WAS a possible XLR owner...

[Tommiet]

I was thinking about buying a 2004 XLR today. But after reading all the part issues, I believe my second choice (BMW) has moved to the top of the list. I'm a corvette guy and have no issues getting parts for my 1979 corvette and I expected the same for an XLR... NOT!

Nice forum and it provided all the details I needed to "just say no to an XLR."

Wish all a happy holidays and enjoy your XLR!

tom

 

[Rob]

Welcome to the XLR Net. It's like any other low production collectible car. Parts are not always easy to find, but don't let it deter you from getting one. I too am a BMW enthusiast as well. I don't own an XLR, as my garage houses my 1990 ZR-1 and my 2015 BMW M235i takes up my driveway.

But if I had the money, and the space - I'd have an XLR.

 

[Tommiet]

Just Don't know...

Welcome to the XLR Net. It's like any other low production collectible car. Parts are not always easy to find, but don't let it deter you from getting one. I too am a BMW enthusiast as well. I don't own an XLR, as my garage houses my 1990 ZR-1 and my 2015 BMW M235i takes up my driveway.

But if I had the money, and the space - I'd have an XLR.

Just seems very basic items are difficult to come by. Like a headlight going out.

 

[Rob]

Just seems very basic items are difficult to come by. Like a headlight going out.

Yes, but you need to keep in mind, you're comparing apples and oranges.

On your '79 Corvette, if a headlight goes out, you run to an auto parts store and buy a light bulb - and you're good to go.

Headlight bulbs for older vehicles are a dime-a-dozen, manufactured by Sylvania, GE, and other light-bulb companies. Chances are, that same light bulb will cross-fit a lot of other cars.

With an XLR - just like a BMW, or Audi, or a lot of other cars these days, if you're headlight burns out, you can't just replace a bulb. You have to replace the entire headlight assembly. The headlight assembly of an XLR will not fit any other car - it's specific to the XLR to match the body shape. A BMW headlight assembly won't fit any other car for the same reason. So availability of parts like headlight assemblies are not cheap, and not readily available like a simple headlight bulb for an old car.

And if you're wanting a BMW, be prepared to cough up the $2,000+ for an extended warranty, because if one of those headlights does burn out, the headlight assemblies on most BMWs cost approximately $1,000.

 

[Crimson Pearl]

And the purpose of this thread was ...............?

 

[cubby558]

Let's clarify one thing right now before everyone gets the wrong idea about the XLR headlights. If a headlight fails, as in the light quits working. The lamp can still be replaced, you do not need to replace the entire housing. These use the same HID lamps that a lot of other vehicles use. The only time you would need to replace the entire unit would be due to a crash or something extremely unusual happening. I am as concerned as the owners, but it doesn't affect my from enjoying my XLR.

Yes, but you need to keep in mind, you're comparing apples and oranges.

On your '79 Corvette, if a headlight goes out, you run to an auto parts store and buy a light bulb - and you're good to go.

Headlight bulbs for older vehicles are a dime-a-dozen, manufactured by Sylvania, GE, and other light-bulb companies. Chances are, that same light bulb will cross-fit a lot of other cars.

With an XLR - just like a BMW, or Audi, or a lot of other cars these days, if you're headlight burns out, you can't just replace a bulb. You have to replace the entire headlight assembly. The headlight assembly of an XLR will not fit any other car - it's specific to the XLR to match the body shape. A BMW headlight assembly won't fit any other car for the same reason. So availability of parts like headlight assemblies are not cheap, and not readily available like a simple headlight bulb for an old car.

And if you're wanting a BMW, be prepared to cough up the $2,000+ for an extended warranty, because if one of those headlights does burn out, the headlight assemblies on most BMWs cost approximately $1,000.

 

[Rob]

Let's clarify one thing right now before everyone gets the wrong idea about the XLR headlights. If a headlight fails, as in the light quits working. The lamp can still be replaced, you do not need to replace the entire housing. These use the same HID lamps that a lot of other vehicles use. The only time you would need to replace the entire unit would be due to a crash or something extremely unusual happening. I am as concerned as the owners, but it doesn't affect my from enjoying my XLR.

Ok. I stand corrected. Thank you Cubby!!

 

[beaver_jd]

Head Lights

Let's clarify one thing right now before everyone gets the wrong idea about the XLR headlights. If a headlight fails, as in the light quits working. The lamp can still be replaced, you do not need to replace the entire housing. These use the same HID lamps that a lot of other vehicles use. The only time you would need to replace the entire unit would be due to a crash or something extremely unusual happening. I am as concerned as the owners, but it doesn't affect my from enjoying my XLR.

Cubby, Thanks for that post. I owned a Chrysler Maserati T/C for close to 25 years and way back when one of my headlights went out and you could not replace the light bulb but had to replace the whole assembly. It cost be $275. and this was back in 1992. I would doubt you could buy that assembly today. I feel a lot better about our headlight situation after reading your post.
John F.

 

[MOTO13]

To the OP...I was thinking about have a hot dog for lunch, but because of the nitrates, decided on a hamburger. Just so we can exchange equally useless information between each other.

 

[BlackGTS]

I was thinking about buying a 2004 XLR today. But after reading all the part issues, I believe my second choice (BMW) has moved to the top of the list.

BMWs are nice but I just replaced an AC compressor on my 2008 535i and just for kicks called the local stealership to see what kind of coin it WOULD have cost me. The answer? $2,012.

I totally get the parts dilemma on the XLR but each nice car, no matter what, has its challenges.

Merry Christmas,

Ron