I disagree - they appear better top me which is why I want to try them
Rear of lorries/motorcycles/school & public buses have them now too.
The E number is not of concern to me - but obviously poor functionality
is of concern. E numbers mean the bulb manufacturer has gone through an
expensive type approval routine. Non-E number means its compliance
cannot be verified NOT that it does not comply with requirements!

It allows purpose designed E marked LED lamp units - which is a *very*
different matter from using LED replacement bulbs in units designed for
filament types. Replacement bulbs for those must be E marked too - and
none of the LED ones are, for a very good reason. And that reason is they
are dangerous. Just to emphasise the points again they are either bright
enough when viewed straight on but useless to the side - one type - or dim
all round - the other type.

Oh - FWIW, the custom designed LED indictor units fitted to current VW
cars are not as bright viewed from directly behind as filament types and
considerably inferior to the sides. So could present a totally unnecessary
hazard in bright sunlight - all in the name of fashion.

Well not in the UK, which has [eventually] modified construction and use
regulation to allow LED lights, but to certain criteria.

A good example of UK civil service jobsworthiness is reflective number
plates: -

These were shown on Tomorrow's World about 40 years ago.

DoT (as it then was) rejected them out of hand and drivers who fitted them
prematurely were prosecuted.

OTOH Ireland was an early adopter.

Finally the UK went over to them and only cars pre 1973 could have non
reflective plates made.

Now they are obligatory, not only that if your [cherished] plate is to be
fitted to a post 2000 car, then you have to have new ones made with the BS
mark, although I suppose if they were compliant with BS you could post fix
the mark (see another thread).

Which means that they are illegal to use on the road.

You're probably right but these ones have high intensity pointing to the
rear with side clusters for the reflectors
They *may* be very good and I think I will give it a go with front
indicators first
As for E marking - the lack of it doesn't mean they don't comply, it
merely means they haven't been type approved. This could be due to tyhe
fact that it costs  so much to achieve these markings. It's rather like
saying that someone who has passed a driving test is a better driver
than someone who hasn't - which of course is not necessarily true (just
that passing proves it!).
Worth a try for £5

These simply don't produce the same light levels as a 21 watt indicator
bulb in the normal reflector.

Euro car lighting parts must be 'E' marked to conform with those regs. And
non of these replacements are - simply because they can't produce the
correct spread of light at an intensity to replace a 21 watt filament
type. The other type of LED replacement with 5mm leds 'firing' forward do
just about produce the same intensity - but only over a very narrow angle.

For safety lights like indicators etc where a wide viewing angle is
required these things are positively dangerous - they can't be seen in
bright daylight.

Take a look and tell me what you think - these seem pretty well designed
to widen the viewing angle:
http://www.virtualvillage.co.uk/Items/002510-030?

For a start there are no direct replacement LEDs for units designed for
tungsten - the optics on these lights is optimised for a point source
filament. And for things like indictors this is a very real problem in
sunlight etc - the LED replacements simply won't be as bright, or have the
same viewing angle. And it's not just a slight difference either. There
are currently no LED replacements that meet the specifications required by
law in Europe. Completely new lamp units designed from the start for LEDs
are a different matter.

They will also confuse the failed bulb warning system.

Can anyone advise me if fitting after market LED bulbs in indicators,
side adn brake lights confuse the onboard computer?
I prefer the more responsive light they offer but don't want the car
dinging me about dead bulbs!

I've a 2001 E39

Thanks
David