pcwork1

I think the problem is local to NY/NJ area.

From what I know, people with HID really have very few choices. You can cross your fingers and wait until it happens, paid your $500 insurance deductible, and have them replaced. Your insurance will go up next year. The thieves know where you park, and they will come again.

Unlike the Maxima, which there's nothing they can do, a RX owner can do something about it. Those poor guys with Maxima have to sell the vehicle below market price or paid $200 a month for garage parking.

I think brush guard is a good deterrent, and it's not expensive. I paid $375 and $220 for rear bumper guard, plus $100 installation for my 05 RX 330.

Johnny Mo

Mike,

I beg to differ - unfortunately my little sister's RX was nailed this week, right in front of her house - lucky for those bastards they didn't wake my bro-in-law - all of his hunting gear was out and ready to go ***** could've gotten thick. Also in the local Westchester papers they ran an blurb in the crimewatch section that this was happening...Also, in the past few months my wife had a few loaner RX's hit in the city and the Bronx. Today - she gets a copy of a notice, from a customer from White Plains, from the chief of police in White Plains that this is a big issue in our area right now - also confirmed with our FBI friend as well.

So, sorry to say guys and gals this is absolutely an issue - especially on RX's. keep your car garaged or invest in some brush/grille guards. Oh and BTW all, if you get an amatuer and the cut the harness tack another $3k onto the repair.

Wifey's RX stays in the garage....now, where's my 9

parula

I recently received a letter from Lexus saying it would perform a repair to prevent headlight theft if done before EO'06. I will definitely have this done.

mikey00

Any chances of scanning and posting this letter. My RX is an 2001. I wonder if I will get one. Local news ran another article a couple of weeks ago claiming HID theft in Northern NJ is rampant and Lexus is #1.

LexRexBlue

I don't know where in NJ you are from, but they say the cities and suburbs around them are the worst. The dealer will install Data Dots. Don't wait for the letter, they seem to be real slow coming. You can make the appt with the dealer. It takes awhile (around 2 hours) because they take everything apart and put in new brackets.
When Lexus first came out with the Data Dots there was a shortage of the kits, but my guess is they're more caught up now. I had mine installed on my '06 in August at Warnock Lexus.

mikey00

I am about 30 minutes west of Warnock. Morris County is the problem area that the newspaper refered to. However, I did read that Data Dots aren't much of a deterrent. Thieves don't care they just rip out the HIDs anyway. The HIDs work just as well in their Civic with Data Dots as without.

LexRexBlue

It's not that the dots change the lights, they have better brackets which make them harder to steal. I don't think anything is full proof. I just think it makes sense to do whatever you can and watch where you park, too.

parula

The letter describes the Data Dots but doesn't mention any sort of bracketing and mentions the 2+ hours depending on workloads. It says to call the Customer Assistance Number 800-255-3987 if one has questions. I plan to just take mine in for the next oil change service. Not much other information.

mikey00

I spoke too soon in asking for a scan of that letter. Mine came in the mail today. It mentions the bracket and the data dots. Don't know how effective it will be, but I do have to give Lexus credit for for at least doing something.

LexRexBlue

Yeah, it's just too bad that they're so slow in getting the letters out. A friend of mine just had an attempt on stealing her ESand when they couldn't steal it, they took the lights. Altogether it is $4000 damage. Of course Lexus hadn't sent her the letter yet. So get your Data Dots. They do put a sticker on the lights and the side windows so that thieves know it has been installed. Good luck.

parula

I don't have a way to post a copy of the letter but I notice it does mention, "new HID headlight securing devices" so maybe that is the bracketing system you are mentioning. I wasn't aware that the fixed HIDs were in such demand, I would think that only the dynamic adapting HIDs would be desirable to steal.

mikey00

Yes, the securing devices are the brackets.

parula

WOW, I looked up HID prices, http://www.xenonking.com/philips_4300.htm now I see why there is such demand for them at about $600 per car! I'll get them ID'd and secured now asap, I was going to put it off for a while. How do thieves get into the engine compartment to steal the bulbs and equipment without releasing the hood from inside the vehicle?