So in the past couple of weeks, one of the headlights on my 15 RDX Tech was going south, first taking on a red tint, then flickering, and finally in the last few days cutting out completely. I know that actually dealing with HID is above my pay grade, but definitely got some sticker shock when I took it to the dealer.

I know HIDs are pricey so a $100 bulb wouldn't have shocked me. Well, trying to do it myself would have shocked me, hence taking it in to have a pro do it. The service writer told me they would do diagnostics on it (ballast, ignitor, make sure it actually IS the bulb first) because (she implied) the BULB would be $500.

So while I waited I saw some of the YouTube videos, I think mostly involving TLs, where bumpers were being taken off to get at the headlight assembly... and also seeing where the bulbs could be had as Genuine Acura for $125ish (marked up from the $90-95 that they sell for as Sylvania D2S). And then the writer comes back, confirming it IS the bulb... $460+tax and I let them do it.

Itemized tab comes back.. $232 for the freaking bulb... Ridiculous! And even the $228 in labor seemed more than a little steep when total shop time was probably 75, at most 90 minutes. Half the reason I traded out of my Volvo was that, approaching 200K miles, the maintenance was getting pretty steep. But this makes me wonder how much I'll end up saving.

 

well, they don't call them "stealerships" for fun.
you could have very well done this yourself and saved a lot of money.

12 volt systems wont shock you

 

Wait until you have to replace a "jewel-eye" headlight assembly as used on the MDX and some newer Honda Accords; these go for $1500 a pop!

 

Given the high voltage components involved in HIDs, and all the crap that needs to reset if the battery is disconnected (to follow instructions correctly), I don't have a huge problem with the labor (knowing that the dealer rate is going to be steeper than most)... but it's the ~$100 markup on the bulb itself (over and above the premium for it being branded Genuine Honda/Acura vs Sylvania) that pisses me off more than anything.

 

i used to own a Mini Cooper and the dealership quoted a similar amount .. around $700 or so with labor ..

i went to Oriely Auto parts, bought the bulb for $110 .. tried to squeeze my hand thru the little space and change it in 15 mins .. ( saw it on some youtube to do it that way ) so the buld costed $110 and the oriely parts guy helped me a bit guiding me and all ..


i just checked and Acura RDX hid bulbs are similarly priced ..
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...id+bulbs&pos=0

and same kinda installation .. yes it is tricky .. but oh well