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YOUR RESEARCHPlatic film over the headlights?
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Replace entire bi-xenon headlamp and led taillamp systems
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The people that decide on headlight lighting regulations are kind of funny; for example, Infiniti just replaced the entire bi-xenon headlamp and LED taillamp systems on my FX for reasons I don't quite understand, though I won't complain.
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The lenses probably wouldn't be a problem, and I doubt any colored film is used on any race cars that require the use of the headlights.
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Coloured film, or lenses, have been used on Porsche race cars for many years.
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I'll guarantee you the only LEGAL way to do this would be to use clear film only--IF that's even allowed.
Replace entire bi-xenon headlamp and led taillamp systems
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The people that decide on headlight lighting regulations are kind of funny; for example, Infiniti just replaced the entire bi-xenon headlamp and LED taillamp systems on my FX for reasons I don't quite understand, though I won't complain.
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I hope he means for racing. When I took delivery of my car, it had clear, colorless Lexan covers over the lights to protect the lenses. They were bulky and incredibly ugly - fortunately, they were easy to remove, which I did. I wouldn't recommend others to go near them.
No problem.
I can't remember what year 996 you have, but for 99~01 they do not have pre-cut headlight film, so you will need to get a sheet and cut your own. Not a big deal.
Now some people will tell you not to put film on the headlight covers because it will cause the headlights to create more heat and possibly melt the plastic. Well I have not heard of anyone having this issue if you get the correct film. Basically the film you get should not block the light coming out, in other words, stay away from black or heavy shaded film. The Yellow or Blue does not block the light, OK maybe a little but very little, but what it does is change the colour of the light emitted and gives the exterior a different look. Also you are putting the film on the cover and not on the headlights themselves, and the cover is a ways a way from the bulbs. If putting film on a headlight cover is a bad thing to do, then clear film would also be a no-no (which I have). Now in your Owner's Manual it will tell you not to put any film on the headlights:
1999 911 Carrera Owner's Manual:
Caution - Attach no coverings (e.g. films, "stone guards") in the area of the headlights. Damage due to excessive temperatures and abrasion could result.
So this is one of those mods where some will go by the book (Owner's Manual), and some will go with knowing the correct way to do the mod and understands what the negatives are but are not afraid to venture out on there own.
So what colour is your 996 again?
I have to question the logic of putting film on the headlights. On the one hand, there's a small possibility of your headlight getting hit by a rock. On the other hand, they definitely/specifically tell you that you can have other problems.
It just seems that you're trading the potential for one problem for the potential of another problem that's specifically highlighted in the manual. 996 headlights are relatively cheap--I'll just deal with it if I ever break one.
It's not necessarily the rock that may break the lens, it is the sand blasting you can get in some areas of the country while driving. So by putting on the clear film at least can protect the lens, so that when it comes time to sell the car you can always remove it and the headlights will look good as new. So I would rather use film and again I do not buy into a melt down occuring by doing so. I believe that you will find thousands of people putting film on there cars including the headlights and how many reports have you seen of a melt down?
Also, I have seen actual lenses in yellow for sale.
gota911: Hah we dont use those helmets here in europe, me gonna do an extraordinary mod here =)
TheSpeedDemon: Well we hope they wont melt, will get back next year with the results, thanks.
Eh, to each his own on the plastic film. I've seen no reports on meltdowns, but then I've only seen a handful of reports of people putting this stuff on their headlights in the first place. It sure seems like it has the possibility of creating a problem where none existed before, not to mention that you probably won't get any help for Porsche if you do have a problem.
...and the colored ones are just plain WRONG.
No ... like ElTorrente said they are for 02-04.
You will have to get a sheet like I previously mentioned. You may want to email them to find out how much you need.
Out here in California when you get the clear film put on the front, mirrors, behind the wheels of your car, they usually do the headlights also. I can tell you I have seen hundreds of cars with the film on the headlights and doing the film is again common practice here in California. So maybe your report of a handful is only from a specific area or online, not sure, but I know for a fact it is more than a handful.
Since the film is clear I cannot see a problem at all with having it on the headlights, and like you I have not heard of any meltdowns from doing so. As far as my concern with Porsche and doing this, I am not worried at all since I am out of warranty. But even if I had a new Porsche I would still do it. Keep in mind the film is easily removed.
Coloured film, or lenses, have been used on Porsche race cars for many years. Of course limited use of the headlights eliminates any issues. But I am sure that they use them during the 24 hours of LeMans. We have a driver in our PCA-GGR region that has yellow lenses, not film, actual lenses on his 996.
So the bottom-line is this: we can debate all you want over this subject, but it is the owner of the car to decide whether or not to use film. I say go for it.
The lenses probably wouldn't be a problem, and I doubt any colored film is used on any race cars that require the use of the headlights.
I don't feel like debating it, either, but I'll go with Porsche on this one. I'll guarantee you the only LEGAL way to do this would be to use clear film only--IF that's even allowed. The people that decide on headlight lighting regulations are kind of funny; for example, Infiniti just replaced the entire bi-xenon headlamp and LED taillamp systems on my FX for reasons I don't quite understand, though I won't complain.
As for it being up to the owner...well, yes, in the same sense that it's up to the owner to initiate ANY modification to their car.
Strangely enough, the accepted theory on the FX forum is that the LEDs were TOO bright while looking straight on, but not bright enough from an angle. I think the headlamps were a similar story. Like I said, I'm not complaining, as I've got 80k miles on the car already and HID headlamps aren't exactly a lifetime product. Keeping in mind that I probably won't have the car at 200k, but very well might at 150k miles, I think they might have just saved me a grand or so. Who knows how long they'd have lasted...
