C30 Xenon Headlamp replacement- options

[SCC30]

Hi everyone, looking for some advice.

A deer ran out in front of me and (fortunately for me) only the driver's side headlight on my '56 plate (2006/07) C30 was damaged. Only the lens is damaged - all bulbs are working fine. I'm still staggered as to how there wasn't more damage.

I bought a replacement assembly (as my understanding is that I cannot buy just a replacement lens) and fitted it. I was shown the message "Bulb failure - Low beam" and then realised that I purchased a halogen assembly, where I actually need xenon. Xenon assemblies appear to be VERY expensive and also very hard to come across.

Options as I see them (in order of preference!)

- Somehow have the lens replaced on my old xenon light (This seems to me to the cheapest option but not sure if possible?) and return the halogen one, which can be returned within 30 days
- Have the halogen lamp that I bought converted to xenon (I am not sure how easy or expensive this would be)
- Keep looking and try to find a xenon headlamp assembly (I have seen these can be £500+)

I would be interested to hear if anyone else has been in a similar predicament or if there was anyone who could offer their opinion!

Thanks
Sam

[SheTriedIt]

Same isse. Would like to buy two alogen headlamps and harnesses. One cracked xeno taped but rain got in bliwn bulb. Can't find used xenon to match cosmetic design. 1 new xenon is $700+.. Two new halogen assemblies w harness $450.

What did you end up doing?

[Calbrads]

I had the halogen bulbs originally and bought a conversion kit on Amazon for under $100
With the basic halogen bulb the light out put was meager compared to other cars.
The basic headlight assembly did have a focused lens built in, more like was originally designed for xenon.
after installing the conversion my headlight out put jumped at least 100% yet it doesn't seem to bother oncoming traffic.
I did need to install heat sinks and carefully relocate the resistors as they were hot enough to melt wires, and there's no way around the warning "headlight failure". But I am quite happy with it.

The conversion bulbs are designed to fit the halogen bulb socket so they are non standard