Headlight Options

[krs]

I could use some help with headlight options for my daughters MK7 TDI.

Those that are much wiser than I am regarding these cars, what are my options for replacement?

The lense is pretty pitted, and is riddled with the micro fractures to the point it looks cloudy, and is impeding on the light output.

I’ve never really paid too much attention to headlight discussions, as I never felt I needed to until now…

 

[tigeo]

Osram or BMP replacements.

 

[MonkeyMD]

Does she have xenon's though? Or are those aftermarket

 

[krs]

Does she have xenon's though? Or are those aftermarket

Well, I guess I always thought they were just the OEM lamps.

They’re xenon with what’s in there now.

 

[sprinks]

OEMs mean either get to polishing and reseal with clear OR look into OEM replacement (new or used, that'll run about 800-1000 per assembly iirc).

 

[tigeo]

Ah - is she has the factory lighting package/HIDs, the replicas I posted above will not work. Best to just clean them up/replace the bulbs etc. HID bulbs over time to get dimmer.

 

[krs]

OEMs mean either get to polishing and reseal with clear OR look into OEM replacement (new or used, that'll run about 800-1000 per assembly iirc).

I’ll see if the place I get the cars detailed at does that. I tried that once on my Nissan, and it’s a skillset I don’t have.

 

[MonkeyMD]

I’ll see if the place I get the cars detailed at does that. I tried that once on my Nissan, and it’s a skillset I don’t have.

I had never done it before, but it's actually not that difficult. Just need a drill, patience and get one of the kits with everyone in it. Sandpaper discs, clear coat etc. I got the 3M one. Unfortunately I didn't take a before pics, but they were completely yellow and chipped.

Edit: just reread and you mentioned cracks. This won't fix that

 

[krs]

I had never done it before, but it's actually not that difficult. Just need a drill, patience and get one of the kits with everyone in it. Sandpaper discs, clear coat etc. I got the 3M one. Unfortunately I didn't take a before pics, but they were completely yellow and chipped.

Edit: just reread and you mentioned cracks. This won't fix that

Maybe we'll start with the polishing, and go from there. I don't remember how bad those micro cracks are, but the polish might buy her some time. I don't have the desire to drop the coin for new OEM lights out of my own pocket.

 

[StorableComa]

LP can swap to Xenon Osrams, but it requires some wiring, coding and a module swap.

Outside that either upgrading to R Euro OEM lights or replacement is your best bet. Not much on the market for Xenon cars at the moment.

 

[Maiden69]

If you are having those microcracks on them polishing won't do anything. It will clear out the outside of the polycarbonate but the hazing created by the cracks will stay. Only way is to either order an OEM replacement set, or change the polycarbonate yourself, or have a company do it for you. I just received the lenses for my GTI, just waiting to get some free time to do them.

Companies like Lightwerkz, Retrofitlab, or Evilheadlights do that kind of work. The lenses are sold in Amazon or Aliexpress.

 

[krs]

If you are having those microcracks on them polishing won't do anything. It will clear out the outside of the polycarbonate but the hazing created by the cracks will stay. Only way is to either order an OEM replacement set, or change the polycarbonate yourself, or have a company do it for you. I just received the lenses for my GTI, just waiting to get some free time to do them.

Companies like Lightwerkz, Retrofitlab, or Evilheadlights do that kind of work. The lenses are sold in Amazon or Aliexpress.

I think it was one of your posts I came across just recently, was going to follow what you put up for the process.

 

[The Dude]

LP can swap to Xenon Osrams, but it requires some wiring, coding and a module swap.

Outside that either upgrading to R Euro OEM lights or replacement is your best bet. Not much on the market for Xenon cars at the moment.

How are the euro lights better? Pardon my ignorance

 

[Maiden69]

How are the euro lights better? Pardon my ignorance

less restrictions, brighter and a lot of times added functions like sweeping turn signals. While they look identical on the outside, the modules are completely different.

 

[EpicTech]

less restrictions, brighter and a lot of times added functions like sweeping turn signals. While they look identical on the outside, the modules are completely different.

They also have clear side markers, as opposed to amber.

OP- Euro assemblies have an insanely long wait time for shipping. Don't ask how I know that. Order now and you might see them before Christmas.