Sidemarkers !

[emulous]

and this is why i bought oem ones to be color matched

Unfortunately I don't want mine color matched, I wanted clear, but at this rate, I'll stick with the oem amber ones.

I'll see and report back what I hear from ECS, hopefully they will handle this professionally.

[Greg_VIR]

I also have quality and fitment issues with the ECS smoked side markers. And have actually had issues on both my first and second shipment. In all fairness, ECS has worked with me up to this point, but I did want to make people aware of the issues I have.

In the first set, the right (passenger) lens was scratched:



ECS immediately sent a replacement set, but the second left (driver) lens had foreign material embedded in it:



So between the two sets, I ended up with one left and one right sidemarker that are cosmetically good. However, neither has very good fitment in comparison to the OEM parts.

The left one sits pronounced and only loosely snaps in place:



The right one is pronounced on the front lower corner but does snap more securely in place:



And I also wanted to point out that the statement on ECS' webpage, "ECS light housings are ultrasonically welded to seal them tight", is misleading and/or inaccurate. Of the 4 pieces I received, none of them were air tight (simply blowing into the light bulb opening to test).

At this point I am leery to try a third set from ECS. APTuning is working on fitment issues with theirs. So far I have only seen positive comments about the ones from OEMPlus (johannes post #25):

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...r-Side-Markers

[DerGolfGTI]

My clear ones do not fit perfectly either - especially around at the front corners. Not as bad as some people posted - no wobble or anything, but they are not perfectly flush like the OEM amber ones.

When I've purchased smoked or clear Hella and Valeo markers in the past, the fit has always been perfect. Perhaps an OEM manufacturer will offer these for the Golf R - I would guess the ECS ones are fab'd in Asia by an aftermarket company.

I'm hoping ECS might have gotten a bad batch and can replace these with ones whose fitments is closer to stock.

If these are as good as the aftermarket ones get, I may consider getting stock ones color matched instead.

[usurpers26]

Bahhhh...I thought the "scratches and embedded debris" look was because mine were still wrapped. Took them out and sure enough, same thing. Also have a small chunk missing around the edge of the left one

I sent ECS an email to begin the RMA process...

Looks like OEM is the only way to go. Guess I'll go color matched or maybe try the laminix route.

I also have quality and fitment issues with the ECS smoked side markers. And have actually had issues on both my first and second shipment. In all fairness, ECS has worked with me up to this point, but I did want to make people aware of the issues I have.

In the first set, the right (passenger) lens was scratched:



ECS immediately sent a replacement set, but the second left (driver) lens had foreign material embedded in it:



So between the two sets, I ended up with one left and one right sidemarker that are cosmetically good. However, neither has very good fitment in comparison to the OEM parts.

The left one sits pronounced and only loosely snaps in place:



The right one is pronounced on the front lower corner but does snap more securely in place:



And I also wanted to point out that the statement on ECS' webpage, "ECS light housings are ultrasonically welded to seal them tight", is misleading and/or inaccurate. Of the 4 pieces I received, none of them were air tight (simply blowing into the light bulb opening to test).

At this point I am leery to try a third set from ECS. APTuning is working on fitment issues with theirs. So far I have only seen positive comments about the ones from OEMPlus (johannes post #25):

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...r-Side-Markers

[brakedust]

I ordered a set of clears, just got them yesterday, I will go and install them right now ... I'll take pictures

[CALICSGR]

Just got mine but haven't opened them. Guess I'll be sending them back.

[brakedust]

well I just installed mine and it's not 100%, maybe like 95-99% fit ...

Left side:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RQKbDJQ3FM

Right side:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJcNQQ_HmvI

Front view:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wCkTlJ4Jfk

I think for myself, they fit great ... it's not 100%, but it's good enough if you look at the close up video.

[ECS Tuning]

All of the side markers we have tested with no issues. This could be variations in bumpers.

Please anyone with issues please contact:

customerservice@ecstuning.com

[Bakerrrr]

How are these coming out -_- I only looked quickly, but I don't have the little access panel in the fender well. Do I have to pull the liner back to get to them?

[Dutchmastr9]

How are these coming out -_- I only looked quickly, but I don't have the little access panel in the fender well. Do I have to pull the liner back to get to them?

you need to pull out a couple of screws in the fender liner, then pull the liner back so you can reach in and grab the lights

[Bakerrrr]

Ah. I'll do that when I get it back I suppose.

[Peteski]

All of the side markers we have tested with no issues. This could be variations in bumpers.

Please anyone with issues please contact:

customerservice@ecstuning.com

All emails sent to the above address bounce back undelivered.

I tried, Gmail, hotmail and my Corp email...

-Peter

[ECS Tuning]

All emails sent to the above address bounce back undelivered.

I tried, Gmail, hotmail and my Corp email...

-Peter

Sorry about that, one extra g got typed in

customerservice@ecstuning.com

[usurpers26]

I am guessing their email domain is ecstuning.com and not ecstunging.com

All emails sent to the above address bounce back undelivered.

I tried, Gmail, hotmail and my Corp email...

-Peter

[CALICSGR]

All emails sent to the above address bounce back undelivered.

I tried, Gmail, hotmail and my Corp email...

-Peter

The package my markers were shipped in say they are for a MKV golf. Do we know the MKV and MKVI are the same?

Either way, it's disconcerting that so many people are having issues.

[ECS Tuning]

The package my markers were shipped in say they are for a MKV golf. Do we know the MKV and MKVI are the same?

Either way, it's disconcerting that so many people are having issues.

MKV models and the Golf R do take the same side markers.

Anyone dissatisfied please PM me or sent an email and we will get you taken care of!


Andy

[VWPDX]

I ordered the ECS tuning lights and installed them this weekend. The bond between the reflector and the base is not perfectly uniform. This appears to be the primary cause of the uneven nature of the installs we have been seeing. Unfortunatley, I didn't take pictures before the install. The base however snaps in tight and is perfectly secure. My left is slightly more noticeable though both sides don't seat as flush as the stock reflector. With my CSG car, the smoked signals blend in very well though. On the magged picture, you can tell the lower edge has a little lip. Again the left side is a little more noticeable, but it's more of the same. Overall I don't think it is noticeable enough to worry about. If I had a different color combo though, I might not be satisfied.

[emulous]

MKV models and the Golf R do take the same side markers.

Anyone dissatisfied please PM me or sent an email and we will get you taken care of!


Andy

I emailed at 10AM CST on 3/3/2012 and still haven't gotten anything but an automated reply. How long do you all take to respond to an email?

[BORA1.8T]

MKV models and the Golf R do take the same side markers.

Anyone dissatisfied please PM me or sent an email and we will get you taken care of!


Andy

Perfect... GTI MKV and 12 GOlf R uses the same side markers ??

[brakedust]

similar part numbers but not the same ... I don't know why OEMplus sidemarkers fit better .. but I'd hit them up with info. I would have ordered another set from OEMplus, but their ridiculous shipping charge of $16 for a $45 item, makes it

$45 shipped from ECS and fit is 95% ... I'd say good enough ..

[groverone]

Please tell me they didn't drill your bumper for the plate holder... Or you asked them too...

[VWPDX]

Please tell me they didn't drill your bumper for the plate holder... Or you asked them too...

They did drill my bumper. I didn't ask them to and I didn't ask them not to.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[groverone]

They did drill my bumper. I didn't ask them to and I didn't ask them not to.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

As long as you don't care, that is what matters! Car looks great by the way!

[CALICSGR]

I ordered the ECS tuning lights and installed them this weekend. The bond between the reflector and the base is not perfectly uniform. This appears to be the primary cause of the uneven nature of the installs we have been seeing. Unfortunatley, I didn't take pictures before the install. The base however snaps in tight and is perfectly secure. My left is slightly more noticeable though both sides don't seat as flush as the stock reflector. With my CSG car, the smoked signals blend in very well though. On the magged picture, you can tell the lower edge has a little lip. Again the left side is a little more noticeable, but it's more of the same. Overall I don't think it is noticeable enough to worry about. If I had a different color combo though, I might not be satisfied.

Thanks for posting. I have a CSG and I'm really looking forward to installing some sidemarkers. That said, I won't install the ones from ECS because that fitment is just not acceptable. Everything else I've gotten from ECS has been fine, but then again they were just marked up OEM parts so there's no reason they shouldn't be fine.

[retired]

Has anyone just smoked the stock ones?Since no one can seem to find smoked one they are happy with.

[JosephHatfield]

Has anyone just smoked the stock ones?Since no one can seem to find smoked one they are happy with.

Or how about Lamin-X?
http://www.lamin-x.com/VW-Golf-R-10-...-p/vw427-1.htm

[GenMan]

Never used it but thinking of giving it a shot. I have a spare set of OEM ones to try it on.



http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/niteshades/

[OaktownDad]

I put them on last night. The quality was fine (no scratches, no imperfections) but the fit is not great. The color is better than the straight yellow but if I had to do it over again I'd wait until someone offers a better fitting version, and I'd go clear or color-matched.

And yeah yeah I know, she needs a bath.

[bsmith75]

Or how about Lamin-X?
http://www.lamin-x.com/VW-Golf-R-10-...-p/vw427-1.htm

I Lamin-X'd the stock markers last month. Works fine for me and kept that OEM fit. Cost like $7.

There is the slight ring of orange around the edge, but I am pretty sure I could prevent it next time by not being as aggressive with the razor-blade when trimming excess.

B.

[CALICSGR]

I put them on last night. The quality was fine (no scratches, no imperfections) but the fit is not great. The color is better than the straight yellow but if I had to do it over again I'd wait until someone offers a better fitting version, and I'd go clear or color-matched.

And yeah yeah I know, she needs a bath.

No offense, but those look really bad. The color is tinged, and the fit is totally off. I'm trying to send my unopened set back to ECS, but they still haven't replied to my customer service inquiry. I ordered a set from OEM Plus, since I've heard better things about their product. If those suck too, I'm just going to run them until I can get the OEM orange markers color matched.

Why did VW even put these ugly markers on our cars? Ugh.


BTW, does anybody have a picture of the smoked sidemarkers with the lights on? Thanks.

[Dutchmastr9]

Why did VW even put these ugly markers on our cars? Ugh.

because the US government requires amber sidemarkers

[CALICSGR]

because the US government requires amber sidemarkers

I've seen plenty of cars without any sidemarkers in the bumper, which leads me to believe the sidemarkers are not required by law, but if they are installed, they must be amber or clear. So I'm still asking, why did VW install those sidemarkers at all?

[MonkeyMagic!]

I've seen plenty of cars without any sidemarkers in the bumper, which leads me to believe the sidemarkers are not required by law, but if they are installed, they must be amber or clear. So I'm still asking, why did VW install those sidemarkers at all?

They are required by law. It would have been cheaper for VW to not have manufactured a new bumper with cutouts for side markers, they didn't do it to make US cars look worse

For cars without bumper side-markers you will see they are built into the headlight housings.

[Dutchmastr9]

I've seen plenty of cars without any sidemarkers in the bumper, which leads me to believe the sidemarkers are not required by law, but if they are installed, they must be amber or clear. So I'm still asking, why did VW install those sidemarkers at all?

these cars prob have an amber reflector built into the side of the headlight. why the germans dont do this is beyond me but i assure you all cars in the us are required to have some sort of amber reflector on the side

[lovecarsDrV]

these cars prob have an amber reflector built into the side of the headlight. why the germans dont do this is beyond me but i assure you all cars in the us are required to have some sort of amber reflector on the side

My Audi has the amber reflector built into the headlight assembly - I hate it