fender. This screw holds the bumper to the fender. Use a 10mm socket and a long extension to remove it. (do both sides)
Then you can firmly pull the side of the bumper sideways from the car.
There are 4 of those plastic pin/clips to removed under the hood, next to the headlight. Then you can remove the two 10mm screws under the hood, and the bumper can be lifted off.

Each of the headlight housings are held on by two 10mm screws and a 10mm nut. The is one electrical connector to unclip.

There are 3 covers on each housing. Each cover is held on by 3 8mm? screws. Your low beam is the top bulb.

check this forum or post a question:
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?14-1991-1999-(E36)

Forum 1991 1999 E36

I actually just did this a couple days ago, this takes about 20 minutes and a little bit of patience. When you pop your hood you will see a protective piece of plastic over the headlights/radiator, you firstly have to remove the plastic clips holding that piece then pull that piece of plastic off, once done u will see 2 bolts holding each headlight in place, i believe it is a 9/16 socket but if not just find the one that fits, remove the 4 bolts (2 for each headlight) and pull the headlight in an up and outwards manor. if you feel any resistance do not yank look at why it is catching and clear it, then it should just pop out (the headlight and the corner piece and clipped together so dont pull it too far out) then when the bulb is accessible pull the old bulb, put the new bulb in and voila place the headlight back into position, redo the 4 bolts holding the headlights and re-attach the plastic headlight/radiator cover. Enjoy the new lights

BMW ignition lock replacing.

According to manual no special tools needed. here procedure!

1. Ignition elec switch. Disconnect battery. 2. remove trimpanel from lower leftside of instrument panel. remove screw retaining lower steering column and remove cove. 3. remove slotted screws on both side of switch. 4. relase tabs and remove switch from elec harnass and remove sealer.. note: before mating new ignition elec switch check that switch is in correct position. seal screws again.
2. Ignition lock cylinder replacing. 1. insert master key and turn 60 deg to radio position. 2. inset piece of stiff wire into opening in lock cylinder and pull cylinder out. (Note early models up to 10/95 turn lock cylinder back 12 deg to release)

I don't know where exactly in you car they are but they are on the drivers side. Check in the kick panel on the bottom or on the dash, there should be some cover you can remove. It should say fuses or something. On the cover it'll let you know which fuse is which. If the fuses are good is most likely blown headlights. But its unusual for all to go out at the same time. Sounds like you may have a short-circuit. And yes you can just change them out.

I would suggest going to a junkyard -- that's the best place to get pieces of assemblies without paying a fortune.

if it is a e36 model just slid a ruller or somethig simuller between the light and flasher unit and it should slide forwerds

open the bonnet remove the black plastic over on top of the grill and this reveals the back of the grills so you can push themout from behind and not damage the paint.
Good luck davelee

i actually just did this a couple days ago, this takes about 20 minutes and a little bit of patience. When you pop your hood you will see a protective piece of plastic over the headlights/radiator, you firstly have to remove the plastic clips holding that piece then pull that piece of plastic off, once done u will see 2 bolts holding each headlight in place, i believe it is a 9/16 socket but if not just find the one that fits, remove the 4 bolts (2 for each headlight) and pull the headlight in an up and outwards manor. if you feel any resistance do not yank look at why it is catching and clear it, then it should just pop out (the headlight and the corner piece and clipped together so dont pull it too far out) then when the bulb is accessible pull the old bulb, put the new bulb in and voila place the headlight back into position, redo the 4 bolts holding the headlights and re-attach the plastic headlight/radiator cover. Enjoy the new lights

There are 2 8mm screws on the top of the headlight and 2 identical looking screws on the backside of the headlight assembly (you will need about a 6 in extension for those 2). Directly under the headlight assembly you might have a painted trim piece. The trim is anchored toward the center of the car and can be released by pressing the tab in. If you want to leave it on when removing the light, it is also ancord in at the fender corner. You will need to remove the turn signal first.. There should be a small hole about 1 1/2 inches behind the turn signal. If you see a tab in hole, carefully press down while pulling turn signal out.