there are plenty of threads around here about buying ebay aftermarket headlights. but nothing that gave me that warm and fuzzy feeling. so I'm going to buy and document my experience with "ebay headlights"

initially i have looked into Spec-D's blackout halo headlights part #2LHP-MINI01JM-TM (manufacture's number) they claim to be DOT approved and seem to have a reputable product base and generally good reviews.
mission statement from the company
Based in Southern California, SpecD Tuning is dedicated to bring the highest quality products at rock bottom wholesale prices. How do we do it? Simple ! We directly import all of our products from established manufacturing facilities in the Far East, including China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea. Through this direct selling model, middleman cost is minimized and so WE PASS ON ALL SAVINGS TO YOU!! In addition, because of our sophisticated vertically integrated supply chain system and streamlined order fulfillment system, we are able to truly offer HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS AT UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICE WITH BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Our first major product line is high quality auto accessories. These quality products are all carefully chosen from various reputable manufacturers. Because we put much emphasis on product quality, all of our products have passed stringent quality assurance procedures to achieve international standards such as S.A.E or D.O.T approved.
sounds good, i'll buy these ones ($258.40)

BUT WAIT!

there's a set that looks just like them a few hundred dollars down the page.
a company called 4caroption.com, at first glance they seem just like Spec-D. hell they even have the same picture (much like most of ebay's product) but deeper research into them reveals that they have poor customer service not backed by their "1 year bid with confidence warrenty" part #LP-MCOP02BB-5 ($164.99)

so they're out...

another list has the same Spec-D image at roughly $210 but manufacture is listed as JunYan... nevermind...

lastly i found a listing for "Spec-D blackout headlights" $190 with free shipping but not much in the form of real information. just a picture and a price. but if you look closely at the lens you would notice there are no DOT/SAE approval markings... knock offs most likely but here's where my search gets a little more interesting..

 

(continued from first post)
i sent a email to each of these vendors asking open ended and polite questions about their products.

for the JunYan headlights i sent this message.
"on your listing you have pictures of Spec-D's 2LHP-MINI01JM-TM head light set. but your listing states that the ones you are selling are JunYan. what exactly am i getting if i buy these?"

for the other listings i sent them this message (vague because i neither want to insult them or rule out some other brand that happens to be okay)
"on your listing you have a picture of spec-D's 2LHP-MINI01JM-TM headlights. are these Spec-D's or some other brand?"


so i guess i'll wait and see what i hear back from them in the next couple of days.

I'll be ordering the actual Spec-D headlights for the next round of "testing" at the end of the week


In the NAME OF SCIENCE!!!!!! okay not really

 

Hey man I have these in black I'll sell you my used pair for 100 I'm about to replace them with the newer ebay headlights

 

Bump

 

quick update the JunYan seller replied with this
"Hello, JunYan manufacturers the Lights for Spec D but they will be shipped from Spec D?s warehouse to you. "

the other sellers have not replied back after 3 days... i may be buying tekron's old set

 

Rustyeuro, What happened to the Spec-D lights? I am curious to find out what your thoughts are!!

 

they faded yellow really fast and fitted the car like cheap suit. I decided to just joey mod my factory headlights with some brighter bulbs.

 

For what its worth, I just upgraded my bulbs to a HID kit I bought on eBay from autoface-hid. The kit is super small and fit great, the ballasts were super small and basically taped them to the side of the headlight housing. They were a 35 watt ac kit, so far so good. The light difference is great.