"Best" Amazon/Ebay aftermarket headlights for Golf?

[2003_unicorns]

My new to me Golf has Depo headlights with plastic lenses and reflectors. I suspect that they are about 15 years old and UV is starting to take it's toll.

I don't want to wet sand and clear coat the headlights with 2k clear even though I am an expert at it because there is something wrong with the wiring to the housing and I don't want to troubleshoot even though one of my areas of expertise is also electronics.

With that said, I want to know which set you would choose given the subject vendors.

No, I don't want to do VxTuning and no I don't want to turn this into an LED vs Halogen thread.

I don't want to get a used set either and wet sand then buff for reasons outside of this thread.

I do NOT want to retrofit by myself or pay anyone to do it.

I know that these threads can get ugly but I just want to know what you all have used and the least sucky option given the above vendor elections.

Thank you!

 

[2003_unicorns]

I just did the TYC headlights at IDParts. Works for them works for me. Thanks.

 

[JDSwan87]

My new to me Golf has Depo headlights with plastic lenses and reflectors. I suspect that they are about 15 years old and UV is starting to take it's toll.

I don't want to wet sand and clear coat the headlights with 2k clear even though I am an expert at it because there is something wrong with the wiring to the housing and I don't want to troubleshoot even though one of my areas of expertise is also electronics.

With that said, I want to know which set you would choose given the subject vendors.

No, I don't want to do VxTuning and no I don't want to turn this into an LED vs Halogen thread.

I don't want to get a used set either and wet sand then buff for reasons outside of this thread.

I do NOT want to retrofit by myself or pay anyone to do it.

I know that these threads can get ugly but I just want to know what you all have used and the least sucky option given the above vendor elections.

Thank you!

I just did the TYC headlights at IDParts. Works for them works for me. Thanks.

Since you didn't already say "no" to it... I suggest glass lenses for your new headlights. Then they will stay clear forever. Also install a set of Sylvania SilverStar Ultra bulbs, 50 state legal.

 

[hskrdu]

"You don't have a better bad idea than this?"

"This is the best bad idea we have sir. By far."

 

[oilhammer]

I recently put a set of TYC lamps in one of my Golfs.... they suck. But I had to do something, because the original owner of this car put those stupid clear covers over the originals, which petrified into a darkening unremovable crust, and I could not find any Hellas anywhere.

The buff job I did on the originals in my other car are better than these brand new TYCs, and the glass lensed Ecodes in my other, other, Golf are superior yet.

I'll be sourcing some glass lenses to rebuild the originals, as these TYCs are just awful. The light spread is all blotchy, and not uniform, and they won't adjust to be any better. Just garbage.

 

[2003_unicorns]

I recently put a set of TYC lamps in one of my Golfs.... they suck. But I had to do something, because the original owner of this car put those stupid clear covers over the originals, which petrified into a darkening unremovable crust, and I could not find any Hellas anywhere.

The buff job I did on the originals in my other car are better than these brand new TYCs, and the glass lensed Ecodes in my other, other, Golf are superior yet.

I'll be sourcing some glass lenses to rebuild the originals, as these TYCs are just awful. The light spread is all blotchy, and not uniform, and they won't adjust to be any better. Just garbage.

Oh no, as you posted I got the "just shipped" notification!

 

[wonneber]

"You don't have a better bad idea than this?"

"This is the best bad idea we have sir. By far."

If it's the "best bad idea" does that that make it good or bad.
This is like me saying I'm not at think as confused I am.

 

[2003_unicorns]

If it's the "best bad idea" does that that make it good or bad.
This is like me saying I'm not at think as confused I am.

I think he is poking fun at the "oddity" of my post.

 

[BobnOH]

Subtlety and sarcasm don't come across with any clarity.
But you are the Unicorn!

 

[2003_unicorns]

Subtlety and sarcasm don't come across with any clarity.
But you are the Unicorn!

That's right. x2!

 

[ducatipaso]

I have OEM lamps and aftermarket glass lenses with laminx. works great!

 

[2003_unicorns]

Too bad this new to me Golf came with fading depos.

 

[Nuje]

I don't want to wet sand and clear coat...
I don't want to troubleshoot even though one of my areas of expertise is also electronics.
I don't want to get a used set either and wet sand then buff for reasons outside of this thread.
I do NOT want to retrofit by myself or pay anyone to do it.

Given these parameters....you will not get good headlights.
The best you'll find given the above will be OE with better lenses.
I tried at least four sets of aftermarket Jetta and Golf headlights in my Mk4 days and all were worse than OE until I gutted them and put in projectors.

 

[turbocharged798]

I agree with that statement. Best thing you can do is put new lenses on OE headlights. The reflectors in aftermarket headlights are just inferior.

 

[ducatipaso]

here's the end result of taking oem housings, removing the garbage plastic lenses, painting the inner trim rings black, and installing replacement aftermarket glass lenses with LaminX on them. All new Philips "Racing Star" bulbs, an LED in the city light position, and an orange bulb in the blinker to make it nice and orange.

I claim this is the "best" solution

 

[Nuje]

Agreed! That looks fantastic - well done!

 

[hskrdu]

I think he is poking fun at the "oddity" of my post.

Given these parameters....you will not get good headlights.

Not the oddity, but that you laid out parameters which dictate poor headlights and asked which ones were best.

The quotes, of course, are not mine- someone probably recognized them right away.

 

[Boosty]

I used some eagle eye brand from ebay and they fit fine and look fine but the wiring to the bulbs is thin and I had to replace the melted sockets several times in a year as no one locally has decent sockets save for dorman that melt just like the originals. Will be cutting off any oem sockets I find from now on when at the salvage yard.