Aftermarket Headlights

[SRVO]

I've found myself needing to replace my offside headlight and out of curiosity I had a look at alternative options. These popped up...

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPjc5DO

 

They're obviously not OEM and who knows what the quality is like, but for aftermarket lights I think they look really good - reminiscent of the previous generation NX.

 

I don't suppose anyone has fitted these or has any idea if they would be road legal in the UK?

I'll probably end up swapping like-for-like genuine ones, but thought I'd ask out of interest.

[ColinBarber]

It states they are E marked but without also seeing the certificate of conformity it’s quite an expensive gamble to take. 

[SRVO]

Thanks Colin, yes risky gamble. I was hoping someone braver than me had already done it 😄

[diabolik]

@SRVOwrong forum mate 😝 Ask on the FB group

[VFR]

There is also this site.

https://www.vland-official.com/collections/vland-lexus-is-lighting-collections

[Poundy]

On 6/24/2023 at 4:43 PM, SRVO said:

Thanks Colin, yes risky gamble. I was hoping someone braver than me had already done it 😄

Less risky option here, for what he wants for it IMO.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1094577644266532/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=2141063852951234&__cft__[0]=AZU63rPgwQdbHRoPO8eRLPtAtIZmeqqm_j-8XXaybHfRLj6KTJ3NBk_iiDiBBKK051t13vgvyUcx9tzA6X78Ke6cSkBlZNStXYETIFxUwsMnI-Gpxvtx4OiViZX06x8iyV3x7wXoN8HkEu6G7MDGxErWUzsD1_dcnI83fEVmYQtgUQ&__tn__=-UC%2CP-R

[SRVO]

13 hours ago, Poundy said:

Less risky option here, for what he wants for it IMO.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1094577644266532/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=2141063852951234&__cft__[0]=AZU63rPgwQdbHRoPO8eRLPtAtIZmeqqm_j-8XXaybHfRLj6KTJ3NBk_iiDiBBKK051t13vgvyUcx9tzA6X78Ke6cSkBlZNStXYETIFxUwsMnI-Gpxvtx4OiViZX06x8iyV3x7wXoN8HkEu6G7MDGxErWUzsD1_dcnI83fEVmYQtgUQ&__tn__=-UC%2CP-R

Thanks Poundy, I reckon I'll be opting for a used replacement. I get the car back from Lexus today so I'll see what they say (obviously they want to sell me a brand new unit with a typical Lexus price tag)

[H3XME]

On 6/24/2023 at 10:37 AM, SRVO said:

I've found myself needing to replace my offside headlight and out of curiosity I had a look at alternative options. These popped up...

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPjc5DO

 

They're obviously not OEM and who knows what the quality is like, but for aftermarket lights I think they look really good - reminiscent of the previous generation NX.

 

I don't suppose anyone has fitted these or has any idea if they would be road legal in the UK?

I'll probably end up swapping like-for-like genuine ones, but thought I'd ask out of interest.

They will be like Vlands available for IS250s.. No issues with MOTs and such. They are road legal, you just need to get them adjusted should the beams be misaligned but any garage can do that for 20 quid. 

[Poundy]

3 hours ago, SRVO said:

Thanks Poundy, I reckon I'll be opting for a used replacement. I get the car back from Lexus today so I'll see what they say (obviously they want to sell me a brand new unit with a typical Lexus price tag)

That's going to hurt 😖

[vin_smith]

Recently I had a late night shopping trip (which may or may not have included some alcohol) and I ordered these. They are plug and play, have a good beam pattern and good light output.

My likes and dislikes:

+ Easy to mount, on a vehicle with stock Halogen units.
+ Good fitment on the car (I have a 2012 with a newer MY bumper)
+ Good (LHD) beam pattern, easily adjustable with screws on the back. I passed MOT without issues.
+ Bright(er) than halogen. I was using LED bulbs in my halogen units, so the light output is about the same if not slightly better. Coming from stock you will definitely notice the difference.

- When the high beams turn on the center most light does some kind of 'lightshow' effect, which is also visible in the video on the product page @0:30. This happens every time the high beams are turned on and is hardwired into the units, which to me makes them unfit to run with the 'auto' light setting of the car (unless you want to laserbeam oncoming traffic every time it gets dim out). The seller confirmed that this cannot be disabled out of the box.
- Long-term support from vendor is dubious at best, though contact and communication throughout all phases of my order was good, quick and accurate.

For the price, I think they're good value and provide a nice upgrade visually and functionally. I might open them up eventually to try and disable that light effect, as I can see that becoming an annoyance. Whether or not you can live with it is a call you have to make on your own.

If you have any questions, hmu 🙂

[SSUR]

I initially went for Halfords own brand “to original spec”. These were truly aweful, I complained and upgraded to their premium top range which are actually very good about £50/60 for the pair and would recommend.

[Barry14UK]

On 6/24/2023 at 10:37 AM, SRVO said:

I've found myself needing to replace my offside headlight and out of curiosity I had a look at alternative options. These popped up...

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPjc5DO

 

They're obviously not OEM and who knows what the quality is like, but for aftermarket lights I think they look really good - reminiscent of the previous generation NX.

 

I don't suppose anyone has fitted these or has any idea if they would be road legal in the UK?

I'll probably end up swapping like-for-like genuine ones, but thought I'd ask out of interest.

Says LHD. 

[SRVO]

On 9/9/2023 at 5:17 PM, vin_smith said:

Recently I had a late night shopping trip (which may or may not have included some alcohol) and I ordered these. They are plug and play, have a good beam pattern and good light output.

My likes and dislikes:

+ Easy to mount, on a vehicle with stock Halogen units.
+ Good fitment on the car (I have a 2012 with a newer MY bumper)
+ Good (LHD) beam pattern, easily adjustable with screws on the back. I passed MOT without issues.
+ Bright(er) than halogen. I was using led bulbs in my halogen units, so the light output is about the same if not slightly better. Coming from stock you will definitely notice the difference.

- When the high beams turn on the center most light does some kind of 'lightshow' effect, which is also visible in the video on the product page @0:30. This happens every time the high beams are turned on and is hardwired into the units, which to me makes them unfit to run with the 'auto' light setting of the car (unless you want to laserbeam oncoming traffic every time it gets dim out). The seller confirmed that this cannot be disabled out of the box.
- Long-term support from vendor is dubious at best, though contact and communication throughout all phases of my order was good, quick and accurate.

For the price, I think they're good value and provide a nice upgrade visually and functionally. I might open them up eventually to try and disable that light effect, as I can see that becoming an annoyance. Whether or not you can live with it is a call you have to make on your own.

If you have any questions, hmu 🙂

Thanks for the detailed reply @vin_smith (and apologies for only just seeing it!). It's good to know someone has gone ahead with the installation, they look great. Shame they're only LHD but it gives me some confidence at least.