I have a 2005 TL and one of my headlights is turning a purple/red color. The dealer said the bulb is going out and the bulb will cost $240.00 and the labor will cost $160.00 with a 2 hour wait time because they have to take the bumper off.

Does this sound about right? If so is there a cheaper way?

 

O DEAR GOD WHAT A FU**IN RIP-OFF

you can buy new phillips 85122 bulbs off ebay for like 50 bucks. thats the same bulb as stock.

if you can remove the bumper yourself you can swap the bulb yourself. if the bulb is changing color then its going to die soon. these are the same bulbs you have in your car now http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-O...Q5fAccessories

one more thing, you might want to consider replacing both bulbs at the same time if your planning on doing this yourself since the car will be apart anyway.

 

You can reach the passenger side from the wheel well. Look in the 3G garage, you might not have to take the bumper off. Change them both so you don't look like someone who paid $400 for one bulb.

 

always replace bulbs in pairs so color and brightness matches
the other one has same hours and wont be far behind in its death

kaixen brand are popular replacements for ziners- vendor excelerate or online look for them about $100 for a pair!

stock color 4300k- many go 5000k for more blue and good white on road in front of you
higher than that you lose visability
light
2 bolts and 5 clips hold the bumper cover on,,
2 hours!! yikes they bend over the desperate

 

You can get a pair of bulbs for both headlights for cheap. Check out DDM Tuning. Just google it and look up their D2S bulb. I just ordered a pair for $15 +shipping!

 

Dealers are funny as hell they just shoot random number hoping we'll accept it

 

hell even if you really want oem bulbs i think they run maybe 90 bucks? and taking the front bumper off takes what? 30 minutes? 5 clips on tops... 2 clips in the wheel well with a screw attaching bumper.. 6 screws on bottom with 4 clips.. lol i got it down since i take my bumper off maybe one or twice a week =[

 

I got 85122+'s from the retrofit source and changed them both without taking my bumper off at all. Following the tutorial from the garage. The dealer is trying to rape you

 

Please, someone from his area please help him with this. I do not want to see someone get charged $400 for a lightbulb replacement!

OP, do not, whatever you do, do not go back there for the bulb. If anything, buy the bulbs online, and bring it to a smaller, local mechanic to do the work for you.

 

If you can turn a wrench, you can do this!

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to take my car to my buddy shop and try to do it myself.

 

Definitely Do It Yourself. It's always good to have a friend that is handy with tools and/or cars so they can help you.