ECSTuning - Need advice with choices..

[kendog]

Hey y'all,

I'm going to put in an order on Manaz's 'ECSTuning Group Buy', but would like advice on a few of the choices, and don't want to clutter his thread with my personal questions, so started this one.

1. Main item, HEADLIGHTS.
I tried very hard & very carefully to do the 'joey mod' on my right headlight, but alas, after many hours, it cracked. So now I need a new headlight, but might as well buy a 'black' set, like I wanted to achieve with the joey mod...

The Hella set would be great, but they are $500 from ecs, and I can't spend that sort of money on just the headlights (still paying car off).
Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8T > Lighting > Headlights > ES#8346 Blackout Headlights - Pair - 007700161-151

The other set they sell are the "Helix' branded smoked set, which are only $200, but someone said that they aren't that bright.. anyone else with experience on them?
Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8T > Lighting > Headlights > ES#2062563 Smoked Blackout Headlights - Pair - HXVWG4HL-B

Anywhere else I can get a set that look like these? I've been looking for the Hella ones far & wide for cheaper... I don't really like the look of most of the angel eyes/projector/hid rep ones, the projector lens sticks too far out from the halo, and looks gawky.

[kendog]

...or should I just do as they do in the UK, and smash the rest of the existing headlights' glass, clean off all of the old glass/epoxy/etc, do the joey mod, and then silicone these new glass lenses on top when done?? ...
Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8T > Lighting > Headlights > ES#1905452 Replacement Glass Lenses - Set - HXVWG4HLLENSSET

Thoughts on the headlights options?

[trickysimon]

Buying headlights from USA will have LHD headlight beams
Best to buy from Europe!

[kendog]

Thanks Simon, I already checked, they're both listed under 'European Spec'. . . .
OEM / Performance Parts for Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Porsche & Volkswagen - ECS Tuning

Let me know which Euro/UK websites I should look at though! Very interested to buy from there, better shipping costs etc I think. I've already looked for the black/blackout style of headlights on many websites with no luck. Trusted sites that stock them would be very welcome...

[kendog]

2. TRANSMISSION SERVICE KIT...

I was looking at one of these kits, I assume you can get decent gearbox oil here, but what about the magnetic Drain Plug? Are they any good? What about the difference between the Red Line 'MTL' and 'MT-90'? Or should I just buy the plug (better being a hex bolt than 12 point anyway) and just buy the oil here??

ECS Magnetic Drain Plug & Red Line MTL:
Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8T > Drivetrain > Transmission > ES#8236 ECS Manual Transmission Service Kit - 02J398001

ECS Magnetic Drain Plug & Red Line MT-90:
Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8T > Drivetrain > Transmission > ES#8237 ECS Manual Transmission Service Kit - 02J398002

ECS Magnetic Drain Plug & Lubry Moly Voll-Synthese 75w90:
Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8T > Drivetrain > Transmission > ES#259864 ECS Manual Transmission Service Kit - 02J398003

There's a guy in Sydney that does high end oil imports.. What was his name?? That's it - http://www.gllubricants.com/
There's this VIC guy.. PerformanceLub.com , and his ebay site: http://stores.ebay.com.au/Harold-Per...=p4634.c0.m322

[Back Door Shenanigans.]

European spec != RHD FYI

[JustCruisn]

EURO spec means it is different to the normal USA style.
Euro spec has the parking/city light which yanks do not usually have. Euro spec lights have beam cut off to reduce the height and left right spread. Yanks need to change the light switch to include the extra bulb.

So basically what we have in AUS is the Euro spec.
Most of Europe is LHD, only the UK is RHD.

[kendog]

soooo..... which ones for me? Are all Australian VAG lights Euro spec?

or..

which are the best? if US has wider beam (less 'cut off'), wouldn't that be best for rural roads here?

[kendog]

Bump!

Oil info anyone?

I also want to know about the clutch kits, apparently the 14lb one creates vibrations at idle? And the 20lb one doesn't? What is the difference otherwise?

[Wighty654]

which are the best? if US has wider beam (less 'cut off'), wouldn't that be best for rural roads here?

the wider beam wont be better because it will blind oncoming drivers due to it having the wrong pattern. Try and get lights from the UK or even some from europe are switchable from LHD to RHD but make sure they are a proper switch and not just a blind. eg...

LHD = ___/
RHD = \____

If a light is LHD with a RHD option it should be able to show both of ^^ those patterns. Some will have the LHD pattern and then just ____ as RHD for temporary use when driving in a different Euro country. Just ask the seller.
Hope this helps.

[Manaz]

European spec != RHD FYI

That is correct.

The reflectors in the standard US lights are terrible with a shocking light pattern. The Euro-spec lights sold by ECS are basically the european style of reflector (it produces a better light pattern.

They're both LHD specific.

[Manaz]

soooo..... which ones for me? Are all Australian VAG lights Euro spec?

or..

which are the best? if US has wider beam (less 'cut off'), wouldn't that be best for rural roads here?

Let me get you a quote for something from FK that suits RHD...

[kendog]

Thanks Manaz!
Otherwise, an option I'm considering again:
what about the option below? Just keep my RHD lights, smash the rest of the glass, Joey Mod them, then just add the new glass.. ? Do FK do glass?

...or should I just do as they do in the UK, and smash the rest of the existing headlights' glass, clean off all of the old glass/epoxy/etc, do the joey mod, and then silicone these new glass lenses on top when done?? ...
Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8T > Lighting > Headlights > ES#1905452 Replacement Glass Lenses - Set - HXVWG4HLLENSSET

[Manaz]

FK don't do glass.

You should get a good couple of years out of new plastic though. And at that stage, you can find some good glass lenses and replace them at your leisure.