Fitted LED number plate bulbs + sidelights

[benw123]

While off work this week, I ordered some LED numberplate lights and sidelights from UltraLeds and fitted them today. Pleased with the results, although as others have noted here, the sidelights are perhaps a bit too blue for my liking. It does match the paintwork though!

The existing sidelights were weak and the cause was obvious when the bulbs came out - blackened inside the glass, suggesting they might be about to expire. Here's how they looked before:

And the new ones are like this:

You can buy the sidelights LEDs here: http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/501-194-t10-mini-light-tower-5-leds-blue-white.html

Strangely, when testing the new bulbs before pushing them home, they do emit a good white light. It's the plastic cover inside the headlamp unit that tints them blue I think. Anyway, the rears were a slightly different type but the before and after is shown here:

The bulbs for the numberplate were different, as these angle downwards in one direction. You can see them here: http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/501-194-t10-mini-light-ring-6-leds-xenon-white.html

Overall I'm happy; these are two neat mods just to give a nice personalised look.

 

[sipepguru]

ooo i might do down and visit this place thats if they are open to the public as there only a 20min drive - i might get pimped out in LED;s

 

[vile]

Nice job Ben that look much better mate.

 

[benw123]

Quick update: I had to swap the bulbs round, so the number plate bulbs became the sidelights and vice versa.

On my way home from my folks at the weekend, I was flashed a couple of times by other motorists. At first I thought there was a speed trap ahead, and then was worried about my headlight alignment, but then reached the conclusion the blue light (and they were pretty blue) was annoying others.

Therefore from my links above, I'd recommend those in the second link here:

http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/501-194-t10-mini-light-ring-6-leds-xenon-white.html

All good now, as the blue tint above the number plate isn't as noticeable. Note that the front sidelights have a blue plastic tint cover inside them anyway.

 

[PointMan]

MTEC 5W are much nicer than LED... and they last longer too (you'll see!). I had LED's on my EP3, had to change them every few months.

The MTEC are really white and there is not a hint of blue in them. I use them for sidelights on the Accord and togheter with the blue inserts they look great.

Link: http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/mtec-xenon-super-white-501-w5w-bulbs-sidelights/

 

[benw123]

So far the LEDs have been good as gold, but it's only been a few weeks. It's true that the normal filament bulbs last well; my wife's A3 has had Philips BlueVision bulbs to match the xenons almost since new, and the car will be 9 years old next October!

I ordered them from UltraLeds instead of far eastern vendors on eBay, so I'm hoping the quality will be good.

 

[mattlee]

it looks much better with the LED sidelights mate. i did mine a few months ago in a pre facelift saloon and they are still going great, no issues. i fitted 4300K HID's to my dipped beams yesterday and the LED sidelight bulbs are still brighter!!!! mine also seem to have a bit of a blue tinge to them and i dont have the blue insert in my headlight as its an older car.

how easy was it to get to the number plate clusters?

 

[benw123]

Number plate bulbs were just as easy as the sidelights. You just have to be gentle when moving the trim above the number plate itself, as it's easy to scratch if you're using a screwdriver. Once its out the bulb holders can be prised out by hand.

Note that this procedure is documented in the handbook