Front end crash - new headlights needed and body shop is quoting $$$$
12-30-12, 11:40 PM
#1
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Front end crash - new headlights needed and body shop is quoting $$$$
My father in law borrowed our 01 GS300 for 2 hrs while his car was getting an oil change. Of course he goes and rear ends someone.
Body shop is quoting $1400 for driver-side headlight replacement. Yikes. Seen some links on here for ways to get them cheaper (Certifit, etc) but a) I don't know what color I need and b) I'm not 100% certain if I have HID or not (the lights kinda click-on in a unique manner, unlike my acura w/ standard headlights, so I'm pretty sure they are HID - just not 100%).
Any advice re: source of supply, color and HID-ness?
Thanks,
Shawn
Body shop is quoting $1400 for driver-side headlight replacement. Yikes. Seen some links on here for ways to get them cheaper (Certifit, etc) but a) I don't know what color I need and b) I'm not 100% certain if I have HID or not (the lights kinda click-on in a unique manner, unlike my acura w/ standard headlights, so I'm pretty sure they are HID - just not 100%).
Any advice re: source of supply, color and HID-ness?
Thanks,
Shawn
12-31-12, 05:56 AM
#4
OP, you should be able to tell if you have HIDs just by the color of the headlights and if they auto level when you turn them on.
You can also check to see if the headlight autoleveling indicator comes on when you start up your car. Cars with standard headlights do not have autoleveling.
Cars with HIDs take Philips bulbs, and you should replace them on both sides or they will not match since their color changes with age. I bought mine at Amazon:
If you need a complete headlight assembly, check out Sewell, they have it for $1092.34 with the Club Lexus discount:
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...S300-2001.html
You also need to be aware of what color headlight housings you have if you are buying used ones or not directly from a Lexus dealer. They were slightly different colors over the years. I'm pretty sure yours should have a green tint to them.
12-31-12, 08:08 AM
#5
Those are only the housings.
OP, you should be able to tell if you have HIDs just by the color of the headlights and if they auto level when you turn them on.
You can also check to see if the headlight autoleveling indicator comes on when you start up your car. Cars with standard headlights do not have autoleveling.
Cars with HIDs take Philips bulbs, and you should replace them on both sides or they will not match since their color changes with age. I bought mine at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o00_s00_i00
If you need a complete headlight assembly, check out Sewell, they have it for $1092.34 with the Club Lexus discount:
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...S300-2001.html
You also need to be aware of what color headlight housings you have if you are buying used ones or not directly from a Lexus dealer. They were slightly different colors over the years. I'm pretty sure yours should have a green tint to them.
OP, you should be able to tell if you have HIDs just by the color of the headlights and if they auto level when you turn them on.
You can also check to see if the headlight autoleveling indicator comes on when you start up your car. Cars with standard headlights do not have autoleveling.
Cars with HIDs take Philips bulbs, and you should replace them on both sides or they will not match since their color changes with age. I bought mine at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o00_s00_i00
If you need a complete headlight assembly, check out Sewell, they have it for $1092.34 with the Club Lexus discount:
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...S300-2001.html
You also need to be aware of what color headlight housings you have if you are buying used ones or not directly from a Lexus dealer. They were slightly different colors over the years. I'm pretty sure yours should have a green tint to them.
Color of the housing DOESNT tell you if its HID as all 2001+ have green housings regardless if they are HID
use this link (sewells site must have a glitch cause under service they way cheaper)
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2001/4337.html
with the Sewell (Club Lexus Discount) the HID models are $554.65 = tax/shipping and the NON HID models are $497.64 + tax/shipping
HERE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ? if your father in law wrecked it why are you doing the leg work, its his responsibility to get it fixed.....i mean regardless if u like him or not let him do the leg work
also, post some pics....i would bet u need a fender or a bumper also
12-31-12, 10:03 AM
#6
Gill he has a 2001+, they have the green housings
all he needs is the housing if he has NON-HID, he can swap his harness/bulbs over or HID swap over ballast/bulbs/levelers
Color of the housing DOESNT tell you if its HID as all 2001+ have green housings regardless if they are HID
all he needs is the housing if he has NON-HID, he can swap his harness/bulbs over or HID swap over ballast/bulbs/levelers
Color of the housing DOESNT tell you if its HID as all 2001+ have green housings regardless if they are HID
If his headlight assembly is completely smashed/gone, he is going to need more than just a housing if he has HIDs....
12-31-12, 06:46 PM
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Sorry for the post-then-MIA guys. I hadn't received any email notifications of replies, so I assumed there were none.
I'll need to check for the auto-leveling. Not sure if I've noticed that (it's my wife's car - I rarely drive it). Re: my Father-in-law, he's kinda incompetent - one of those brillant/useless types. We'd be without the car for weeks if it were up to him to hnadle, and he'd be fleeced by any repair/body shop (and has been in the past). I can't let him do that again.
I'll check on the car in the AM and post back, hopefully with pics. Off to ring in 2013.
I'll need to check for the auto-leveling. Not sure if I've noticed that (it's my wife's car - I rarely drive it). Re: my Father-in-law, he's kinda incompetent - one of those brillant/useless types. We'd be without the car for weeks if it were up to him to hnadle, and he'd be fleeced by any repair/body shop (and has been in the past). I can't let him do that again.
I'll check on the car in the AM and post back, hopefully with pics. Off to ring in 2013.
12-31-12, 08:20 PM
#9
If you are interested in used parts and have someone who could put it in try here: http://www.automotix.net/usedautopar...1e0b&seq_num=9
$936 for used.
$936 for used.
01-01-13, 04:31 AM
#10
You guys over think this subject lol Tony is selling a PAIR (2) of HID headlight housings for $500.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/2ge...me-grille.html
I'm sure this is all you need. Just transfer your ballasts and bulbs over. If your bulb got damaged go buy a new bulb. I'm sure tony can hook you up with that too. Like I said..... Easy
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/2ge...me-grille.html
I'm sure this is all you need. Just transfer your ballasts and bulbs over. If your bulb got damaged go buy a new bulb. I'm sure tony can hook you up with that too. Like I said..... Easy
01-01-13, 05:16 PM
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Here's some photos that should shed some light (heh, heh) on the subject. The lights do seem to auto-level when turned on, so now I'm 99% sure they're HID. Lights are both still functional.
Waiting before I hear back from the body shop before I inquire with Tony...
Waiting before I hear back from the body shop before I inquire with Tony...
