R32 Full LED Headlight Installation

Rather than doing a headlight restoration on the R32, I wanted to install upgraded LED headlights. These are custom headlights from VXtuning. I like the LED vs HID for a clean light output. We could have restored the headlights, but they are still outdated lights. This LeD headlight setup replaces all the bulbs with LEDs, and has glass lenses. They are an amazing improvement over the OEM lights.
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[@HumbleMechanic]

What do you guys think of these headlights? Don't worry I wont be running around with silly colored lights.. ;)

[@spikeshostagetv5935]

You can if you want to drive around with colored head lights

[@W1llN4sh]

HumbleMechanic Love the new lights 👍🏻.. I have Hella Celis in mine.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks1

[@michaelblacktree]

Those lights look pretty cool. I wish my Jetta had Golf headlights.

[@alexanderheling2057]

Agree, Golf headlights look pretty shnazzy!!!!

[@blockbertus]

I am pretty sure the german TÜV would be happy to NOT allow those! ;-D

[@HumbleMechanic]

Hahaha “off road use only” 😂😂

[@coses4957]

@@HumbleMechanic Off road use of a car is not allowed, you may install them in your garage.

[@brucepeters5100]

My mk4 came with OEM lights like these. They were an option except mine does not have all the tricks that your one has. Mine are self adjusting as the car has level sensors front and rear.

[@FluppKey]

@@brucepeters5100 These are original xenon headlights.

[@ichewtoast111]

HumbleMechanic haha hope you have covers for those lights

[@papajohnscookie]

I don't even own an r32 but like watching somebody do a job properly! They really change the look of the car

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks. I’m super excited about them

[@arthurvrt3739]

The quality of your DIY videos is downright excellent. Please continue to do what you do!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks so much!!!

[@Scouter98]

OEM light output wasnt bad at all. If you wanted best possible light output you should have bought HID lights. Right now im ordering 4TL-R HID projectors for my c5 audi. Hopefully they will fit and make a difference because 90s HIDs are dangerously bad.

[@jdubsvr6]

Huh? Morimoto product is not bad at all. I've retrofitted some OEM MK4 R32 headlights with morimoto projectors and they are top notch @ 5000K bi-xenon.

[@Scouter98]

@@jdubsvr6 Well yea, thats what i said, xenon beats LED

[@UnfocusedRacing]

Make me appreciate my Focus headlights. Two torx screws and a wire connector per side.

[@computiNATEor]

Agreed, my E39 is a walk in the park compared to this. Five wire connectors, four screws, and the headlight comes out. Adjust the aim, done.

[@kylesonsalla7620]

My F150 is 1 torx on each marker light, 2 clips you pull by hand for the headlight.

[@blockbertus]

Yeah, but how often do you need to change your headlights? Not the bulbs!

[@kylesonsalla7620]

@@blockbertus On a lot of cars you have to pull the headlight housing to change the bulb. Inconsequential which you have to change when the whole unit has to come out anyways.

[@doublejmotorwerks]

6:46 Lol. Very nice head lights and great video.

[@stevesje71]

Great video Charles! I recently changed one of my headlights on a U.K. spec r32. They are xenon as standard over here and you have to set up the aim via VCDS.

[@Full_Metal_Angel]

ok so i helped my friends put sets of LED headlights on both their cars and can i just say. Yes this was a Good idea especially since they're what 15 years old? my mates were only 8 or so years and they still wanted a change so i respect this so much. good one charles. these videos are top quality by the way.

[@jackpot3928]

I would like to work with you on these cars , im learning to be a mechanic , i learned a lot about car parts watching your videos if i could it would be the best thing to work with you. Btw nice work on these new headlights , im a VW , Bmw and Mercedes mechanic thats all i learned about the cars in the future i think i will learn a lot more. :)

[@golfdubcrazy]

Great Vid, crazy the spec difference between the uk/euro spec and the US, all the uk came with xenons and headlight washers as std

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Great work! Now is the perfect time to apply a UV headlight sealant. 👍

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yep I got some Lamin-x coming

[@joeyreed5439]

Those lights look awesome, someone at my work has an mk4 R32, I'm going to show him this video

[@HumbleMechanic]

Heck yeah!!! Thanks for that

[@emotionalintelligence776]

I can understand the appeal and ease of plug n play. But for that price of admission, I can easily build 2 HID sets of lights and be just as happy if not more so.

[@diaboliketrackfreak3014]

another great vídeo,i bought a 1.9 TDI 1 year ago and the high beam sucks,need to change them too

[@Adrian_Nel]

Here's a suggestion; if you're going to sell or give away your old lights, clean them before you take them off the car - the car will hold them nicely while you buff away.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yeah those are a pain to clean and hold LOL

[@TheHutts]

They will haze over in a few months anyway. The plastic lenses suck on these cars. once they haze over you will fight it until you replace it with glass lenses.

[@willyqueen4066]

Thanks great video and the lights look great. The blue go good with the car

[@gplusgplus2286]

These R32 wheels are awesome. Found a great deal on them, only to discover that no Audi center caps exist for these.

[@nickolastiguan]

Your logo on the projector is dope af

[@TheMainMan318]

My projectors from VXT are supposed to be coming this month too. So excited

[@InCountry6970]

Are you talking about the GEN2 lights, LED projectors and plug and play. VXT web site still is not taking orders and they keep saying the GEN2 lights are coming.

[@felipeengelmann9636]

Hey man! Awesome video! Great job. Quick weird question, what did you do with the old headlights? I need the back covers of both headlights. The previous owner drilled holes in mine to install xenon lights and I have been looking for these covers everywhere. If you have those and want to sell, I’m interested, or if you could confirm the part number it could help too. Thanks!

[@d4jmo]

They look mint mate really clean 👍🇬🇧

[@johnjohn5137]

I definitely gonna get them for my golf

[@Genesis385]

I like how you worded your intro to your aiming procedure. 🙂 it’s good that you put effort in unlike plenty of people, but standard procedure is technically 25 feet.

[@Genesis385]

But I digress. They’re a very nice touch to the car and aside from the lens etching, I doubt any randoms around town would even know they aren’t factory. 😎

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks! That was sort of what I wanted. VERY close to OEM, but a little something extra.

[@Genesis385]

HumbleMechanic I like em. 🙂 I’m planning to be crazy and build some for my FG2 Civic Si. Using Nissan Murano projectors, clear projector lenses, tuning the lenses for best sharpness and intensity, and I’ll be doing the same thing and making them look as factory as possible. I’ll be using a set of hella gen 3 ballasts and standard 85122 osram D2S bulbs.

[@stephenprice7502]

Nice job Charles. Really cleans up the front of the R32!

[@HumbleMechanic]

It really does. She will be going to my buddy for a full on fresh in the next week or 2 '

[@mk6_csg978]

They look badass Charles 🔥👍🏼

[@TenB33rs]

Hi! I'm Charles, the Not So Humble Mechanic....Today, I again do something totally awesome!! ;0)

[@HumbleMechanic]

HAHAHA

[@cc2431]

Neat! Too bad LED headlights don't pass VA inspection This reminds me of my 6th Gen Maxima, bumper has to come off too. Let's just say there was some left over bolts after replacement

[@HumbleMechanic]

Really? Would you have to know the car wasn’t equipped with LEDs from the factory?

[@fredjones5327]

Very nice!!! LOVE them!!!!

[@flech3025]

That light pattern on the new lights looks really strange. It makes me wonder if those projectors are designed to work with the LED bulbs in them. It might be worth it to replace the LED bulbs with better quality halogen bulbs.

[@toddn.3123]

I agree... very strange beam pattern. There isn't many if any aftermarket low beam LED kits that work as good as HIDs in a projected housing. I would love to know what bulbs are being used

[@jackMcRyder]

Sweet video! I don't even have that but I hope to use some of this! And yes you're giving some great ad to the headlights guy gave me an idea where to getfrom ;)

[@BigDaddysGarage]

What are "city" lights?

[@ChelllBelle]

What’s the exact link to the headlights? We’re only finding HIDs, not LEDs.

[@InCountry6970]

Those Gen2 LED lights have been promised for years and nothing. VXTuning seem nice, but no phone number and very hard to get answers

[@ChelllBelle]

So it seems. :(

[@zeuss1353]

but these are the vxt retrofits not the vxt gen2 or gen1 because the glass ball thing is bigger. look at the website

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

How are the new headlights working out for you? Did you get around to adjusting them? If not, or maybe you can do a video on adjusting the lights. Also maybe a video on cleaning the foggy headlights. I am told in your industry they are called cateract headlights.

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

Maybe you should do a video on light alignment.

[@camryle5590]

I agree

[@brandonfoss9445]

Those Milwaukee ratchets are badass aren't they Charles

[@HumbleMechanic]

YEP! Love mine !

[@brandonfoss9445]

@@HumbleMechanic same

[@KC-lu7vo]

Congrats on the new headlights. Going to plastic covers was I think was a big mistake. All they did was create a new industry to solve a problem the OEM created. My mk3 VW 1998 Jetta has glass and still looks ok, My mk5 VW 2007 Rabbit is starting to look like yours.

[@MagnetbergOfficial]

My 2 MK4 have glass headlights

[@jp2246]

quite nice! the ambers on the old light pods kind of look dated, so nice upgrade

[@garthor]

Those are rad... I need to find some mk3's like that... =D

[@thenhraguy4935]

Where did you get those at ????? Them are GNARLY!!!!!!!!U should sighn the old ones and send them to me . 💪💪💪💪

[@HumbleMechanic]

LOL Check out VXtuning!

[@JaguarDieCast]

I have removed that front end so many times on my car I could do it with my eyes closed. Those guys make awesome headlights. I'm too poor to buy them though :(

[@HumbleMechanic]

That's how I feel about the front of the R and the Passat. LOL

[@georgebayley8093]

Hey Charles I noticed you never mentioned the headlight leveling switch on the dashboard. Can it be used for light adjustment?

[@InCountry6970]

Very cool indeed. Those Gen2 lights are great. I have been patiently waiting for VXT to make those fo the rest of us. It has been a long time coming, about two years plus UPDATE: Now near end of April 2021 and still no lights

[@hapjoy16]

UPDATE: JULY 2, 2021 NO LIGHTS

[@hapjoy16]

@@InCountry6970 I know and this whole thing has exhausted my patience entirely!!! 2 Years 🤬

[@hijack3]

These are not Gen2, looks like the earlier prototype

[@trentoncasey4247]

Did you have to do the fog light wiring for your R?

[@minkodima]

Charles, is this Jazz Blau LW5Z color or Technische Blau? on your r32? and how about using stock but euro lights which have a glass instead of plastic front?

[@autovmcomposites9997]

Looks great. In germany it would be forbidden for sure.... Thats why i love the usa 🇺🇸

[@brianskinner4328]

I think that it looks awesome. Are you planning to do it on the other vehicles you have

[@HumbleMechanic]

I probably need to update the lighting on the GTI. I’m not sure exactly what I’m gonna go yet

[@Westyy5493]

Love the mod!😎 And as usual top standard crystal clear step by step, keep it up ma man! Btw I've wondered, why don't the US R32's come with xenon headlights? Is there a law or?

[@HumbleMechanic]

I don't know why, but it's silly that the didn't.

[@Westyy5493]

@@HumbleMechanic very silly indeed! But hey ho 🎈

[@elvergalarga3182]

Damn, that's a lot of work but those headlights look nice.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks I’m super happy with them

[@dukagjin2850]

Please can help me if you but headlight from normal to just like this maybe i neded to change connector or somethink or just un plug and plug new one

[@ACardboardLlama]

I have a question if you don't mind. A good friend of mine is wanting me to help him polish the headlights on his R32. I am familiar with polishing but I told him we would need to remove the headlights. He is too afraid to remove them because of the auto-leveling feature. I see you did not mention that in this tutorial and I'm wondering if the headlights can be removed, polished, coated, and replaced without retarding the leveling. Any advice would be great!! Thank you

[@XVxImc09oLXxX]

I cant find LED setups like this on their website? how did you do this

[@roberts.wilson1848]

"Custom" doesn't mean what you think it means. What you have there is generic stuff. (even the lens logo is generic nowadays. It was custom 4-5 years ago. Plus as a mechanic shop, when you talk about aiming headlamps you should be using the specific equipment used by the shops to correctly aim, and not the wall method

[@HumbleMechanic]

Pros know that. Most people watching this wil DIY. And I’d say any item with your logo would probably be custom.

[@francisbarrett5288]

Do you have a video about jetta camshaft i think mine is making noise did not have it checked out yet just want to know what is entailed thanks

[@shigh1854]

What torx sockets are those that you were using on the Milwaukee ratchet??

[@biggiefitz6275]

Vdub's have any can-bus issues with LED'S??? Not too familiar with the brand

[@HumbleMechanic]

Not this generation. The newer gens will have to have the proper resistance

[@biggiefitz6275]

@@HumbleMechanic Thanks for the reply!

[@stevyd6349]

Where did you get that nice orange tray from?

[@dieseld4281]

Hey bud I just picked up 2 vr6 motor for cheap. I wanted to strip it down & check everything. But what are some things I can do to get more from a vr6 motor? Was gonna do cams

[@bomfort169]

German TÜV wants to know your location

[@joelb2660]

Very Nice. I'm surprised the US market R32 didn't come with Xenons like the UK market ones did? Xenon would have been even better than a LED retrofit.

[@HumbleMechanic]

yeah It's kinda of a bummer. But makes for a fun time upgrading. LOL

[@joelb2660]

@@HumbleMechanic I've done a clear lens upgrade on my Mk5 R32 and it made a massive difference along with some fresh bulbs. Also retrofitted a set of Xenon reflectors to my mk2 Golf VR6 conversion. Xenon everything!

[@InCountry6970]

Back in 04, DOT claimed they couldn't see the turn signal when the HID (E-code) headlights were turned on. So VW had to develop another headlight system for the US. They used halogen, UGH !

[@BoKeyPunk2]

My 08 has factory HID. The wires are a mess right and looking for a solution that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg

[@francisbarrett5288]

Those look great can i get a pair for 06 Jetta tdi 1.9 ,4 door, standard?

[@alexcaccoma]

I have vxtuning light i got about 3 years ago, biggest waste of money ive ever spent. Housings are loose and jiggle over bump, ive had wires melted inside the headlight almost causing a fire and customer service is a joke (nothing but unanswered emails) Yours look sick but buyer beware, theyre not all this nice.

[@garymathe9863]

Yeah, these are the same crap I can get on ebay for less than $200.

[@kottyking]

Wow really?

[@garymathe9863]

Yeah, they're literally the exact same ones you find on ebay, but some sites like vx and ecs double or triple the price to make people think they are higher quality.

[@Imazighen_i7ourin]

جميل

[@hrabia]

How much for that Golf :D?

[@trashcan4u853]

But isn't it illegal to drive with these?

[@edyerleon8396]

Very nice fresh new eyes .💪🏼 I would to know What type of the suspension do you in it ? Coilovers or low spring . I want to upgrade my struts. But no sure what kind . Any suggestions will be appreciate thank you

[@HumbleMechanic]

I have H&R sport springs and Bilstein Shock abs. It’s very close to OEM.

[@ZylonFPV]

Nice headlights! Do you have strict rules on how they should be aimed? Here in the UK cars have to have a yearly check to be road legal and headlight misalignment is a fail

[@HumbleMechanic]

In my area they check the aim yearly. I’ll bump them down before I get it checked. Actually I don’t even worry about it until 3/2020

[@francisbarrett5288]

I need a bit of help charles i love those lights in video with your name in them but i can not find those lights for a 2006 jetta tdi mine are plastic and yellow i tried the site you gave but did not have them or i did something wrong in search ,, love your videos you are the beard of knowledge

[@docdahk5993]

Don’t see those assemblies..... am I to assume that these are the new lights for $179.99 with led bulbs?!

[@AliA-jr3iv]

Made sure to make like before i forget lol

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you!

[@milos1039]

What's the price?

[@toddn.3123]

What kind of gloves are you using?

[@AaronAnonymous]

Hey, did you see the R32 that recently sold for $44,000 on BAT?

[@mitch9894]

8100 miles!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Wow!!!! I 💜 my R but 44k. Wow!!

[@Bakhan444]

City light..?

[@jamesphilpott4241]

I like look United Kingdom bumper more as they don't have side marker. But we do have have front plates that's not as nice

[@norbybnt]

Would like to see the same mod on the b5.5 Passat 😃

[@HumbleMechanic]

Me too. My Passat lights are TOAST!

[@saulgoodman2018]

Have to remove all that crap just to change the headlights. 50 years ago, that would have taken 15 minutes.

[@sashundera91]

Hey man, did you do anything about the bulge in the dashboard(the holes which blow against the front window)? mine is the same

[@HumbleMechanic]

I haven't. I know how I want to fix it, but I don't know how to find the things I need to fix it. LOL

[@sashundera91]

@@HumbleMechanic pls make a vid! 10x

[@kalwinqhack5796]

Nice .... i want to buy with logo r32 how can i do i live in uk

[@HumbleMechanic]

I’m sure VXT can do that for you

[@zachr3274]

Wanna sell those headlights? Lol

[@HumbleMechanic]

I don’t haha

[@zachr3274]

@@HumbleMechanic they are out of stock 💔 I neeeed them ! Lol

[@deedas]

Yeah, my headlights are also beat to all hell but the whole taking the bumper cover off has turned me off from changing them, even though I already bought them. X(

[@HumbleMechanic]

Don’t let that stop you. It’s super easy. I did a video on the bumper cover for my Passat. I went in to more detail in adjusting if needed.

[@skip7243]

Wow, would have to want new headlites pretty bad to remove all that crap!

[@HumbleMechanic]

It’s about 15 minutes to swap one. It’s not too bad

[@auggiedoggie43]

will they fit my 2002 cabrio

[@HumbleMechanic]

They might. The 2002 was kind of a MK4. I would hit up Mike to be sure.

[@spikeshostagetv5935]

Wym its not humble? It says it on the head light lens

[@HumbleMechanic]

I am saying it before someone else says something like "Not very humble to have your name plastered all over your headlights" HAHAHHA

[@ahmedal-esry7357]

From where u get this head lights?

[@spikeshostagetv5935]

@@HumbleMechanic hell yea. But it is bad ass

[@HumbleMechanic]

Truth!!

[@aaronjaggan]

Hey ...I have an R logo with a stand and I would like to stick it on the front piano black grille . It came with red 3m tape but it did not last long. Can anyone suggest a good double sided tape or adhesive and that it would not damage the surface if I want to take it off later down the road? Thx

[@HumbleMechanic]

That tape works great. I’ve glued exterior moldings on with it. The trick is to clean properly and use adhesive promoter.

[@aaronjaggan]

@@HumbleMechanic the stand base is metal.. would it still work?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yep should be good

[@aaronjaggan]

@@HumbleMechanic ok cool thanks much.

[@amak1131]

Jesus, talk about over-engineered. My Saturns are 2 bolts at the top (think 10mm) and unhooking the bulbs.

[@dyllman98]

amak1131 damn you drive a Saturn 🤣

[@NevaLose94]

Changing the bulbs doesn't require taking the bumper off. Just the whole headlight does.

[@JimnyVR5]

I wish I could just put any old part on my car... but if it doesn't have a bunch of certificates and stuff, that's a big deal... thx Germany

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yall got some CRAZY laws from what I understand.

[@bazzinbulgaria4826]

It's not just in Germany...they are getting really strict here in Bulgaria too. My Mk4 TDI has the crappiest lights I've ever driven with, but It's a huge issue to have them changed for something better (more efficient).