Mk6 LED Taillights

[Corey_R]

From the Golf Specifications 06/10:

LED taillights in dark tinted housing

And from the New Golf R Flyer 06/10:

LED daytime driving lights and unique dark tinted LED taillights

ECS Tuning also lists the "Cherry Red" and "R LED Tinted" tail light sets separately.


My feeling is that the "Optional LED tailights" available to Europe probably are from the R Line catalogue. Meaning that "Cherry Red" (the lighter LED tail lights) are the "R Line" tail lights.
But the standard Golf R tail lights are definitely the (Dark) Tinted lights - which is what you and Ozram have got anyway

[REXman]

The lighter ones are the option you can get for the GTI. I dont think you have the ability to option a GTI tails with anything in AUS from factory.

But you can overseas. You have a choice of the lighter red (meant for the GTI's) or the darker red exclusively for the R. I guess you can fit whatever you want to the car. I reckon it would be cool to get a STG 1 GTI, get the dark tails and grab an "R" badge off ebay. Then you are set!

[AdamD]

ECS Tuning also lists the "Cherry Red" and "R LED Tinted" tail light sets separately.

So we have two aftermarket suppliers referring to these two parts with the names swapped. No wonder we can't figure it out either!

Safest bet: refer to them as Dark "R", and Light (Euro GTI option) LEDs.

I reckon it would be cool to get a STG 1 GTI, get the dark tails and grab an "R" badge off ebay. Then you are set!

Ooh, badge-engineering. Classy.

[REXman]

Whats the difference between getting the lights and the badge!? I think they both look good.

[GTI mk6]

My feeling is that the "Optional LED tailights" available to Europe probably are from the R Line catalogue. Meaning that "Cherry Red" (the lighter LED tail lights) are the "R Line" tail lights.
But the standard Golf R tail lights are definitely the (Dark) Tinted lights - which is what you and Ozram have got anyway

Thanks Coreying, thats where I was coming from too. I liked the darker tint too and thought this "was" what the guys had up until
someone started talking "cherry red" which I am sure I had seen on another website & they were definitely lighter in colour (almost
had an orange tinge to them)

[Ozram]

Whats the difference between getting the lights and the badge!? I think they both look good.

I think the lights only add 5bhp

[GTI mk6]

Well, just to add another curly one to the mix.....
Got the call back from local VW dealership to tell me the following after the manager had talked to VWA about whether they
could re-code the light bulb blown for me, & to get a price for installing the LED's (maybe).

First case scenario was if they supplied the lights, cables, fitted & recoded them for me.....drum roll $1900 approx!
WHAAAAT.
Well the cost of the lights was pretty much as Elwin had stated in his quote from his dealership, then there was wiring & labour
BUT he also said that it wasnt just a case of re-coding, but a whole new module would need to go in to accomodate the different
power resistance between the stock standard lights & the LED's (guys, I am not technical minded) and know I couldnt get past
the $1900 feedback, so starting to zone out a bit
Apparently VWA said if this module isnt replaced, there can be issues down the track which may cause bigger problems.
They also said the added cost was the reason they didnt go with the LED's as standard on the GTI to start with.

The dealership has been told unless this module is changed they are not authourised to do the job.

Now I know you guys will wonder why I just dont do what you all have, believe me I DO want these lights (as in really want) but
I would feel more at ease if they could have been able to be re-coded via the dealership re:any the warranty.
Right now I am wondering what Browny's dealership will do with the re-coding if he buys his lights & cable via Ozrams contact?
Mine & his are affiliated actually so I would have thought it would be the same deal at both? So feeling right now

[AdamD]

BUT he also said that it wasnt just a case of re-coding, but a whole new module would need to go in to accomodate the different power resistance between the stock standard lights & the LED's... Apparently VWA said if this module isnt replaced, there can be issues down the track which may cause bigger problems.

Well, my initial thought on this is that you've just been charged the "fob off" tax.

The information supplied to me by the VW dealership that sold me my tails is that there are two versions of the light controller (to week 45 build 2009, and from week 46 2009 onwards). There are several versions of the software that runs the controller. The old controller uses software with a version of 03xx (latest version 0361), and between weeks 22 and 45 for 2009 builds there was a modified version of the old controller in use, running software versions 0537 or 0541. The newer controller (for Golfs built from week 46 2009 onwards - so, yours and mine) runs software version 05xx (currently up to 0573 or 0575).

There has never, in any of the forums I've read on the subject, been any mention of any other mysterious new module that's required to run the LEDs. There has, however, been plenty of talk about the modules discussed above, as the ability to fit the LEDs, and code them correctly, depends on it.

If you're really concerned about this, I suggest you ask your dealer for the part number(s) and software details for this new module, and then post that info here. We'll then try to track down the details (using ETKA or erWin possibly), and find out if there really is a separate controller or not.

I'm a huge stickler for warranty, OEM, and doing things by the book. But in this case, I'm sure it's all above board.

[Browny]

Adam

your knowledge and attention to detail is extremely comforting... I was wondering, if the build dates do have a lot to do with it, then should mine be ok as it is coming off the production line on the 8th Sept 2010?

When I mentioned it to my dealer about recoding etc, he didn't blink an eyelid (not that I could see through the phone anyway).... Therefore, I am hoping that Gti mk6 did just get the "too hard basket" fob off...

I will ring my dealer again just to make sure...

Cheers

[AdamD]

I was wondering, if the build dates do have a lot to do with it, then should mine be ok as it is coming off the production line on the 8th Sept 2010?

The detailed version info I have comes from the printout from the German VW dealer, and relates to coding for the LEDs depending on the light module and software for the car in question. If your car is built with the same controller and software as mine was in March 2010, then based on my experience (and those of others who've done this mod and posted in this thread), you'll be fine. There's no guarantee that VW won't change the hardware or software between now and when your car is built (necessitating changes to hardware and/or coding), but it's very likely that if there is a change that affects your car, then VW dealers and parts distributors will be informed of it, and that information should find its way to the forums. If you're concerned, keep an eye on this VWVortex thread and other sources relating to the LEDs, before you order them. Steve P, author of this DIY, also sells the LEDs, and could be a good person to ask if you have any questions.

As an aside, many people from Australia, Europe and the US have done this mod, and I haven't seen anything suggesting there are any adverse side-effects to making the change.