Hello there,

could someone kindly explain to me what does the plastic protrusion under lens is made for in the S-type R headlight housing? I do not have those in my NA V8 S-type but I am thinking of painting that part of housing in black to somehow resemble the R headlights.

 

You beat me to this post!
You'll find that this is likely there as a Deflector (of the HID bulb/glass lens) rather than a Reflector. Otherwise there'd be high power xenon/HID light bouncing all over the place inside and probably blinding everyone on the road!
Also the same reason as to probably why the frame/surround is painted grey as well and not chrome/silver as in the standard lights you have. Likely continuing the grey theme in the high beam enclosure as well to balance the look.
To memory that piece has 3 tabs that protrude through and are heat melted on from underneath.
There's lots of modified lights out there on many car brands. I have seen the internals changed in many non factory colours as well as added led lenses etc. Probably not roadworthy in a lot of cases...
Incidentally in many markets the HID lights were a cost option. Meaning you could pay extra to have the HID lights in your S Type so not exclusive in the S Type R; the option had to come with the washer system I believe.
Choose whatever colour you love but do note that this part of the HID light is factory coloured a matt metallic grey and not a black and I would be vary wary that if you spray over the reflective surface you are likely to loose effectiveness of the standard lights!
I am not sure if you are modifying to a HID set up? If so a big job but look at the factory standard design for guidance.

 

Thank you for your response.
I dont get one thing. Xenon lights are classified as HID. From what I understand you thought that I have regular incandesent bulbs but I also have Xenons. Look at the photos below and there you can see why I am wondering why the "R" lights have that plastic something-yy and my Xenons have not. I wonder if there is any reason for that.

 

The small lens is a projector. So the FOV (field of view) of that light is much more narrow than a typical reflector housing. So... that little pad below the lens most likely doesn't *directly effect* lighting performance.

IMO its likely a shape that countermeasure some stray light reflections.

 

Yes I see what you mean hatredem.
Didn't realise you had the HID/xenon for a start, looks like they were probably a paid option on your NA V8 car. Curious thing is as you say why on earth are the frames of this in chrome and not as per S Type R in the matt finish metallic grey with the plastic lip?? Cost cutting? Profit making? More expensive to make the S Type R version of these lights.
Got me thinking for a bit bit but I still believe the grey surround must act as an overall deflector (or controller) of the light probably directing more of it forward and stopping it bouncing all over the place, with that small plastic lip under the xenon lens as a further deflecting tool in directing/controlling the HID beam forward.
The last sentence from the above comment from wydopnthrtl above has to be on the right track.
Therefore one has to assume that the effort on the lights for the S Type R equates to a superior light performance (and obviously more costly manufacturing process) than the chrome surrounded and missing small plastic deflector that the poor souls paid for to have the HID option on their cars originally without it. A bit of a bean counter rip off if that's the case but I suspect it is...
Believe it or not the 'xenon headlights with automatic levelling and power wash' option was a $1,820 cost here in Australia in 2003! And it looks like that would have only given you the chrome surround..
So (unless there is an expert out there to the contrary) getting back to your original question looks like you need to spray these frames in a matt grey metallic and fit a similar type of lip below the xenon lens.

 

hi,
the piece your on about is made from metal and not plastic
I assume its to protect the black plastic from melting, due to heat from the hid's
the silver ones dont have it as they should reflect the heat, rather than absorb it
cheers
Joe

 

A heat insulator was my first thought as well when I had the lights apart and that could likely be the case. If I remember correctly when I tried to bend the tabs back to remove it, it did felt like plastic and not metal.

Anyhow I received the lights back from the polishing specialist and I was not that impressed..

You can still see a great number of what appear to be like tiny cracks throughout the whole plastic lens cover. I would say either he hasn't cut it back enough or it's like this through the whole depth of the plastic lens. Also not visible on the photo is that the clear coat has a bit of 'orange peel' in it; That may come out with some more light buffing of the clear coat. I will deal with the repairman later, paid him $95..
Does anybody know if the lenses are available to buy new separately?



Hard to see but these marks that look like cracks are throughout the whole lens cover that has been exposed to UV rays.

 

Very well could be to countermeasure heat.

 

jya, the lenses are not being sold separately, you have to buy whole headlight housing for about $1300 or find a used one in good condition or restored properly.