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I have a headlight with a crack and I’d like to replace both to ensure they match. So I’m looking at my options and evaluating the pros and cons. If you have experience with any of these and think I’ve missed something I’d appreciate your feedback.
Since I’m replacing both I’d like to update to the 2012+ versions. This means I lose AFS and if I pull the fuse auto leveling.
A. OEM replacements. 937 each from Lexus parts now.
These would be the most likely to last the longest. I don’t intend to sell the car in the foreseeable future so this seems ok, but there’s so much I could do with money saved by using another solution. Alternatively used versions are available for $650 each. but I’ve not really had time to look at them and I hear there are several styles to mix and match. Hard to know they haven’t been sanded down and polished to look nice for the sale.
B. Depo OEM replacements. 995 for both from eBay. I’ve used these on my GX470 and they seem fine. Hard to imagine much difference at $1000, but not as much experience as the OEM.
D. Vipmotoz. 363 from amazon. These have a mixed reputation for condensation. I don’t think I want to deal with that, but I realize that many of the complaints are before an apparent change to the sealing procedure. It’s hard to know if there has been a long term improvement because people don’t tend to post if there’s not a problem. Easy on the pocketbook.
E. Some other combination of parts or just let it be.
You’re welcome to tell me how to spend my money, but please support your position.
I would go for option B or C if the light pattern/output is good. Otherwise, you can go for option A if you want the best, but I'm not sure if it's worth it to put it in an old car.
I have Vipmotoz and they did have condensation but their service is not bad. I think they updated their headlights and double sealed it. I however went out and bought extra sealant to put on. I also saw these new headlights on a lexus page on facebook that looks pretty cool!
I saw a link to an alibaba add, but both of those pics look shopped to me. I might wait a bit to see if someone actually receives something. If I could find them for sale on ebay then I MIGHT consider an experiment for the sake of the community. If someone had more info on them then I might consider that more seriously.
I believe those new lights have a group buy going on right now for $350 but I can't be sure. One of the local IS-F guys might pull the trigger on this so if he does before you purchase, I'll let you know.
I have the VipMotoz on my IS350 - car was too low and over the years the excessive banging from bumper to headlight cracked it. It condensed real bad before I decided to go with VipMotoz because of their awesome customer service (they did the HID conversion so I wouldn't have to do any drilling and they gave me a great price). I've had it for a few months - no condensation or anything. Great for the price imo.
Downside to it is that you lose AFS but honestly, it never really helped me anyways so I just pulled the fuse. If you really value AFS, then I'd go with another option.
10-31-18, 06:39 PM
Headlight Option: I know I know search
