Author Topic: LED rear lights  (Read 7714 times)

Offline dubber36

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LED rear lights
« on: 02 February 2013, 17:34 »
I've been imming and ahhing for a while now about fitting LED rears to my GT. I'm not so sure it's the right thing to do, as I don't want it to look like a half arsed GTI wannabe.

Today my mind has been made up tho'. The LED mirror indicator on my 2004 Passat has packed up, so I'm going to have to replace it. £24.00!!! If it had a bulb in it, it would cost pence, but it doesn't so I have to buy the complete lamp.

Now as my red Golf will be with me for the long term, and it has LED lamps, how ever much are they going to cost when they conk out? Because no doubt at some point in time, they will.
Red Mk6 gone replaced with a white Mk7 which has gone too. Green Mk2 here to stay.

Offline Raffe

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Re: LED rear lights
« Reply #1 on: 02 February 2013, 17:45 »
I thought that the whole point of LED lights is their low energy usage and longevity.

The LEDs we have in the house have a 25 year life expectancy.

Worst case scenario would be the requirement to replace one of the 4 units which is around £120ish from VW.

Definitely worth the risk as they have transformed the rear of our car, with so many commenting on how nice they look, by far my best mod without any negatives IMO.
2016 Golf R | 3dr | DSG | Reflex Silver | 19" Pretoria Alloys | 90% Tints | Nav | Winter Pack | App Connect

Offline dubber36

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Re: LED rear lights
« Reply #2 on: 02 February 2013, 17:54 »

Worst case scenario would be the requirement to replace one of the 4 units which is around £120ish from VW.


Once one goes, the others won't be far behind. I've just had to replace a xenon ballast on the Passat as well. That was £252. Talking to other B5.5 Passat owners, lots of them are getting failing ballasts when they get to between 8 and 10 years old. One lad has had both sides go within a month of each other.

I'm sure these things have a built in obsolescence.
Red Mk6 gone replaced with a white Mk7 which has gone too. Green Mk2 here to stay.

Offline Raffe

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Re: LED rear lights
« Reply #3 on: 02 February 2013, 18:23 »
I'm a glass half full type of chap so not even a consideration for me, if one breaks it will get replaced...simples  :wink:
2016 Golf R | 3dr | DSG | Reflex Silver | 19" Pretoria Alloys | 90% Tints | Nav | Winter Pack | App Connect

Offline Buck

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Re: LED rear lights
« Reply #4 on: 02 February 2013, 19:50 »
I'm with Raffe here - optimistic and also agreeing that they transform the look of the car. A great mod and I'm sure they'll last a good many years.

Offline ajmoir36

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Re: LED rear lights
« Reply #5 on: 02 February 2013, 21:34 »
I was a sceptic too, now its transformed the rear of my GTD. I dont regret it. It looks too good.
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
On Order: Mk8 R, Pure White, Reversing Camera, Harmon Kardon, Heated seats all round.
Gone: Mk7.5 R, 5dr, DSG, Deep Pearl Black, 18” Cadiz, Nav, Winter Pack, Keyless, Dynaudio and Reversing camera.
Gone: Mk7 R, 5dr, DSG, Limestone Grey, 19" Pretoria's, Nav Pro, DCC, Winter Pack, Keyless, Mobile Prep and Reversing Camera.
Gone: Mk6 GTD, 5dr, Manual, Tornado Red, 18" Vancouvers, RCD510 + Dynaudio, heated seats.

Offline Exonian

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Re: LED rear lights
« Reply #6 on: 03 February 2013, 06:38 »
LED lights are like a nice ornament. Expensive for what they are but nice to have.
You could never really justify them in pure money terms (just like buying a Golf really) but they draw lots of compliments and they're standard on Cabrios so you can't be accused of being a GTI/D/R wannabe!!
I get comments on them all the time. Mr Mrs says they're pointless as you can't se them when they're on when you're sat in the car, and I tell her to wind her neck in as she has no idea what she's talking about!!

So what are you waiting for?
‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline Raffe

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Re: LED rear lights
« Reply #7 on: 03 February 2013, 08:24 »
LED lights are like a nice ornament. Expensive for what they are but nice to have.
You could never really justify them in pure money terms

My justification is that I can take them off and sell them on when it comes to selling the car....weak but it was strong enough man maths to get the capex signed off by her indoors :whistle:
2016 Golf R | 3dr | DSG | Reflex Silver | 19" Pretoria Alloys | 90% Tints | Nav | Winter Pack | App Connect

Offline Jimble

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Re: LED rear lights
« Reply #8 on: 03 February 2013, 08:26 »
LED lights are like a nice ornament. Expensive for what they are but nice to have.
You could never really justify them in pure money terms

My justification is that I can take them off and sell them on when it comes to selling the car....weak but it was strong enough man maths to get the capex signed off by her indoors :whistle:

Sounds familiar. :lipsrsealed:
Currently pootling around in our family wagen, a Tiguan SEL 😂

Offline dubber36

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Re: LED rear lights
« Reply #9 on: 03 February 2013, 08:59 »
The money side of things is down to me. I pay every single bill in our house, so what's left is mine.

I understand why people fit them, but how many of you are going to still have your cars in 10 years time?

The other issue is whilst it's acceptable to fit them to an early GTI/D. Could fitting them to a GT be seen as being a bit XR3i with an RS Turbo body kit?
Red Mk6 gone replaced with a white Mk7 which has gone too. Green Mk2 here to stay.