Golf GTI Headlights

[johno333]

I own a Golf Gti 2016 with standard lights. The range on dipped headlights is dreadful. So bad in fact, that it prevents fast driving at night unless you use full beam. Do any other owners have this issue? I have asked VW to adjust the lights, which they have to their maximum tolerances - still rubbish.

[Dr G]

I've adjusted mine to just over the max level on the MOT tester's machine (cheeky I know). Haven't really had the chance to drive it in properly dark conditions yet.

There are better bulbs available that I'll try if this makes no difference.

If you bite the bullet and fit upgraded ones let me know, I have the same issue you describe.

[pinseeker]

Phillips racing vision bulbs made a good difference for me, not xenon range but it's a good effort from a halogen.

[AI1694]

pinseeker said:

Phillips racing vision bulbs made a good difference for me, not xenon range but it's a good effort from a halogen.

Are they not for off road use only?

[pinseeker]

AI1694 said:

Are they not for off road use only?

Nope. Road legal.

[aka_kerrly]

pinseeker said:

AI1694 said:

Are they not for off road use only?

Nope. Road legal.

But dont be surprised if they only last 3 months of normal winter use!

Osram night breaker laser are my preferred choice of bulbs for non hid applications.

Op have you had an eye test recently?

[Olas]

If the aim is correct, reflectors are not cracked or peeling and the lenses are clear rather than foggy/opaque then you have two choices - fit a larger wattage bulb at the risk of melting plastic components with the additional heat, or, use a volt meter to measure voltage at the plug when running - if it is significantly lower than battery voltage then incorporate a relay into the loom to provide full battery voltage to the lamp.
Volt drop is often overlooked.

[Dr G]

They're xenon headlamps; uprated bulbs are available but quite expensive so it's understandable you'd want a pretty good recommendation before splashing on them.

[va1o]

Is it a UK Mk7 GTI? As mentioned above it should have Xenon headlamps. I did a lot of night driving in my old Mk7 GTD and never found them a problem

However a non-UK or import would have halogen lights which aren't as good, and that's when it might be worth replacing bulbs etc.

[Dr G]

Yup, the standard fit UK xenons are fairly poor.

[ManicMunky]

Thought the lights on my 2016 GTI were pretty good actually

[Initforthemoney]

Must admit I find most vw headlights, whatever the lamp to be appalling, even the led.

If they are standard halogen I think you can deselect the lamp life extension function with vcds as this reduces the voltage to the bulbs.

[Baldchap]

The lights on my old 2018 R with the magic block-off-a-bit main beam were the best I've ever experienced on a vehicle.

[AI1694]

I think the xenons in my Mk5 GTI are fantastic. Similarly in my wife’s A3. Could never go back to halogen now.

I would’ve thought in the Mk7 they would be equally as good if not better to be honest. Maybe they are on their way out?

[Dr G]

I may have been spolied by lots of Audi/Matrix stuff but they're just not up to snuff. My wife's MK5 Golf with Halogens (and better bulbs) has a better reach down the road.

It seems to be a fairly common complaint but I'm yet to meet or speak to anyone that's bought/tried the uprated bulb options and I don't fancy shelling £200 myself if the improvement is only marginal.

[Initforthemoney]

It appears to me that it’s not just vw group.

But the halogen light level, especially on the Golf is bordering on down right dangerous they are so poor.

Plus they are reducing the light output and using the 2000 lm limit so they don’t have to fit self levelling etc. Which in turn means more profit for them!

[Adrian E]

I find our Golf's headlights (65 plate GTI) far better than our S5, which has the adaptive xenon plus 'upgrade' but is borderline dangerous on a dark, wet road.

Osram and Philips would be my number 1 choices for aftermarket high output bulbs - you can usually get them at much reduced prices as a pair using discount codes online from powerbulbs and others

[Dr G]

Osram would be my first choice having always really liked their halogen upgrade bulbs. My MK5 GTI back in the day I was adamant I was going to retrofit xenons but ater putting nightbreaker plus didn't feel the need for more.

I'll probably hunt around for a deal/sale and bite the bullet.

Pre-facelift B8 headlamps I never thought much of either; they did improve with the facelift in 2012.

[shtu]

I've used Osram's upgrade bulbs, both Halogen and Xenon. Never been disappointed with them.

Some people grumble about their not lasting long, but I've never had a problem on that front either, lasted several years and were still fine when the cars were sold on.

[johno333]

The GTi in question in this forum is a Mk7 and I believe has Bi-Zenons.
Love the car, even at my 51 years of age, but the cruddy lights would prevent me from upgrading to an R, or are the newer mk's equipped with LED's that actually light the road?
Also it's not so much the brightness but the range, the light just doesn't go far enough doen the road.
PS - ever since I discovered Pilot Sport 4S's the car has become even more amazing. They should be standard.

Edited by johno333 on Wednesday 11th September 11:51