'Replacement Headlamp Assemblies'

[harro]

Hi;
Everyone is aware of the prolific numbers and brands of "HID Upgrade Kits" available today, and their dubious Pro's and definite Cons, but i'm curious to know if people are cottoning onto the same thing with complete assemblies.
There seems to be a growing number of 'Aftermarket' plug and play assys. that look to be following the same formula as the HID Kits ( Strangely enough, the majority of these originate in the PRC ). One thing i've noticed is the terminology ' HID Upgrade compatible ' !!?? This statement alone beggars SO MANY questions !!!
Out of curiosity, i've searched up a few ' Replacements ' for my Golf GTD ( sorry, i'm not savvy enough to add links etc. ), and they've ranged from downright ugly, to something that looks like a passable imitation of the OEM assy. They have included ( for the Golf ) twin halogen pockets, single projector/single halogen pocket, both of the above with LED DRL's. There was one version in particular that stuck in my mind because, unlike the OE, it DID NOT HAVE an indicator !!! What are you meant to do with that one, bolt on a $2.50 round orange trailer lamp to your front bumper ( sorry, 2. One each side !! )?
All the above does not take into account the design/effectiveness of these reflectors/projectors, let alone the legalities of same.
Has anyone else seen these 'replacements'?
BTW, my Golf has the std. twin halogen assys. I use Philips ExtremeVision 100% globes for lo/hi ( H7's )and fog ( 9006 ), and the whole show has been professionally aimed.
I apologise to the Moderator/Forum if this post is out of bounds for any reason, and i accept their decision.
Best Wishes;
Mike.
Edit; High Luminous Efficacy, for me, is an acceptable trade for shortened lifespan, with the afforementioned globes.

 

[Hamilton Felix]

I would be suspicious of anything not truly OEM. I have been fooled by "same as OEM," or "meets OEM standards" or "OEM replacement." Those words describing Toyota fog lights do NOT get you anything like actual Toyota lamps.

I do have legal StarrHID headlights in a Ford, but they were $650 two years ago and that is the low end of legit HID replacement headlights.

 

[-Virgil-]

With very few exceptions, headlamps not manufactured by a reputable maker of OE headlamps are not worth using; their quality and performance ranges from "poorer than stock" to "not even slightly close to legal".

Reputable original-equipment makers include Hella, AL (Bosch, Carello), Valeo (Valeo-Sylvania, Cibie, Marchal), ZKW, Koito, Stanley, Ichikoh, NAL, SL (Samlip), HMC, Visteon (now Varroc), Wipac, Perei, Magna, and maybe a couple I've left off this list.

The list of reputable OE makers whose lamps you are likely to find available in the aftermarket (outside of an automaker's own replacement parts distribution system) is much shorter: Hella, AL, Valeo.

 

[harro]

"I do have legal StarrHID headlights in a Ford, but they were $650 two years ago and that is the low end of legit HID replacement headlights"

These ones i've seen tend to be around the $300 - $400 AUD mark for a pair, whereas OEM Golf HID Assy ( pair ) with associated bits and pieces ( I'm fairly sure made by Hella ) goes for about $2,500.00 AUD.

 

[-Virgil-]

These ones i've seen tend to be around the $300 - $400 AUD mark for a pair, whereas OEM Golf HID Assy ( pair ) with associated bits and pieces ( I'm fairly sure made by Hella ) goes for about $2,500.00 AUD.

I don't recall which series Golf yours is (if ever you mentioned it) but the Golf IV and Bora IV HID headlamps, made by AL, were/are extremely expensive, along the lines you mention. I haven't looked at prices for the Golf V and Golf VI; they might be similar.

The problem is, all the off-brand junk is...junk! So even if you find what looks like a sweet deal, a complete set of HID headlamps to fit your car for 1/7 the price of OEM units, you've still just bought $350 worth of garbage (worse than that, actually, because usually garbage is more or less harmless, while off-brand headlamps are actually illegal and unsafe).

 

[harro]

I don't recall which series Golf yours is (if ever you mentioned it) but the Golf IV and Bora IV HID headlamps, made by AL, were/are extremely expensive, along the lines you mention. I haven't looked at prices for the Golf V and Golf VI; they might be similar.

The problem is, all the off-brand junk is...junk! So even if you find what looks like a sweet deal, a complete set of HID headlamps to fit your car for 1/7 the price of OEM units, you've still just bought $350 worth of garbage (worse than that, actually, because usually garbage is more or less harmless, while off-brand headlamps are actually illegal and unsafe).

Dont get me wrong, Mr. Moderator, i certainly have NO intention of buying these junk lights. I'm happy with my halogens, and if ever i were able to afford HID'S, they would be OEM. My Golf ( V GTD ) lights are Hella, but i'm not sure about the HID for same.
It would be interesting to see an article from Mr. Daniel Stern on these pieces of landfill ( similar to his exceptional one on the "kits" ). I'm sure that would make for equally as interesting reading!!
Cheers;
Mike.

 

[-Virgil-]

Oh, don't mistake me, it didn't seem to me like you were leaning in that direction. I was reacting not to you specifically, but to the general argument "But these are so much less expensive than the OEM lights!".

 

[superjoe83]

i got a set of the OEM "ECE" HID headlamps for MKV Golf/Jetta with wiring adapter for about $900 shipped imported from Germany (the HID version is made by Bosch/AL), unfortunately the company that sold me those are not offering them anymore (oemplus.com). There are other websites selling the US version set for about $1250 USD, you should be able to find someone in Australia to import the correct LHT versions for you, have you tried to contact any VW tuner shops? there is one other possible problem with the swap, does Australia require headlight washers and self leveling for HID headlights? if so, its possible to install the components to get the auto level/washers working but will be costly

 

[harro]

Oh, don't mistake me, it didn't seem to me like you were leaning in that direction. I was reacting not to you specifically, but to the general argument "But these are so much less expensive than the OEM lights!".

Thankyou Mr. Moderator.

 

[harro]

i got a set of the OEM "ECE" HID headlamps for MKV Golf/Jetta with wiring adapter for about $900 shipped imported from Germany (the HID version is made by Bosch/AL), unfortunately the company that sold me those are not offering them anymore (oemplus.com). There are other websites selling the US version set for about $1250 USD, you should be able to find someone in Australia to import the correct LHT versions for you, have you tried to contact any VW tuner shops? there is one other possible problem with the swap, does Australia require headlight washers and self leveling for HID headlights? if so, its possible to install the components to get the auto level/washers working but will be costly

Yes, Aus requires washers and self levellers by law, and i think this is the reason for the extra expense in my rough quote of " about $2,500.00 ". I hadnt thought of VW OEM surplus shops etc. I believe there are one or two in the country, so that may be a worthwhile search. Thankyou for those ideas.

 

[NFT5]

Have you considered a wrecker to source the self levelling and washer components? Maybe even the headlights? All the major capital cities have a few specialist VW wreckers and they're usually linked by computer so if you lodge an enquiry with one it pops up all over the country. Can't see that they'd be cheap but also can't see that the parts would be anywhere near $2500.

 

[harro]

Have you considered a wrecker to source the self levelling and washer components? Maybe even the headlights? All the major capital cities have a few specialist VW wreckers and they're usually linked by computer so if you lodge an enquiry with one it pops up all over the country. Can't see that they'd be cheap but also can't see that the parts would be anywhere near $2500.

No, i had'nt, but never say never. I'll give that a try too!

 

[superjoe83]

here are a few threads/info about doing the halogen to HID swap with auto level, there are part numbers for the level sensors and what modules you will need and other related stuff:

http://furmanka.blogspot.com/2007/12/mk5-wiata-ksenonowe-z-samopoziomowaniem.html
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3552517#post43542973
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3597373