Replacing headlamps on a vehicle question.

You replacing the whole thing or just the bulb?

The bulb takes about 4 minutes to replace. 2 minutes to watch a youtube video, 2 minutes to replace it. Cost about $10 for a bulb

It's a bulb. Aftermarket is fine

I mean the whole thing, not just the bulbs.

Depends, do some research. Some of the aftermarket full replacements are junk and some are very high quality.

I have had multiple experiences with aftermarket light assemblies for vehicles I've worked on or rebuilt. I can say without a doubt that you will waste your money going aftermarket with light assemblies. They are not the same specs, quality, or fit as OEM and you will be spending more re-purchasing than just doing it once with OEM.

I learned the hard way, don't follow in my foot steps. There are sites that sell factory OEM products assuming the vehicle is recent or a collectible vehicle. There are also salvage yards with rear end collision vevhicles that were totaled out and part out the vehicles.

I know its more expensive but in this case (moisture getting inside the light assembly, yellow discoloration from poor plastic), spend the extra money.

RX300

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I've had mixed results with aftermarket ones, but it is a drastic cost savings. The biggest problem with the aftermarket ones is that the gaskets generally aren't seated right which can lead to condensation build up in the interior of the housing. My last set I put a clear silicone beading around all the exterior connection lines in the body of the housing, and have not had *knock on wood* any condensation problems in the roughly 6 months I've had this set.

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thats good advice, I've even noticed some factory seals that are not all that good, but it is rare..