$900 to fix one headlight? Is my dealer screwing me?

[kennedykennedy]

So....I have a 2001 QX4. The driver's side headlight started turning on and then turning off after a minute. I fiddled and tightened everything but it's continued on one side only. My dealer claims it needs a $488 ballast, $288 lamp, and $135 in labor? I walked out. Any opinions on this? I'm more than willing to pick up a ballast from a salvage yard and do it myself if it isn't rocket science. Would this be the time to go with some stock headlights? All I know is that I'm looking for a solution that won' cost me almost a grand!

[SnowSurfLax]

Yes. And No.

That's about what a dealer will charge for those parts. They ain't cheap and the service is where most dealers rake in the $$$.

You might try and aftermarket, but they rarely fit well unless they're upgrades for a type of look. Even then, some people have had lackluster luck with that.

It will be cheaper if you shop around and do it yourself. Try looking for a junk yard, but the luck of finding headlights in good condition is low.

Good luck!

[kennedykennedy]

I found a ballast and headlight from a salvage yard for $100. I'll do it myself and take the gamble before shelling out another $800. After I get it to work I'm driving by the dealership to inform the manager that his trying to gouge me means that I'm taking my new G37 purchase to another dealership.

[MagicM]

Well considering it's a dealership, it's a given they're going to overcharge. I won't even take my M or my RR's to the stealership, because i know i can get the same service for much cheaper at a trusted independent. The only time which warrents a dealership trip for me would be a issue with the car during warrenty.

[02pathy]

yeah i was thinking about getting the qx before i got the pathy, but a preson at my body shop told me the the headlight are 1200 cdn, i was like hell naaaah and i as far i know you can only get it at the dealership, i never knew they broke it down in the parts though