[TheLizardKing]

Among the many DIYs that Gannu has carried out on his GT TDI, one of the most tempting ones for me was this one (VW Polo DIY: Euro-spec Tail lamps). In that thread, Gannu has shared a picture of the tail lights on the 2014 face-lift, and I decided that those were the ones I wanted for my GT TSI. And thus the journey began.

[TheLizardKing]

1. Tail Lights

Gannu had procured Euro-spec tail lights, which being the LHD version require rewiring the reverse fog and reversing lamps before use in an RHD car.



However there is no way to correct the color mismatch on the external diffusers of the LHD and RHD versions. I knew I would not be happy to live with this mismatch, and therefore decided to source the tail lights from UK/Japan/Australia.

After some searching, I finally located a seller on eBay UK who had UK-spec tail lights (bulb trays and bulbs included) for sale at £85.

(Image Credit: eBay UK)

OEM Part Numbers: 6C0 945 095 G (left) & 6C0 945 096 G (right)

Note: The tail lights ordered by me are not genuine VW parts, and are the after-market equivalent manufactured by the VW OEM Magneti Marelli (of AMT fame).

The seller offered international shipping, but the rate for India was not available. When the seller finally updated the listing (after I committed to buy the item), the shipping cost to India via FedEx was £85. I tried negotiating with the seller, but to no avail. At this point, my brain took over from my heart and I started re-evaluating my purchase decision. I asked the seller if I could cancel my order, and he was gracious enough to agree.

But the heart wants what it wants, and it was heart v. brain for the couple of days. My wife finally asked what was eating me, and suggested that I go ahead since I wanted them so badly. That made the decision a whole lot easier, and I went ahead and paid the seller.

The shipment was dispatched 4 days later, and took 7 more days to reach me. As a final surprise, I had to pay the maximum possible customs duty on the full invoice value.

Total damages: £170 (eBay) + Rs 5052 (Customs)

2. Wing Nuts

Thanks to Gannu's thread, I knew that I would need longer wing nuts for the new tail lights. I bought them on AliExpress.



OEM Part Number: 1K8 945 300
Source: AliExpress
Price: $9.44 + $3.34 shipping, for 2 nos.

[TheLizardKing]

With all the precautions I had taken upfront, I expected the installation to be a breeze. However, as with all DIYs, I ran into an unanticipated problem.

Spot the difference.

The rib on the LHS inner wall of the socket of the new tail lights is in a different position from the one inside the stock unit, and the stock connector cannot not be inserted into it.

(Image Credit)

In order to overcome this problem, I used my trusty Stanley utility knife to cut the tab (circled in red in the picture above) off the connectors. This was a minor hiccup, but it just brought home the point for me that any DIY, no matter how straightforward it may appear, can turn out to have hidden surprises.

[TheLizardKing]

Now for the part everybody has been waiting for! All pictures have been taken with my Pixel 2, and resized to under the forum limit using Microsoft Paint. Frankly, none of the pictures really do justice to how beautiful these tail lights look in action.

And here is the bonus video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwpS0PQANxg

[TheLizardKing]

There is a large gap between the front edge of both tail lights and the wall of the cavity they sit in. I have tried re-seating and re-tightening them a number of times, but am unable to reduce the gap. All other surfaces are well-matched, and there are no gaps anywhere else. I will get it checked out at the VW workshop on my next visit. Hopefully it is a fitment-related and not compatibility-related issue.

Also, while it is not technically an " installation issue", I do feel that the tail lights, for all their gorgeousness, are probably not worth how much I ended up paying for them. I understand that this is a subjective matter, of course.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[s4ch]

Looks great, many thanks for sharing! Besides the fitment issue, how does the quality hold up to the original set?

[gauravanekar]

Originally Posted by TheLizardKing

Also, while it is not technically an " installation issue", I do feel that the tail lights, for all their gorgeousness, are probably not worth how much I ended up paying for them. I understand that this is a subjective matter, of course.

Congratulations. Nicely done, I like the look very much, Polo is an eternal beauty. Subtle changes like this can take you a long way in giving a fresh look and feel. I hope after a period of time you'll feel better. Also I hope that this mod will make you keep the car for a longer period of time and thereby earning it's worth.

[TheLizardKing]

I had installed the tail lights on Tuesday night, and when I checked this morning, I was able to tighten both wing nuts by about half a turn. Fellow forum member Viraat13, who is my DIY partner-in-crime, suggested that this may have been caused by the seals softening.

The gap on the RHS tail light has completely disappeared.



The gap on the LHS tail light has also reduced a lot.

Originally Posted by s4ch

Looks great, many thanks for sharing! Besides the fitment issue, how does the quality hold up to the original set?

The tail lights are manufactured in the EU, and are of great quality. They are of better quality that the locally manufactured stock tail lights in my opinion. The detailing is superb, and finish is beautiful.

Originally Posted by gauravanekar

Congratulations. Nicely done, I like the look very much, Polo is an eternal beauty. Subtle changes like this can take you a long way in giving a fresh look and feel. I hope after a period of time you'll feel better. Also I hope that this mod will make you keep the car for a longer period of time and thereby earning it's worth.

Thank you for the kind words, gauravanekar. Ever since installing them, I spend a couple of minutes in the evening admiring the tail lights. They are striking, and I am sure they draw looks from fellow VW owners.

[s4ch]

Originally Posted by TheLizardKing

The tail lights are manufactured in the EU, and are of great quality. They are of better quality that the locally manufactured stock tail lights in my opinion. The detailing is superb, and finish is beautiful.

Thats great. Would you mind posting the links from Ebay UK? Heading there in a couple months time and may pick these up. Besides the slight issue with the connector were these completely plug and play?

[TheLizardKing]

Originally Posted by s4ch

Thats great. Would you mind posting the links from Ebay UK? Heading there in a couple months time and may pick these up.

I didn't post the link in my OP because mine was the last set available with the seller. You may contact them here, and check if they can procure a set for you. They are very responsive, and have an excellent rating on eBay. Good luck.

Originally Posted by s4ch

Besides the slight issue with the connector were these completely plug and play?

100% plug-n-play. In fact, other than the design, the only difference between the stock and the international versions is the bulb sizes, but that is just something to keep in mind when one needs to be changed.

[Viraat13]

Originally Posted by TheLizardKing

Fellow forum member Viraat13, who is my DIY partner-in-crime, suggested that this may have been caused by the seals softening.

I can say the same about you! Though partner in DIY misadventures is more suited at times.

The lights look brilliant. Very pleased for you.