Motoring Discussion > The cost of light Miscellaneous
Thread Author: CGNorwich Replies: 19
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 Tue 30 Sep 25 21:23 
 The cost of light - CGNorwich
My VW is fitted with their LED "Matrix " headlights. they are truly amazing and easily the best lights I have ever had on any car. They make driving at night a pleasure.

BUT

I've just found how much they cost to replace: £2,240 for each unit!!!

And to thing we used to be able to just buy a new bulb from Halfords for a fiver.
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 Tue 30 Sep 25 22:21 
 The cost of light - Ted

Phew ! Bring back dim-dips in the city. This is the reason so many of us oldsters don't..and can't drive at night, especially on rural A roads !

Ted
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 11:47 
 The cost of light - Robin O'Reliant
>>
>> Phew ! Bring back dim-dips in the city. This is the reason so many of
>> us oldsters don't..and can't drive at night, especially on rural A roads !
>>
>> Ted
>>

I loved those. Too sensible to catch on though, with this "More is better" attitude people seem to have with safety devices like lights.
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 Tue 30 Sep 25 22:33 
 The cost of light - Kevin
They're a bit more complicated than a Halfords bulb.

The control unit has be coded to suit each headlamp and the electronics in the lamp has to drive each LED component individually to ensure consistant brightness and colour. Plus there's temperature controls and cooling.

It's still one helluva markup on what I'd expect the design, manufacturing and calibration costs to be.

I have the adaptive (matrix) units described in this article.

www.hella.com/techworld/uk/technical/automotive-lighting/bmw-led-lamps/
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 01:37 
 The cost of light - Terry
Car manufacturers will be very aware that the most vulnerable component after the front bumper is the light unit - why miss a profit opportunity for replacements.

The mark up on cost is outrageous - possibly 5-10 times the manufacturing or bought in cost.

I doubt such complexity is necessary. Perhaps there is a market for either copy units at a quarter of the price, or a more simple solution - a conventional headlamp unit which fits in place of the OEM part, connected to a simple 12V supply, and uses bulbs courtesy of Halfords.
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 07:57 
 The cost of light - sherlock47
Do they get regarded as a wear and tear item? Does the manufacturers 'warranty' apply 3,5,7 or 10 years ? Can you apply consumer rights legislation and pursue the retailer if they fail early?
This could kill the second hand trade if seller becomes liable.

Domestic LED bulbs have a finite failure rate and they do not have sophisticated electronic controls built in.

Cheap copies will not be CE marked and should fail an MoT.

I doubt that a conventional incandescent unit could be be made to fit the exotic physical profile of some of the latest designs.

In the old days you could just add a row of spot lights on the front bumper bar:)
Last edited by: sherlock47 on Wed 1 Oct 25 at 08:00
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 08:00 
 The cost of light - Zero

>> I doubt such complexity is necessary. Perhaps there is a market for either copy units
>> at a quarter of the price, or a more simple solution - a conventional headlamp
>> unit which fits in place of the OEM part, connected to a simple 12V supply,
>> and uses bulbs courtesy of Halfords.

Err, No. You would a: Have to replace both (UK construction and Use/Mot regulations). b:replace wiring and switches. c:design and fit suspension components (self leveling requirements)

even then the light output would fail your first MOT as the shape /size of lamp unit wont work with incandesent bulbs.
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 11:18 
 The cost of light - Heidfirst
I also have "matrix" LED headlights on my Corolla TS & whilst I do like them very much I am also aware of the potential replacement costs.
I suspect that it may potentially be a nascent market for the scrotes that go about stealing parts from cars :(
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 13:05 
 The cost of light - Zero

>> I suspect that it may potentially be a nascent market for the scrotes that go
>> about stealing parts from cars :(

Some Porsche drivers are already aware, coming back to find wings and bonnet cut apart and missing headlights.
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 13:46 
 The cost of light - CGNorwich
If various reports are correct they seem to be being stolen as much for cannabis cultivation as for resale.
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 13:53 
 The cost of light - Ethanedwards
I have LED Matrix lights on my Mokka-e. They are really pricey but still half the cost of the VW units the OP mentioned. Think we are being ripped off. Fully agree about the superb performance of the units.
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 14:40 
 The cost of light - Boxsterboy
>> I have LED Matrix lights on my Mokka-e. They are really pricey but still half
>> the cost of the VW units the OP mentioned. Think we are being ripped off.
>> Fully agree about the superb performance of the units.
>>

Yes my wife has them on your Mokka-e's Italian cousin - Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica. They are superb!
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 14:26 
 The cost of light - Zero
>> If various reports are correct they seem to be being stolen as much for cannabis
>> cultivation as for resale.

Yeah, weedy halogen bulbs dont cut it.
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 17:22 
 The cost of light - Ted

Well, Mr Smug here has a spare 7 inch sealed beam in the workshop ! Open air motoring, no tax or MOT, insurance £15 a month comp. The old girl cruises at 65/70, has a petrol reserve and gets me about ok.

What's not to like ?

Ted
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 18:37 
 The cost of light - Zero
>>
>> Well, Mr Smug here has a spare 7 inch sealed beam in the workshop !

Sealed beams? sperm of the devil, I have davey lamps that light the road better.
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 19:39 
 The cost of light - tyrednemotional
>>
>> I have davey lamps that light the road better.....
>>

....with them I can spot buses from at least 3 feet. ;-)
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 22:12 
 The cost of light - bathtub tom
>> Sealed beams? sperm of the devil, I have davey lamps that light the road better.

Never driven behind 35W, 6V headlamps then?
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 22:17 
 The cost of light - Ted

They're all spoilt now, Tubby !

Ted
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 Wed 1 Oct 25 22:37 
 The cost of light - Zero
>> Never driven behind 35W, 6V headlamps then?

I did have a Lambo with 6v electrics.

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Lambretta LD150

Never owned a car with it tho. Thats 52 years of car ownership.
Last edited by: Zero on Wed 1 Oct 25 at 22:38
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 Fri 3 Oct 25 09:27 
 The cost of light - sherlock47
>> Never driven behind 35W, 6V headlamps then?

Or old style Yellow RH dip for continental driving!

The French version of 24 hr dim dip. But marginally better than coloured beam deflectors.
Last edited by: sherlock47 on Fri 3 Oct 25 at 09:28
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