Looking for a source for e codes

[irockamk2gli]

So I have beel looking for a little over a week now for e codes for a b4 I am also looking for smoked tail lights but I can't seem to find anything. Are these parts out there any more? I had no trouble last time but that was 6 years ago or so.

[izzo]

Since this is being asked on (almost) weekly basis, I believe it should be stickied/FAQ.

1. Classifieds.
2. eBay.de

[Marek K]

TMTuning.com, a company based in Berlin, Germany, offered the ECE headlights last time I could tell. The genuine German-made OEM Hella ones, for about $450.

But TMTuning might be out of business. Their web site hasn't come up in several months. They've got several videos on YouTube, but it says their last activity there was June 5, 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TMTuningdotcom

[Venkman]

ecs tuning just started carrying tyc brand ecodes for the b4

for genuine hellas either tmtuning as stated or rapid parts

[Foxtrot]

ecs tuning just started carrying tyc brand ecodes for the b4

for genuine hellas either tmtuning as stated or rapid parts

TMTuning I do believe is gone my friend. They took a bunch of peoples money and closed up their website.

Also German Autoparts has Depos at $299

Speaking of those TYC e-codes. Anybody have any experience with them. I've got a broken Depo on the drivers side (damn rock) and these at $114 are as cheap as qty. 1 cheap Hella Chinese knock off on ebay by time you pay shipping.

[ToddA1]

Those aren't in stock yet, but $128 for a pair to my door?! Incredibly tempting. I have a set of German Hellas that I need to refurb, but I may not...

I'm guessing they're calling the bulbs "hardware", when they mention not included, unless they're talking about the mounting screws. I see no mention of bulbs.

Seeing 4 pins in the socket tells me they have the city light socket, although it's not mentioned. I wonder if these are China lights.

Where are Depos made?

-Todd

[Foxtrot]

I think Depo are made in China as well, but from everything I've ready they seem to be a notch above in quality to the ebay knockoffs from the same area. I know I've had some Depo E-codes in both my mk2 and mk3 for a long time with no problems. But I bought some knockoff china VW Santana lights from ebay and you can definitely tell they are step backward in quality.

The TYC's are intriguing. Especially since alot of big box stores here in the states sell them as stock replacements. I'm hoping the quality at least going to be that of Depos.

[ToddA1]

The TYC's are intriguing. Especially since alot of big box stores here in the states sell them as stock replacements.

I've never heard of the brand, but that's a good sign. Where else have you seen the brand sold? When I hear the term "box" store, I think warehouse type store.

-Todd

[Foxtrot]

I've never heard of the brand, but that's a good sign. Where else have you seen the brand sold? When I hear the term "box" store, I think warehouse type store.

-Todd

Perhaps retail might have been a more appropriate word. I used to work for Advance Autoparts and while I worked there we used to sell TYC as our stock replacement lamps. I don't know if that is still the case now however. I even think that "maybe" either Autozone or maybe PepBoys did as well. Of course thought TYC also used to sell those really terrible Alteza Fast and Furious style tail lights as well, so take that all with a grain of salt.

[ToddA1]

I contacted ECS and they couldn't tell me too much about the lights. They told me it'd be better to wait until they had them in stock, then my questions could be answered properly.

-Todd

[ToddA1]

My set was ordered and will arrive Monday. If I stop working 70+ hours a week, maybe I'll get to install them.

I have a set of Osram Nightbreaker Plus that I bought almost a year ago, for the Hellas. Looks like they'll finally find a home.

No matter what, I'm sure they'll be way better than the stock plastic units that I currently have.

-Todd

[Foxtrot]

I got the email saying they were available, but haven't ordered them yet. I'm interested to see what you think of them when they show up.

[ToddA1]

I received my lights yesterday and unfortunately, one was damaged in shipping, so they'll be going back. ECS is sold out of the lights, so I'll be waiting a month until the next shipment arrives.

Comparing it to a German Hella, I'll definitely be ordering another set of the Taiwan TYCs. The lens design seems to be the same, as does the rear housing. The injection mold on the rear of the TYC isn't as perfect as the Hella, but what do you expect?

The inner reflector is plastic, as expected.

The bulb base for the low beam is cast and the base for the high beam is stamped, just like the Hellas. The only real difference I saw was where the ground wire for the high beam bulb, but it's no real difference.

The TYC rear low beam cover was able to work on the Hella, but not the high beam cover.

The wire gauge appears to be the same, but if I were to nitpick I'd say the Hellas were minutely larger, but it could just be more insulation.

Be aware that these are purely visual comparisons. Light pattern could be different. I took pics, but after looking at them, I didn't feel the need to post them. The lights looked very similar.

-Todd

[dustovich2]

*Edit*
Mine are B3 ecodes, missed that in the original post, was just looking at the title. oops But someone still needs to buy them.


I got a set for sale if you want em. PM me.

[dustovich2]

Since my last post didn't help too much here is one that will.
You can go to www.rpiequipped.com and they sell the legit hella lights. That is where I bought my B3 ones years ago, and they have both B3 and B4 Hella ecodes for sale there.

[Foxtrot]

Since my last post didn't help too much here is one that will.
You can go to www.rpiequipped.com and they sell the legit hella lights. That is where I bought my B3 ones years ago, and they have both B3 and B4 Hella ecodes for sale there.

I know OE Hellas are the best and all but, at $550 for a set, you can buy 4+ sets of the TYCs from ECS Tuning. I know you get what you pay for blah blah blah, but the price should at least be somewhat competitive. I would got for $300 Depos before I would drop $550 on headlights. And I can't imagine Hellas are 5x better.

[izzo]

And I can't imagine Hellas are 5x better.

I can, as I have had BOTH Depo and Hella ecodes on my B3 (relayed) and there is a a day and night difference.
Granted, Hellas weren't 5x better but easily three times. And I have the photos to prove it if need be!




I don't know what's wrong with people tossing around $500 for B3 Hella ecodes and $300 for some dubious TYS pseudo-ecodes as a "reasonable" price...

Both B3 and B4 Hella ecodes (which I've said it and will say it again are BEST - not Depo, not FK or whatever other crap there is)
can be bought on eBay.de and be delivered to the US for sub $200.

I've bought from eBay.de two sets in the past, I've bought heckblendes, smoked Hella tails, etc.
All arrived in GREAT condition. Just take your time to ask the seller to pack the items really well.
Sure, it takes longer, but hell - if you don't want to wait, shell out half a grand and stop whining,
or buy Juan's retardedly overpriced ecodes that have been in the classifieds for ages now (wonder why!).

• Yes, shipping takes longer - see above.
• Oh, but I don't understand German? Well, boo hoo! 1. You gotta pay to play 2. translate.google.com
• Oh, but I don't know how to search on eBay.de - REALLY?!?!?
• Oh, but I cannot register/login on eBay.de - fücking really!?!
• Ouch, they want a bank transfer/Western Union - NO THEY DON'T. Most any seller there takes PayPal
• Well, they do NOT ship to USA.... NO. 90% will. Shoot 'em an email, talk to them, they will when you tell them you will pay your shipping expenses.

Damn it!

[dustovich2]

Well back around 5-6 years ago I paid around $800 for hella clear corners (only work on the ecodes) + the real hella b3 ecodes, and the a2b4guy relay harness for them. I never bothered with the depo stuff. Was way better then my stocks at the time, I could keep them on bright all the time and nobody would notice, it was like having 2 candles for headlights. But recently I had to replace a lens and ordered from ebay.de and paid like 60 bucks for the one entire headlight unit with a perfect lens, that is the way to go forsure if you don't care if the units are used or not.