Replacing front sidelight bulbs....LEDs ?

[muddyboots]

It had to happen eventually, one of my front sidelight bulbs has gone.

I know what a pain in the arse they are to replace, so to avoid having to do it again I'm wondering about fitting some LED bulbs, so...

1) Has anyone fitted LED sidelight bulbs
2) What sort did you get & where from
3) Anyone tried LED indicator bulbs - do they flash correctly (or does the flasher unit expect some "load") ?

Cheers

 

[Jon TDI]

I have some xenon white leds from www.ultraleds.co.uk

They have 6 leds in one sidelight & are brighter & whiter than the normal 1 or 2 led sidelights.
I've had them in for about 6 months now.

 

[dmjw01]

So which fitting is the correct one? 15mm bayonet or 9mm bayonet? I assume we're looking at this page are we?

I notice they do a wide-angle version of the 9mm 6-led bulb. This seems more appropriate for the side-light (and indicator for that matter). But is it bright enough or do you need the more focussed version?

Also, what do the numbers in brackets mean...

(233) BA9 - 9mm BC 6 Leds White Bulb

(Off-topic, but is it just me? Whenever I read "9mm" my internal voice reads it in an Arnie style.)

I could be tempted to do this as well.

 

[EdButler]

Its not the bayonet bulbs - you need the 501 capless bulbs for your side lights.

Muddy - Ive got some of the 6xLED 501 bulbs from UltraLEDs like Jon TDI stated. They are very bright and intense white light with a slightly blue tinge (everyone says theyre blue but theyre not!) and look a bit silly besides normal halogen bulbs - may need some higher kelvin halogen/xenon mix ones! They do look great as daytime running lights tho...

I didnt really have a problem replacing mine on the Sport. For the left hand ones try taking the cap of the water bottle (for your washers) and sticking your arm down there... The other one is similar but watch your arm on the spikey bits of metal!

 

[dmjw01]

I see. You mean "(501) White Xenon 6 Super Bright Leds (Two Bulbs)" that appear near the bottom of this page?

Any opinion on whether to go for the normal or wide-angle version?

 

[Jon TDI]

The only reason I've got them is that the normal 501 sidelights didn't look right with my xenons!
The brighter, whiter light matches up with the 6000K HID xenons I have.

I haven't got the wide angle ones, but if they will fit in the aperature of the headlight, I would go for them.

 

[Kam]

If you like the more OE look with LED side lights, I bought some of the wide angle ones. This reflects the light around the lense of the lamp as opposed to the direct beam the usual LEDs produce.

Result - good complement with the Philips Blue vision bulbs that is no way OTT

 

[muddyboots]

Thanks for the replies - not only will the LED bulbs mean I shouldn't have to change them again, but they will complement the colour of my OE xenons too, at the moment they look quite yellow in comparison.

I like keeping the OE look so the wide-angle versions sound tempting.

Anyone tried fitting the wide-angle versions, and know whether they fit or not ?

Also, anyone know whether LED indicator bulbs would work OK ?

 

[Kam]

Thanks for the replies - not only will the LED bulbs mean I shouldn't have to change them again, but they will complement the colour of my OE xenons too, at the moment they look quite yellow in comparison.

I like keeping the OE look so the wide-angle versions sound tempting.

Anyone tried fitting the wide-angle versions, and know whether they fit or not ?

Also, anyone know whether LED indicator bulbs would work OK ?

They are the same size as the OE bubbs, so direct replacement. Can take a piccy for you tonight if you wish. They were purchased from UltraLEDS.

 

[VanBasten]

They were purchased from UltraLEDS.

I got mine from here too. Have to say they are a great improvement. Gives the car a bit more presence !!!

 

[EdButler]

I went for the more hardcore option and bought the non-wide angle versions. Theyre quite bright and focussed harshly but never had anyone flash me.

They do light up road signs faintly about a mile away though in a nice bley white colour Let us know about the Indicators muddy - looks as though itll be a first but watch out for the size of them - the LED ones look pretty fat...

 

[muddyboots]

Hmm. In 2 minds about whether to get the wide angle versions or not now.

I rarely use sidelights without headlights so the question of annoying other road users isn't really an issue - I doubt they'll be noticeable in comparison to the headlights.
However my Xenon headlights have such a good beam cut-off that I wonder if the non-wide-angle ones might help illuminate signs etc that are above the headlamp beam cut-off ? Or would the wide-angle ones do that anyway ?

Any more comments welcome

I doubt I'll bother with the indicators for now, as I'm not sure what effect they'll have on flash rates etc.

 

[dmjw01]

I doubt I'll bother with the indicators for now, as I'm not sure what effect they'll have on flash rates etc.

Wuss!

The indicators are the thing I'm most keen to try. The way they flash on and off so perfectly on some BMWs without the slight fade-in and fade-out effect looks quite cool - or at least it would do if it wasn't on a BMW.

I've just noticed these "(501) Super Wide Angle White 5 Leds" that doesn't say "Xenon". I wonder if these would match my non-xenon headlights a bit better?

 

[Jon TDI]

I've just noticed these "(501) Super Wide Angle White 5 Leds" that doesn't say "Xenon". I wonder if these would match my non-xenon headlights a bit better?

They would still be whiter than than your halogen headlights.

 

[EdButler]

Xenon LED's is just a load of rubbish. White LED's are all the same - probably approaching 6000K temperature.

Muddy, if you want to have a look at mine sometime you can if you so wish. Also let me know if your going for those powerflex udder thingies cos ive emailed them to no avail!

 

[Kam]

I've just noticed these "(501) Super Wide Angle White 5 Leds" that doesn't say "Xenon". I wonder if these would match my non-xenon headlights a bit better?

Just be sure they will fit through the hole in the headlamp!

 

[Vicky M]

these are what i've got (although in the pug, not the beeza yet)

here's another similar thread: http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=70936

hope it helps

Stu

 

[Fl@pper]

The only reason I've got them is that the normal 501 sidelights didn't look right with my xenons!
The brighter, whiter light matches up with the 6000K HID xenons I have.

either that or try the blue coated Ibiza R ones

looks like a standard capless 501 bulb but when lit is a pure white and makes a standard bulb look orange

i got em on mine and i think we put em in drive forwards too

 

[Jon TDI]

either that or try the blue coated Ibiza R ones

looks like a standard capless 501 bulb but when lit is a pure white and makes a standard bulb look orange

i got em on mine and i think we put em in drive forwards too

I've tried the Philips Blue Vision sidelights &, although they were whiter, I didn't like the look of the blue coating when they weren't switched on.

I'm fussy like that!

 

[Kam]

Here is a pic of my Wide angle (501) LEDs (in my Almera):


And with Phillips Blue Vision (excuse the dirty lense!):