I am very tempted to do a whistler/nifty mod on my headlights, but I don't want to touch my stock ones, just in case someone in a uniform thinks it isn't legal and needs to be restored to stock condition...

Before buying spares in the US and making DHL a bit richer, I decided to call my dealer and ask for the price of headlights through the official channel. Also, European-spec OEM lights have an additional bulb at the bottom of the high beams for parking lights.

Verdict is, DHL will still count me as a customer... an OEM headlight for my '07 costs... 762.-- Swiss francs before tax, per headlight...
That's over 1'440 US dollars for the pair!!! :ack:

I knew there would be a difference... but that's beyond what I could imagine...

I am very tempted to do a whistler/nifty mod on my headlights, but I don't want to touch my stock ones, just in case someone in a uniform thinks it isn't legal and needs to be restored to stock condition...

Before buying spares in the US and making DHL a bit richer, I decided to call my dealer and ask for the price of headlights through the official channel. Also, European-spec OEM lights have an additional bulb at the bottom of the high beams for parking lights.

Verdict is, DHL will still count me as a customer... an OEM headlight for my '07 costs... 762.-- Swiss francs before tax, per headlight...
That's over 1'440 US dollars for the pair!!! :ack:

I knew there would be a difference... but that's beyond what I could imagine...

I have a set of 2007 UK spec in the garage, low beam/high beam/side light/indicator flasher in the orange part, dealer parts are a rip off as is the shipping from the US and the current exchange rates dont help either,
I did plan to hang on to these though,

I am getting the ipod install next week on my 08. It comes in at 200 pounds which is 290 US

I found a pair of "DEPO" branded OEM-like headlights at USD 145.-- a pair including US-shipping. That will do... and to replace the European-spec-only parking light bulbs, I ordered LED Halo rings :D

I have played with local american football teams for the last 20 years so I have imported my fair share of football boots and accessories before looking into US auto parts, and what beats me is that european dealers or re-sellers, when you twist their arm into giving you the best possible deal, only manage to be on par with direct imports... and most of the time are more expensive while offering only a tiny fraction of the choice available on the other side of the pond...

I'm really grateful when US retailers accomodate overseas internet sales. When they do, there's not much competition for them locally.

Ok, off the soapbox... ;)