Quisp,
Are you talking about a headlight bulb burning out, or the glass lens
attached to the housing breaking?
If the bulb has burned out and the mechanic is charging $250 for the
replacement, it sounds like he's got some boat payments to make up. The '88
5kt has a 9003 (?) bulb that plugs into the back of the DOT light housing
(or H4 into the back of the Euro Light reflector)
If the glass lens is cracked, and you have "DOT" headlights, yes, you'd have
to get a whole housing (including reflectors, lens, etc - all in one lousy
glued together unit). The european headlights that everybody in Type 44
(100/200/5000/V8) Audi-dom talks about have a separate (and waaaaay better)
lens, better reflector, even an adjustment lever for when you're carrying
lots of luggage in the trunk. The lens can be sourced separately, like from
VM Autohaus (satisfied customer), for much less than the lousy DOT housing.
Of course, new euros are expensive, but places like Shokan might have them
used. I got mine used from a local wrecking yard for C$35 each, in the
non-turbo form, but they mate up well to the V8 hood I installed last fall.
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ
1980 Audi 5k
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes
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> wrote in message
...
> In the past ... when a headlight bulb has gone out on my Audi, the
> mechanic has told me they have to replace the whole unit becasue it
> comes "sealed"at a cost of $250 for the unit.
>
> I sent an e-mail to shokan.com and they said I can just replace the
> bulb .. .a lot cheaper ... anyone have some experience with this?
>
> TIA.