Front Reflector Install on MKV GTI

[ünpimptheauto]

Not satisfied with current directions that ECS Tuning provides for the front reflector kit, I wanted to document it with pictures.

[ünpimptheauto]

Gets easier from here...

[ünpimptheauto]

Almost done...

[jhayregz]

There was a DIY on this before but thanks for the info again.
For some reason my ECS smoked right side marker is waaay harder to take out than the left side or the stock right marker.

[ünpimptheauto]

I purchased the ECS Tuning clear reflector kit for my 2006 United Gray GTI. Cost is $44.95 shipped. They offer smoked or clear for the same price.

ECS Tuning Reflectors (http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Volkswagen&engine=2.0T&model=Golf%20V&submodel=&category=Lighting)

[ünpimptheauto]

There was a DIY on this before but thanks for the info again.
For some reason my ECS smoked right side marker is waaay harder to take out than the left side or the stock right marker.

I couldn't find one anywhere, and thought I was going to break the bumper cover (or stock reflectors) by just "pushing" on the reflector.

Fear no more!

[hakgwai]

front reflector = side markers..
is this right??

[ünpimptheauto]

front reflector = side markers..
is this right??

Sorta on the side, I guess. It is on the front bumper cover!

[Wild Hare]

Nice DIY info. Well done!

[GTI2007]

great looking DIY :thumbsup:

[rickerbr]

Another way to get these out is use a trim stick to pop the back of the light out and then pull from the bumper. I tried the push at the front method and wasn't comfortable with the amount of force required. The trim stick won't mar the paint or the light like a screwdriver would.

[icculus]

Thanks for this, I just ordered the color matched ones from ESE. Can't wait to put them in!

[nj devil]

Hey sorry if this has been discussed before, but I am fried from work today, but neways..I just installed the ese color matched side markers on a Tornado Red...Look sexy with the lights off, but with lights on....ehh...its a red light, ...Do I have to change bulbs to make it appear amber or do I just live with it, or remove bulbs??

sorry for the poor grammar-

Mike

[loccusst]

It is because the bulb is shining through a red painted lens. You could try a yellow bulb maybe? Yellow and red make orange.

[Mary and Phil]

Almost done...

COOL! where did you buy that?

[GTI2007]

he bought it from ECS Tuning (http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Volkswagen&engine=2.0T&model=Golf%20V&submodel=&category=Lighting&subcategory=Side%20Markers)

[Temper]

:thumbup:

[GTI DSG]

Just did this last weekend, thanks man..I think MK4s were like this too.

[MichaelThomas]

YES!!!!!!! Awesome post!!!!:bow:

[Masterof6thspeed]

Thanks for this, I just ordered the color matched ones from ESE. Can't wait to put them in!

Don't leave your bulbs in when you swap them out. I have ESE side markers and the heat of the bulb combined with the sanded (to remove the numbers and markings off the OEM sidemarkers) sidemarker made it melt and bubble out. ESE has offered to replace mine but it was sort of a hassle to get them to.

[Frosty]

Thank you for the DIY. it just took me about 35 seconds to pop out both my oranges, and put in my CW color matched markers from ESE. My Rabbit is all stock with a tint, and these really add an accent to the look!:thumbup:

[blackfast06]

How hard to you have to push on them? i was pushing on it pretty hard but they didnt move...i felt more like i was just gonna break the front bumper any help?

[murcielagoGTR]

cool DIY

[blackfast06]

bump

[njohanss]

your diy was very helpful...i was suprised at how hard you have to push to get the reflectors out!

[denmkv]

Thanks great DIY !

[UMassJ77]

How hard to you have to push on them? i was pushing on it pretty hard but they didnt move...i felt more like i was just gonna break the front bumper any help?

I actually just use my Valet key or something metal and thin and just pry from (when looking at it) Left Side...and once you get that TAB out it just comes out....i found pushing doesn't work like it did in the MKIV's!! they are different assembly....looks similar but the MKIV had a spring..the MKVs don't.

[blackfast06]

I actually just use my Valet key or something metal and thin and just pry from (when looking at it) Left Side...and once you get that TAB out it just comes out....i found pushing doesn't work like it did in the MKIV's!! they are different assembly....looks similar but the MKIV had a spring..the MKVs don't.


Thanks that was excatly what i did...pushing it didnt feel right but using the key it popped right out

[brekdown29]

These instructions worked perfect for me when installing my blacked out side markers from parts4euro. I have a mk5 and it took 5 minutes total. Thanks for the great DIY.

[Si Killer]

wait so even with the colormatched sidemarkers the light shines though? should i just take my bulbs out then?

[Masterof6thspeed]

That's what I did. And I'd recommend it. Depending on how thinly they shaved it, it's possible for the heat from the bulb to cause the plastic to bulge out.

[Si Killer]

alright sick. i don't even know why we have godamn sidemarkers. friggin pointless and screws up the car's front

[BlueRabbit]

Thanks for the DIY, I just put the smoked ECS sidemarkers in in about 5 minutes! Looks good.

[EazyAce]

thanks for the instructions but on my gti its actually backwards. In order for me to pop them out i had to push on the side farthest from the door. But thanks for pics and everything. Big Help. I actually feel stupid cause i had posted a thread asking for help but then i searched and found this haha :thumbup:

[Kjyuan]

ya these instructions are very straightforward and easy install as well. oh and for input my light reflector was easier to push in that the one on the right. i think the right one was more fitted because there was marks of the clips on the paint. so for some you might have to push really hard

[MC.R]

awesome DIY instructions

[Lolly Baggins]

Hm. Seems I will be pulling the bulbs out for the sidemarkers. Will it throw any bulb lights on the dash or anything?

[SoNgMaN]

Hm. Seems I will be pulling the bulbs out for the sidemarkers. Will it throw any bulb lights on the dash or anything?

yup

[slikster]

besides that in some states you can get pulled for not having those lights.

[vlkswgnbgmn66]

I've seen some painted to match side markers and was wondering where to get them? Thanks for the info!:help:

[jimithing412]

Hm. Seems I will be pulling the bulbs out for the sidemarkers. Will it throw any bulb lights on the dash or anything?

No bulbs in the sidemarkers will not throw a bulb code. I haven't had bulbs in mine for over 2 months and have had no problems.

[jimithing412]

I've seen some painted to match side markers and was wondering where to get them? Thanks for the info!:help:

DIY or order them from http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Volkswagen&engine=2.0T&model=Golf%20V&submodel=&category=Exterior

[vlkswgnbgmn66]

thanks!

[SwissMkV]

Great write up. Took me less than 5 minutes.

[HDClown]

Is replacing the bulb necessary on parts4euro clear and smoked reflectors? Are the replacement bulbs provided just so you still have an ambler blink, and no other reason? Or is there a size/heat issue? I don't want to use the amber bulb in the clear reflector because it looks horrible IMO. I'd rather stick with the clear bulb and just have a clear blinker. I might buy stealth bulbs as an alternative.

[thirdmac10]

i just put in my smoked sidemarkers from parts4euro...i replaced the bulbs just because i figured they came with them for a reason but i understand what you mean with the clear markers.

anyway, great DIY, so easy to install. under 5 mins.

[ünpimptheauto]

Just an update, 2 years later.

The clear reflectors seen in my original DIY are now turning a yellowish color. They are no longer as clear as they once were when new.

To give you an idea about outdoor exposure, the car is garaged every night, and in 2 years of ownership, I now have 6300 miles on it (yeah, we don't drive it much).

I've ordered the color matched ones from ESE Tuning. Hopefully they'll hold up longer than 2 years.

[chowmeiniac]

thanks for the diy. ill be using it when mine come in.

[Skeletor]

FLAWLESS VICTORY

[phil2.5]

Me i bought them from parts4euro.com free shipping !!!! Smoked sidemarkers. thanks for the awsome DIY !!!!

[BaltazarQc]

I'm going to have the lowers on my GTI painted CW. I was wonder if I could just take out both of them sidemarker as you did, and make them paint it while they are painting the lowers?

Do they need a clear coat?
Do you think it's legal in Canada?
Will the light be visible through the paint?

thank you for this great DIY! :thumbsup:

[BigTuna]

Do they need a clear coat? Yes. They need it to match properly and to be durable enough so as not to chip.

Do you think it's legal in Canada? The laws are different from province to province, but I have yet to see a provincial highway traffic act where colour matched side markers are legal. Check your highway traffic act. It will tell you where the amber side markers must be located on your vehicle.

Will the light be visible through the paint? Yes, but leaving your bulbs in will usually cause bubbling, cracking, and possibly cause the colour of the markers to change over time due to heat. The bulbs will also look horrible if left in.

[AAR32]

Is this the same process for the R?

[def_KV]

just painted mine with plastic dip.....looks pretty good and still shines yellow so im happy :D

[avonord]

Thanks so much. The DIY was very useful. But I found that I couldn't take the side markers off simply by pushing on it. Instead, I got myself a plastic ruler. I used a corner of the ruler to pry the other side (closest to the door) while pushing on the side marker as illustrated. Easy as cake! :)

[mkvhitam]

Same as the guy above me.. is it really that hard to push the reflector out? anw thanks for the guide

[avonord]

You have to push really really hard. That's why I suggested using something to pry it while pushing. I used the corner of a plastic ruler.

[SwissMkV]

As long as you use the right force on the correct side then it should come out with no problem. Don't be scared of pushing, I have done so more than 10 times so far (stock->clear->colormatched) and still works great.

[mkvhitam]

Thanks for the DIY. been really helpful.:thumbsup:

I did my dark sidemarkers a few weeks ago. really lovin the dark look.:thumbup:

[Psy GTI]

my clear ones are turning yellow too after parking outside every day for 5 months. thinking about color matching

[[JÄCKRÄBBIT]]

It wasn't that hard to push it, exactly how he explained in the DIY is exactly how I did it and it took me like 30 seconds for each side.

I bought smoked ones off ebay and they fit perfectly and look flawless.

Thank you for this DIY, I was pushing on the wrong side and I had to come back to this thread to confirm which side I should be pushing lol.

[Seanner]

Subscribing to this thread for when I pick up my smoked markers next week. I think I'll get the smoked side mirror signal covers as well. I'm off to find a DIY for those too.

[kazaam]

my clear ones are turning yellow too after parking outside every day for 5 months. thinking about color matching

is anyone having problems with the Parts4Euro clear side markers turning yellow, or is it only the ECS clear markers? i have a 07 white rabbit and i dunno if the smoked lights will look good, thought clear or color matched is the way to go....