LED DRL for non-R MK6 Golf (OEM VW included)

[team_v]

Those of you with a good memory probably remember that back in late 2009, Volkswagen developed a new set of LED tail lights for the sportiest variants of the Golf VI. Now it's time for the German carmaker to introduce the same option for the Golf's headlights - at least for the European market. The new optional LEDs for the headlamps are similar in design to those found on the facelifted Eos hardtop convertible.


Within the housings of the bi-xenon headlamps, 15 LEDs form the daytime running lights offering improved visibility in all weather conditions over the standard lamps. The package, which combines the Bi-Xenon headlamps with the LEDs is priced in Germany at €1,310 or about US$1,750 at today's exchange rates.

Extremely pricey but they do come as part of the xenon housing.
Assumably there will be a hella kit out for the halogen ones soon enough.

[Corey_R]

Thanks for the post and the pictures team_v.

Before we get lots of the same question, please read the following:

• In Australia, these headlights are a $2000 option for the Golf GTI and Golf GTD only. The cost is because they're part of the Bi-Xenon Headlights with Dynamic Cornering Lights (the Xenon mainbeams themselves actually turn left and right)
• The Golf R retains the current Xenon lights without integrated LED's and also retains its separate LED DRL stripe.
• If it becomes available as an option on lower end models, we'll update the information as it becomes available.
• In Australia these can only be installed as a factory option and cannot be legally retro-fitted due to the laws around Xenon lights requiring additional sensors (tilt sensors, front and rear), the Xenon motor to swivle it up and down, and the headlight washing system.
• The USA doesn't currently have laws surrounding Xenon lights and headlight washing systems and autolevelers, which is why these kits may be available there etc.

[team_v]

I should have added extra information to note that it will not be cost effective to retrofit these to current mk6 vehicles.

Hopefully they will make their way into the model lineup for 2011.

[Corey_R]

Yeah, I guess that there is hope that these could become an option on the lower models (Trendline and Comfortline) in the MY12 changes (MY11 and MY11.5 specs have already been published). But I'm not sure that they will. Australia is still a relatively small market and there has been a trend in the MY11 and MY11.5 changes to reduce the complexity of the options available on Australian models. Things like fog lamps being removed as individual options and only being part of a pacakge. Options removed from the Trendline and only being available on the Comfortline or higher. It just seems a stretch that they'd then offer a $2000 headlight option on those same models.

[markwid]

In Australia, these headlights are a $2000 option for the Golf GTI and Golf GTD only. The cost is because they're part of the Bi-Xenon Headlights with Dynamic Cornering Lights (the Xenon mainbeams themselves actually turn left and right)

One of the reason I wanted the MY11.5 specs, so that I can tick the Bi-Xenon and get this feature.

[Escell]

I've been looking for an OEM quality replacement for the Mk 6 GTI headlights with LED DRLs. (I have Halogens).
Stumbled on the store which sells the set shown in the original post.
https://www.dectane.de/product_info....light-r87.html
They don't look bad to me and I'd consider installing these - but there's no guarantee they'll work for right hand drive as Corey said....

Anyone aware of whether they will work in Australian Golf VIs? I read on another forum that "the majority of them are switchable".

I found Installation instructions in this Youtube video, it's in German but more than clear enough to learn how to do it.
YouTube - LED-Tagfahrlicht am Golf 6
Fiddlier than installing the tails but still seems reasonably straightforward.

The lights aren't cheap but still, I paid a few hundred for my LED tails.

The only other decent looking alternative are those Golf 6 S5 look headlights from TM Tuning that have been discussed above.
http://www.tmtuning.com/HOME/catalog...t_product=2703
TM Tuning states they don't work for right hand drive cars on their Youtube page.

What do you guys reckon of the Dectane headlights? Might be the only solution given that retrofitting the new Xenons with LED DRLs isn't an option.

[SuperHans]

they both look pretty good Escell, but its hard to say until you see them in person - althought $550ish(+ postage) AUD isn't too bad.

[Souljak]

I could be on my own here but does anyone else think LED's are becoming a little over used now days?

I suppose they still have their place on the R and I have to admit I do like DRL's in the new Mk6 headlight cluster. Problem now, in my opinion atleast every man and his dog is doing LED's. Its kinda like when Lexus brought out the clear rear tails on the IS200 then almost over night every ricer and bogan had to have them on their ride. An thats where I feel where LED's are going now so the exclusive feeling is gone. And back to clear tail lights its such a dated thing to do to your car it just now just looks "chinsy".

[markwid]

I could be on my own here but does anyone else think LED's are becoming a little over used now days?

Yep, not wrong there. That said, the original equipment designed with LED tends to work best. Retrofit/add-ons just looks, well, add-ons. And some folks can go really overboard with LEDs all over the car.

For me, the best looking LEDs are on Audis because it is well designed and executed. Examples of not so good ones I have seen on the road: Holden Commodore SS , new Lexus IS350.

[cme2c]

Yep, not wrong there. That said, the original equipment designed with LED tends to work best. Retrofit/add-ons just looks, well, add-ons. And some folks can go really overboard with LEDs all over the car.

For me, the best looking LEDs are on Audis because it is well designed and executed. Examples of not so good ones I have seen on the road: Holden Commodore SS , new Lexus IS350.

Quite agree. You can add new Range Rover to that list. Looks like the designer used to work for Ebay.