TJGILROY

iTrader: (6)

Hey guys,

I was backed into a few weeks back and finally got my car back. After getting it back from the body shop i noticed I have a brand new HID headlight assembly and my old one which has been sundamaged. I have tried buffing it out to get it slightly close to what the new one looks like but it still looks mismatched. I have argued with the insurance companies and they say they do not replace wear and tear and stuff that was not damaged from the wreck. I have checked online and seen where I can order just the housing for my old one and switch out the bulbs and xenon lights to get the housings to match. I am so fed up! Has anyone had any experience with just replacing the housing from the headlight? Are they legit?

I have a 2003 Track series (HID xenons) factory headlights in case this helps.

P.S. - Nissan charged the bodyshop 857 dollars for the new headlight hence , this is why I am looking for an alternative to just get them to match for now. the housing I found online for HID xenons I can get for $144.

e46330i

Where did you find the housing online for $144? The only prices I've ever seen online that are similar are for Halogens.

TJGILROY

iTrader: (6)

http://www.am-autoparts.com/Nissan/3...aign=NexTagNew

http://www.go-part.com/nissan-350z-h...ts-41_673.html

these are the two i found them on

cubu

iTrader: (21)

correct if im wrong, but those are aftermarket crap, not oem... i would rather buy a used one in decent condition or try using this:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Headlight-L...8773799&sr=8-1

e46330i

Another option is to buy the cheapest new housing you can find and swap the lenses.

gregom

iTrader: (3)

Take the car back to the dealership, return the headlamp and get $857 back. Then go on ebay and buy two brand new 2006 headlamps for a few bucks cheaper. Use your existing ballasts and bulbs (H2R bulb will work in H2S, just cut a little notch on the base with dremel to fit, i've done it works great).

Left - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NISSA...Q5fAccessories

Right - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NISSA...Q5fAccessories

KornerCarver

iTrader: (2)

I would be amazed if the body shop would be willing to accept a return of the headlight. Once installed, I suspect the light is the property of the original poster.

cubu

iTrader: (21)

those prices are a rip for non-oem headlamps. same crap but cheaper:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RIGHT...ht_2137wt_1119

TJGILROY

iTrader: (6)

the problem is a used one compared to a brand new one is very noticeable

I stated in my post I already tried the 3M method and it still doesn't match the new headlight.

And also correct me if I'm wrong, but anything not made by the manufacturer would be aftermarket and not all are crap. For 1/7th of the price of an OEM light I would be comfortable placing aftermarket housing to match the other headlight.

cubu

iTrader: (21)

sorry for my misuse of 'crap', im not trying to hate.. just my opinion

yes, not all aftermarket is crap, some parts are fine. i personally would not use aftermarket glass/lenses, drivetrain/engine.. pretty much anything that has an important function... have you seen wavy windows and windshields? funny glass side and rear view mirrors?

will the headlight match from physical appearances? sure. how about in a year after be exposed to the environment and heat from usage?? my main concern would be how will the light pattern and the actual lens and reflector quality.... i could picture the chrome peeling/flaking from heat, poor projector lens, etc..

cubu

iTrader: (21)

BTW, which side headlight needs to be fixed/replaced?

TJGILROY

iTrader: (6)

i'm sure you weren't hating and i was looking for help...and you answered

there is no glass in the headlight housing, remember i will be using the same xenon/ballist/wiring just replacing the actual hard plastic housing...this is a very cost effective alternative compared to having to buy a full assembly from nissan because they say that's what you have to do

in a year if it seems the aftermarket one is cheap i will just put the old housing back and voila

but for appearance sake and testing to see how this aftermarket replacement holds up there really is no loss

would you agree?

the driver side is the one that doesn't match the 3 day old replacement now...it's pretty much a night and day difference compared to the 8 year old housing

Jackson0927

I went thru the exact situation, someone backed into one headlight...... except

I cashed out on the $700 head lamp, brought my body shop one I bought off craiglist for $140 (lens was pretty nasty looking, but matched the dirty look of my other)

then 6mo later I coughed up the $1200 for brand new 06+
totally changes the look of my car, hard to say it's worth it but without a doubt.

cubu

iTrader: (21)

well shucks, i have a brand new 03-05 passenger coming that i would have sold you cheap.

yes ,there is glass in the headlight, the projector lens

i guess your for less than $150 it could be worth it to try aftermarket, im just the buy once cry once kinda guy....

TJGILROY

iTrader: (6)

yeah, they wouldn't let me cash out...they bought all oem parts and installed what was broke...pretty stupid...i would have been happier with a used headlight

TJGILROY

iTrader: (6)

i would think i can use the original lens or can it not be reused?

there is a guy on here selling lenses so i am guessing they can be removed and put into the new housing

https://my350z.com/forum/lighting/52...ht-lenses.html

so i would still be using my original lens/xenon bulb/ballist/harness just replacing the housing

cubu

iTrader: (21)

those that you linked are for 06+ headlights

you can use reuse the lens from your current headlight, but you have to take the headlights apart to swap the lens... if you were going to be taking headlights apart, use your old headlight assembly and just swap the housing cover from the new headlight

taking apart the headlight opens another can of worms though

TJGILROY

iTrader: (6)

^yeah def. don't want to do that if I have don't have to, I think I am just going to go with aftermarket housing and use the lens it comes with...if it's no good or doesn't work well with the other matching headlight, I'll just put my old one back and be done with it...thanks for the help cuba

cubu

iTrader: (21)

im mistaken about the new headlight im getting in, it is the driver side, PM sent

bmccann101

iTrader: (16)

can i help please... so this will be done..

the housing on the ebay 144 wonders and the quality of the materials is extremely sub par and will itself look far diff from your new light.. its not a carbon copy as you are assuming it is.. it is not. No guarantee anything fits back inside it, the plastic is extremely thin, and the wiring is subpar as well.

RUN.