MKV Headlights

[Steve_GTI]

I had my first real night drive last weekend and was appalled at the poor lights on the GTI.
I realise I should have had the Bi Xenons option when bought the car but I dont want to pay for a dealer fit now.
Does anyone have an option to improve the standard lights?

[gregozedobe]

Cheapest and easiest fix is to fit better globes. Philips X-treme (+80) or Osram Nightbreaker (+90) seems to be the best for actual vision improvement without needing re-wiring or producing too much heat.

Some people like the "whiter" globes that have a blue tint to the glass, but so far none of these actually produce more usable light.

[Maverick]

I had my first real night drive last weekend and was appalled at the poor lights on the GTI.
I realise I should have had the Bi Xenons option when bought the car but I dont want to pay for a dealer fit now.
Does anyone have an option to improve the standard lights?

You can't dealer fit them now, well maybe you can but I priced the parts alone at close to $3000 + fitting on top + wiring changes + painting (parts on the front bumper) so you will be lucky to get change from $4000.

As mentioned look at using better globes. The other option is the projector units they use the halogen lights. Around $600 US from memory.

I did the nightbreaker +90 globe upgrade, I did a writeup on www.golfmkv.com in the Australian forum with a heap of photos.

[alexander_the]

I had my first real night drive last weekend and was appalled at the poor lights on the GTI.
I realise I should have had the Bi Xenons option when bought the car but I dont want to pay for a dealer fit now.
Does anyone have an option to improve the standard lights?

Installed Philips X-treme (+80) from (www.powerbulbs.com) and it has made a world of difference, they not xenon by any means, however, they provide nice subtle white light, which is no comparison to the standard Golf's candles!
Plus you get free Philips parking bulbs which are really good.

Another option is to purchase OEM Xenon set from TM Tuning for 2100 USD, however you will not have washers which is illegal in AU.

Good luck

[XXX-1.8T]

Another option is to purchase OEM Xenon set from TM Tuning for 2100 USD, however you will not have washers which is illegal in AU.

Good luck

It is not illegal not to have washers!

It is illegal not to have washers in Europe or America.

There is no where in the ADR's which says all xenons must have washers!

So if u want xenons buy some factory lights

[tinto]

I had my first real night drive last weekend and was appalled at the poor lights on the GTI.
I realise I should have had the Bi Xenons option when bought the car but I dont want to pay for a dealer fit now.
Does anyone have an option to improve the standard lights?

Have you futzed with their aim at all?
They may be focussed downwards a bit too much.

Little dial next to the one that dims/brightens your dash.
I believe the Xenons do this sort of levelling automatically.

[Maverick]

Installed Philips X-treme (+80) from (www.powerbulbs.com) and it has made a world of difference, they not xenon by any means, however, they provide nice subtle white light, which is no comparison to the standard Golf's candles!
Plus you get free Philips parking bulbs which are really good.

Another option is to purchase OEM Xenon set from TM Tuning for 2100 USD, however you will not have washers which is illegal in AU.

Good luck

And don't forget you have to fit the self leveling system for the bi-xenons, this requires running a loom from the engine compartment all the way to the back of the car through the inside and then down to the rear suspension where a sensor is fitted.

There is a write up on this on vwvortex or golfmkv.com and the whole job is massive to fit them.

[Greg Roles]

You can't dealer fit them now, well maybe you can but I priced the parts alone at close to $3000 + fitting on top + wiring changes + painting (parts on the front bumper) so you will be lucky to get change from $4000.

As mentioned look at using better globes. The other option is the projector units they use the halogen lights. Around $600 US from memory.

I did the nightbreaker +90 globe upgrade, I did a writeup on www.golfmkv.com in the Australian forum with a heap of photos.

Cool, thanks Mav!

Like Steve I haven't gone for any more night drives through the nearby mountains as I find the headlights are indeed pissy as Steve points out. I'll go over to the "other" side and have a read with great interest!

[Steve_GTI]

Thanks Guys,

I will go for the globe replacements.

[OzDJ]

I had my first real night drive last weekend and was appalled at the poor lights on the GTI.
I realise I should have had the Bi Xenons option when bought the car but I dont want to pay for a dealer fit now.
Does anyone have an option to improve the standard lights?

I purchased 4 x H7 Osram Night Breakers. Very happy with the performance improvement over the stock lamps.

DJ

[Manaz]

It is not illegal not to have washers!

It is illegal not to have washers in Europe or America.

There is no where in the ADR's which says all xenons must have washers!

So if u want xenons buy some factory lights

That's not my understanding. It was my impression that the ADRs specify that not only are washers required for Xenon/HID headlights, but that such headlights must also have a self-levelling feature. Both features are required to prevent other road users being dazzled by such headlights.

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=e...cr%3DcountryAU <- Seems a lot of people agree...

[OzDJ]

That's not my understanding. It was my impression that the ADRs specify that not only are washers required for Xenon/HID headlights, but that such headlights must also have a self-levelling feature. Both features are required to prevent other road users being dazzled by such headlights.

ADRs 77/00 and 78/00 (which govern HID implementation for passenger vehicles) are presented here in the interest of looking at facts rather than forum hearsay:

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legi...INAL+FRLI].pdf

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legi...0FINALFRLI.pdf

DJ

[XXX-1.8T]

correct do u see where it mentions washers?

I dont...