LED lights (I just bought a Mk5 GT TDI 2.0 3dr black w/Grand Prix 17in wheels)

[gonnahavemesomefun]

Hi forum,

I just bought a Mk5 GT TDI 2.0 3dr black with Grand Prix 17in wheels (2004).

Had a test drive yesterday and put a deposit down, hope to pick it up next weekend.
(I owned a GTI 2.0 petrol, 2002, previously and driving the GT I was amazed by the speed difference, it took a good hour to wipe the smile off my face :-)

I would like to make the following mods (yep, I don't even own it yet :-)

Rear LED lights
Xenon front lights
Sat NAV
Phone kit

I am not the sort of person who is going to have much success trying to fit any of that stuff myself.

Can anyone suggest someone in Cheshire who will do the job right at the right price and give me an idea of what I am likely to pay?

Cheers
Glen.

[2007GTI]

if you search this forum, you'll find some pretty heated discussions on retro fitting Xenon headlamps.

you will find they are available to buy, but illegal to have on your car, unless you have auto dipping and headlamp washers, which the car would have as standard if you had xenons from new.  However those two features are near impossible to retro fit.

hope that helps.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Hi forum,

Welcome!

I just bought a Mk5 GT TDI 2.0 3dr black with Grand Prix 17in wheels (2004).

Nice car!

I would like to make the following mods (yep, I don't even own it yet :-)

Rear LED lights

Hmmm, you may have issues with the ECU and CAN-BUS coding.  The standard Golf V rear lights use mini 6W halogens (rather than the conventional 5W & 21W tungstens), and the intensity, or brightness is ECU controled, so a straight swap for LED tails would cause DIS error messages (even if you are able to get them to work properly!).

Xenon front lights

As 2007GTI stated, they are highly illegal.  They would also void your insurance - so don't do it!

By all means, swap the standard H7s for upgraded H7s, like the Philips Vision Plus 50%, or if you like the "Chav" look, then any of the "blue" H7s, but don't try the pukka HIDs!

Sat NAV
Phone kit

Both those have been done with success.

I am not the sort of person who is going to have much success trying to fit any of that stuff myself.

Can anyone suggest someone in Cheshire who will do the job right at the right price and give me an idea of what I am likely to pay?

If you are near Liverpool, then search for username "Doc", and PM him.

[gonnahavemesomefun]

Thanks guys for the replies.

My initial reaction is surprise that Xenon's are illegal.  What's that all about?  I see cars all day with them.

Have I missed something?

My second reaction is that I have seen Golf's with LED rear lights (actually, probably the indicators only) --can I really not get these retro fitted either??

cheers

[wantmygti]

On your first comment, standard fit Xenon's are legal as they are connected to the car's suspension and have built in washers. After market items do not have these bits and as a result are illegal because of their ability to 'blind' on coming drivers.

Are you sure the rear lights you have seen are LED lights, and do not simply look like LEDs?

[gonnahavemesomefun]

Wow. I really didn't know that about Xenons.

I am possitive the indicators were LEDs, you can tell LEDs due to their on/off flashing is immediate unlike conventional bulbs that fade in and out

[p3eps]

illegal to have on your car, unless you have auto dipping and headlamp washers,

Is that just on a golf or is that every car?  My girlfriends Tigra has xenons, but no headlamp washers - and they came fitted as standard.  Surely Vauxhall dont supply cars with illegal lights?!

[phope]

Don't think the Tigra has xenon lights...it may have projector lenses, but it will likely have halogen bulbs

I can't see Xenon lights as an option or standard fit on Vauxhall website at the mo

[gonnahavemesomefun]

Hehe.

Can I have projector lights retro fitted on my Mk5 then? :-)

[p3eps]

Don't think the Tigra has xenon lights...it may have projector lenses, but it will likely have halogen bulbs

I can't see Xenon lights as an option or standard fit on Vauxhall website at the mo

I just assumed they were as they have large looking bulbs, are extrememly bright, and have a bluey / yellow tinge to them.
Perhaps they are just projector?