Are they running out of Xenon or something?

[Joshdub]

You can get them at home depot, but their authenticity comes into question like RB said.

[blktoptrvl]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Relax I'm just poking fun - you put up a 1 bulb link so I thought you only went with 1.

Personally I never thought to buy headlight bulbs from Home Depot.

And if you know anything about Philips/Osram xenon bulbs you'd notice that there are a TON of fakes floating around, even at reputable sources or stores. Which is why I provided a link to a store/seller who is 100% genuine bulbs

I'm sure Home Depot is sourcing their internet catalog from 3rd party places, similar to Amazon, which has been proven in the fast to have sellers providing fake bulbs.

My .02

It seems you went a little wild there, and then advised me to relax. I would recommend you take the same tonic.

While your .02 is appreciated, I see no difference in using a website unknown to me - over a nationally known store.

And yes, the link was to the spec for the product. The number purchased has nothing to do with the link until a person actually clicks to buy.

What is it about your source that guarantees they are OEM and not just puffery? Yes, I see the blurb there about counterfeits, but I also called Philips and they are the ones who recommend HD. I would hope they are on top of the issue. When I get the bulbs I can examine them and see if I can tell if they meet the authentication from the website. Best thing is, if I am not convinced, I can simply walk or drive the mile to return them to the store.

This guide may or may not be helpful - until I get the bulbs I cannot say.

https://thecounterfeitreport.com/pro...nd-Lights.html

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

I would recommend you take the same tonic.

What is it about your source that guarantees they are OEM and not just puffery?

Considering that the source I listed is confirmed as being the son of a very well known retrofitter on HIDPlanet who has aviation contracts with Philips and this enables his son to buy the bulbs by the case in bulk and run the business with 100% genuine bulbs being sold.

I try to help on this forum as much as I can. Take it or leave it type of thing.

You said a bulb is $223 from the dealer - I sent you a genuine source for a $75 pair - if you don't want to use it then go for it, if 3rd party items are easily returned at Home Depot then go for it because I cannot vouch for authenticity.

[Joshdub]

Amazon is nation wide too, yet they have counterfeits.

The vendors we listed have a reputation for only selling authentic bulbs which can be verified with the bulbs authentication markings. Home depot couldn't care less about authentic automotive lighting. Not saying you can't get authentic bulbs from Home Depot, I'd just rather spend less and get known authentic bulbs vs the crap shoot that is Home Depot.

Just because you haven't heard of these vendors before doesn't mean that they don't have a reputation. They specialize in this stuff and if you have never had to replace these types of bulbs before then you obviously would not have heard of them.

[blktoptrvl]

Perhaps what you have said has some ring to it. But just because someone does not take your recommendation does not mean that you should be offended or in any way upset that they went in another direction.

I am not looking for a web based source, that is why I stated in my OP that I am looking for an "auto parts store" that sells the bulb. Now maybe semantics have come into play but when I say parts store I mean brick and mortar - not a web site.

But again as I said earlier, thank you for the suggestions.

[crystalworks]

If Philips recommended HD... buy them from there. That sounds like the recommendation you were after. The bulbs you posted will work fine.

I've used Powerbulbs.com and love the Osram Nightbreakers. Much brighter than OEM Phillips.

[blktoptrvl]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

If Philips recommended HD... buy them from there. That sounds like the recommendation you were after. The bulbs you posted will work fine.

I've used Powerbulbs.com and love the Osram Nightbreakers. Much brighter than OEM Phillips.

Thanks

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

I just got several quotes from dealers. The best I could find was $223 for one xenon bulb. I am certainly NOT going to pay that price - especially when they need to be replaced in pairs (for aesthetics), so the question becomes - which auto parts store will sell the best non-oem replacement?

They are not running out of xenons but probably the dealership is running out of customers that normally would buy xenons.

[g300d]

OP, I second RB's recommendation.

We both (and a few other posters in this thread) follow the automotive lighting retrofit scene and those guys (along with powerbulbs and theretrofitsource, also mentioned by others), are go-to suppliers for genuine bulbs at great prices.

What you are saying is like a BMW newbie saying "I called BMW to ask where to buy parts and they said the dealer, so I'm buying there. I wouldnt buy from ECS or Pelican or RMEuro because they arent authorized or nationally recognized".

Not debating with you, just trying to help you reconcile his view with yours.

If you feel more comfortable with your research, there's no problem with that.

I myself got Osram Nightbreakers from Powerbulbs and are much brighter in both perception and instrumented testing by third parties posted online, and couldnt be happier with them. I would have gotten from hidbulbz but I was specifically looking for the higher output Osrams.

[blktoptrvl]

OK, I received my bulbs on Friday. And yes, according to the Philips authentication website and all other information they are indeed authentic.

Thanks to all who helped me find the right bulbs.

Now for the hard part...

This is a simple job in concept, but very difficult in practice.

I think my frustrations come from several fronts:

1. The instructions I find on the web are not for model year 2006 and are not 4.4i motor specific
2. the Bentley manual - as usual - is beyond useless
3. Most of the information I find on-line is incomplete

All that I write below is based on getting the driver side bulb in and out...

• The bumper definitely does NOT have to come off.
• The power steering reservoir and coolant overflow tank are squarely in the way and must be released (not removed) so that you can get your hand behind them (for some reason the Bentley says a air intake must be removed (I am assuming they must be referencing a 3.0 operation)
• Removing the headlamp assembly from the car is unnecessary and would appear very difficult to me based on what I have seen so far. But loosening it so that the assembly can slide forward and give you more room is helpful.
• In several places it says that the squarish rear lamp cover must come off - this is wrong. It does not come off, it is moved back and away. Internal wiring prevents it from being removed.
• There are three very small t-20 screws holding the rear cover in place.
  • The top left is in a circular plastic enclosure - this one is very easy to get out.
  • The (toppish) right screw is easy too, but when I removed this one the plastic enclosure loop broke off - it is very brittle.
  • The third screw is on the bottom, under the wiring harness and if you are not careful will fall to the the bottomless pit of the bumper when dropped.
• It seems that removing the three screws does nothing, but in fact the cover sits on - is part of a tongue and groove assembly and once the screws are removed, the cover must be "peeled" away from the headlamp assembly.
• Once the bulb is exposed it takes just a minute to replace it...
• Getting the three screws back in place is a PITA. The top two are easy, but the bottom screw is causing me a lot of trouble. So much that I came come out of my garage to settle down and write this. My problem is that a number of times I have tried to get the screw back in and dropped either the screw or the tool down into that bottomless pit of a bumper. Fortunately I DO have a magnetic probe that I have been able to stick down in that pit 4 time so far to retrieve the screw or tool. If there is any way that you can find to temporarily mate the screw with the tool in order to get the thread started, you will be ahead of the game.

Now, back to the hunt.