how accurate are the generic 03.5+ reverse lights to OEM reverse lights?

405 · Thu, Mar-18-2010, 03:28:16 PM

i want to upgrade my 02 tailights to the 03.5+ LED look. i found an OEM set for sale but they do not include the reverse lights, only the tailight. i know the actual OEM tailight compared to the generic brand (EE, umnitza) is different with the black line that goes around the inner part of the light, etc, so thats why i want to stick with oem besides the quality.

i found a generic set of ebay 03.5+ reverse lights that i could pair up with the OEM tailights and im wondering if there is any differences between the generic reverse light and the oem reverse light?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-00...item45f18bb7cc

thanks

e46fanatic... · Thu, Mar-18-2010, 04:12:39 PM

The only thing I can think of it's fitment not being as good as OEM. As far as light quality it's probably the same since they both use regular light bulbs and IIRC the lower red part doesn't even light up on OEM.

405 · Thu, Mar-18-2010, 05:25:16 PM

right
thats what i thought too. my buddy has the smoked LED EE's and his reverse lights look the exact same to the oem's ive seen.

any other info would be great

thanks!
chase

100degrees · Thu, Mar-18-2010, 05:35:34 PM

I have a set of EE Tails and the fitment on the trunk lights are perfectly fine. I would say they fit as well as OEM.

405 · Thu, Mar-18-2010, 05:53:05 PM

sounds good
thanks

since fitment seems not to be an issue..
the off-brand reverse lights will work in conjunction with the OEM tailights correct? are they linked together at all even?

e46fanatic... · Thu, Mar-18-2010, 10:29:02 PM

The trunk lights use a different connector than the main rear ones since they are only needed during reverse.
To get to the connector you're going to need to undo some clips on the inner carpet of the trunk to gain access.
Also make sure you have the retrofit cables for the main rear ones since they are OEM they use a different connector than pre-03.5 and they won't connect directly as after market taillights. Tischer has them.

Thu, Mar-18-2010, 03:28:16 PM	#1
405 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,990 In the garage: '12 VOLKSWAGEN GTI Reputation: 0 Location: Chicago, IL	how accurate are the generic 03.5+ reverse lights to OEM reverse lights? i want to upgrade my 02 tailights to the 03.5+ LED look. i found an OEM set for sale but they do not include the reverse lights, only the tailight. i know the actual OEM tailight compared to the generic brand (EE, umnitza) is different with the black line that goes around the inner part of the light, etc, so thats why i want to stick with oem besides the quality. i found a generic set of ebay 03.5+ reverse lights that i could pair up with the OEM tailights and im wondering if there is any differences between the generic reverse light and the oem reverse light? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-00...item45f18bb7cc thanks __________________ -2012 Tornado Red/Interlagos Golf GTI -2012 Ducati 848 EVO Corse SE -2011 Triumph Bonneville T100 Cafe

Thu, Mar-18-2010, 05:25:16 PM	#3
405 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,990 In the garage: '12 VOLKSWAGEN GTI Reputation: 0 Location: Chicago, IL	right thats what i thought too. my buddy has the smoked LED EE's and his reverse lights look the exact same to the oem's ive seen. any other info would be great thanks! chase __________________ -2012 Tornado Red/Interlagos Golf GTI -2012 Ducati 848 EVO Corse SE -2011 Triumph Bonneville T100 Cafe

Thu, Mar-18-2010, 05:35:34 PM	#4
100degrees Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 296 Reputation: 0 Location: Brooklyn	I have a set of EE Tails and the fitment on the trunk lights are perfectly fine. I would say they fit as well as OEM. __________________

Thu, Mar-18-2010, 05:53:05 PM	#5
405 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,990 In the garage: '12 VOLKSWAGEN GTI Reputation: 0 Location: Chicago, IL	sounds good thanks since fitment seems not to be an issue.. the off-brand reverse lights will work in conjunction with the OEM tailights correct? are they linked together at all even? __________________ -2012 Tornado Red/Interlagos Golf GTI -2012 Ducati 848 EVO Corse SE -2011 Triumph Bonneville T100 Cafe

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Thu, Mar-18-2010, 04:12:39 PM	#2
e46fanatic... Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 422 Reputation: 0 Location: chicago	The only thing I can think of it's fitment not being as good as OEM. As far as light quality it's probably the same since they both use regular light bulbs and IIRC the lower red part doesn't even light up on OEM.

Thu, Mar-18-2010, 10:29:02 PM	#6
e46fanatic... Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 422 Reputation: 0 Location: chicago	The trunk lights use a different connector than the main rear ones since they are only needed during reverse. To get to the connector you're going to need to undo some clips on the inner carpet of the trunk to gain access. Also make sure you have the retrofit cables for the main rear ones since they are OEM they use a different connector than pre-03.5 and they won't connect directly as after market taillights. Tischer has them.