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difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:03 am
by 8etty 8ongo
hi, ive noticed that some bongos have the rear light clusters made up of clear, red, clear and yet mine is clear, red, amber. why is this and what are they all. think i would like to change the amber to clear if i could.

Re: difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:24 am
by rita
Hi,

Plenty of clear/red/clear available,remember you will need amber bulbs.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... Categories

Cheers.

Re: difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:56 pm
by 8etty 8ongo
rita wrote:Hi,

Plenty of clear/red/clear available,remember you will need amber bulbs.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... Categories

Cheers.
thanks for that, the amber bulb makes sense (thats where i was confused) is it easy to swap them over?

Re: difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:06 pm
by mikeWalsall
The 'clear' indicators seem to go better with the 'clear' rear panel ..

Image

You can also get silvered bulbs that are 'invisible' behind the clear lens but still flash amber ..

Re: difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:22 pm
by 8etty 8ongo
mikeWalsall wrote:The 'clear' indicators seem to go better with the 'clear' rear panel ..

Image

You can also get silvered bulbs that are 'invisible' behind the clear lens but still flash amber ..
hi, ok i have ordered some new rear light clusters (being of work is lethal) - where would i get these silvered bulbs>

Re: difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:27 pm
by mikeWalsall
Most car shops ..Halfrads .. Ebay .. look better as you do not get the orange 'fried egg' look through the glass..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E30-E46-E ... 35b478a711

Re: difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:57 pm
by 8etty 8ongo
mikeWalsall wrote:Most car shops ..Halfrads .. Ebay .. look better as you do not get the orange 'fried egg' look through the glass..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E30-E46-E ... 35b478a711
are these definitely the right ones or should i wait till my lights arrive and check?

Re: difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:59 pm
by 8etty 8ongo
mikeWalsall wrote:The 'clear' indicators seem to go better with the 'clear' rear panel ..

Image

You can also get silvered bulbs that are 'invisible' behind the clear lens but still flash amber ..
i know what you mean, my rear tailgate reflector is amber but is booked in to be resprayed the same dark grey as below it (where the handles are) so think it should look ok.
hope im not making things difficult for the upcoming mot :roll: :roll: :roll:

Re: difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 4:25 pm
by mikeWalsall
The link I put up on the silvered bulbs was just an example of the style ... it maybe better to check on the position of the pins on your bulbs as some are 'off set' differently ..

I have used both the silvered bulbs and the LED type ...

In my opinion .. some of the LEDs are not overly bright in strong sunlight ..

Re: difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 4:37 pm
by Simon Jones
The reflector panel is not really a proper reflector so not part of the MOT. There are some Bongos that dont have that panel at all & there is no issue as the light clusters have the mandatory reflectors in them. It only get tricky when the light clusters are tinted or otherwise tinkered with.

Re: difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 5:06 pm
by 8etty 8ongo
mikeWalsall wrote:The link I put up on the silvered bulbs was just an example of the style ... it maybe better to check on the position of the pins on your bulbs as some are 'off set' differently ..I have used both the silvered bulbs and the LED type ...

In my opinion .. some of the LEDs are not overly bright in strong sunlight ..
righto thanks for that :D , they should be getting delivered tomorrow so can have a look then..

Re: difference in rear light clusters

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 5:10 pm
by 8etty 8ongo
Simon Jones wrote:The reflector panel is not really a proper reflector so not part of the MOT. There are some Bongos that dont have that panel at all & there is no issue as the light clusters have the mandatory reflectors in them. It only get tricky when the light clusters are tinted or otherwise tinkered with.
thanks simon, that was going to be my next question. our golf has just gone through its mot today and so i was reading up on the reflectors thing and was a bit worried about getting the tailgate sprayed but have noticed the different backs on the bongos so thought it must be ok :) :)