Headlight lenses - buy separately?

[AvantSE]

Could do with replacing the headlamp lenses on my B6 A4 as, after nearly 150,000 miles they are looking a bit sorry for themselves. I'd also like to take the lights apart as they are suffering from condensation and check they are sealed properly.

Any idea if the lenses can be bought separately from the headlight units themselves, and if so, what the approx. cost is?

Cheers.

[shark_90]

I'm pretty certain they're whole units. However you could use a polishing machine to polish the lenses, that might help?

[AvantSE]

Had a PM from a fellow 'Smoker who says you can get the lenses separately but they're about £100 a pair. To put that into perspective, a pair off ebay would cost about £160 for brand spankers, or maybe less than £100 a pair for used ones, though no idea on condition.

I might have a go at removing them and polishing up as you suggest, as well as cleaning the insides of the lenses while they're off.

Does anyone have a close-up pick of the light units from the front?

[Paul]

If they are Hella units, they wont have been designed to be removed.

They are glued by robots at 180 degrees c, and then leaktested. The glue does not lend it self to easy removal/refitting/ resealing.

Worth mentioning, that whilst they would have passed a leaktest from facory. headlights are usually not totally sealed , and normally have designed in vents/ vent tubes.

with the latter, they sometimes have a little gauss filter inside the flexible vent tube, that could block.

I would also check the sealing of the rear cap as well. They are a usuall suspect for leaks, as they are disturbed when changing bulbs.

[AvantSE]

Cheers, I think the units are made by Valeo but assume the same thing applies. I will have another look at the rear caps - unfortunately it means whipping the light units out again *sigh*.