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I looked for aftermarket headlight assembly replacements for our cars and of course it's ALWAYS for a 2006 IS250 and NEVER for anything newer than an '08 so I don't trust it... When I do find one, it's by a company that only makes lights for jeeps and trucks & that doesn't make any sense so I'm back to square one. My headlight lenses are really oxidized and I don't think it's on the outside, and I'm a huge headlight fan, meaning I must have nice clear lenses or it bugs me & I'm not paying 1800 dollars for oem replacements
The only experience I have with aftermarket replacements are for my other car and when they came in they were of HORRIBLE quality so I just sent them right back. Anyone have any long term luck with any of the aftermarket off brands by chance?
Why don't you try to remove the oxidation before spending all that money? The 3M headlight restoration kit is ~$30, takes about and hour to do both headlights. All you need is the kit and a handheld drill, or you can do it all by hand, it'll just take longer by hand.
I've already tried. They're really bad - and on some of the lense I think the oxidation is on the inside. That's why I'm looking for options. I don't have a wheel yet (will get one soon) so I'm taking them to someone that wheels headlights for a living just to see if this oxidation is indeed on the outside. If it is, which I don't think it is, then I'll be good to go. If it's not, then it's new headlight time.
OEM is the way to go. What sucks is when models with the HID need replacement no one makes them. On the other hand halogen headlights are easier to find. On my old 98 GS400 I retrofit to halogens from HID. I just had to get an adapter for the oem ballast connection.
Well, your options I see are:
1) buy used oem headlight from ebay or junk yard
2) upgrade to the 2011 headlights; however if your car has AFS, it will not work with the new headlights and you will have the AFS light blinking
3) roll the dice with aftermarket
You can bake the headlights in the oven and remove the lens to gain access to the interior of the light. There is a how to on youtube I think and some write ups on here as well. And you can paint the bezles if you wanted while they're disassembled if the chrome isnt your thing. Outfit them with demon eyes, halos , leds , what ever you want to do. I met a guy at the east coast Lexus meet and he actually can do the work for you if interested.
Ok, took the car in to see what his buffer would do; the oxidation is indeed on the outside so I'm good. Though the goon burned my paint by not listening to my instructions so that sucks. Ah well, at least I know they can be polished. Thanks guys.
I got mine from ebay. Seller is Dtmoto. http://www.ebay.com/itm/361378612434...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I think they are pretty good looking in my opinion. They are built okay. I had to get one of the sides replaced because of water condensation in the 2nd month of having them, but they had a 60 day warranty so i was able to get it replaced. Pretty happy about the purchase. Only thing i didn't like was original halogens in it so i changed them to Hids.
I got mine from ebay. Seller is Dtmoto. http://www.ebay.com/itm/361378612434...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I think they are pretty good looking in my opinion. They are built okay. I had to get one of the sides replaced because of water condensation in the 2nd month of having them, but they had a 60 day warranty so i was able to get it replaced. Pretty happy about the purchase. Only thing i didn't like was original halogens in it so i changed them to Hids.
Are those HID's though? Will they drop right in on an '11 w/ hids?