New lights on mk4 golf

[Golf88]

hey everyone pick up my golf on friday night and loving it, im coming from an 07 ford focus the headlights seems a little... weak..? is that just me? i also want to get some better looking tail lights does any one no if these are hard to install?

[Manaz]

Welcome to the VW fold!

Re headlights, there are a few options:

1. Uprated bulbs (Philips Xtreme-Power, Osram Night-Breakers, etc). Same wattage as standard bulbs, but better light output.
2. Swap for projector-style headlamps (check out Mighty Mods for an episode where they changed the stock headlamps over to projector-style lamps).
3. HID upgrade. The R32 came with HIDs, so the OEM R32 headlamps will fit. But to do it legally, you need to add auto-levelling and washers (both of which you could get from the R32. Do *not*, for the love of God and all that is holy, put HIDs in the stock reflectors.

Regarding the taillamps, the same episode of Mighty Mods as the headlamp upgrade included a taillamp upgrade.

Just be careful buying cheap head/tail lamps from eBay. You're likely to get what you pay for them (cheap ****) if you're not careful.

[MRJZ]

Welcome to the VW fold!

Re headlights, there are a few options:

1. Uprated bulbs (Philips Xtreme-Power, Osram Night-Breakers, etc). Same wattage as standard bulbs, but better light output.
2. Swap for projector-style headlamps (check out Mighty Mods for an episode where they changed the stock headlamps over to projector-style lamps).
3. HID upgrade. The R32 came with HIDs, so the OEM R32 headlamps will fit. But to do it legally, you need to add auto-levelling and washers (both of which you could get from the R32. Do *not*, for the love of God and all that is holy, put HIDs in the stock reflectors.

Regarding the taillamps, the same episode of Mighty Mods as the headlamp upgrade included a taillamp upgrade.

Just be careful buying cheap head/tail lamps from eBay. You're likely to get what you pay for them (cheap ****) if you're not careful.

He's asked for tail lights with a link to an ebay sale.

[Manaz]

He's asked for tail lights with a link to an ebay sale.

Which I addressed by saying the following:

Regarding the taillamps, the same episode of Mighty Mods as the headlamp upgrade included a taillamp upgrade.

Just be careful buying cheap head/tail lamps from eBay. You're likely to get what you pay for them (cheap ****) if you're not careful.

But he also said:

hey everyone pick up my golf on friday night and loving it, im coming from an 07 ford focus the headlights seems a little... weak..? is that just me?

Which is what I addressed when I said:

Re headlights, there are a few options:

1. Uprated bulbs (Philips Xtreme-Power, Osram Night-Breakers, etc). Same wattage as standard bulbs, but better light output.
2. Swap for projector-style headlamps (check out Mighty Mods for an episode where they changed the stock headlamps over to projector-style lamps).
3. HID upgrade. The R32 came with HIDs, so the OEM R32 headlamps will fit. But to do it legally, you need to add auto-levelling and washers (both of which you could get from the R32. Do *not*, for the love of God and all that is holy, put HIDs in the stock reflectors.

Thank you for attempting to correct my perfectly good reading comprehension though, I appreciate it!

[maca]

Thank you for attempting to correct my perfectly good reading comprehension though, I appreciate it!

Haha I love your modesty!!

I like those tail lights! They look sweet. What colour Golf did you get? Just remember that the rear Fog Light might come on when you put the car in reverse seeing as it's on the LHD side.

Also, check out TM Tuning for a good range of aftermarket lights and accessories

[Manaz]

Also, check out TM Tuning for a good range of aftermarket lights and accessories

The Aussie dollar is strong (again) against the US dollar, so worth considering.

Check out http://www.priceusa.com.au for shipping - at least compare their prices compared to TM Tuning, they may be able to save you a few dollars. Their service is excellent, I recommend them highly.

[dubbed]

This may be stupid - but are your headlights levelled too low? I don't know if this was standard on all models.

[maca]

This may be stupid - but are your headlights levelled too low? I don't know if this was standard on all models.

My Bora's headlights were aimed far too low. I raised them myself but still wasn't happy with the brightness..

[Manaz]

This may be stupid - but are your headlights levelled too low? I don't know if this was standard on all models.

To expand on this - the V6 models certainly had a manual height adjsutment mechanism, which is a little roller-wheel under the main headlight switch. It's deisgned for dipping your headlights if you're carrying a load (either people in the back or gear/equipment), and if its wound down, your lights will be aimed lower than they should be.

[Yevvy]

This may be stupid - but are your headlights levelled too low? I don't know if this was standard on all models.

mine are aimed to high on the highest setting (that makes sense), almost like a high beam. but i reckon its due to my dead rear shocks

[Golf88]

This may be stupid - but are your headlights levelled too low? I don't know if this was standard on all models.

I do have them at there highest level. I think i will just try get the brighter bulbs for the front.. the HID sounds like alot of money and time.

Does anybody have nice tails that are good quality? and is TM tuning the only place to get good after market?

[Golf88]

Haha I love your modesty!!

I like those tail lights! They look sweet. What colour Golf did you get? Just remember that the rear Fog Light might come on when you put the car in reverse seeing as it's on the LHD side.

Also, check out TM Tuning for a good range of aftermarket lights and accessories

I got the a Silver Gle, would have liked navy but when youre not buying new colour is a little bit of pot luck.

[gavs]

In relation to the original question, if you're willing to spend the cash, then definately go for the R32 OE replacement option for the headlights.

If you're not willing to stump up the hundreds of dollars and time to do this, then i would recommend going with a full bulb replacement, both main and high beam bulbs.

I currently run Phillips Crystal vision for the main beams and Narva +80 (aka Osram Night-stalker) as the high beams.

I have run several different combinations of lights in all my cars I have had, and this combo is decent enough but has some downfalls.

The Phillips range of lights look awesome in that little display case at Autobarn but other than the "Blue vision", they have little to no light penetration on the road. This isn't such a huge problem around town etc. but on the open road or un-lit suburban streets, I find myself straining my eyes to see anything more then 10-15 metres ahead of me. The "Diamond vision" are even worse, they look super bright in the headlight, but on the road they are worse than crystal vision for penetration.
That said, these are awsome lights for oround town because due to the colour spectrum they operate in, the reflect off signs and road markers brilliantly, even the lines with relective paint glare back at you!!

The Osram/Narva lights are incredible on the open road. By themselves, they still have a slight "blue" tinge to them but coupled with my Crystals they are opperating in the yellow spectrum which (other that HID) is the best for penetrating light. Driving alongside a mate in his C class Merc, my +80 high beams were quite a match for his bi-xenon HID lights.

My personal choice would be for a better penetrating main beam globe, but i do like how the Crystal vision globes light up reflectors so i will stick with them for now, the high beams will definately stay though

Hope that helped....

[Golf88]

thanks every one really helpful! i looked into the bulbs and they arent cheap! if i get projection headlights like these that would help? has anyone done anything with golf headlights? other then bubles or HID?

[sierra055]

I found that the lights were a bit on the dim side myself, which didn't help coming from a car with HID's. I put in the Philips +80% bulbs which helped heaps, but I ended up putting Hella Celis lights in with Philips HID kit.
Light output is awesome now.