Mk3 SE Headlights Upgrade

Apr 29, 2025
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3
5000k and 6000k have very little difference between them. 6000 is just a touch more pure white on the bluer side. But honestly, I would look at just upgrading with better halogens - firstly you need to make sure any LED bulb will physically fit within the headlight casing - many don't because of the big base, some of which have cooling fans built in - and from experience, yes they look well, but light output is poor, and the beam pattern atrocious to non existant with after market LED bulbs that are (illegally) fitted into a reflector light that isn't designed for an LED bulb. Not only are they anti-social with very poor spread of light, they are very poor in performance compared to the standard - as well as not MOT acceptable, and a magnet for the over-zealous traffic police. Finally, they are described as non-error - this is because they have built in resistors to fool the canbus that standard bulbs are fitted. That's all well and good if the resistors are actually the right resistance. If they are not, there is a real risk of frying the BCM control module in the car, which is not a cheap repair by any means.
Yes I did try two different sets of LEDs in mine, but very soon went back to standard halogens which I upgraded to the Philips 150 Ultra Vision bulbs, which, being standard bulbs, are safely plug and play. They difference over standard factory bulbs is literaally night and day.
Think very carefully before risking damage by fitting LEDs.
Online sites seem to be bringing back all different types of bulbs for a daytime running lights 380, 382, 580, 508. Does anyone know which one it actually is for a 2014 model am I correct in saying they are double filament. I found Osrams ultra life on Amazon 382 that light a warm white 2800k which is the closest I can find rather then yellow. Also found Philips ultra vision 4200k and the ones you recommended Philips X-treme vision 150 3400k
 
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