brownnugen
Veteran Member
I'm in for a pair as well.
-Nick
-Nick
B4 Hella Headlights...Group Buy Possible?
- Thread starter Rechtsverdreher
- Start date
Rechtsverdreher
Veteran Member
First, apologies for all the updates, but I figure more information is better than less. (You never hear from Cullen, though I understand the dilemma he's in with his orders.)
OK, I think that there are enough tentative individuals here that I feel confident in ordering 6-7 pairs of lights from the guy in Germany I've been in contact with. These are the Hella's I ordered for myself and that my friend in Germany has possession of, so I know its scam free to this point.
Dirk said that he doesn't want any deposit until they come in, about 6 weeks. So the sooner the better. I figure that I can sell them on Ebay if everything goes south. I believe one set is already spoken for.
Ralf
OK, I think that there are enough tentative individuals here that I feel confident in ordering 6-7 pairs of lights from the guy in Germany I've been in contact with. These are the Hella's I ordered for myself and that my friend in Germany has possession of, so I know its scam free to this point.
Dirk said that he doesn't want any deposit until they come in, about 6 weeks. So the sooner the better. I figure that I can sell them on Ebay if everything goes south. I believe one set is already spoken for.
Ralf
Any idea on price? I damn near killed some fool going home from work a couple of nights ago. On a dark road and the fool was on a bicycle with dark clothes and no lights, not even reflectors. Of course he was in the middle of the road. Speed limit was 50, and thats what I was doing. I did not see him until he was almost a hood ornament. I am in for a set before I kill someone. If I had hit that fool of course it would have been all my fault. 300 bucks seems to be cheap insurance. I would be happy to send you a deposit as well. Thanks for putting this together as well.
Ray
Ray
Shastapk
Veteran Member
I'm in for a pair myself if it works- thanks a million.
Rechtsverdreher
Veteran Member
Ray, if you want them a lot sooner, you might try Katja at TMTuning. She is great to deal with. She was super nice and has called me several times in regard to questions I had. From Germany no less...it was fun being able to exercise my German with her.
Anyway, she can get the lights sooner, but they'll be a little over $300 but you'll have them sooner...so you trade $$ for speed.
Ralf
Anyway, she can get the lights sooner, but they'll be a little over $300 but you'll have them sooner...so you trade $$ for speed.
Ralf
RC
Top Post Dawg
You mean it`s taken this long for you to treat that fine variant with a new pair of eyes Nick? Shame on you.brownnugen said:
brownnugen
Veteran Member
Ron, it's kind of like I treat myself. When I was new(born), I had perfect vision, then over the years, it slowly worsens. Then I get glasses/contact lenses (polished the OEM lights) and live with it for a while. When I get sick of the glasses, I decide to get corrective surgery for them. To celebrate the new eyes, I blow money on the nice sunglasses that I was never able to wear because of glasses. To be honest with you, the price was right (free) on the new eyes, just like the price will be right for the ecodes. Sometimes you don't realize you need something until everything lines up and the timing is right..... Anyways, I'll celebrate the B4's new eyes with something special, maybe a new suspension and wheels?????????RC said:You mean it`s taken this long for you to treat that fine variant with a new pair of eyes Nick? Shame on you.
-Nick
When you guys finally get your Ecodes, check what bulbs you have in them. TMTuning uses H1s for both low-beams & high-beams.
Mine came with these Sumex brand bulbs, generic Chinese sourced bulbs of indeterminate quality.
After a few months both low-beams went TU within a week of each other.
Stopped in Autozone and picked up 4 of these Sylvania H1s to replace the loser Sumex's.
Got a nice surprise when I opened the blister pac and saw what I got, genuine Osrams, made in the fatherland!
It's all good now.
Mine came with these Sumex brand bulbs, generic Chinese sourced bulbs of indeterminate quality.
After a few months both low-beams went TU within a week of each other.
Stopped in Autozone and picked up 4 of these Sylvania H1s to replace the loser Sumex's.
Got a nice surprise when I opened the blister pac and saw what I got, genuine Osrams, made in the fatherland!
It's all good now.
Audi5000TDI
Banned
I'd be in for a pair. Tired of dealing with Cullen and waiting for ever.
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Rechtsverdreher
Veteran Member
Well, I tried, really. Bought a pair, Hella box and everything. My friend in Germany received them from the seller in Germany. My friend determined they were of a plastic nature...not glass. He wanted to make sure, so called Hella with the number embedded in the lens. Hella told him they were "press glass" (translated). That's essentially what we have. This pair was about $100. Very lucrative. But not for plastic which is what we all don't want...right?
The seller and I have been in constant contact. He made inquiries and determined that his source can get the Hella glass ones for 217 Euro. The conversion for that is $272. Katja from TMTuning is at $269 for an order of 15 people. Shipping still on top of that. So, close to $300. Cullen is at $200 shipped but no word from him.
Sooo, we could proceed or hold off. This has been disappointing as I thought I could bring them in for less than $200. Darn! I'm very disappointed.
Based on this thread, I count 10 people who have evidenced interest. We'll have to wait until we can get to 15 to bring the price down far enough...
Ralf
The seller and I have been in constant contact. He made inquiries and determined that his source can get the Hella glass ones for 217 Euro. The conversion for that is $272. Katja from TMTuning is at $269 for an order of 15 people. Shipping still on top of that. So, close to $300. Cullen is at $200 shipped but no word from him.
Sooo, we could proceed or hold off. This has been disappointing as I thought I could bring them in for less than $200. Darn! I'm very disappointed.
Based on this thread, I count 10 people who have evidenced interest. We'll have to wait until we can get to 15 to bring the price down far enough...
Ralf
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Audi5000TDI
Banned
Summary, we need 5 more interested buyers for the group buy to bring it to 15 for the price break.
86turbodsl
Veteran Member
Interested in a set.
jasonTDI
TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
Any further word?
bikeprof
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2005
- Location
- Pagosa Springs, Colorado(YEAH!)
- TDI
- 1996 Passat B4 Variant white, 1996 Town & Country 3.8 LXI
Hellas
Hey! Count me IN...
I also have a B4, kind of "sucks" not being able to see anything past dinner time, and driving where there are a lot of animals on the road.
Let me know first cost and shipping BEFORE anything, OK?
Hey! Count me IN...
I also have a B4, kind of "sucks" not being able to see anything past dinner time, and driving where there are a lot of animals on the road.
Let me know first cost and shipping BEFORE anything, OK?
BleachedBora
Vendor , w/Business number
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2003
- Location
- Gresham, Oregon
- TDI
- '81 Caddy CJAA 250 hp/450 tq, '05 E320 CDI, '81 DMC-12, '18 GLS63 AMG, '98 Land Rover Defender RHD TDI, '74 Rotary Beetle
I have a friend who is interested as well. You can count him in
-BB
-BB
jasonTDI
TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
must be getting close....
peteypetey
Active member
A4 possible?
Does the whole group buy have to be for the B4 style?
If not, I am interested in getting a set for my A4 jetta.
-Ryan
Does the whole group buy have to be for the B4 style?
If not, I am interested in getting a set for my A4 jetta.
-Ryan
jasonTDI
TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
B4 only, start your own group buy.
Rechtsverdreher
Veteran Member
Yeah, I think we're getting close.
Now, based on the exchange rate on 12 August, the shipping rates will be as follows...
Standard Air: $47.00
Air Plus: $77.00
Express: $99.00
Does that change anyone's mind? Once we hit that magic 15 number of orders, we'll have the best rates on the lights themselves.
To recap: 5 sets $309
10 sets $289
15 sets $269
I think the best scenario is still a little over $300...sorry guys, but that shipping eats a lot of a good deal.
Ralf
Now, based on the exchange rate on 12 August, the shipping rates will be as follows...
Standard Air: $47.00
Air Plus: $77.00
Express: $99.00
Does that change anyone's mind? Once we hit that magic 15 number of orders, we'll have the best rates on the lights themselves.
To recap: 5 sets $309
10 sets $289
15 sets $269
I think the best scenario is still a little over $300...sorry guys, but that shipping eats a lot of a good deal.
Ralf
BleachedBora
Vendor , w/Business number
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2003
- Location
- Gresham, Oregon
- TDI
- '81 Caddy CJAA 250 hp/450 tq, '05 E320 CDI, '81 DMC-12, '18 GLS63 AMG, '98 Land Rover Defender RHD TDI, '74 Rotary Beetle
I asked Katja a while back about sending it ground (by ship). They don't generally do that, but perhaps it would be an option if we had a huge order going out. I know that their shipping prices are almost exactly what they pay for shipping, so it's not like we can ask for an air discount if you know what I mean...
-BB
-BB
Rechtsverdreher
Veteran Member
I agree. I think their shipping prices are pretty much what shipping costs. They may have an increase for packaging the lights but I don't think its all that much.
If someone wants it shipped by surface, and Katja doesn't want to go that route, I would have that pair(s) shipped to a friend of mine in Germany and have him send it via surface. That's not a problem.
Ralf
If someone wants it shipped by surface, and Katja doesn't want to go that route, I would have that pair(s) shipped to a friend of mine in Germany and have him send it via surface. That's not a problem.
Ralf
Rechtsverdreher
Veteran Member
Getting close???!!!!
OK, after all this time I count 14 people (including me):
JasonTDI
r90sKirk
gboss
RayG (he's in for less than $300 but I don't know if that's w or w/o shipping)
PWN
86turbodsl
AkAl
brownnugen
shastapk
Audi5000TDI
bikeprof
bleachedbora
sewerrat (also less than $300, with or w/o shipping?)
Some of those people may have dropped off after all this time so if you will, can you send me an email or pm if you're in?
If all those people are still game, I'll get the extra set and we'll roll...
Ralf
vertrx7@yahoo.com
OK, after all this time I count 14 people (including me):
JasonTDI
r90sKirk
gboss
RayG (he's in for less than $300 but I don't know if that's w or w/o shipping)
PWN
86turbodsl
AkAl
brownnugen
shastapk
Audi5000TDI
bikeprof
bleachedbora
sewerrat (also less than $300, with or w/o shipping?)
Some of those people may have dropped off after all this time so if you will, can you send me an email or pm if you're in?
If all those people are still game, I'll get the extra set and we'll roll...
Ralf
vertrx7@yahoo.com
saturnhacker
Veteran Member
I would be interested in a set, or maybe two if available. I agree with Ray, one of these days someone is going to get run over. So what kind of time frame for delivery are you thinking?
bikeprof
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2005
- Location
- Pagosa Springs, Colorado(YEAH!)
- TDI
- 1996 Passat B4 Variant white, 1996 Town & Country 3.8 LXI
Hells's
Ralf:
bikeprof is IN ! for euro lights set up, thanks.
Ralf:
bikeprof is IN ! for euro lights set up, thanks.
r90sKirk
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2003
- Location
- CedarTuckey, Michigan
- TDI
- All TDI's - No gassers! Luxo-Tourer = 13 Passat (hands down, the nicest car we've ever owned), Most fun = MK4 Golf
Ralf,
I'm still in for a set at $269 w/ std shipping of $47, for a total of $316.
Does that sound right?
Kirk
I'm still in for a set at $269 w/ std shipping of $47, for a total of $316.
Does that sound right?
Kirk
robertgalka
Veteran Member
How much is shipping to Canada? I bought a set on eBay but the German seller ripped me off. He isn't a registered user any more.
DJGeorge
Veteran Member
I might be interested in a set. What is the timeframe?
I had a set of chinese "Hella" eCodes ($99 + shipping) on my old B4 and I liked the look of them. However, they ate H1 headlight light bulbs every couple months and the bulb contacts were sometimes intermittent.
I'm assuming real Hella eCodes are a tad more reliable.
I had a set of chinese "Hella" eCodes ($99 + shipping) on my old B4 and I liked the look of them. However, they ate H1 headlight light bulbs every couple months and the bulb contacts were sometimes intermittent.
I'm assuming real Hella eCodes are a tad more reliable.