Front turn lenses...

[Bleyseng]

Not Hella! who still has integrity in selling and manufacturing quality products thank god.

[busdepot]

I am happy to report that we have a better solution coming in maybe 6-8 weeks - genuine ones from Volkswagen/Brazil. Just Kampers in the UK tried some out a while back and says they've been holding up much better than the aftermarket ones, so I went ahead and ordered some as well. Estimated price will be about $10 (roughly twice the price of the aftermarket ones). Once I have a more definite ETA I'll try to update this thread.

[Lanval]

I am happy to report that we have a better solution coming in maybe 6-8 weeks - genuine ones from Volkswagen/Brazil. Just Kampers in the UK tried some out a while back and says they've been holding up much better than the aftermarket ones, so I went ahead and ordered some as well. Estimated price will be about $10 (roughly twice the price of the aftermarket ones). Once I have a more definite ETA I'll try to update this thread.

Ron ~ Thanks for that. I really appreciate the work you guys do in trying to get better quality parts.

My Vanagon thanks you too.

Lanval

[VWGirl]

Thanks again Ron!

I have had issues with one of my taillights that is aftermarket (big dent that was in my bus) and the side that was smashed had a cheap repro put in it. The plastic dulls over the years... I have no idea how old that one is, but the other original one is still good. I bought a replacement lense from EMPI about 5 years ago to replace said lens not realizing that with the bent metal the new lens wouldn't fit. I still have that one new in the package. Since I was repainting my bus I wanted to fix this, so I bought some OEM Hella lenses. Before I put them on I will see if I can get some pictures to show the difference. You can tell when new that the plastic is different!

I should have ordered some turn signal and side lenses when I got the taillights... but suppose I will order those later if my amber lenses don't clean up... oddly enough customs didn't care about the taillight lenses... they cared about the composition of the screws I ordered for my intake!

[Amskeptic]

I am happy to report that we have a better solution coming in maybe 6-8 weeks - genuine ones from Volkswagen/Brazil. Just Kampers in the UK tried some out a while back and says they've been holding up much better than the aftermarket ones, so I went ahead and ordered some as well. Estimated price will be about $10 (roughly twice the price of the aftermarket ones). Once I have a more definite ETA I'll try to update this thread.

Please do and thanks!
Colin

[busdepot]

I have had issues with one of my taillights that is aftermarket from EMPI...so I bought some OEM Hella lenses. You can tell when new that the plastic is different!

We have offered both aftermarket and OE tail lens options for post-'72 Buses for quite some time. The OE ones may be imprinted as Volkswagen or as Hella brand (and are all Brazilian or Mexican made). The two are comparable in quality, and are indeed better than the aftermarket ones. They run $24.95, versus $9.95 for the aftermarket ones.

[Amskeptic]

I have had issues with one of my taillights that is aftermarket from EMPI...so I bought some OEM Hella lenses. You can tell when new that the plastic is different!

We have offered both aftermarket and OE tail lens options for post-'72 Buses for quite some time. The OE ones may be imprinted as Volkswagen or as Hella brand (and are all Brazilian or Mexican made). The two are comparable in quality, and are indeed better than the aftermarket ones. They run $24.95, versus $9.95 for the aftermarket ones.

That is more than twice as much!!

But they last five times longer!!

Do the math people, don't cheap out.
Colin

[sped372]

Even $24.95 is cheap... there's no way you'd be able to buy a new OE lens for a Honda Accord for that.

[Bleyseng]

Yay, that's a good solution and will be looking for em on the site.

[busdepot]

I should mention that you can also buy the OE rear lenses as part of complete OE assemblies that include the housings, for $49 each:
http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?par ... 11945241RK

[Amskeptic]

Ron, do you have decent OEM -or-almost-as-good '68-71 taillamp lenses and chrome surrounds available?
I'd pay the price for quality . . .
Colin

[busdepot]

Aftermarket is all I've been able to get for '68-71 in quite some time.

[busdepot]

The genuine lenses have arrived..

http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=211953141TVW (left)
http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=211953142TVW (right)

[BellePlaine]

The genuine lenses have arrived..

http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=211953141TVW (left)
http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=211953142TVW (right)

Thank you!

[Hippie]

Thank you!