replacement headlights

[zmw]

I have condensation, as it seems to be a common issue - I expected to find considerably more threads about replacement headlights, are there any aftermarket options, and if not are OEM quailty replacements, and if not, are there reasonable prices on OEM ?

Thx

[badbluers4]

You sure you don't wanna just let them air out with the cap open? New headlights are expensive and from what I hear they come sealed now, not glued anymore, so you can't open em up to clear corner.

[zmw]

You sure you don't wanna just let them air out with the cap open? New headlights are expensive and from what I hear they come sealed now, not glued anymore, so you can't open em up to clear corner.

I'd need more details here - this is a new platform for me, Although I've owned 2 - I never had issues on my much lower miles car, and never really did anything to it. Can they be aired out and possibly cleaned?

I'm not worried about the cost necessarily, I drive a LOT at night so frankly if replacing them is what has to be done I'm willing to suck it up and do it.

[badbluers4]

Ok maybe you should post a pic of the condensation. If it's minor, you can always just drive around with the cap on the back of the headlights open to allow it to air out for a day or so...

I've never heard of condensation being an issue on these cars. If it is that bad, and they do need replacement, OEM is fine. There are also e-codes that are cheaper than OEM, and come clear cornered already.
If you are not interested in clear cornering or any other mods, then there is no issue with buying new OEM lights. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of that.

[ryanhmusic]

I'd need more details here - this is a new platform for me, Although I've owned 2 - I never had issues on my much lower miles car, and never really did anything to it. Can they be aired out and possibly cleaned?

I'm not worried about the cost necessarily, I drive a LOT at night so frankly if replacing them is what has to be done I'm willing to suck it up and do it.

search around in the b6/b7 a4 sections and you'll find some more information, but basically -- pull the front lens off, clean and dry thoroughly everything in there, reseal it with RTV and let it dry for a day -- then put the headlights back in and they'll be good as new -- alternatively if you want to replace the lens because of highway pitting, its about $150 for the set. Replacement headlights are right around $2k -- probably worth trying to fix it before you just cut a check for new ones.

[lucidmatt]

I had great luck with the $800 euro headlights seen on ebay frequently. Still not cheap, but cheaper than an importer. Excellent communication from the seller (auto245 or something like that), packed very well, no issues whatsoever since they were installed back in November. I love the sharper beam cutoff of the euro headlights. Clear corners are a bonus.

[zmw]

Ok maybe you should post a pic of the condensation. If it's minor, you can always just drive around with the cap on the back of the headlights open to allow it to air out for a day or so...

I've never heard of condensation being an issue on these cars. If it is that bad, and they do need replacement, OEM is fine. There are also e-codes that are cheaper than OEM, and come clear cornered already.
If you are not interested in clear cornering or any other mods, then there is no issue with buying new OEM lights. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of that.

What are these e-codes you speak of, as long as I keep the movement mechanism and all that shenanigans, that's fine. - Car is at the airport at the moment, I'll post some pics when I get back, but for sure it's not awesome, and every time I wash the car it gets worse, makes me wonder if the caps are off the car, is there a weather protective cap that provides access to the light?

[badbluers4]

What are these e-codes you speak of, as long as I keep the movement mechanism and all that shenanigans, that's fine. - Car is at the airport at the moment, I'll post some pics when I get back, but for sure it's not awesome, and every time I wash the car it gets worse, makes me wonder if the caps are off the car, is there a weather protective cap that provides access to the light?

The lights that lucidmatt just posted about.

If it gets worse each time you wash the car it sounds like that cap is off. (But still can't see how water could get inside that much). Check when you get back to car. It's an opening that you can reach your hand into to replace the smaller bulbs (city light and DRL). It is covered by a flip cap.

[zmw]

I had great luck with the $800 euro headlights seen on ebay frequently. Still not cheap, but cheaper than an importer. Excellent communication from the seller (auto245 or something like that), packed very well, no issues whatsoever since they were installed back in November. I love the sharper beam cutoff of the euro headlights. Clear corners are a bonus.

Have a link? The euro lights I seem to find say will not fit north american vehicles, and my assumption was because they were angled differently for RHD v LHD but maybe that's shenanigans...

[zmw]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-A4-S4-R...mGtkRg&vxp=mtr

?? that guy, username start245?

[NYC_Legacy]

search around in the b6/b7 a4 sections and you'll find some more information, but basically -- pull the front lens off, clean and dry thoroughly everything in there, reseal it with RTV and let it dry for a day -- then put the headlights back in and they'll be good as new -- alternatively if you want to replace the lens because of highway pitting, its about $150 for the set. Replacement headlights are right around $2k -- probably worth trying to fix it before you just cut a check for new ones.

Where can I source new lenses?

[prfktgntlmn]

Where can I source new lenses?

Try VXTuning. Email them.

[lucidmatt]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-A4-S4-R...mGtkRg&vxp=mtr

?? that guy, username start245?

Yes, but the link is the non-afs headlights. Here are the ones you need: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-A4-S4-R...ZcStZw&vxp=mtr

Edit: There is one small (depending on your perspective) annoyance with these headlights. Theyre technically aftermarket so there is no Audi part number, and the pair I received said "Made in Czech Republic" instead of Germany. Functionally though, they are identical.

[FWP!]

Yes, but the link is the non-afs headlights. Here are the ones you need: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-A4-S4-R...ZcStZw&vxp=mtr

Edit: There is one small (depending on your perspective) annoyance with these headlights. Theyre technically aftermarket so there is no Audi part number, and the pair I received said "Made in Czech Republic" instead of Germany. Functionally though, they are identical.

I bought a set of these headlights from this ebay'er, one arrived broken internally (got roughed up during shipping it looked like) but he sent a replacement. Very nice headlights, no problems at all for over a year now.

[lucidmatt]

I bought a set of these headlights from this ebay'er, one arrived broken internally (got roughed up during shipping it looked like) but he sent a replacement. Very nice headlights, no problems at all for over a year now.

I think he may have learned from your shipment, when I received mine, the internals of the headlight were stuffed full of bubble wrap! Talk about thorough packing.

[FastEddie]

Your most cost effective solution is take the lights off, heat gun or oven them and pull the lenses off. Clean them thoroughly and reseal. Look up Joey mod headlights in the b7 s4 section. There are numerous DIY for it.

ALSO there is a washer that you can replace on the headlights as well that has been known to cause leaking and condensation. I do not have the link readily available but if you search b7 headlight condensation o ring im sure you will find it.

All this can be done in just a few hours time TOPS over a weekend. I say it like that because you should let the lights dry for a day or two. Entire process without waiting would only take a few hours.

[NYC_Legacy]

Try VXTuning. Email them.

Thank you Sir

[FWP!]

I think he may have learned from your shipment, when I received mine, the internals of the headlight were stuffed full of bubble wrap! Talk about thorough packing.

Mine both came with a lot of bubble wrap crammed inside them, but one was broken. The frame broke that controls the movement of the projector housing, I posted pictures of it in another thread.

But like I said, he was good about getting it replaced.

[Gareth_oau]

ECS carry OEM, plus do Euro lights for USA

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_RS...ng/Headlights/