Headlights! 996.1 or 996.2?

Don't really want to start an argument!!! I have had my '02 C2 for almost 5 years. When I was looking I had decided that I liked the second gen lights a little better, but then again I soon went ahead and put those covers on them. I've actually been surprised at the positive comments I've received, because I know some hate them, but too bad, it's my car! Having said that, I've come to appreciate the original design, especially when the egg yolks have been removed. So, which ones do y'all prefer?

MK2 all day long! I don't like the masks, I prefer the original Pinky Lai design. Of course, I don't hate the MK1 design either. I not a part of the purist group that hate the "fried egg" look of the 996. The 996 was a radical car that *saved* Porsche. It's a fact.... even Ferry Porsche admitted it and sadly, it was the last 911 he witnessed to go into production.

Covers like these ones? I've seen different cars with the cover but black cars seems to look the best. I guess it blends in better. I don't have a preference of one over the other. Yes, I prefer the standard Porsche headlights but the fried egg is not really that big a deal to me. I do like the lower fog/driving lights on the front bumper of the first car though. May do something like that to mine. I also like the yellow headlight covers on the second car. Not sure if it is a racing thing or the reason for them? I just like the look.

The .1clear lights have grown on me until I prefer them to the .2 lights. I think the design matches the car better.

MkI all day long. The sharp line of the MkII have never sat well with me as I don't think it fits with the rest of the car which is very soft and fluid in its lines. The MkI lights are actually what allowed me to join the Porsche world. I always hated the classic bug eye look (except for one we saw around D.C. That added rebar eyelashes, that was hilarious). Had Porsche never changed the lights, I wouldn't have bought the car for my wife (her childhood dream car). Now I own a P!g too, all because of one of the most hated features of the 996

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same here but prefer the 997 to either lol

MK2 for me, I bought a mk2 because I didn't like the mk1 lights but I've grown to appriciate them quite a bit.

I prefer the 997 lights, but 996.1 over 996.2. Not really a big deal either way. My Volkswagen bug has round lights and those don't necessarily thrill me. Coincidentally, just today I saw a 996.1 driving behind me on the road and I thought "Man those lights are fugly". Luckily I don't see the lights when I'm enjoying the drive.

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IIRC, it was the 986, not the 996 that "saved" Porsche

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It was that the 996 shared so much with the 986 with the result of the 996 having a bigger profit margin than they'd seen before. The money they made off the 996 funded the Cayenne which showed Porsche what real profit and liquidity was about. Then they got a bit full of themselves and made a failed bid for ownership of VW. Then VW swallowed them whole. So in reality, the 996 killed Porsche!

Posted by Gnat: "MkI all day long. The sharp line of the MkII have never sat well with me as I don't think it fits with the rest of the car which is very soft and fluid in its lines." That's kind of how I feel too. The cut lines on the .2 are too abrupt.

Here are my headlight covers, which still utilize the fog lights, but I didn't buy the version with the holes for the headlight washers. Too busy looking IMO. If I had to do it again I might even eliminate the fog lights, as I've never used them.

I like it. I've also never used my fog lights. Even in fog

The Mk I without amber on the aerokit cars looks just right. Neither the Mk II (actually turbo) or the traditional round headlights would looks as good on that car.

Headlight comparison - 996 Mk I: Considered by many to be the most heinous abomination ever to grace the exterior of any 911. The primary reason an entire generation of 911s are scorned. 991: the current evolution of the 911 headlight 993: considered by the purists to be the ultimate in automotive design. Really people?

I read a post recently that I think sums this topic up the best... it's only 911 people that even notice or are aware of the headlight design. Everyone else just sees a beautiful 911.

I remember the first time that I ever really noticed the headlights on a 996. It was before I owned a Porsche. I was leaving the US Grand Prix Formula 1 race in Indianapolis. I was sitting in traffic trying to exit the track parking area, driving my Saab 9-5 Aero. There was a silver 996 MK II car directly behind me. I remember seeing the headlights in my rear view mirror, and I remember thinking that it looked really cool. I liked the way that Porsche integrated the turn signals into the headlight assembly. I had no idea that I wasn't supposed to like the design....

996 will be "the most distinctive 911" in history in another few years down the road....especially with most Boxters on the scrapheap by then (unfortunately) and a majority of the 996's.... Just my 2c.

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EVERYONE knows that the MK1 headlights are pretty much the same as walking around wearing clown shoes. There are two types of people: ones that readily admit this, and liars.

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Yeah, now you mention it, there is truly a MASSIVE difference!!

I agree. Total clown shoes on the left.

LOL!!

I think the MK1 headlight will become iconic. The headlight was designed along with the body from the beginning. The car looks like its one precision piece. It "flows" well. One complete unit.

Let's not kid ourselves, and simply call a spade a !$^%!&# shovel. The haterade against the 996 headlights stems from the association with the Boxster. Those intellectual snobbery elitists who shun the Boxster get all worked up about the visual sameness with the far superior 996. sniff, sniff. I'm betting the headlights are low drag compared to the 993 or later 997. Sure, it's only a minor segment of the whole, but if the function is fine, and the form is fine - the only thing left to hang your hat on is social stigma. I too enjoyed the look and design of the lights before I was 'told' that they were veddy, veddy gauche. So, gimme another Pabst, and oh yeah - pull my finger.

doc keeps it real.

Let us not forget the car that inspired the 996 headlights.

When I picked up my 996 4 years ago, the 964 was the other red headed stepchild at the time...because, you know, those bumpers... but they have now found their own place and are getting some love. I think the Mk1 will find its own place as well. At least they were an original design. Mk1 aero is the best looking of the 996's and the headlight are perfect in that form.

When it comes to cars, I've always gravitated to the unpopular, ignored and overlooked. The prices are usually low and often a buyers market. I presently drive a 996C2 Mk1, Crossfire SRT6 Roadster and Vanagon Multivan (Subaru swapped of course). All 3 fit this category. I'm enjoying variety for the price of one "nice looking" Porsche. Oh, and my house is made from a Morton space building...Curb appeal?? I live on the inside!!!

kind of reminds me of the 2002 WRX aka the bug eye. Everyone thought they were ugly and now they are desirable... who knows maybe the 996 will be the ugly duckling that people think is a swan eventually... maybe

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This picture puts a whole new perspective on the topic...

I like the technology improvements in the Mk 2 but I prefer the shape of the Mk 1. The egg yoke in the first model year isn't as clean, in my opinion...all the cars share the same ups and downs in terms of design mechanicals. The 997 going back to round lights just make the 996 that much more unique among all the models.

The absurd thing is the cost of these headlights.

Mk2 here also. Really dislike the Mk1 although would buy an aero Mk1.

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Echo your comments here John. Although many would find your comment laughable, the fact that the 996 was the "redheaded stepchild" of the 911 family will someday make it very valuable. People in the collection business love anything that is weird and different. But the two things that are hurting the value of the M96 based 996 cars are the mass quantities in the market AND the stigma associated with the IMS problem. That's good for someone who wants to buy their dream car, but not that great for someone wanting to cash in on that limited number 996 (e.g. 40th AE) that they're thinking they'll make a fortune on just because it's a special Porsche. After 20 years in business one thing I've learned... Supply and demand is not a textbook joke, it's real regardless if you provide good OR services.

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And you appear to have the halogen lights. Try on the cost of a Xenon housing for size

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as much as I want to believe that my 996 will one day be worth a decent amount of money down the road I have to agree with you that it's highly doubtful. Fingers crossed that if you keep the car in decent condition and do maintenance and have proof of such (IMSB, etc) that if you ever want to sell you could break even because most bought at a decent "peak depreciation" price. Maybe as people realize the value of the 996 and you want to sell you could eek out a small profit but with cost of maintaining the car I doubt it... time will tell though. If anything we own a polarizing 911... that's worth something right?

Around 1970 my brother-in-law picked up a 356 B roadster for $1400. The guy was asking $1700 but it needed an engine rebuild so they split the cost and the price dropped accordingly. He sold it a little over a year ago for $140,000. If I wait 47 years for my 996 cab to appreciate that much I will be 121 year old. But gee, why not?

Never cared for the MK1. MK11 are definitely much better looking. So much so, that i tinted the lens and made it look like a 997. lol..

At least it's not a Juke. One of the ugliest light sets ever made. What's up with those warts on the fenders?

Well, one looks like a Pixar character and the other does not, so that pretty much settles it.

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So much better looking that you hide them in shame and try to make it look like a different car???

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Looks like you are trying to take Jay's crown for missing the intended sarcasm.

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My alternate facts say that sarcasm is only OK when I do it

Wait...I thought "alternative facts are falsehoods"!?

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I I prefer the MK1 headlights, but i don't see them when Im driving anyway.

Like the .2 because first, I have one, and second, because no other vehicle in the Porsche lineup has them. The 996.1 was inspired by the race car and also shares it with the Boxster. The MKII 996 though is completely unique as only the turbos share the same lights. And since everyone made a stink about it they'll never be back so I own a piece of history.

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This is exactly why I love the Mk1. It amazes me how much people hate it but for me its one of my favorite, and its because its inspired by the GT1. In the two pictures that follow you can see how the MK1 lights really give the car the Gt1 feel especially with it lowered. It certainly helped that I had the lights "de-ambered" but I just can't get enough of the car. I may be the exception... .... but I do think my view is completely unbiased since I own all of the porsches below and in fact even had a 991 GT3 before I traded it in for an Italian mistress....but my favorite is that damn 996. Its the best buy and the beauty is that since its value is low relative to the other generations, you can mod it and not worry about impact to value. Its just a wonderful canvas to play with. And so that is what makes my 996 so special. All of the things I have modified, upgraded and tuned have connected me to the car. And isn't that what this irrational hobby we have is all about. In my book the 996 is way underrated...which is why I am now looking to buy one for my son so that we can enjoy the track together.

That is a beautiful collection you have there, love that you have a 928 as well, also a greatly underrated car IMHO. I do think the tide is changing, I have seen it happening to myself and around me. But isn't it beautiful if you just have a car for simple enjoyment and make it exactly yours..! Volkert

Ignore this post. I messed up.

I've just joined the 996 ownership fraternity, having recently purchased a MkII. What do I like "better" about the head lights? That there's a glove box, cup holder, and 15-20 more HP following right behind those lamps! Pretty car either way, IMHO.

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Thanks for the kind words Volkert....and to your point above, that is what car ownership is all about. Since those photos of my 996, I have had the whole car repainted to clean up the years on the track, put a MKII rear bumper on, Euro GT3 seats and put in a center radiator. I am thinking of what else I can do at this point. :-)

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Yep, I totally agree with your perspective. That is the right reason to like one over the other.

Lowpue, Where did you get the lower black front chin spoiler (splitter) on your 996? I'm looking for something similar and think yours looks perfect. TIA

De-ambered mk1 > amber mk1 > mk2 > mk2 w/ mask. Masks don't make the car look like it went from a 996 to a 997, they make it look like it went to Pep Boys. I cringe every time I see an otherwise stunning 996 mk2 with those damn things....

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I like them both . Both the 3.4 and 3.6 cars are amazing to drive and that matters the most. Having said that for some reason i prefer slightly the MKI lights due to their LeMans heritage if that makes any sense . The water jets on my MKII lights are awesome to watch working btw LOL

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I like it. Black out that inner housing...

I guess i'm an anomaly, I specifically looked for an MK1 car since the headlights flow with the cars lines more.

+1 stan23

+996.1 With pumpkins. I think on my Forest Green Car they are great.

996.1 sans pumpkins

Come on, this is beautiful!!! VIVA Mk.1 !!!

I think Vokert's picture says it all about the Mk 1 w/out the yolk. It has aged very well...better than the 997s or the 993s. The Mk 2 996s are more like raw fish...a taste to be acquired. The 964 and older are part of the truly old styled cars.

All this back and forth but honestly most people don't even notice or realize there is a difference. Years and years ago back when I still had my 944 I was shopping for 996s. So I stopped in here to ask what the difference was between the headlights because I couldn't see it myself! I didn't get a lot of responses but finally figured it out. Yeah it's that subtle to a non-996er.

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agreed. the narrow license plates make a big difference on appearance as well. we are stuck with the eyesore blobs here

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I go back and forth but think you captured it best, the .1 style headlight was the original, most native to the car. If it wasn't also deployed on a Boxter, doubt there would have been as much discussion. At the end of the day, I'd

Examine the image boys and girls and then... Cue - Sesame Street's song, "One Of These Things" One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong, Can you tell which thing is not like the others By the time I finish my song? Did you guess which thing was not like the others? Did you guess which thing just doesn't belong? If you guessed this one is not like the others, Then you're absolutely right!

I think you're right. There's nobody on the 997 forums or 991 forums making posts about their superior headlight design compared to the 996. Only 996 owners really seem to care about this. You might see an odd post every now and then on the 997 forum when a prospective buyer is comparing a late 996 to an early 997, but it's not common. More people make comments about the interior of the 996 in those threads than the headlights. I've spent lots of time on the 997 boards and the 997 turbo boards. That group really feels that the 997 is the last real 911, and that the 991 is too big, too soft, to luxurious, etc. There are multiple threads on this subject. In a similar way, I think that only the 997 owners really care about this. The 991 owners certainly don't care. Everyone wants to feel like they got the best deal, or they have the best design, or they bought the last real 911, blah blah blah. I'm sure you can find posts in the forums for every variant of the 911 claiming superiority.

Dennis, IMS failure, water cooled, and fried egg lights... is there anything else to talk about RE the 996? It makes us special!

Can't argue with that!

I like both variants of the 996, I like the 997 as well and if I could afford it, I might even like the 991 !! Question on this image with the line up of 911s, can somebody list which 911s we are exactly looking at? The 3rd one on the left is what quizzes me. Volkert

Initially I preferred the .2 variant - probably influenced by all of the nonsense hate people spew about the original .1 headlights. After a while, I really started to like the .1 headlights though. To be perfectly honest, I think they all look great. They were designed by people that are much more competent when it comes to design than any detractor is.

A few here have stated the GT-1 race car's headlights were inspired by the 996 headlights. Actually, the original GT-1 had round headlights and the 1998 GT-1 race car adopted the headlights from the 1997 Boxster and the new-to-Europe 996. A bit of marketing going on... The Boxster style headlight was simply a cost saving measure (in manufacturing, not necessarily replacement cost) and allowed Porsche to incorporate the headlight and turn signal all in one unit rather than the more expensive and separate lights found on the 993. For all the criticism, I love the lights on the 1998 GT-1 race car.

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They weren't also deployed on the Boxster , they were on the 986 Boxster first. Then the GT1 and 996.

True I actually was just rushing to post a pic that was already posted way earlier in the thread. Either way, I'm actually a closet fried egg fan. Always thought they were a nice change while maintaining the original theme

Though I bought a 996.2 recently, the lines on the front of the 996.1 are far more elegant. The headlights and bumper shape are fluid. I believe the fried egg will become Classic at some point

I drive a mk1. This is of course very subjective, but the mk2 headlights are in my humble opinion slightly less fugly than the mk1. And unlike many others here, I think some of the covers can be a slight improvement aesthetically, even though I've chosen to leave mine stock. The 996 is like a butter-face cross eyed girl with a great body. You approach it from behind and drive it like its stolen, and you never see her face... er, the headlights from the driver's seat. From behind and from the side, she's a bikini model.

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I think the third one actually is a 959: http://cdn.gearpatrol.com/wp-content...ear-Patrol.jpg /C

Clark78:I think the third one actually is a 959: Was thinking in the same direction...First thought it was a 928 but that did not make any sense.

Very nice shot of GT1, #3 of rare Porsches from the Porsche museum: You Tube

This is the reason for the fried egg head light resemblance. Also the tail lights were amber. With the mk2 and with the mk1 head light as well as tail light update from amber to clear they are no longer fried eggs. off topic, these light looks like a really nice improvement for the old lights.

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Never noticed before that the GT1 has our tail lights too.

I just read an article about the development of the 996, and one thing was mentioned that the headlight shape and design was one of the elements that helped the 996 reduce the Cd from .33 to .30. Raked windscreen, flush windows, and the fried egg headlights all contributed. 10% reduction is pretty significant.

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Fact: The set screw for the ignition switch is identical too!

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Prolly used the same Arctic Silver paint too.

Call me crazy but, I always thought the yellow part (Yolk) was in the middle of a fried egg... Does anybody else find this description a bit of a "stretch"?

Guess, they thought it was a runny egg? haha But I removed my yellow yolk bulbs and went with chrome dipped.

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IMO, any LED lights in a design that did not originally have them screams cheap Chinese replica. Not my taste.

I agree. They scream "Ricer!".

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Nope, that would be "over easy"!

So this would be an omelet then? Scrambled anyone....

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I agree, at least on this application.

996 noob here..... I'm looking at 2 '99 C2s. One was built in Aug, 1998. It has 'egg yolk' headlights with the amber colored piece at the bottom of the lamps. This car has amber side lamps and red tail lamps. It has black brake calipers. The second car has a April, 1999 build date. This one has the same shape lamps, but he bottom of the head lamp is clear, the side lamps are clear and the tail lamps are clear on top, red on the bottom. The brake caliper's are red. The front of the factory manual shows the clear lamps in the front. When did Porsche change the color of the lamps? Or were both options? Were the red brake caliper's an option on the 99's. I've not been able to get an answer on Renenlist or any of the reference material that I have. Any insight is most appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I understood the amber lights were only the first modelyear on the 996. Since typically in August the "modelyear" changes over (summer holidays in Europe so that is when the factory is refitted!) that first year would have run from August 1997 until August 1998. Volkert From: Porsche club GB: The auto industry model year (MY) runs from August 1 to 31 July, so a 1998 model could have been produced between 1 August 1997 and 31 July 1998. 1998 MY: Carrera 2 in Coup� (only), all new, water cooled, 6 cylinder 300bhp 3.4-litre engine with 6-speed manual and 5-speed Tiptronic gearboxes. Cabriolet introduced July 1998 (with hardtop standard). 1999 MY: All wheel drive Carrera 4 featuring Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and fly-by-wire throttle. All models have POSIPS side impact protection system, louder exhaust note and smoked front and rear indicator lenses. Mid-1999, motorsport focused GT3 introduced, with water cooled, 360bhp 3.6-litre version of the tried and tested 'Mezger' engine.

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I agree with you....I love that splitter on the chin....I was thinking of putting one on in yellow. I have another one for backup...see pics below...It is a Porsche Part Number.

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Red calipers are for the S models. Yours have probably been painted to "Look cool." My preference, both cars in equal condition, would be the August 98 build. If you have driven both and like them equally, get a PPI to help you decide. Have an extra five grand in your pocket for deferred maintanence and unexpected failures. You can change the lights later to whatever you like.

Thanks for the replies! PPI's have been done for both cars, one at an independent and the other a dealership. Both cars look good. The independent recommended replacing the IMS bearing (earlier car) and the dealership did not offer any suggestions other than the 60K maintenance. The earlier car has a ton of options including LSD, hollow turbo twists and Porsche Sport Exhaust that sounds really good. The later car has fewer options but does have full leather interior that is extremely nice. I would likely want to upgrade to 18' GT3 wheels for that one. The owner of the later car said that the calipers were upgraded but based on the photos I took I suspect that they are the same as the black ones. Thanks again!

That first one sounds like a keeper! You might consider keeping it with stock lights (if they don't bother you), these cars are getting rare (or more rare for now). Anyway, as it goes with 996's, take the one you like most and enjoy it! Volkert

I never looked at the car from this perspective but nice to see how the Mk1 headlights line up with the total.

Buy the earlier one and leave the IMS bearing alone unless you are willing to spend full freight of about $4000 and have the IMS solution done by a certified shop.

Personally I think this is where the inspiration for the orange came from. Apologies for the terrible cut and shut job. 996.2 lights have no back story and are therefore inferior!!

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You could be on to something! If you look at contemporary BMW/Mercedes they already "whited" their blinkers, so why would Porsche not have done this?

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No disrespect intended to this source, but doesn't make sense in some cases. I have a 2/98 build date, and a 1999 model year. I also know of another 99 model year car with a 3/98 build date.

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This is incorrect. The 996 911 was drawn and conceptualized as one piece first. There are many articles and comments by Pinky Lai, the main designer of the 996, that explain this. Unfortunately the perception is that the Boxster was designed first since it was released earlier. The original design was for the 911. The boxster design was then adapted to the 911 front clip.

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Mine has a 4/98 build date.

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Maybe the 996 was only officially introduced in North America with MY99? Volkert

Hi all, I'm seeing a few 996.1 users here without the old style headlight washers. My assumption is that you guys removed all of the pieces/parts of the headlight washer system (including the dreaded leaky pump), and installed something like these "headlight corner lamp reflectors", correct? I'm seriously considering this mod to clean up the look of the front of my 996.1 C2 Cab (and also because my HL pump leaked/got removed, and BOTH of my HL washers are busted, too). Any feedback or advice? Anyone do this mod and wind up regretting it for any reason? The whole headlight washing system seems completley superfluous to me...

mine was delivered without headlight washers. The corner reflectors are easily replaced, however. I would do it