2003 4.6is headlight assembly questions
 

Hi everyone! I love this forum but I'm a bit overwhelmed with this one issue with my 2003 4.6is. I've had it for 15 years now and the headlight lenses are getting very bad. I live in the desert in Palm Springs so it's even harder on them out here. That said, I see that changing just the lenses is either impossible or highly ill-advised. So, I suppose that leaves me with replacement units. I'm trying to figure out how to know if I have Xenon units on mine or whatever. Any help appreciated in helping me to work that out. I see that there are several options available for non-xenon units...I believe that Spyder makes a replacement in that case. What are my options for Xenon units if I have those already? I'm sure it's all here somewhere but trying to cobble all this together before spending $$$$ is proving challenging. Thanks in advance for any help.

This forum has helped me to work on my air suspension, my ABS system, recode some options on it, and a ton of other useful information. Thanks to each of you for sharing your knowledge.:popcorn:

There are some great resources for restoring the lenses but if you don't want to go down that path then I would personally just buy new OEM headlights. All of the aftermarket headlights that I have seen including spyder look ricey to me. OEM all the way.

So, I decoded my VIN and see that I have factory Xenon headlights. I'm willing to look at OEM replacement headlight assemblies but the dealer is quoting me $1200 a piece. I'll poke around online but I have seen that some folks have used an aftermarket. I'm no opposed to "sprucing" up my E53 appearance but don't want to go too far with it. No rainbow leds but I'm not opposed to angel eyes on it.

What would you all suggest? I love the idea of a full plug and play ready if there is one.

The OEM lights are expensive because they are your best option.

Why not just refurbish them by sanding and clear laquer? Or are there some other damage than just the worn outer lens?

Thanks! That is the route I went. I thought I'd go ahead and replace them but a good shop out here did the restoration for me and so I can put this item to bed. Now I need to find a REALLY good window regulator brand. OEM window regulators do NOT hold up well here in the desert. I replace them about every two years as the heat and low humidity cause the plastic to degrade. Ahhhh...my next adventure.

So the plastic rollers break or what?

With the massive temperature swings out here the rollers break, I've had 1 cable break...but all those plastic bits just don't do well when we have 110 degree summer temps. I've been hunting for a high quality unit and I've been told to look at Dorman over OEM. I may give them a try as my drivers is out again. I just fixed the carrier on the front pass door so it's back to normal. Just put all new upper and lower control arms and joints in the rear end. New tires and 4 wheel alignment this week. Once this is done I will look at a BB unit to upgrade the audio/BT then I will have the drivers seat cover remade as it has a very small tear. Thankfully, I have a good line on an amazing auto upholsterer who can make it right. Oh, and I need to look at the sunroof cassette as I think I might want to proactively replace it as it's 17 years old.

It's the only vehicle I've ever owned that "demands" such large investments in the doors/windows. Good thing I absolutely LOVE this SAV.

I don't know why your regulators die so fast, are you getting them from a reputable source? Most counterfeit parts don't get into the stealership supply chain although an individual dealer may "supplement" their inventory from time to time by local purchases of low profit, high lead time parts.

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Yes, OEM from our local dealership. We have a very reputable German auto shop here and I finally took it to them. They are the folks that suggest Dorman brand as they appear to hold up much better. Last year we hit 125 outside and so I'm sure the inside of the door was even hotter. It seems that the combination of heat and low humidity is super rough on plastics. Even Sunbrella fabrics which are supposed to be nearly bulletproof in the sun tend to break down in 5 years or so. It is what it is.

We all know that the doors on these are the bane of our existence. LOL. As I said, I absolutely love this vehicle so I put up with it's "quirks". :)

Very true about the Doorman products!

I'm just surprised since our temps can reach 60c and the humidity is high when it hits 18% [emoji1787]

I wonder if it's more of the cold side in winter?

This winter was down to 20c so our swings are usually pretty gradual.

One thing that these guys use (only on new) is a film on the headlights that you peel off when it gets cloudy and feels like a gel. I have to do headlights every 4-7 months [emoji26]but I also regularly drive at 200+ kph, maybe that's why....[emoji848]

I recommend keeping a good compact bit driver in the X as an emergency set in of window drops on the road [emoji6]

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