cheap replacement headlights?

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Jun 24, 2022 | 10:44 PM
  #1  
Hello all,

I have a 2003 2 door Manual G35, and am looking for replacement headlights. Just cheap OEM looking, nothing special. For some reason, 2 door G35 headlights are twice as expensive as 4 door G35 headlights. Does anyone know where I can get some at a reasonable price?

I tried Ebay,carparts.com, and those usual suspects.

Thanks
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Jun 25, 2022 | 12:02 AM
  #2  
Quote: Hello all,

I have a 2003 2 door Manual G35, and am looking for replacement headlights. Just cheap OEM looking, nothing special. For some reason, 2 door G35 headlights are twice as expensive as 4 door G35 headlights. Does anyone know where I can get some at a reasonable price?

I tried Ebay,carparts.com, and those usual suspects.

Thanks
Finding someone who parking out a G will be good, where are u allocated. Sometime I was able to by 06 headlight for cheap as well
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Jun 25, 2022 | 08:58 PM
  #3  
Can you use an 06 headlight on a an 03, I thought those were LED not older style standard lights.

So far, the issue has been finding used replacements that are any good, most look like mine, all yellowed and faded.
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Jun 25, 2022 | 09:04 PM
  #4  
I thought the halogens were only an option on the 2003 sedan? Didn't all the coupes get HID, and the 2006-2007 got projector HID?
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Jun 27, 2022 | 03:52 AM
  #5  
If you're looking to replace them cause they're yellowed, I'd highly recommend something like the CERAKOTE restoration kit. Took me around 45 minutes cause I was moving slowly, been parked in 90 degree weather/direct sunlight for a few months now and still have absolutely no sign of yellowing/wear. Even if it does yellow again, the kit is like $16 lol.

Aside from that, the names I've heard thrown around for aftermarket headlights are Spec-D and Spyder (may be the same headlights with different branding, IDK). I've heard some people love them, I've heard some people hate them. OEM is gonna be the most consistent (and 2006-2007 you get nicer projectors), but you always pay even for used.

I swapped 2006 Canadian lights on my 2005; went in fine, wiring all plugs up, etc, etc (my car did have HID to begin with though). I can't imagine the wiring is that different IF the car has halogens; if it has HID, any year coupe headlights will work. Just bear in mind I paid ~$400 on Ebay for mind two years ago, so it definitely ain't cheap (needed new bulbs and the CERAKOTE treatment as well).

ALSO bear in mind if you get 2006-2007, you WILL get condensation on the inside of the lens on rainy days. They're open-to-air unlike early models; absolutely not an issue, but just an FYI.
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Jun 27, 2022 | 08:13 AM
  #6  
Quote: ALSO bear in mind if you get 2006-2007, you WILL get condensation on the inside of the lens on rainy days. They're open-to-air unlike early models; absolutely not an issue, but just an FYI.
Is this because you are in the perpetual mist of the Northwest? I'm in the Southeast with a 2006 coupe, and have never experienced this (nor with my previous 2006 sedan).
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Jun 27, 2022 | 11:19 AM
  #7  
I don't think it's a plug in play with the older halogens, I've watched a few videos.

I do like the idea of trying the Cerakote, so I will order a kit and try that.

Thanks.
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Jun 27, 2022 | 04:41 PM
  #8  
Quote: I thought the halogens were only an option on the 2003 sedan? Didn't all the coupes get HID, and the 2006-2007 got projector HID?
Correct, all coupes came with HIDs. My guess is the OP doesn't see a projector lens and think they have halogen.
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Jun 27, 2022 | 06:11 PM
  #9  
That is entirely possible. I remember seeing some posts on a forum about the change to 2006-2007 headlights not only being projectors but something about venting, but it's been a hot minute since I looked into it.
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Jun 28, 2022 | 03:16 PM
  #10  
That could be very true. I presumed if it wasn't projector it was halogens. Since there were design changes, What years would fit without modification for headlights?

Thanks
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Jun 28, 2022 | 04:15 PM
  #11  
Quote: That could be very true. I presumed if it wasn't projector it was halogens. Since there were design changes, What years would fit without modification for headlights?

Thanks
There are only two types of OEM headlights for the coupe: 2003-2005 reflector HID and 2006-2007 projector HID. As Magneu pointed out they are plug and play. Brand new OEM housings are difficult to come by and are quite expensive (~$2000 for a pair of '06-'07 at Z1).

I just happen to run across these today on Ebay. They are replicas of the OEM 2003-2005 housings and only about $260 shipped. They appear to be made by Spec-D as well. You'll need to swap over your bulbs and ballasts. I'm trying to figure out what to do for headlights myself. I refinished mine like Magneu did, except I used a 3M sanding+polishing kit finished with a two-part UV protecting clearcoat sold by Sylvania. Excellent results and I got about 3 years before they started to yellow slightly. I'd consider refinishing again, however the clearance strips/lights under the outer lenses are also yellowed and there is no way of fixing that without removing the lenses.

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Jun 29, 2022 | 01:15 PM
  #12  
Really nice find, I don't know why these didn't come up when I was searching. Great price compared to what I had found.

Also, I didn't realize you can just plug in projector headlights in without mods to the 2003. I thought you had to make other changes to wiring, ground, connectors, etc.

Thanks for all the info.
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Jun 29, 2022 | 05:10 PM
  #13  
Quote: Really nice find, I don't know why these didn't come up when I was searching. Great price compared to what I had found.

Also, I didn't realize you can just plug in projector headlights in without mods to the 2003. I thought you had to make other changes to wiring, ground, connectors, etc.

Thanks for all the info.
I do need to clear up one thing in my previous post. If you are going to replace your reflector housing with a projector housing you will need new HID bulbs (which is the low beam). If I remember correctly the reflectors use a "D2R" style bulb and the projectors a "D2S".
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