Upgrading tail lights on Mk3

[rebecca_231]

Hey Everyone,
I'm looking at putting clear tail lights in my Mk3. I have found these two on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-98-VW-GOLF-III-3-LED-ALTEZZA-TAIL-LIGHTS-CHROME-97_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33716QQihZ020QQitemZ300168342857QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/VW-GOLF-MK3-TAIL-LIGHTS-BLACK-SMOKED-TAILLIGHTS-3-III_W0QQitemZ180176671844QQihZ008QQcategoryZ9889QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

However, I'm not sure whether a) they will fit my car- being that they are from overseas are the connections etc different, and b) are they legal? and same with the following:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-98-VW-GOLF-JETTA-MK3-EURO-SIGNAL-BUMPER-FOG-LIGHTS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ42613QQihZ004QQitemZ140173668742QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD2V

Also, on another matter of lowering my car, how low can I get a MK3 if I'm planning on putting 17's on it??

And if anyone has any good tips for making the exterior of my car look better/more sporty (mods etc), please let me know

Thanks

[rayray086]

Hi Rebecca.

As far as I know, all taillights designed for the Mk3 Golf should fit no problems. Bad fitment/lighting would be due to manufacturing quality, nothing to do with different country codes/regulations. However, I have heard that US-based taillights might not come with a rear foglight insert as their Mk3 Golf was not equipped with one, but that doesn't really matter as we hardly use that switch anyway.

Legality-wise, your turn signals should glow orange/amber, your brake and parking light should be red, and your reverse should be yellow. I believe you can be defected for having the wrong colours. This is easily fixed though - clear lenses would just mean that you need a certain bulb that glows the right colour. I have taillights that have red indicator lenses but I overcome this problem by fitting in green bulbs (green + red light = orange/brown, and it works!).

As for that front indicator/foglight cluster, you have to be careful that you're buying whatever you specified. Some include the foglights, but some have the dummies instead. Steve (Mk3Vr6) has had an issue with this before, where the eBay ad stated that it includes foglights but when it reached Steve, they were in fact dummies, which cost a lot less. If your Golf doesn't have a foglight at the moment, you'll have to do a bit of connecting and installing a switch for them. The wires are already there though I believe.

When buying aftermarket parts, there's always a chance that they won't fit as nicely as OEM products. You'd just have to face that.

With lowering, you can go as low as you want, but the most common is a 40mm drop using lowering springs. A great value mod in my opinion as it both makes your car handle/feel a lot better and it looks good hugging the ground With 17's, you'd obviously need lower profile tyres, but it's their width you have to watch out for. Any wider than 7" and you may find you'll have rubbing issues.

Oh, and if you had to choose between the 1st or 2nd taillight, I'd definitely choose the 2nd over the 1st.

[Soundofav6]

Glad you have an interest in modding mk3s.
just clarifying what rayray said ... First ebay option is a big definate NO NO, I see the euro theme as : minimalistic but with class and clean statment Just keep that in mind.
For some inspiration go here.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=8841

And if anyone has any good tips for making the exterior of my car look better/more sporty (mods etc), please let me know

Thanks

Just lowering the car is already a big step to a more sportier appeal, you may need to concider looks vs performance. ie chopping, spring, cup kit, coilovers. I suppose usual lowering range would be 2''-4'' for significant cosmetic difference. I suggest a cup kit would be most moddest as a balce of value, looks and handling and more important SAFETY reasons.

[Soundofav6]

May I also add, even though you may already know, invest in some good cleaning product for your car, just like every one should invest in basic skincare products for improvement of your complexion, for the sake of confidence and delay the process of aging ..YES GUYS ARR HAA Skincare !! Find something that suits you and your buget. Auto glym is a good value.

My Skincare interpretion

cleanser = car shampoo
toner = ??? perhaps a quick detailer
moisterizer = car wax
exfoliator = clay bar
mask = car polish

[rayray086]

cleanser = car shampoo
toner = ??? perhaps a quick detailer
moisterizer = car wax
exfoliator = clay bar
mask = car polish

You're such a girl Louis

[peedman]

There are some nice clear tails on ebay.com.au atm. Theyre not the ones that are led/altezza ones but look like normal tails except the lenses are different.

When u buy these tails, im pretty sure 99% of the time only the lenses come with them. You use ur original connectors and what not and just click them in place (i.e. simple stuff).

[Soundofav6]

You're such a girl Louis

no offence taken mate... it was my part time job for 7 years to sell skincare to men and the ladies until begining of year, is only natural to relate skincare to paintcare. I don't see you calling rebecca as such a boy ray.

[BlackVr6ix]

toner would be like zymol hd clense, Autogylm paint renovator or Mothers pre wax cleaner hahaha

[rebecca_231]

awesome, thanks. I just bought the tail lights....so hopefully when I get them, they go in no probs. Going to speak to Quickfit tonight about lowering and wheels...

[Water Boy]

I want to get some clear indicators for my Mk3... Can i buy just the indicators for in the bumper? And where from? What sort of dollars?

[peedman]

Fronts yes, they are a piece of piss to remove just pop the towing eye cover and theres a tab that flings the indicator off. Golf loon had a set of clear indicators last time i was there tho they are rare/hot property. Shipping is the main cost from getting it US as u dont want em getting damaged