Headlight / Headlamp Upgrades (Bi-Xenon / HID / LED / Replicas)

[dejaass]

i've seen those aftermarket ones, but thats not what i want, i want the real deal
i dont like the idea of copying but not copying the whole thing if u know what i mean

[TeamCrash]

Spyder how did you go with the install???

[gokartgti]

posted a request in the ED 35 section seeing if we can get a confirmation on the CECM modules on these cars as they have the DRL LED. from what research i've dug up it seems that the CECM module will have to be swapped over too...... unless anyone can correct me on this. I've run a scan and my MY12 comes up as a midline CECM with the latest software but not the highline module for xenons / LED DRL...

[New2vw]

I read on another forum recently on how to retrofit bi xenons with AFS. I will go look for it again and post the link here.

[Spydar]

Hi everyone,
So I have my lights installed now. Work great. Had to do some minor VAGCOM coding to get them working right. Here is my review of them.

Design:

As these are designed to be a simple “Plug & Play” the manufacturer has built these to simulate the existing halogen setup (wiring etc) for the vehicle (some additional VAGCOM coding required). Therefore they have to keep the same light setup as the halogen headlamps, but have made it look as close to the OEM Xenon headlamp functions.

• The Park lights now become the LED daytime running lights. This means they are not true DRL’s and will only activate either if I have the lights set to the park position or ON. This also means if I have the park lights on (DRL) I will have the tails & number plate lights on too. The LED’s are also a little more bluer in colour compared to the OEM version.

• Low Beams are now replaced with Bi-Xenon’s in projectors. These make a nice white light with great output. They also increase their intensity when High Beam is selected. For the OEM xenon’s headlamps, the OEM light acts as both Low beam and high beam.

• High Beam is still a halogen bulb (but now in projectors) which produce a yellow light, but have fantastic light output. On the OEM xenon headlamps, the OEM lights are not a high beam, but the turn indicator. The benefit of the replica is I have two outputs providing heaps of light, great for country driving.

• Turn Indicator – this sits between the low and high projectors but is designed cleverly to match the OEM xenon headlamp design. The OEM headlamp does not have this additional light.

• The manual levelling for my lights work on these so I can adjust the lights if they are too low or too high due to weight etc.

• I also have to disable the DRL option in my MFD or else you get a bulb out error.



The Bulbs

Bulbs are included and come already installed.
Low beam: D2H 5000k HID
High beam: H1 Halogen
Indicators: 7440 Amber

Build Quality & how do they look?
Generally I am very impressed with their look they look very close to OEM. The build quality is also very high and were close to the quality of my factory halogen headlamps. Although had some issues with the connection plug. We had to bend a couple of the connectors to make contact.

Here they are installed. (Sorry I am not the best photographer)

Front Lights off


Right Hand Side – Close Up (Lights Off)


Left Hand Side – DRL On (park light)


Front – DRL and HID Low on

Right Hand Side – DRL and HID low on

Left Hand Side – Turn Indicator

DRL & LED Fogs on



Performance
As expected converting from halogens to HID/Xenon, I now have much more light output. I was quite amazed. They also have a really good light cut off. Lights are not high. The light cut off drops to the right and falls low enough that they hit no higher the grill of an on-coming car. (as they should) Heaps of light produced on the left side, all the signs light up real good now! And when I select high beam…these things produce tonnes of light. Way better than the halogens.
Here are some pics.

Dark undercover garage – lights off



Dark undercover car park – HID on

Night time – HID & DRL on


Dark country road – hid LOW ON


Dark country road – HID & High beam on


Cost
The cost of these are around $600. (10 unit discount ex Postage). They come with all the lights installed making this a perfect “plug & play” upgrade. Compare that to the OEM headlamps which cost around $1300 (ex Postage) it’s over half the price. You still need to buy all the bulbs, ballasts for the OEM headlamps.
OEM Euro VW Golf MK6 Xenon Headlights Housings - DRL - BKS-Tuning

My verdict.
Other than the annoying issue of the connectors not making contact properly and not knowing the correct VAGCOM coding at time of install, I am happy with them. The xenon’s have a great crisp light and the output is tonnes better over halogen. You also get the cool DRL look of the OEM xenon headlamps. A shame that the DRL don’t work as true DRL, but as Park lights. However the cost benefit alone installing these over an OEM setup justify my decision to opt for these. Plus when it comes time to sell my car I can simply swap these out and put my halogen headlamps back to meet the original factory build.

[TeamCrash]

wouldn't there be a way of coding the parkers to stay on on the time?

[SMOK3Y]

hi all have scored the same OEM looking headlights that Spydar has got, they are a very factory & very quality looking light. i have not
put on the Golf yet as needed coding for them to work properly. Greg Roles (awsome guy) has lent me a VAG cable for the coding many
thanks to Greg for this from me. i am looking forward to fitting now hopefully in the coming week.

here are the pictures

[Scratchyratface]

Let us know how you go Smok3y? I'm just up the road from you at Runcorn and wouldn't mind seeing them once you've got them fitted.

[SMOK3Y]

no worries mate will do

[Lams]

This is just a guess but I think it will not be too difficult to rewire those headlights to have the LEDs work as DRLs as well.
The wiring is all there going to the headlights. A few diodes and resistors ought to do it!
Back in the mk4 days a popular mod was the 5 brake light mod - using the rear fogs as additional brake lights. If you do a search, in theory this is the same thing.
Anyway - looks great!