Well the Car Mod ones I received certainly wouldn't fit for the reasons set out above, we further learn from Anzio that having got his pair to fit, they still produce an error message.

So they get returned for a refund, since they do not do what the advert claims.

The Benzinfabrik sets that some of us have bought do work and don't produce an error warning; the downside is that they have separate resistors, which have to be wired in. The attraction of the Car Mod ones was that they were claimed to have resistors built in, but clearly not effectively enough to avoid the 'bulb out' warning

The resistors supplied with the Benzinfabrik kit are not small as the attached pic shows.

I'm very happy with the outcome - and the cost is less than replacement standard glow worms

Unfortunately until my car makes its journey from Emden I have no idea what the fuss is all about. On the other hand having read recommendations here I have already purchased the Benzin LEDs - even got Winter tyres after loads of PM advice from the usual helpful contributors.

As you can imagine afer 8 months of waiting it's got lots of Christmas presents waiting for it when it does eventually arrive!!

Sandy - I was in exactly the same position last year!

Hang in there!

I've had a few niggling issues, almost all resolved but I'm still very happy with my choice - I suspect this one will be a 'keeper' unless......

Hi Guys

Looking at the Benzinfabrik LED's on EBay I note that the construction of the LED assembly is on a column of LED's. This is physically different to the single, centrally aligned filament in a lamp/reflector and so I wouldn't expect a similar beam pattern - these driving lights your buying may not give the expected light pattern you want! Can somebody produce a before/after photo in the dark of the light pattern/intensity.

The resistor looks to be in the region of a 5W size, this value of 39 ohms will draw about 0.3 amps at 12v and is sufficient to fool the CAN bus into thinking it's a typical load for a lamp. Remember to connect it in parallel with the LEDs so that the 0.3 plus >1 amp = 1.4 amps keeps the CAN bus happy. Wiring in series will not give you bright lights and it will give you error messages. BTW the resistor will be running at 3.6watts so may be warm to the touch. I would mount it clear of any temperature sensitive surfaces such as plastic.

Just my pennyworth!

Hi there,

There's a pic above (#44) showing one led and one standard bulb.

Vast improvement in visibility for approaching vehicles

There's no projected beam as such. They are not driving lights, but Daylight Running Lights as now fitted to new vehicles

Thanks for your input

The DLR's do not have a beam pattern ,they are not for lighting up the road.

The resistors in Merlinman's photo, are indead 39 ohms, but as there are 2 in parallel this would be 19.5 ohms resistance. And they look to be 10 watt.

LEDs turned up this morning :yes:

Just before the nice man from the dealership phoned me witrh a car update (first time they've done this) :clap:

Said the car had been built (knew that 3 weeks ago)

He said the car was at Emden (knew that 12 days ago)

Said it would come into the Port of Tyne (Newcastle)

Said (due to weather conditions) it could be quite a few days yet before it hitches a lift !

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LEDs turned up this morning :yes:

Just before the nice man from the dealership phoned me witrh a car update (first time they've done this) :clap:

Said the car had been built (knew that 3 weeks ago)

He said the car was at Emden (knew that 12 days ago)

Said it would come into the Port of Tyne (Newcastle)

Said (due to weather conditions) it could be quite a few days yet before it hitches a lift !

Could be a 2012 reg then?

Fingers crossed it lands OK

Fingers crossed it lands OK

That's probably put the kiss of death on getting it before Christmas!

I've even just bought a Caddy 530 trailer to tow once it arrives - that's if I ever get the sodding tow bar sorted! :wonder:

PS Sorry to go off topic :p back on topic - cannot wait to try out the LEDs

Mine arrived fine, fitted yesterday (what a pig - Size 10 hands? - you need 2BA fingers !!) BUT...

What a difference....

(and I now have 2 spares DLR bulbs to put in my spare bulb kit !!)

(...) so may be warm to the touch. I would mount it clear of any temperature sensitive surfaces such as plastic

That is probably the reason why Benzinfabrik shows this resistor part mounted outside of the DRL housing.

Mine arrived fine, fitted yesterday (what a pig - Size 10 hands? - you need 2BA fingers !!) BUT...

What a difference....

(and I now have 2 spares DLR bulbs to put in my spare bulb kit !!)

Got mine yesterday too but think I'll have to wait until the weekend before fitting (way too busy at work), along with Philips Blue Vision Ultra fog light bulbs.

PS> I have size 9 1/2 hands; will I be OK? I have a large crocodile clip that I used to good effect when changing the sidelight bulbs on my wife's Roomster; might this be of any help?

Do you have a suitable child available?

Do you have a suitable child available?

No; I have got a 19mm socket though.

Do you have a suitable child available?

Would that not be in a similar class to shoving them up a chimney?

Why, is that not allowed these days?

My LED's arrived from Germany today,just checking them over and noticed they have 47R on them not 39 as Merlinman had on his. Anyone know if this will make any difference?

Would'nt think so, as said above 2 off 39ohm resistors in parallel works out at 19.5 ohms, 47 ohm ones work out at 23.5 ohms.

Would'nt think so, as said above 2 off 39ohm resistors in parallel works out at 19.5 ohms, 47 ohm ones work out at 23.5 ohms.

Thanks for the quick reply,if the weather is ok I'll give it a go over the weekend.

This may be of interest to the technical minded. https://sites.google.com/site/1810martin/led-bulbs-and-lights

Edited 16 December, 201114 yr by Anzio

What a PIG of a job. I will never ever, ever, ever do this again. The new bulbs don't want to properly engage and I've given up trying. They still move a bit but I lost the will to live and they are as they are.

They do look good though. But for that blue glow the amount of agro to get it all done is not worth it. No way. Oh well. Lesson learnt. Next time I'll get someone to do it for me. I just hope I did not break the headlights.

What a PIG of a job. I will never ever, ever, ever do this again. The new bulbs don't want to properly engage and I've given up trying. They still move a bit but I lost the will to live and they are as they are.

They do look good though. But for that blue glow the amount of agro to get it all done is not worth it. No way. Oh well. Lesson learnt. Next time I'll get someone to do it for me. I just hope I did not break the headlights.

I confess I got someone to do them for me-took him quite a while and some fettling of the bulb bases. Came back and he said £10!! I gave him rather more as he is a good guy and is always willing to do bits, fitted my MDI and hard wired my sat nav and all for pocket money sums.

Oh dear!

Johann, sorry to hear you had a nightmare.

I did say at the outset that small hands help - which I have; agree about the bulbs locating in the holder but mine have firmly engaged and are very secure.

Pleased that the effect is acceptable and for any others yet to fit their kits - you might wish to follow JCP's lead and ask a friendly auto electrician to sort fitting for you.

Chapeau! Johann

What a PIG of a job. I will never ever, ever, ever do this again. The new bulbs don't want to properly engage and I've given up trying. They still move a bit but I lost the will to live and they are as they are.

They do look good though. But for that blue glow the amount of agro to get it all done is not worth it. No way. Oh well. Lesson learnt. Next time I'll get someone to do it for me. I just hope I did not break the headlights.

Hi, sorry to hear about the hassle you had. Did youu try my tip about the 19mm socket and short extension, it's much easier to fit and remove the bulb with after of course removing the bulb holder first.

Did you use the scotch locks or bullet connectors?

But agree, they do look good.

I'm with Johann on this one; a really difficult job. The wiring side is relatively easy but getting the bulbs seated and locked in place; argh! I eventually got them in but looking at them, using a mirror, they seem to be only partially located on the lugs.

Anyway, they are secure enough for now and road test shows OK on the 'bulb warning' front; so that will do for now.

I might possibly try the 19mm socket direct on the bulb at some stage.

Anyway; they look brilliant, certainly way brighter that the OE yellow candles only snag is that I do most of my driving in the dark at this time of year so have my headlamps on (and DRLs off).

Oh dear, not looking forward to doing this now! Mind you I still haven't got confirmation of arrival at dealership yet. It was built the third week of November!