I too have faced the steep bill associated with headlight replacement thanks to a hiway projectile. At the time I questioned the replacement cost of the light as well and asked about the clips and possibility of replacing only the lens. I was told that lens replacment was only avalable in certain European countries but not in Canada and the US due to regulations imposed by the respective governmental agencies. I investigated the possibility of ordering the lens and replacing it myself but found that with the weak Canadian exchange, shipping, and import duties I would not be significantly ahead. Therefore the cheapest way to fix your problem depends on where you live. North Americians are somewhat limited, European, buy the lens and do it yourself.

Cheers
Bill
'01 V40