Several sources on Aliexpress, eBay, and Amazon offer an aftermarket headlamp module with a LED projectors and support for AFS.
After my driver side headlamp started throwing Adaptive headlamp errors for a problem with the swivel sensor (confirmed in VCDS) that I wasn't able to fix, I decided to try the new aftermarket modules.
I've seen them as low as~$750-800 per pair, but bought via Amazon in hopes I'd get better support if the new modules didn't work properly and I needed to return for a refund. Took approximately two weeks to receive the shipment after ordering.

Just installed them today and they seem to initially perform as-expected and are "plug and play." They look great IMO.
The module housings seem like exact copies of the OEM, but the electronics, projectors, etc are completely different.
The process is straightforward. Remove the old modules, connect the aftermarket wiring harness to the headlamp and turn-signal wiring. Insert the new modules. Connect the aftermarket harness output into the back of the module.
I experienced one problem with the mechanical fit. When inserting the new headlights, I couldn't push them into the final ~1/8" of fitment. Realized there is one area of the aftermarket modules that are not properly notched to clear a mounting point the same way that the OEM modules are, so I carefully cut a notice into the same area.
Here are some initial pics of the process. I'll evaluate them over the coming days/weeks and also plug-in VCDS to assess if there are any new errors and report-back here.


After removing the headlamp, reach down into the open space to find the turn signal connector. Insert the wiring harness "T" between the signal and the original connector.

This is the aftermarket headlamp. No notch on the same section (see similar view of the OEM headlamp). I had to make a small cut to notch-it for proper installation.

This is the OEM headlamp that has a notch in the plastic to clear a mounting point on the vehicle.

Front end view after installation

 

really excited to see the photos, but links dont work and they dont show

 

Weird -- I see the pics in my original post and in your quoted reply.

 

Likewise.

I love the color on your Q! It will be interesting to see how they age. With the potential savings, I'd want 5+ years out of them.

 

Well, those look KOOL AF!
And I love Hermosa! Great look!

 

Went for a spin tonight. Yeow! These lights are VERY bright with a super sharp cutoff. Very happy with them this far. No errors yet on the vehicle displays but haven't yet checked vcds.

 

photos show now, weird.

looks great! Any chance traying to take a photo at night from behing the wheel, in some dark area?

 

I don't have access to the Q7 for a few days but will take some pics when I do. In my prior experience taking pics of headlight patterns, they never look the same as what I see with my eyes. Having said that, the difference between these and the prior lights were super obvious without even having them side-by-side -- but will try to take some pics anyhow and post when I get them.

 

Having new, clean/quality optics, lenses and the sharp shutter cut-off line is an obvious diff, but your old housings were also USA-spec, so didn't get the best projectors in them (the Euro housings did, thus E-Code is the way to go) and once the bowls get burned simply because they old and tired, it's all downhill from there, in addition to the fact HID bulbs can last a really long time before they blink out completely, but by that time you've lost 75% of their lumens output also.

Don't get me wrong, I prefer excellent LED projector headlight housings, and I hope yours turn out to be just that and give a long life, but it's also important to understand the dynamics of compromise in the USA-spec housings, because apparently the E-Code, Euro housings were deemed to be 'too bright' for American roadways. Remember also that when introduced in '06, most cars on the road in USA were still rocking incandescent headlight bulbs and a Silverstar halogen or krypton bulb was considered as 'upmarket/performance' in that era.

Not that the bi-xenon HID housings we got were terrible, and the adaptive HID housings were better still, but overall we got hosed by the headlight 'safety' regulations in the USA 'dumbing down' the HID headlight housings from what the Germans had carefully engineered to be class leading performance at that time. Notice that only recently has the ban on 'matrix LED adaptive headlamps' been lifted, and those have been available for a good while now in other countries, and optional or standard on some models sold in USA, but the matrix/adaptive functions were disabled at the factory due to the USA regulations...dumbed down to meet American safety standards.

Looking forward to seeing some pics of road illumination from outside & inside of car views, low/high beam, etc.

Hoping that you got a great set of LED projector housings that last you a really long time, as it would be nice to have other options beyond the E-code HID housings, when I replace my own bi-xenon housings. Time will tell.

Side note: Took my Q7 back to Sam's Club for a re-do on their headlight restoral service after 3yrs, and the tech totally screwed up the very last step (removing the protective covering/tape surrounding the work area) on passenger housing to the point it was obvious to me from a good distance away, and it seemed pretty obvious fingers had been touching the lens after that...almost thought the tech 'signed it' the way it looked. The driver's lens was clear and fine, not great work cleaning/prepping the lens prior to the UV coating, but serviceable.

They parked the car facing an open field outside the tire & battery area, wind blowing steadily, mind you, and didn't mention the problem with the lens at all; just called my phone to say it was 'ready' for pick-up. Since the first club didn't do a great job cleaning up the lenses, I made sure to walk around front to verify their condition and take pics to document if necessary. It was necessary. Flagged down the Service Manager, and he was like, "WTF happened...I was literally watching the tech clean your lenses and it was looking really good, so I moved on while he did the cleanup phase." Then, of course, he goes and gets a spray can of the sealer/UV protectant they use, which is normally acetone based, so melts the top layer of lens plastic for smooth, clear finish while depositing the protective layer. This made it look even more like an elephant with a bad cold happened by my headlamp lens.

Of course, nothing more could be done until it all cures fully and hardens. Oh yeah, and the manager didn't tape off/shield anything before he began spraying the lens a second time while outside in the blowing wind...pure idiocy. I do have the 3M PPF over entire front of car and had just ceramic coated the entire car, so any overspray is much less of a concern that otherwise might have been, but just WOW, the sheer incompetence.

Sigh. Two strikes for Sam's Club on headlight restoral service...using different club locations. I'm gonna get 'em to make it right though, you can bet on that.

 

being too bright today is a none issue, as all these new cars on the road have terrible headlights and I dont think anybody is bothering with any kind of regulations on headlights anymore.

I feel manufactures are slapping whatever they find cheaper and brighter and more flashy to look good on promo material