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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: synnea on 13 March 2009, 13:23

Title: Anyone recommend decent bright white W5W sidelight bulbs?
Post by: synnea on 13 March 2009, 13:23
I have bought and fitted the W5W Phillips bluevision bulbs to replace the sidelights in my R32. However I still think they look at bit yellow and where not the nice ice white xenon look I was hoping for. Obviously I am not expecting an Audi Daylight Running Light but can anyone tell me if there are any other good sidelight bulbs out there that give off a nice white glow?
Title: Re: Anyone recommend decent bright white W5W sidelight bulbs?
Post by: Ed30DSG on 13 March 2009, 14:14
I have bought and fitted the W5W Phillips bluevision bulbs to replace the sidelights in my R32. However I still think they look at bit yellow and where not the nice ice white xenon look I was hoping for. Obviously I am not expecting an Audi Daylight Running Light but can anyone tell me if there are any other good sidelight bulbs out there that give off a nice white glow?

Why don't you replace them with LED sidelights? They seem to be a good match for the Xenons.
Title: Re: Anyone recommend decent bright white W5W sidelight bulbs?
Post by: synnea on 13 March 2009, 14:36
Do they not cause a bulb fault in the dash or something? Are they a straight simple bulb swap or how do the LEDs work?
Title: Re: Anyone recommend decent bright white W5W sidelight bulbs?
Post by: Ed30DSG on 14 March 2009, 17:52
Do they not cause a bulb fault in the dash or something? Are they a straight simple bulb swap or how do the LEDs work?

I believe the latest ones have enough internal resistance not to bring the light on. Got them fitted in my RS4 and they've never been a problem. Yes, they are a straight swap.
Title: Re: Anyone recommend decent bright white W5W sidelight bulbs?
Post by: C4 on 15 March 2009, 02:38
Do they not cause a bulb fault in the dash or something? Are they a straight simple bulb swap or how do the LEDs work?

I believe the latest ones have enough internal resistance not to bring the light on. Got them fitted in my RS4 and they've never been a problem. Yes, they are a straight swap.

could you please tell me the exact make and where you got them from please? do you think they'll work in a mk5 golf? cos i bought some online but they didn't turn on when i fitted them as they dont draw enough current.  :embarassed:

mine were made by race sport accessories, please help  :smiley:
Title: Re: Anyone recommend decent bright white W5W sidelight bulbs?
Post by: synnea on 15 March 2009, 10:35


I believe the latest ones have enough internal resistance not to bring the light on. Got them fitted in my RS4 and they've never been a problem. Yes, they are a straight swap.

So do you think these ones should work ok with no bulb out?

http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/501194t10-mini-light-tower-leds-xenon-white-p-1942.html?osCsid=2da760201b816742fc5970889a5c5907
Title: Re: Anyone recommend decent bright white W5W sidelight bulbs?
Post by: too hot on 16 March 2009, 20:25
Hi here is a link to another well known GTI forum.
The same subject has cropped up and there are afew good pics.
Bulbs are cheap too :smiley:
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=62u041oqfqdq7o6e1kmh5a2ok3&topic=3090.msg46129#new
Title: Re: Anyone recommend decent bright white W5W sidelight bulbs?
Post by: WhiteGTI on 16 March 2009, 21:41
LED's will throw up the blown light warning lamp. They dont draw enough current, so the car stops all power going to them, and therefore they just dont work. I've tried two different sets so far.

If someone knows of a set that draw enough current in a GTI then that would be interesting! Not sure if the electrical systems in the RS4 are similar to the GTI with regard to light bulb handling  :undecided: :undecided:
Title: Re: Anyone recommend decent bright white W5W sidelight bulbs?
Post by: Ed30DSG on 16 March 2009, 22:32
LED's will throw up the blown light warning lamp. They dont draw enough current, so the car stops all power going to them, and therefore they just dont work. Not sure if the electrical systems in the RS4 are similar to the GTI with regard to light bulb handling  :undecided: :undecided:

That's a good point as my RS4 is a 2001 model, maybe before they added overly-complex monitoring systems?

I've been trying to find which LED bulbs I bought - will have to look in the garage - they weren't the £1.99 ones off ebay though!
Title: Re: Anyone recommend decent bright white W5W sidelight bulbs?
Post by: synnea on 17 March 2009, 11:57
I contacted ultra LEDs and they told me we just need the following to cure the bulb out issue:

http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/loadbsolution-side-light-bulb-warning-systems-p-429.html

ED30DSG do you have any photos or your LEDs on? Just wondering how bright they really look.