Rear Number Plate LED Bulb Upgrade

JIC Cracked · Post by **JIC Cracked** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 2:13 am

I am planning to upgrade my rear number plate bulbs, with LED versions has anyone done this yet?
which type of bulb is it

as dont want buy the wrong ones by mistake!
I know that they have to be CANBUS type, to void the warning lights on the dash!
I want to go for a OEM look, more white than blue as seen on most latest versions of BMW.
There tons on eBay, some of them can have up 18 LED

just want to go for the simple type
Any recommendations would help

Stiggy · Post by **Stiggy** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 7:44 am

I think they are 501.

I'm doing this myself this weekend, so I will give you an update.

NMavs · Post by **NMavs** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 9:10 am

Ive tried all the different standardled bulbs in my past 3 polos and none compare to the complete lamp replacements that i have in my 6r gti. There about 15 quid for a set from hids4u. Id recommend buyin them and save your time and money wasting it on them rubbish ebay leds. Seriously, they last a couple of weeks atthe most and start flickering / not working at all.

JIC Cracked · Post by **JIC Cracked** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 2:27 pm

@NMavs are you refering to this type of bulb http://www.hids4u.co.uk/led-festoon-bulbs/ or have you purchased this type for your Polo GTI http://www.hids4u.co.uk/vw-led-number-plate-light.html

Stiggy · Post by **Stiggy** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 2:56 pm

I've just put in a pair of these, and they work fine.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ERROR-FREE-CA ... 1c1ac3a649

Actually, the 5-LED version they do are slightly brighter. I have been using them as front sidelights for a week and they have been fine.

NMavs · Post by **NMavs** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 4:01 pm

The second ones bud. Type stalion into the discount code mate an you get em cheaper. Well worth there money. You can see them on the pics in my progress thread, they light up the floor there that bright.

Tsuku · Post by **Tsuku** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:23 am

For a more expensive, albeit OEM solution, you could order the OEM LED number plate lights (as on 2012 models) from your local VW dealer. Part number 1K8943021C.

AJ_7 · Post by **AJ_7** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 12:48 pm

Not sure how much the LED numberplate lamp unit would be from the dealer, an alternative to sourcing one from your dealer is the link below. 24 Euros.

http://www.vw-audi-shop.com/epages/6183 ... 1K8943021B

I'm going to do this to my Polo after payday at the end of the month so i'd be interested in whats the best option here also.

Alex

JIC Cracked · Post by **JIC Cracked** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:44 am

Well the aftermarket ones on HIDS4U are sold out, couple weeks untill they come back in to stock

So did some research into the original VW LED units, most people's feedback is they work, but come up with error message on the dash!

NMavs · Post by **NMavs** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 9:23 am

Personally from past expierences, i would hold out and wait for the HIDS4U ones. By far the best available. You get a 2 year warrenty with them, and no canbus errors on dash

Its a no brainer

Der Finne. · Post by **Der Finne.** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:41 pm

AJ_7 wrote:Not sure how much the LED numberplate lamp unit would be from the dealer, an alternative to sourcing one from your dealer is the link below. 24 Euros.

http://www.vw-audi-shop.com/epages/6183 ... 1K8943021B

I'm going to do this to my Polo after payday at the end of the month so i'd be interested in whats the best option here also.

Alex

I can't recommend those OE VW ones enough! They're engineered and made in Germany, so will probably many times outlive similar type of Chinese units. And their light is pure white without the lightest hint of blue/green, very evenly spread and not ridiculously bright. They might be a few quids more than the Chinese ones, but then you get what you pay for.
(EDIT: You'll need someone with a VCDS to change one byte in the Central Electronics Control Module to cancel the bulb-out warning light with the OE VW LED lamp!)

If choosing a Chinese aftermarket lamp then it probably is a wise thing to buy from your local company that has a hassle-free warranty policy, as it's always a gamble with the Chinese units in terms of quality. The flickering is the most common problem like NMavs said: Most Chinese manufacturers just don't engineer their lamps or bulbs well enough against voltage or current peaks.

If you choose just LED bulbs for your existing lamps, then the required bulb type is indeed 501. For best illumination, get a flanked version. Sadly, though, most 501 LED bulbs (like the one in the link) have insufficient cooling for the LED, so they tend to start flicker or just go out dot by dot.

daydotz · Post by **daydotz** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 8:58 pm

Do OEM or the ones from hids2u improve rear visabity?

benmkiv · Post by **benmkiv** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:27 pm

They won't really improve the rear visibility because of where they sit :s

CANDYMAN · Post by **CANDYMAN** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 4:22 pm

HID4U Lamps are showing instock

http://www.hids4u.co.uk/vw-led-number-plate-light.html

NMavs · Post by **NMavs** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:36 pm

The ones from hids4u will. Light the road and back end of my car up like a christmas tree

love them. Best money ever spent

UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum