Apparently the factory units are discontinued (just waiting for my dealer to check leftover stock) so I need to look at alternate options. Has anyone tried them before? I see TYC and Dorman for recognizable names but I'm more concerned about quality; the output pattern, fitment, etc. The prices look way too cheap in that it's usually "you get what you pay for".

Anyone have any firsthand experience?

 

Aren't the factory units glass assemblies? I would recommend just buying a used set of oem off eBay or maybe the org classified section.

 

I think they all come from the same supplier. I've had good luck with both TYC and Eagle Eyes for customer's custom lights.

 

 

I just bought a set of clear Eagle Eyes for the 98 model. They look ok in the box. I bought some clear Permatex RTV and ran a bead around the edge where the clear mates up with the reflective plastic body to avoid a leak. Basically, the same sealer process that I used on the clear turn signal assemblies round the edges. I found a couple of cases where the clear worked into some cracks. So I'm just waiting for the weather to warm up so I can change them. I've got a set of glass lights from a 95 model that I thought about installing. The problem with glass lights around here is they seem to get broken by flying gravel from truck tires. I've had two breaks on my Q45 in the past 5 years.

 

I have used TYC. I put them on my father's 96 in 03. They were 97-99 style. Compared to my 98 OE, they were noticeably cheaper in construction and beam pattern.

Years later I got into an accident and I knew I was only getting OE lights. I searched ebay for new or like new and found some for cheap because of minor cosmetic blemishes.

These cars are old now and quality choices are limited. The market is flooded with subpar replacement parts.

The 97 I parted out last year had the cheapest assemblies I have ever seen. The lenses look brand new, yet the aiming hardware was already broken. I guess I should expect that from $50 lights.The $200 TYC were beautiful in comparison. I would still search for OE. Even if old lights need to be buffed and coated, it will be worth the effort.

 

If you have a 95-97 Maxima with glass headlights, simply go to the junkyard on eBay and get a set of used glass headlights

If you have a 98-99 Maxima with plastic headlights, you can install the glass headlights from the 95-97 because they fit perfectly.

If you have an I30, the best bet is to get a set of glass headlights from the European Maxima. They take H4 bulbs.
An eBay seller in Spain has a good set on ebay.es and this seller does ship to the US
Item numbers 163240376939 and 163294678865

 

As I recall, the 95 and 96 had glass. 97 and later the plastic ones. Supposedly the glass ones fit in later models.

I have glass ones with Sylvania Ultras in them.
They work a bit too well on a dark night.

 

There is still the Cefiro mod. I know they still sell those on eBay (I ordered another pair last year). They have a great beam pattern even with an H4 HID kit, with little to no glare. Just make sure you are getting the ones for left-hand drive from Taiwan.

 

Don't those only fit the I30?

The US Maxima isn't the same as the international Maxima, which we got as the I30

 

http://www.vqpower.com/v3/content/a3...nissan-maximas

 

Not looking to use Cefiro units since the bodystyle is different. Actually, I have the OE Taiwan Cefiro assemblies on my I30, with H4 bulbs. Much nicer beam pattern.

I already have R34 assemblies on the Maxima that's been retro'd, but they're a poor retrofit. Seeing my options since our city has been getting blitz with vehicle inspections by the police department so I'm thinking of going OE assemblies with led bulbs. The R34 assemblies need to be retro'd since the beam pattern is garbage, but it needs to look and function like OE (daytime running lights) and even then...

 

 

 

Not interested, but thanks for the offer. Are you still doing retrofits?