Waxima

iTrader: (3)

I've given up. I've been looking for an OEM replacement for my driver side headlight for ages and nothing has worked. I mistakenly ordered a Depo light which was total garbage. I got matching set of used OEM lights off eBay which did not work and I had to return.

Used OEM lights from parts dealers on eBay are upwards of $300, sometimes 400 or more, which I think is absolutely ridiculous. They're high if they think they're getting that kind of money for them.

My budget is right around 200. I really can't afford to go much higher than that.

New, "OEM-style" aftermarket headlights aren't too bad in price. They're around 235-250 for one or a little over 400 for two of them. I can deal with that price.

I have two main things I'm concerned about: fitment and light output. As previously stated, I wasted 200 on a DEPO light a few months ago. Total garbage. It was seriously a joke how bad the fitment and light output was. There was a finger and a half gap between the bottom of the light and the bumper and the light output was so bad I actually had to check to make sure I had two working headlights because it sure didn't look like it. It put a really bad taste in my mouth regarding aftermarket headlights. I was tempted to write an angry letter to DEPO regarding how dissatisfied I was with their joke of a ****-poor product.

To get to the point, does anyone here have OEM-style aftermarket headlights? Any pics of fitment and light output? I'd like to see how they compare to real OEM lights before I blow any more money on headlights again. Any feedback is mucho appreciated.

Here is an example of the kind of headlight I'm talking about (CLICK)

And NO, I do not want to see your eBay halo lights. I'll crash my car into a ditch and set it on fire before I put that garbage on it.

T_Behr904

Did you check into Keystone? They make factory o.e.m. style replacement car parts. I had a guy that backed into my GTP and he was kind enough to buy me a replacement tail light, and the Keystone model was an exact match to the o.e.m., and it fit perfectly.

luvlexus101

iTrader: (6)

From what I've heard the output of any aftermarket lamp is mehhh. Just retrofit
What do you currently have on your car?

cjandura

iTrader: (3)

Whats wrong with your current light?i seen a few in lou's junk yard in chester a few weeks ago you'll have to polish them up a little and they only ask like $100 each for them.

Waxima

iTrader: (3)

The driver side light is a little hazy and it does not match the passenger side light because it has a black housing and the passenger side has OEM finish housing. I'm kind of a perfectionist so it's a big deal to me, but most people would not notice. I've had enough with playing with the stupid restoration kits. I believe some of what's wrong with the driver side one is on the inside but I'm not totally sure. It got condensation in it once or twice so I sealed it up and it hasn't happened since.

I'm sure it could be fixed by baking it open and working from the inside but I want no part of that. It's outside of my skill set. I have the money to buy a new one and I'd rather just do that.

Regarding retrofitting, I'd love to. But it's not my thing. Too expensive and I would rather not take my first whack at it on an extremely expensive set of headlights.

So nobody has OEM-style headlights that they want to chime in about?

Genes1s

iTrader: (5)

I have both depo and OEM before I started to retro them. The Depo is pure garbage just like Pnp, the OEM is better but it's like having 100W halogen bulbs with lots of foreground.

Get a used OEM and have someone professionally restore both. Headlight restoration is not easy, especially if you try to match it to new one. Place like lightwerkz can restore your headlights to new condition. They run abour $200 a pair though.

luvlexus101

iTrader: (6)

When all is said and done, I'll be interested the old lights

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

I purchased replacements for the cheap off eBay for $275 (for the PAIR) and they produce just as much if not more than my OEM. Grant it, our car's are 10 years old, so any new lights would output the stock one's if never replaced.

Waxima

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the input. So they were aftermarket lights that look just like the OEM ones? Do they fit ok? No gaps between the light and the bumper or anything?

Wish I could find a set for $275 for the pair, the cheapest ones on there for 456 for a set of two.

Nexus67

iTrader: (23)

Just a quick little : amautoparts (ebay store) I thought was pretty good (replaced my girl's I35 passenger light) but we had to adjust them b/c the light was blaring all over the place. Once we adjusted it was fine.

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

Perfect fitment. NO issues.

03VQMAX

iTrader: (46)

To me, this one looks the closest to the OEM Headlamp, the ballast and the actual connector looks exactly the same.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-2003-Ni...item5ae213fbcd

I had the best deal on 2 sets of OEM Brand new headlamps, they are extremely hard to come by.

Brudface

Refinishing your existing headlights is a LOT easier than everyone thinks it is... But if you're looking for OEM style... Just be patient, good things come to those who wait. If you want while you're refinishing your old headlights iluvlexus or msu2000, or I could help walk you through it. It only takes about 2 hrs, and skill set is about as hard as changing out your stock deck. If all your looking for is the lens, I have an extra lens, with the shroud I can polish and re finish it to brand new, and paint it to match your passenger one, all you would have to do is bake yours apart, and put the new one on.

MillionBlades

I have DEPO headlights in my car and its the ones that came with it when I bought the car used 5 yrs ago.... I'll tell you that they look great from the outside even after cleaning them almost new... but they are total crap... the light output sucks I have a hard time seeing at night time since the low beams are aimed to low and I can't even aim them. The aim dial is broken and one of my headlights is lower than the other... they also fog up after a car wash/rain since the rubber seals are bad quality and are somewhat cracked... UGHHH I'm pissed but I might drop some money next year's spring since my car is paid off.... HELP ME FIND SOME QUALITY HEADLIGHTS so I CAN SAVE UP

Xpcgamer

iTrader: (5)

My buddy has a brand new OEM Drivers side light he never used. I'll talk to him tomorrow if you like. PM me and let me know.

aackshun

iTrader: (3)

I do

$700 shipped for a pair brand new OEM-style headlights.

and no complaints from the last pair I sold either.

tseng1023

iTrader: (9)

Isnt some guy selling these sick projector headlights on the org? Cant think of the name but im almost positive you posted on his thread too. What happened to buying those?

Nexus67

iTrader: (23)

^MSU2000?

eyeball187

iTrader: (1)

Why is it that the headlights on the maxima are so expensive in the first place? I find it an outrage. 200 dollars just for some plastic formed together in a certain pattern?

RR5

iTrader: (6)

2002-2003 Maxima has HID xenon headlamps. Not the typical halogen bulb found on many other cars. HID used compressed gas and high voltage to produce light. Halogen uses the standard filament type.

shaks

iTrader: (15)

that is luvlexus101

MSU2000 sells the retro for 5th gen with one projector per lamp