Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source.

940 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Phishy, Dec 10, 2001

g-man_ae

Discussion Starter · Nov 30, 2001

I just bought a pair of Golf IV E-code headlights from Adirondack Auto Brokers, $310 for a pair of Hella's with fog lights.
Or so I thought. Though their site says "genuine Hella complete assembly," the set I received were actually Valeo.
I talked to them this morning, and they were apologetic about the error. Apparently, their last shipment of E-codes were Hella's (all sold out), and their latest are Valeo's. They haven't yet updated their site to reflect this change.
I'm not advocating you boycott this source or anything - they've always been top-notch in terms of selection and service. In fact, they're sending me a prepaid UPS shipping label so I can send these back to them (without my even asking!).
I just wanted to warn the E-code-shopping Vortex community about this discrepancy, especially since a month ago I posted some buying info.
Happy European Mk-IV lighting http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

See less See more

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

EPilot

· #2 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (g-man_ae)

Actually the Valeo's have a better beam pattern.
ANd supposedly the reflectors are better quality.

VR6 Kid

· #3 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (EPilot)

one could get the Valeo's at http://www.jwsvws.com for $209
if anyone's looking for Hella, please click on my GB link in my signature

VR6 Kid

· #4 · Dec 7, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (g-man_ae)

are u sure they don't come withthe moters?

who1

· #5 · Dec 7, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (VR6 Kid)

Valeo is the OEM headlamp on my A4.

SLI

· #6 · Dec 7, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (who1)

And on the 25Y GTI...Hella and Valeo lights are probably the same thing anyway...who cares.

quote:[HR][/HR]Valeo is the OEM headlamp on my A4. [HR][/HR]

roadsleeper

· #7 · Dec 7, 2001

Hella, Valeo and Bosch make the headlights for VW as well as most high end international auto makers. It in no way is a disreputable company, neither is it cause for disreputation of a retailer. The headlights on the new Audi A4 are Valeo, the foglights on most BMWs (all X5s worldwide as I know) and Range Rovers are Valeos, as mentioned above the headlights on the 132 Kw Golf GTI are Valeos. They are designed and built to the specifications similar if not exact to those of the Hellas.
That said, at least they were apologetic, I've heard good things about Adirondack Auto Brokers. Good luck with the E-codes though! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

See less See more

fsuhorizon

· #8 · Dec 7, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (g-man_ae)

The set that you got may not have the leveling motors. But the sets sold by JWSVWS DO have leveling motors installed......

VR6 Kid

· #9 · Dec 7, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (fsuhorizon)

quote:[HR][/HR]The set that you got may not have the leveling motors. But the sets sold by JWSVWS DO have leveling motors installed......[HR][/HR]

that's what i thought too!

BoraVR6

· #10 · Dec 7, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (g-man_ae)

no mention of the words "revenge" or "justice" yet...

EDIT: from what I've heard, the leveling motors are already installed inside the housing on the Valeo units. It'd be worth opening up the little hatch on the back of the lights to check.

[Modified by BoraVR6, 9:59 AM 12-7-2001]

See less See more

3

BoraVR6

· #11 · Dec 7, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (g-man_ae)

I think its just the exploded view in the Bentley that makes it look external. I'm pretty certain that the leveling motor is internal to the light housing.
EDIT: I was thinking about this a little more.... how could the motors be external? The clearance to the battery is so minimal behind the left headlight there would be no way to wedge something in there.

[Modified by BoraVR6, 11:32 AM 12-7-2001]

g-man_ae

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 10, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (BoraVR6)

quote:[HR][/HR]from what I've heard, the leveling motors are already installed inside the housing on the Valeo units. It'd be worth opening up the little hatch on the back of the lights to check.[HR][/HR]

And sure enough, there it is. I thought it was just a wiring harness or something

BTW, I'm selling the bulbs that came with my E-codes, take a look at http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=178292

See less See more

BoraVR6

· #13 · Dec 10, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (g-man_ae)

Cool

Glad you have the motors.
So what bulbs are you going to be installing?
BTW: I replaced my stock e-code bulbs with Philips Vision Plus and there was a noticable improvement (e-code stock to e-code Vision Plus). I've got a Jetta though, but the feedback I've read on Vortex from Golf/GTI owners indicates similar results with the Vision Plus bulbs.

See less See more

Phishy

· #14 · Dec 10, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (BoraVR6)

Were these the smoked or regular E' codes for that $300+ price? I had great service from Adirondack when I got my Zimmerman/Mintex set through them.

g-man_ae

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 10, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (g-man_ae)

BoraVR6: I'm using Phillips VisionPlus for the low and high beams (H7, H1), Phillips SilverVision for the turn signals (PY21W), Phillips BlueVision for the City Lights (W5W), and (free with my Powerbulbs order) Osram AllSeason for fog light bulbs (H3).
Phishy: Adirondack Auto Brokers doesn't carry smoked headlights, at least for A4 VW's.

Phishy

· #16 · Dec 10, 2001

Re: Buying E-Codes for your Golf? Be wary of this source. (g-man_ae)

Bummer I can't believe how much the price goes up for a little black housing. I know i could do the Joey mod but they never seem to turn out as perfect as would like

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.