Type S Tail lights::Depo vs. OEM
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 18
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Type S Tail lights::Depo vs. OEM
Looking to get the Type S tail lights and side markers for my 04 TL. Leaning towards Depo's from eBay. Any advice?
Is there any difference between the Depo's they have on eBay and the OEM's?
Has anyone had any problems with them?
Is there any difference between the Depo's they have on eBay and the OEM's?
Has anyone had any problems with them?
10th Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I have an 06 and bought the Depo 07-08 (base) tailights from eBay because I thought they looked better. However the Depo lights were kinda off color and looked alot cheaper than OEM. So I never installed them. From what I could tell they would fit perfect. I don't know how the type s lights would look.
Mistuh DRiiVA
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 13
From: Queens Village, NY
ive seen the depo tail lights for the type s and if you are going to clear them out, the black chrome piece is just a bit darker so its not that bad but the red in the tail light is alot darker than the type s and looks a bit cheap. if your going to clear out the tails then its not a bad idea to get the depo.
Mistuh DRiiVA
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 13
From: Queens Village, NY
I bought a pair of DEPO TL-S tails on ebay. They look great, but when installing yesterday they don't fit the curve on the top of the rear fender.
Spend a little more$$$ and buy OEM from Curry Acura. I wish I did.
Spend a little more$$$ and buy OEM from Curry Acura. I wish I did.
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Since both sides are out in the same spot I don't think I got a bad pair. I will leave them in for now. Maybe sell them for $100 in a few months. I have bigger problems now. When I took my bumper off yesterday to cut and install the TL-S A-Spec lip and install the TL-S tail lights,,, I found out Acura repaired my rear bumper when they drilled the holes for my 06 rear A-Spec back in Dec 08 in the wrong place, they said I was going to get a NEW bumper. It also took 10 days to REPAIR, when I was told they had the rear bumper in stock and just had to be painted. The Acura dealer also has one of the BEST body shops in Northern IL. I asked why is was taking so long, they said somebody else was painting it??? I couldn't understand why?
NO but they said I was getting a NEW bumper, not a repaired one. I was on the phone with the service manager for 30 minutes last night. I guess I will have to call them soon, as they said they would get back to me this morning. My car is in the garage, my REPAIRED rear bumper with the 06 A-Spec lip is sitting in the basement next to my NEW TL-S A-Spec lip and NEW Dremel tools WAITING to find out WTF is going on. Now I am getting myself all worked up. I am calling them NOW. Wish me luck. I told them I want A NEW rear bumper, and an 08 TL-S at that.
My experience with depot lights of any kind is that, though they look 95% identical, the materials they use end up altering the optics dramatically. Something like tail lights might not be so evident but for example, fogs, headlights, I would never because their optics are waack throwing light all over the place.
Thanks bro.
I just spoke with the service manager and she said she is going to find out IF I WAS TOLD I was getting a NEW bumper or repaired bumper. IF she finds out I was told I was getting a NEW bumper, she said they will get me a NEW 08 TL-S rear bumper.
WILL THE 08 TL-S bumper fit my 06 TL???
I just spoke with the service manager and she said she is going to find out IF I WAS TOLD I was getting a NEW bumper or repaired bumper. IF she finds out I was told I was getting a NEW bumper, she said they will get me a NEW 08 TL-S rear bumper.
WILL THE 08 TL-S bumper fit my 06 TL???
Thanks bro.
I just spoke with the service manager and she said she is going to find out IF I WAS TOLD I was getting a NEW bumper or repaired bumper. IF she finds out I was told I was getting a NEW bumper, she said they will get me a NEW 08 TL-S rear bumper.
WILL THE 08 TL-S bumper fit my 06 TL???
I just spoke with the service manager and she said she is going to find out IF I WAS TOLD I was getting a NEW bumper or repaired bumper. IF she finds out I was told I was getting a NEW bumper, she said they will get me a NEW 08 TL-S rear bumper.
WILL THE 08 TL-S bumper fit my 06 TL???
My experience with depot lights of any kind is that, though they look 95% identical, the materials they use end up altering the optics dramatically. Something like tail lights might not be so evident but for example, fogs, headlights, I would never because their optics are waack throwing light all over the place.
Depo is an OEM provider. They make automotive lighting products for many German (specifically VW) automobile platforms. There's nothing whack about the light they output in the 5 or 6 pair of Depo headlights I handled from my VW days.
To the guy that said they look "cheap". I just hacked up a set of Depos to clear... They are as identical as can be. The only discernable differnece I noted was the zinc plating on the OEM mount points, and Depo markings. The black plastic casting was shinier on the Depo, just a different plastic formula I guess...
The black chrome finish may be different between the two, but frankly, that will happen between chrome batches, and you'll see that between different OEM TL-S tails.
There is something wrong with JD TL-s's tails, but I'm not convinced there's not a problem with the rear of his car. In the exact same paragraph he's demonstrating this issue he's making reference to a rear end repair... If those rear bumper cover mounts got tweaked in a collision, of course it's gonna look wrong.
JD, yes, get a TL-S rear out of the dealer if you can. Hacking up the 06 is not a fun process... It will fit.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: CT
Called the local acura dealership.
$143.00 Each for the Acura Type S Taillights
$143.00 Each for the 07/08 Acura Base Taillights
So same price.........Depo's price is 200.00 but if it doesn't align correctly, I rather spend the additional $100.
$143.00 Each for the Acura Type S Taillights
$143.00 Each for the 07/08 Acura Base Taillights
So same price.........Depo's price is 200.00 but if it doesn't align correctly, I rather spend the additional $100.
That may be your experience... but I disagree.
Depo is an OEM provider. They make automotive lighting products for many German (specifically VW) automobile platforms. There's nothing whack about the light they output in the 5 or 6 pair of Depo headlights I handled from my VW days.
To the guy that said they look "cheap". I just hacked up a set of Depos to clear... They are as identical as can be. The only discernable differnece I noted was the zinc plating on the OEM mount points, and Depo markings. The black plastic casting was shinier on the Depo, just a different plastic formula I guess...
The black chrome finish may be different between the two, but frankly, that will happen between chrome batches, and you'll see that between different OEM TL-S tails.
There is something wrong with JD TL-s's tails, but I'm not convinced there's not a problem with the rear of his car. In the exact same paragraph he's demonstrating this issue he's making reference to a rear end repair... If those rear bumper cover mounts got tweaked in a collision, of course it's gonna look wrong.
JD, yes, get a TL-S rear out of the dealer if you can. Hacking up the 06 is not a fun process... It will fit.
Depo is an OEM provider. They make automotive lighting products for many German (specifically VW) automobile platforms. There's nothing whack about the light they output in the 5 or 6 pair of Depo headlights I handled from my VW days.
To the guy that said they look "cheap". I just hacked up a set of Depos to clear... They are as identical as can be. The only discernable differnece I noted was the zinc plating on the OEM mount points, and Depo markings. The black plastic casting was shinier on the Depo, just a different plastic formula I guess...
The black chrome finish may be different between the two, but frankly, that will happen between chrome batches, and you'll see that between different OEM TL-S tails.
There is something wrong with JD TL-s's tails, but I'm not convinced there's not a problem with the rear of his car. In the exact same paragraph he's demonstrating this issue he's making reference to a rear end repair... If those rear bumper cover mounts got tweaked in a collision, of course it's gonna look wrong.
JD, yes, get a TL-S rear out of the dealer if you can. Hacking up the 06 is not a fun process... It will fit.
Thanks. The DEPO's look great and the fit isn't bad, if I didn't show you the slight misfit you wouldn't really notice.
My DEPO's were $160 shipped. Spend $50 more, get OEM
That may be your experience... but I disagree.
Depo is an OEM provider. They make automotive lighting products for many German (specifically VW) automobile platforms. There's nothing whack about the light they output in the 5 or 6 pair of Depo headlights I handled from my VW days.
To the guy that said they look "cheap". I just hacked up a set of Depos to clear... They are as identical as can be. The only discernable differnece I noted was the zinc plating on the OEM mount points, and Depo markings. The black plastic casting was shinier on the Depo, just a different plastic formula I guess...
The black chrome finish may be different between the two, but frankly, that will happen between chrome batches, and you'll see that between different OEM TL-S tails.
There is something wrong with JD TL-s's tails, but I'm not convinced there's not a problem with the rear of his car. In the exact same paragraph he's demonstrating this issue he's making reference to a rear end repair... If those rear bumper cover mounts got tweaked in a collision, of course it's gonna look wrong.
JD, yes, get a TL-S rear out of the dealer if you can. Hacking up the 06 is not a fun process... It will fit.
Depo is an OEM provider. They make automotive lighting products for many German (specifically VW) automobile platforms. There's nothing whack about the light they output in the 5 or 6 pair of Depo headlights I handled from my VW days.
To the guy that said they look "cheap". I just hacked up a set of Depos to clear... They are as identical as can be. The only discernable differnece I noted was the zinc plating on the OEM mount points, and Depo markings. The black plastic casting was shinier on the Depo, just a different plastic formula I guess...
The black chrome finish may be different between the two, but frankly, that will happen between chrome batches, and you'll see that between different OEM TL-S tails.
There is something wrong with JD TL-s's tails, but I'm not convinced there's not a problem with the rear of his car. In the exact same paragraph he's demonstrating this issue he's making reference to a rear end repair... If those rear bumper cover mounts got tweaked in a collision, of course it's gonna look wrong.
JD, yes, get a TL-S rear out of the dealer if you can. Hacking up the 06 is not a fun process... It will fit.
The rear end repair was from Acura drilling holes in my rear bumper where the back-up sensors go, instead of drilling holes for my A-Spec kit they were installing in Dec 08. The car has not been in any accidents.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Central Illinois
Just installed the DEPO tails an hour ago... I agree with the statements that they don't fit exactly perfect, but the degree to which they are off is barely noticeable, if at all. The only way you would even notice is if someone told you and you were specifically looking for it.... overall, a great addition to my 06 AM.
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Just installed the DEPO tails an hour ago... I agree with the statements that they don't fit exactly perfect, but the degree to which they are off is barely noticeable, if at all. The only way you would even notice is if someone told you and you were specifically looking for it.... overall, a great addition to my 06 AM.
That may be your experience... but I disagree.
Depo is an OEM provider. They make automotive lighting products for many German (specifically VW) automobile platforms. There's nothing whack about the light they output in the 5 or 6 pair of Depo headlights I handled from my VW days.
To the guy that said they look "cheap". I just hacked up a set of Depos to clear... They are as identical as can be. The only discernable differnece I noted was the zinc plating on the OEM mount points, and Depo markings. The black plastic casting was shinier on the Depo, just a different plastic formula I guess...
The black chrome finish may be different between the two, but frankly, that will happen between chrome batches, and you'll see that between different OEM TL-S tails.
There is something wrong with JD TL-s's tails, but I'm not convinced there's not a problem with the rear of his car. In the exact same paragraph he's demonstrating this issue he's making reference to a rear end repair... If those rear bumper cover mounts got tweaked in a collision, of course it's gonna look wrong.
JD, yes, get a TL-S rear out of the dealer if you can. Hacking up the 06 is not a fun process... It will fit.
Depo is an OEM provider. They make automotive lighting products for many German (specifically VW) automobile platforms. There's nothing whack about the light they output in the 5 or 6 pair of Depo headlights I handled from my VW days.
To the guy that said they look "cheap". I just hacked up a set of Depos to clear... They are as identical as can be. The only discernable differnece I noted was the zinc plating on the OEM mount points, and Depo markings. The black plastic casting was shinier on the Depo, just a different plastic formula I guess...
The black chrome finish may be different between the two, but frankly, that will happen between chrome batches, and you'll see that between different OEM TL-S tails.
There is something wrong with JD TL-s's tails, but I'm not convinced there's not a problem with the rear of his car. In the exact same paragraph he's demonstrating this issue he's making reference to a rear end repair... If those rear bumper cover mounts got tweaked in a collision, of course it's gonna look wrong.
JD, yes, get a TL-S rear out of the dealer if you can. Hacking up the 06 is not a fun process... It will fit.
Nah bro, I base my statement based on the Accord Fogs that I decided to buy Depot and Altima Headlight depot style as well. The OEM Altima headlight which is on the drivers side just looks so much clearer and plus there is no glare. When compared to the Depot on the passenger side its not as crystal clear and produces glare. My Accord Fogs, is a disaster, thats something I have to redo all together. Lights not even be dispersed in the right direction causing extreme glare. After these 2 experiences, I learned my lesson. And like I said in my previous statement, something like Tails might not be so evident. And if the price difference is only $40 bux, I dont even know why anyone wouldn't just get the OEM to begin with.
B A N N E D
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
"Self Proclaimed Expert Opinion"
I have had the most experience with DEPO and OEM Tail Lights, I have cleared 10 sets of tail lights using both.
BOTTOM LINE:
The DEPO Lights are Cheaper = Less quality of materials used in manufacturing and workmanship.
IE: The Black Chrome Frame inside the DEPO Light is not fully painted and fades towards the edges that are covered by the red corner plastic. OK if your not looking for it; noticeable if you have cleared tail lights and know about it.
Standing more than 2 Feet from the car it is dam hard to tell even with the experience in telling the difference.
Fitment issues are common with Type S OEM and DEPO Lights, it is not the lights them selves. Parts that are factory mounted have true alignment, obtaining the same alignment could be as easy as just installing the replacement Lights or as hard as shimming over and over until its perfect. Again step back a couple of feet and you cant tell.
If you are going to clear your lights and have no experience doing it DEPO is the way to go. If your not that nit picky DEPO is the way to go. If your anal and dont mind spending the extra cash for a perfect job OEM is slightly better.
just my dime!
BOTTOM LINE:
The DEPO Lights are Cheaper = Less quality of materials used in manufacturing and workmanship.
IE: The Black Chrome Frame inside the DEPO Light is not fully painted and fades towards the edges that are covered by the red corner plastic. OK if your not looking for it; noticeable if you have cleared tail lights and know about it.
Standing more than 2 Feet from the car it is dam hard to tell even with the experience in telling the difference.
Fitment issues are common with Type S OEM and DEPO Lights, it is not the lights them selves. Parts that are factory mounted have true alignment, obtaining the same alignment could be as easy as just installing the replacement Lights or as hard as shimming over and over until its perfect. Again step back a couple of feet and you cant tell.
If you are going to clear your lights and have no experience doing it DEPO is the way to go. If your not that nit picky DEPO is the way to go. If your anal and dont mind spending the extra cash for a perfect job OEM is slightly better.
just my dime!
