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YOUR RESEARCHAftermarket 996 LED Headlights - Opinions?
Reported or suspected cause
shamers here
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Reported cause
I had them on my 996.1 they were superior to the Porsche lights the only problem is the shamers here but for a safety point they can’t be beat
Leading evidence: 'shamers here' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'shamers here' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean contacts, etc' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Photo of installed lights on my black 996 Targa attached.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
They can be replaced with the originals in about 15 minutes.
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Suggestion · Original poster
I'm a bit stuck - the wiring in my left headlight is now flaky (it's not a bulb issue) and the turn signal doesn't work (tried cleaning contacts, etc.
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Suggestion
*** Ahhhh� the good news is that the retrofit/repair kit is still available from retrofit lab.com for $159.xx euro (about $175-$180 US)� back to our regularly scheduled programming�
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Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Having a bunch of problems with my left headlight unit and will probably have to replace the whole thing. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with aftermarket headlight units like these ones:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/154508155534
I realize some folks may dislike the aesthetics but I'd much prefer LED indicators and I like the oval light ring. I'd love to get the Porsche Litronic kit but I don't think I can justify the cost (and seems to be hard to find now?).
It’s just opinions like aholes we all have them
I believe in the safety these bring and the aesthetics is down on the list plus you still have your original one
I just don't see the down side.
They can be replaced with the originals in about 15 minutes.
I have aftermarkets on my 996.1, and it really updates the look.
A cheaper alternative is to retrofit them. It depends on what kind of lights you have now and what is wrong. Retrofitlabs.com is the company and
@playswithcars
is a North American distributor.
I normally don't like any of the aftermarket lights, but I must say those are the best looking ones I've ever seen. If they were a little less money I would think about getting them and save my Lightronics some wear.
Drop the s.
https://retrofitlab.com/
I retrofitted mine, they work great. That said, if there was a plug/play alternative for the 996.2 that worked well I'd be interested. My internal wiring is a nightmare, and the lenses are crazed, and new lights from Porsche are $mucho$.
MOST normal people won’t know the difference like I said before some people worry about the looks over the function
I take function over form anytime
if I worry about peoples opinions I wouldn’t leave my house this list is no different
My biggest question with these sorts of aftermarket things is longevity. Even aftermarket "name brands" that make headlights for other car brands (DEPO comes to mind) have reputations for building a product that will perform well until the date that their warranty expires. I can't imagine some no-name eBay headlights are going to be much better in that regard.
Plus, if you have a 996.2, your headlights are already a projector system no matter what. Its probably most cost effective to just upgrade the projectors and bulbs in your original housings.
And off topic but obligatory "what was Porsche thinking to put reflector halogens in the 996.1??"
The problem with the OEM projectors is that the lenses cloud up and the reflector bowls lose their reflective gloss and then start flaking, drastically reducing the light output. New bulbs will do very little to fix this.
I bet you that when you install my retroftlab kit the light output will be much better than those after market lights. It includes new projectors and new bulbs. It costs only a fraction of new headlights, even after market ones, and you retain that OEM look!
I have all kits in stock right here in Denver, so they will ship the next day!
www.retrofitlab.us
I can personally say that the RFL projectors are observably better than even a good set of OEM Bosch projectors. I also can vouch for
@playswithcars
, he was very helpful in getting my lights retrofitted, as well as in swapping amber lenses onto a set of OEM Xenon buckets.
I normally do offer installation of the 996.1 kits but I temporarily suspended that due to a large backlog in orders (I also make taillights for other brands).
I hope to be offering installation again in the fall. Please also visit my vendor thread under
@Adrian Taillights
Thanks all (re: original thread). I'm a bit stuck - the wiring in my left headlight is now flaky (it's not a bulb issue) and the turn signal doesn't work (tried cleaning contacts, etc. etc.). So I'm left trying to find a replacement unit that still outputs light well and then maybe retrofitting with
@playswithcars
kit to get better output, or trying the aftermarket lights.
I have an extra LH headlight on hand that is without his RH buddy that I'd be willing to sell you if you purchase the RFL kit. PM me if you are interested!
Folks thought I'd follow up on this - I ordered the aftermarket lights and they're great! I personally love the aesthetics and the lighting is literally night and day vs. my original headlights.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/154508155534
Black on black I think looks great. Photo of installed lights on my black 996 Targa attached.
I have some good condition 996.1 OEM headlights on hand that I could upgrade for you. I wouldn't have time until probably the new year. If you are interested, and that timeline works for you, please send me a PM!
Looks great - the ebay listing says they will work with a 2001 C2 but I am skeptical.. mine is a 996.1 with litronics and headlight washers. What year is your car?
I wonder if these are the same as the ones I saw on
RosePassion
. They are significantly cheaper at $2400 CAD ($1700 USD) and that's for the set of 2.
*Edit*: I just noticed the ebay ones are also for the set, so not as big a discount as initially thought. They do look awesome.
Wow! The prices on these have really skyrocketed� I paid $180 for my retrofit kit like a year and a half ago� Now it�s $410 ?😳😏�
*** Ahhhh� the good news is that the retrofit/repair kit is still available from retrofit lab.com for $159.xx euro (about $175-$180 US)� back to our regularly scheduled programming�
The 4 LEDs are inside the Panamera shrouds that fit over the projectors. They are included in the kit and are not for sale separately. That said, I do have some extras so if you are interested let me know!
I'm sorry but you are comparing apples & oranges. The �159 on retrofitlab's web site is a "starting at" price. The 996.1 Litronic to bi-Xenon kit on my web site includes all available options: the LED parking light bulbs (�10), the premium Philips D2S HID bulbs (�140), the H7 AvantiLED high beam bulbs (�90) AND shipping inside the US.
Shipping from RFL will run you �45.
So 159+10+140++90+45=�444= ~$488. I sell this kit for $410 shipped from Colorado stock. Plus i provide installation tips and phone support, and I offer optional replacement harnesses and rubber seals
BTW, you can opt out of getting the Philips D2S and/or AvantiLED bulbs from me although I do not recommend this. The Philips bulbs are not available in the US and are in a (German) class of their on compared to to other brands.
I'm going to do the modified ballast wattage upgrade for the OEM lights .. I believe it should make a huge improvement also..
I personally haven't seen any of the retrofits that i like
Although different set of mods, if you experience any weird behaviour, refer to this:
PSA - ReTrofit HID and 996.2 halogen - battery oil spoiler - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
If you have Litronics now the Retrofitlab upgrade will leave the look 100% OEM; it simply replaces the projector. The main culprit for deteriorated light output is dulling and flaking of the reflector inside the OEM projector. Upping the ballast wattage isn't going to help that one bit...
www.porscheretrofits.com
already knew all this and fortunately the output is still great and the projectors are surprisingly in damn near perfect shape. Not sure if the previous owner drove at night ever really.. thanks for the advice though
Right but either one has a very sizable black border. It's almost like it's oversized weather stripping. I'd love to upgrade my lights but I'd want them to be as OEM looking as possible and that means having the chrome all the way to the edge in order to seem flush with fender/hood.
OEM light All chrome with little border.
An exaggerated example of what I see when I see those aftermarket lights.
I see what you mean and agree entirely. I�m in a similar boat with my driver side headlight very worn and looking very unsightly. OEM units are eye bleeding expensive so this option�s price point makes tempting. I wonder if it can be �fixed� with some silver paint?
@bill_996
Where did you come out on this? I also have the headlight washers and have been looking at aftermarket options that will retain this core function, but I haven't been able to find anything.
I ended up just going with the retrofit labs upgrade in my stock litronics. Very happy with the improvement in brightness and was able to retain stock washer set up. I can live without the halo.
I did the Retrofit Labs LED upgrade on my 6-3 Halogen lights. Looks stock except the light output is night and day different. I can see my own headlight output now at night.
Despite the video instructions, there were a few things that weren't clear and took a bit to figure out. The hardest part was getting the 4th torx bolt removed from the projector since it's placed in an area you cannot get straight on.
I went aftermarket a few years ago and they mostly held up well. A bit of peeling on an edge to the finish but I get lots of compliments. Adding HID was a hassle but a must, and the big thing with most of these is the gasket they give you. Looks janky and does not stick well. I ended up getting small black tubing and using that as the gasket and I think it looks fine, but lots of time invested in an alleged "plug and play" mod. My two cents and hope it's helpful.
Here's how it looks...3 years on...
Those with the 996.2 halo headlights, does your fog lights and high beams work? I got a set of halogen based housings on my formerly HID/litronic 2004 Carrera and I can't get either to work.
Thoughts?
Hey man. The car looks dope and I really want to install the same type headlights but my model has the washers in the corner and I am afraid I won't know what to do with the water system if I just take them out. did yours have washers?
Thank you
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