Replacement Headlights

[2002 Maxima SE]

Anyone have experience with replacing headlights? I like to go OEM on my Maxima due to problems with after market parts I have experienced in the past. I never seem to encounter the same issue if I replace a replacement aftermarket part with the OEM equivalent (other than a lighter wallet!).

With the headlights, I am a bit concerned. This part has to be sealed correctly to work right (and not damage the electrical system). For the 2002 Nissan Maxima, replacement OEM lights are about $600 a piece (roughly, I have found them for $400 at online stores). The aftermarket light is about $200 to $300.

The reason it is so expensive is that this is the year that Nissan started using HID headlamps and Nissan integrated the ballast into the design of the lights (rather than have it as a separate part). Even on the Nissan parts sites, it is cheaper to buy the lights with ballast than without!

The aftermarket lights generally use Phillips ballast with a DOT approved headlamp assembly. I am just a bit sketchy to using non-OEM for this part of the car.

So, what say ye? Any experience with replacing headlamps with aftermarket?

I'm also wondering if the aftermarket lights (being 10 years newer technology) wouldn't have better plastics for dealing with UV degradation.

 

[dparm]

A body shop once used non-OEM in my old car, an Acura Integra. They looked different and the light output was definitely subpar: poor focusing, almost no adjustment, and lousy beam shape. Within 3 days I demanded they order OEM. They obliged.

FYI here my old car. Note that the low beams are projectors. The aftermarket light was probably using a really lousy projector.

 

[artificialist]

Plastic technology is better, but that doesn't mean the manufacturer is using the best plastic.

Anyway, what does it cost to get good ones from a junkyard?

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Plastic technology is better, but that doesn't mean the manufacturer is using the best plastic.

Anyway, what does it cost to get good ones from a junkyard?


Well that's the rub, at 10 years old the junkyard lights look like junk...cloudy. I have a 2000 Taurus that I used the 3M system to clean up the cloudy/UV damaged lights...but it does not last. They have to be cleaned about three times per year.

My car has been mostly garage kept and look brand new, however I have gotten a slight leak in the passenger light which is prompting me to research new lights.

 

[daves87rs]

Go Oem!

 

[meangreen01]

I was in a similar predicament a year ago, and like you, I was really of the opinion OEM was the way to go. Crucial components, not to mention aftermarket fitment/quality horror stories.

The difference in price though is not chump change. In my case it was ~$300 cheaper on the pair to go aftermarket so I took the plunge.

A year later I'm very pleased. Fitment is about 90% as good as stock, no leaks or fogging issues(knocks on wood), came with new bulbs, and adjustability for aiming purposes is very good.

I've gotten many complements on them. I took very care of the old ones and therefore they didn't have any serious haze on them, but even so, they were 12 years old and pits from road debris and faint but visible spiderwebbing of the lenses were noticeable to a keen eye. The new ones look new and perform like new. From here on out, I'm definitely going to consider replacing lights(esp. clear lens types) as a matter of routine maint/upkeep at the 10-12 year mark. IMO it keeps an aging car looking fresh and can't hurt come time to sell.

 

[dparm]

meangreen, if you just keep a healthy sealant or wax on the plastic, they will look fine in 10 years. You can periodically polish the oxidation and micro-pitting off. We sold my mom's 9 year old Infiniti last spring and the lamps still looked brand new.

 

[HTSS_TR]

My almost 12 years old E430 plastic headlights were cloudy after 7-8 years, I used 3M headlight restore early this year and it looked almost as new.

 

[meangreen01]

Originally Posted By: dparm
meangreen, if you just keep a healthy sealant or wax on the plastic, they will look fine in 10 years. You can periodically polish the oxidation and micro-pitting off. We sold my mom's 9 year old Infiniti last spring and the lamps still looked brand new.


The reason I replaced my lights was that the mounting tabs broke on one of them. It was flopping around and couldn't be aimed. Otherwise, they were pretty clear as they always were waxed when the car was(twice/year). But,since having replaced them, there's no doubt there's a noticeable improvement in terms of appearance and function. Not saying it's for everyone, but I'm happy and for the $ spent and I would consider it for other vehicles in the future.