HID headlights
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HID headlights
My 03 SE is in the shop having $3200 of repairs to replace the HID lights that were stolen. Nissan has also come up with an anti-theft kit. At first they wanted $600 the said that the 600 was "retail" and are installing for $249. Of this $119 is the kit itself and the balance labor.
I think that Nissan has to step up to the plate and assume some responsibility here for the following reasons:
1. It is their design that has made these things so easy/fast to steal.
2. They have priced the replacements so high (750 per headlight unit just for the part) that they are attractive to thieves.
3. I understand that spare parts have high profit built in, BUT for Nissan to make profit on thefts like this is unfair. It's not like they are burning out or replaced as a result of collisions. They have created a fast profit generating machine for themselves and they make more money on the deal than anyone!
4. Then to come out with a kit and charge 600 or 250 or ANYTHING is crazier - again it's a flaw in their design.
Possible solutions:
1. Lower the headlight price to 150 - the black market would disappear.
2. Mount the electrical ballast elsewhere in the car - that is the key part in the whole thing from what I understand. It is now in the headlight and comes out nicely as part of the package. If it were separate, it would make the theft operation much more time consuming and thereby risky. This should be done as a well publicized recall.
3. Install the anti-theft kit free to everyone.
Nissan must accept some burden for this situation. These steps would make the risk to a thief greater and the reward less. We as owners and potential owners must pressure Nissan and threaten them with loss of business to make it happen. This is my 2nd Max and I love the car, but the situation makes the car "unownable" unless you can lock it up or stand guard 24/7.
I think that Nissan has to step up to the plate and assume some responsibility here for the following reasons:
1. It is their design that has made these things so easy/fast to steal.
2. They have priced the replacements so high (750 per headlight unit just for the part) that they are attractive to thieves.
3. I understand that spare parts have high profit built in, BUT for Nissan to make profit on thefts like this is unfair. It's not like they are burning out or replaced as a result of collisions. They have created a fast profit generating machine for themselves and they make more money on the deal than anyone!
4. Then to come out with a kit and charge 600 or 250 or ANYTHING is crazier - again it's a flaw in their design.
Possible solutions:
1. Lower the headlight price to 150 - the black market would disappear.
2. Mount the electrical ballast elsewhere in the car - that is the key part in the whole thing from what I understand. It is now in the headlight and comes out nicely as part of the package. If it were separate, it would make the theft operation much more time consuming and thereby risky. This should be done as a well publicized recall.
3. Install the anti-theft kit free to everyone.
Nissan must accept some burden for this situation. These steps would make the risk to a thief greater and the reward less. We as owners and potential owners must pressure Nissan and threaten them with loss of business to make it happen. This is my 2nd Max and I love the car, but the situation makes the car "unownable" unless you can lock it up or stand guard 24/7.
The Black Market will not disappear if Nissan lowers the headlight price. It's simple, HID's are much better lighting than regular halogen and there's a lot of people who want them installed in their car.They steal the headlights for the ballasts anyway, not the headlight, they throw that out most likely.
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Originally posted by GuZo
The Black Market will not disappear if Nissan lowers the headlight price. It's simple, HID's are much better lighting than regular halogen and there's a lot of people who want them installed in their car.They steal the headlights for the ballasts anyway, not the headlight, they throw that out most likely.
The Black Market will not disappear if Nissan lowers the headlight price. It's simple, HID's are much better lighting than regular halogen and there's a lot of people who want them installed in their car.They steal the headlights for the ballasts anyway, not the headlight, they throw that out most likely.
Originally posted by njruss
My understanding is that at least in the north NJ area that some less than ethical body shops are buying these things for around $150 per. At least that activity would be curtailed. No question that they are good looking lights, but if they were cheape would the risk of getting caught stealing them be worth it?
My understanding is that at least in the north NJ area that some less than ethical body shops are buying these things for around $150 per. At least that activity would be curtailed. No question that they are good looking lights, but if they were cheape would the risk of getting caught stealing them be worth it?
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Originally posted by GuZo
Well I guess with that little piece of information about the body shops it changes everything, maybe you are right. But I thought it was the junkyards buying these lights.I doubt a body shop would buy it and install them with broken tabs, unless the owner of the car is aware of having stolen HID's installed in his car.
Well I guess with that little piece of information about the body shops it changes everything, maybe you are right. But I thought it was the junkyards buying these lights.I doubt a body shop would buy it and install them with broken tabs, unless the owner of the car is aware of having stolen HID's installed in his car.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 20
Originally posted by GuZo
Well I guess with that little piece of information about the body shops it changes everything, maybe you are right. But I thought it was the junkyards buying these lights.I doubt a body shop would buy it and install them with broken tabs, unless the owner of the car is aware of having stolen HID's installed in his car.
Well I guess with that little piece of information about the body shops it changes everything, maybe you are right. But I thought it was the junkyards buying these lights.I doubt a body shop would buy it and install them with broken tabs, unless the owner of the car is aware of having stolen HID's installed in his car.
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,024
Originally posted by Auto Lighting
Get this though, a body shop gets the lights for - we'll say 200.00 the estimate is done already and paid for by the insureance company. Anything left over is theirs unless they want to be nice and give it to the customer - which never happens. So now the body shop gets paid for doing the work and the $1000.00 extra is a under the table profit. How's that sittin with everyone..
Get this though, a body shop gets the lights for - we'll say 200.00 the estimate is done already and paid for by the insureance company. Anything left over is theirs unless they want to be nice and give it to the customer - which never happens. So now the body shop gets paid for doing the work and the $1000.00 extra is a under the table profit. How's that sittin with everyone..
Every nut, bolt, light, body pannel for every single car on the road is in a data base along with it's associated cost. We pay exactly what the insurance company pays, we make nothing on parts. It's completely computer controlled. Even the estimates are electronically transmitted to your insurance company from the software that controls our costs. Every shop sees the same info. The only difference from shop to shop is the labor rate. The parts costs are fixed.
The cost of the HID headlight assembly is $724 per side. Lord knows I've ordered enough of them to memorize the price.
I feel for you 5th gen guys, I can't tell you how much it kills me to see so many Maxima's in our shop.
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
As a body shop owner I can tell you that is completely false.
Every nut, bolt, light, body pannel for every single car on the road is in a data base along with it's associated cost. We pay exactly what the insurance company pays, we make nothing on parts. It's completely computer controlled. Even the estimates are electronically transmitted to your insurance company from the software that controls our costs. Every shop sees the same info. The only difference from shop to shop is the labor rate. The parts costs are fixed.
The cost of the HID headlight assembly is $724 per side. Lord knows I've ordered enough of them to memorize the price.
I feel for you 5th gen guys, I can't tell you how much it kills me to see so many Maxima's in our shop.
As a body shop owner I can tell you that is completely false.
Every nut, bolt, light, body pannel for every single car on the road is in a data base along with it's associated cost. We pay exactly what the insurance company pays, we make nothing on parts. It's completely computer controlled. Even the estimates are electronically transmitted to your insurance company from the software that controls our costs. Every shop sees the same info. The only difference from shop to shop is the labor rate. The parts costs are fixed.
The cost of the HID headlight assembly is $724 per side. Lord knows I've ordered enough of them to memorize the price.
I feel for you 5th gen guys, I can't tell you how much it kills me to see so many Maxima's in our shop.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 686
Re: HID headlights
Originally posted by njruss
My 03 SE is in the shop having $3200 of repairs to replace the HID lights that were stolen. Nissan has also come up with an anti-theft kit. At first they wanted $600 the said that the 600 was "retail" and are installing for $249. Of this $119 is the kit itself and the balance labor.
I think that Nissan has to step up to the plate and assume some responsibility here for the following reasons:
1. It is their design that has made these things so easy/fast to steal.
2. They have priced the replacements so high (750 per headlight unit just for the part) that they are attractive to thieves.
3. I understand that spare parts have high profit built in, BUT for Nissan to make profit on thefts like this is unfair. It's not like they are burning out or replaced as a result of collisions. They have created a fast profit generating machine for themselves and they make more money on the deal than anyone!
4. Then to come out with a kit and charge 600 or 250 or ANYTHING is crazier - again it's a flaw in their design.
Possible solutions:
1. Lower the headlight price to 150 - the black market would disappear.
2. Mount the electrical ballast elsewhere in the car - that is the key part in the whole thing from what I understand. It is now in the headlight and comes out nicely as part of the package. If it were separate, it would make the theft operation much more time consuming and thereby risky. This should be done as a well publicized recall.
3. Install the anti-theft kit free to everyone.
Nissan must accept some burden for this situation. These steps would make the risk to a thief greater and the reward less. We as owners and potential owners must pressure Nissan and threaten them with loss of business to make it happen. This is my 2nd Max and I love the car, but the situation makes the car "unownable" unless you can lock it up or stand guard 24/7.
My 03 SE is in the shop having $3200 of repairs to replace the HID lights that were stolen. Nissan has also come up with an anti-theft kit. At first they wanted $600 the said that the 600 was "retail" and are installing for $249. Of this $119 is the kit itself and the balance labor.
I think that Nissan has to step up to the plate and assume some responsibility here for the following reasons:
1. It is their design that has made these things so easy/fast to steal.
2. They have priced the replacements so high (750 per headlight unit just for the part) that they are attractive to thieves.
3. I understand that spare parts have high profit built in, BUT for Nissan to make profit on thefts like this is unfair. It's not like they are burning out or replaced as a result of collisions. They have created a fast profit generating machine for themselves and they make more money on the deal than anyone!
4. Then to come out with a kit and charge 600 or 250 or ANYTHING is crazier - again it's a flaw in their design.
Possible solutions:
1. Lower the headlight price to 150 - the black market would disappear.
2. Mount the electrical ballast elsewhere in the car - that is the key part in the whole thing from what I understand. It is now in the headlight and comes out nicely as part of the package. If it were separate, it would make the theft operation much more time consuming and thereby risky. This should be done as a well publicized recall.
3. Install the anti-theft kit free to everyone.
Nissan must accept some burden for this situation. These steps would make the risk to a thief greater and the reward less. We as owners and potential owners must pressure Nissan and threaten them with loss of business to make it happen. This is my 2nd Max and I love the car, but the situation makes the car "unownable" unless you can lock it up or stand guard 24/7.
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,024
Originally posted by maximilion
I agree with this partially. I'm having my car fixed and there is a 50% markup on the parts which is the profit the body shop takes. Even the insurance company added a 50% markup when they prepared their estimate. So, body shops do make profit off of parts, not only labor.
I agree with this partially. I'm having my car fixed and there is a 50% markup on the parts which is the profit the body shop takes. Even the insurance company added a 50% markup when they prepared their estimate. So, body shops do make profit off of parts, not only labor.
Really? Maybe I do my books wrong. Call your local dealer and ask him how much the HID's cost. I'll fax you over a copy of my bill from Nissan.
I run a shop, I know what I make money from and it aint parts. Your insurance company pays me exactly what I pay for any given part. They don't make any profit on parts, you must be kidding me??
An accident costs them money! Have a few to many, and they'll drop your sorry a$$. Why would an insurance company inflate the cost of something that there gonna pay for? Hello?? common sense people.
I make money in the repair installation and refinishing of the parts. Nissan or who ever I buy from makes the profit on the parts.
Proline Body and Chassis
Elmwood Park, NJ
201-825-6378
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
The cost of the HID headlight assembly is $724 per side. Lord knows I've ordered enough of them to memorize the price.
The cost of the HID headlight assembly is $724 per side. Lord knows I've ordered enough of them to memorize the price.
I believe Dave Burnette can get them for $5xx/side, so $724 per side is high.
I sure wish I would have bought a couple pairs when they ORIGINALLY hit the market and I paid $380/pair.
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Posts: n/a
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
Really? Maybe I do my books wrong. Call your local dealer and ask him how much the HID's cost. I'll fax you over a copy of my bill from Nissan.
I run a shop, I know what I make money from and it aint parts. Your insurance company pays me exactly what I pay for any given part. They don't make any profit on parts, you must be kidding me?? An accident costs them money! Have a few to many, and they'll drop your sorry a$$.
Why would an insurance company inflate the cost of something that there gonna pay for? Hello?? common sense people.
I make money in the repair installation and refinishing of the parts. Nissan or who ever I buy from makes the profit on the parts.
Proline Body and Chassis
Elmwood Park, NJ
201-825-6378
Really? Maybe I do my books wrong. Call your local dealer and ask him how much the HID's cost. I'll fax you over a copy of my bill from Nissan.
I run a shop, I know what I make money from and it aint parts. Your insurance company pays me exactly what I pay for any given part. They don't make any profit on parts, you must be kidding me??
An accident costs them money! Have a few to many, and they'll drop your sorry a$$. Why would an insurance company inflate the cost of something that there gonna pay for? Hello?? common sense people.
I make money in the repair installation and refinishing of the parts. Nissan or who ever I buy from makes the profit on the parts.
Proline Body and Chassis
Elmwood Park, NJ
201-825-6378
I don't have issue with an independent body shop making a fair profit. I DO have issue with Nissan corporation doing so. As I said earlier, it is their poor design that contributes greatly to the ease of theft and the street value of the light assemblies. I'm sure that Nissan and the Nissan dealer (I'm using my dealer for the repair) make a nice profit!
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
Really? Maybe I do my books wrong. Call your local dealer and ask him how much the HID's cost. I'll fax you over a copy of my bill from Nissan.
I run a shop, I know what I make money from and it aint parts. Your insurance company pays me exactly what I pay for any given part. They don't make any profit on parts, you must be kidding me?? An accident costs them money! Have a few to many, and they'll drop your sorry a$$.
Why would an insurance company inflate the cost of something that there gonna pay for? Hello?? common sense people.
I make money in the repair installation and refinishing of the parts. Nissan or who ever I buy from makes the profit on the parts.
Proline Body and Chassis
Elmwood Park, NJ
201-825-6378
Really? Maybe I do my books wrong. Call your local dealer and ask him how much the HID's cost. I'll fax you over a copy of my bill from Nissan.
I run a shop, I know what I make money from and it aint parts. Your insurance company pays me exactly what I pay for any given part. They don't make any profit on parts, you must be kidding me??
An accident costs them money! Have a few to many, and they'll drop your sorry a$$. Why would an insurance company inflate the cost of something that there gonna pay for? Hello?? common sense people.
I make money in the repair installation and refinishing of the parts. Nissan or who ever I buy from makes the profit on the parts.
Proline Body and Chassis
Elmwood Park, NJ
201-825-6378
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 20
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
As a body shop owner I can tell you that is completely false.
Every nut, bolt, light, body pannel for every single car on the road is in a data base along with it's associated cost. We pay exactly what the insurance company pays, we make nothing on parts. It's completely computer controlled. Even the estimates are electronically transmitted to your insurance company from the software that controls our costs. Every shop sees the same info. The only difference from shop to shop is the labor rate. The parts costs are fixed.
The cost of the HID headlight assembly is $724 per side. Lord knows I've ordered enough of them to memorize the price.
I feel for you 5th gen guys, I can't tell you how much it kills me to see so many Maxima's in our shop.
As a body shop owner I can tell you that is completely false.
Every nut, bolt, light, body pannel for every single car on the road is in a data base along with it's associated cost. We pay exactly what the insurance company pays, we make nothing on parts. It's completely computer controlled. Even the estimates are electronically transmitted to your insurance company from the software that controls our costs. Every shop sees the same info. The only difference from shop to shop is the labor rate. The parts costs are fixed.
The cost of the HID headlight assembly is $724 per side. Lord knows I've ordered enough of them to memorize the price.
I feel for you 5th gen guys, I can't tell you how much it kills me to see so many Maxima's in our shop.
I even had a body shop owner pleading with me for some business and that it would be worth my while as he could get it done and put money in both our pockets by getting parts used via the net, prep them and no one would know a thing. He was so hard up that any car which was driveable, he would come and pick up and get more for the pocket by submitting a tow bill.
I could list 5 body shops right off the top of my head that are dirty, all within 5 blocks of my service doors.
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