Projector lens upgrade

[Kenito]

Anyone out there that has replaced the HID projector inside the headlight on a Q5?
I am not really happy with the beam pattern. I've seen people selling projector lenses on ebay with what seems like a decent beam pattern.
But if it's a nightmare to replace then I'll pass. Just wanted to ask if this has been done, if people know someone who has done this or could guide me to a
company that might help.

Thanks

[djn876]

I did it and swapped in some morimoto d2s 5.0s and now that the bulbs are broken in the difference is impressive, I have a thread going into the details. Opening the lenses is a giant PITA. I would just as soon send them somewhere to be opened if I had to do it again and do the rest myself. The actual swap isn't bad, but still required a little bit of work to make everything fit right but nothing that hard.

Here is the link.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=844711

[djn876]

I can get some newer pictures too if you'd like now that everything is broken in a little. I'll probably swap the bulbs to a CBI or something but they were sold out when I ordered everything.

[chawski]

Agree with djn. It's enough of a pain to open them that it's not worth the work for just a lense swap. I had morimito fx-r's in a previous car and really enjoyed them. Super easy to retrofit.

- - - Updated - - -

Edit, sorry I read that too quickly, you said projector, not just lense.

Yea check out the retrofit source for really good parts

[Kenito]

Thank you for the reply djn876 and chawski.
That's not what I wanted to hear I was hoping to be able to remove the projector from the back of the headlight and not split the whole thing open.
Any idea if that's possible or is splitting the headlight the only option?

Dang, your headlights looks sweet @djn876!

[chawski]

Yea getting the cover off is gonna be the best method. Only way the projector is coming out the back is with a dremel, and then you've gatta get it back together without leaking.

[djn876]

Yup, there is really no way the projector can come out through the back, the spot it mounts to has screws that can only be accessed through the front. Looks like you are in Europe, if you can afford the down time on the car, or have a spare set of lights, EM Tuning in the UK does really good work. They could either open them up for you, or just do the retrofit. Not sure what that would look like cost wise but they have done a lot of Audi lights.

[Kenito]

I appreciate the help guys! I guess I'll have to give this project a rest. I don't feel like splitting my headlights
I may give EM Tuning a shout and see what they have to offer. But shipping a set of headlights from Norway to the UK and back isn't gonna be cheap.

Thanks for the input and help tho'. Audizine has some great members

[chawski]

How about buy some aftermarket headlights? The fit on them is usually good, it's the quality of the projectors that suck. If you plan on swapping those out anyway, no big deal. That's what I've always done with retrofits so I can keep the oem ones if they're needed or when I sell.

I've found the easiest and strongest mounting method is to ditch the screws and epoxy the projectors to the mounting plate. I was hesitant that this would be strong enough, and unfortunately was in a front end accident. My actual headlight housings were trashed but the epoxy joint to the mounting plate didn't budge! Wish I still had a picture of it

[Kenito]

That could be an option indeed. Any idea where to get decent quality headlights for a good price? I do like the oem look, and definitely the DRL's so I wouldn't go full on fast&furious Aliexpress neon headlights.

[djn876]

How else are you going to live 1/4 mile at a time though?

[Kenito]

You're right, better go with the rainbow coloured ones for those sick 1/4 mile times