Headlight Upgrade?

[gtoger]

So this.... 97 04 Porsche Boxster 986 99 01 996 911 Xenon Headlight Pair Headlamp Light | eBay

The guy is asking nearly half the purchase price of my car for the headlights, and they've been used for "a few years?" Is that for real? They look fantastic, but...I guess I understand what the aftermarket fuss is all about now!

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by gtoger

So this.... 97 04 Porsche Boxster 986 99 01 996 911 Xenon Headlight Pair Headlamp Light | eBay

The guy is asking nearly half the purchase price of my car for the headlights, and they've been used for "a few years?" Is that for real? They look fantastic, but...I guess I understand what the aftermarket fuss is all about now!

Yes, this is for real. By far, the best bang for the buck is Nine8six's kit via Pelican, shipped to particlewave(Charles) and you can beat the socks off of that listing. I can't say enough about Fred and Charles, both excellent at what they do and all around great guys.

[gtoger]

Originally Posted by BruceH

Yes, this is for real. By far, the best bang for the buck is Nine8six's kit via Pelican, shipped to particlewave(Charles) and you can beat the socks off of that listing. I can't say enough about Fred and Charles, both excellent at what they do and all around great guys.

Yeah, it really looks that way. Now, if there were only a link I could click on to begin the process.

Or get an idea as to cost, unless this is a situation of "if you have to ask, you can't afford it ".

[particlewave]

The first step is getting the projectors. Fred's run ~$325-$425 with shipping, but they are currently in limbo until Pelican carries them.

Next step is to install. If you can DIY, you can do this for the cost of the projectors. The Retrofit Source has given quotes for install ranging from $700-$1200. Shipping the headlights costs about $50 each way.
I usually charge $200, but realize I am just one guy helping other car guys, not a business, so I'm limited by volume and time.
I can always help, but you'll have to give me a heads up well ahead of time so I can make time for the install.

[EJ-Fresno]

Let's hope Pelican will hurry up to make them available!

[clickman]

Odd that Pelican is taking so long. I hope Fred doesn't rue the day he made this decision.

[gtoger]

Many thanks to Particlewave for the explanation. So as I understand it, it will be roughly $425 in parts, but they can't be had at this time. Then there's $100 in shipping to have the work done (because I'm not going to do it myself as the results would suck). Then there's the $200-1200 range in price for the labor (depending on who does it).

Which brings me to anywhere between $725 - $1,725.

And it's using my old headlight housings, which are not in perfect shape. Yellow hazy and one of them looks like someone glued the outside wedge cover back on. Badly. Plus, since we drive the car, not having headlights for days or weeks is a non-starter.

So toss in another $500 or so for new donor lights (based on what I find on ebay).

Therefore, as I understand it, the headlight upgrade will cost somewhere between $1,225 and $2,225.

I SO WANT new lights for the car. It's just the sticker shock that's got me!

[KRAM36]

Dang, counting myself lucky, although I knew I was.

I live near particlewave. I contacted him just before he sold his last set. He was kind enough to hang onto them for me. Built them for me using a set he had and I did a refresh on the lenses of my car. I got there and he pulled my lenses and installed them on the set he had prepared. He was actually going to do it for $475, but I told him I would pay him $600 for waiting on me, he held them for around 2 weeks (maybe longer) for me.

He probably could have sold the projectors alone for $600 or more without messing with installing them. Awesome guy he is.

[KevinH1990]

I'd check to see if these were still available:

http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-parts-sale-wanted/56868-fs-litronic-headlights-w-bulbs.html

You might be able to sell your old lights for a few hundred and recoup part of the cost.

If you are willing to be patient, you might also find folks selling single litronic headlights on ebay or Car-Parts.com and assemble a set. Even if the outsides are less-than perfect, it is possible to refurbish them with about 6 hours of work: http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/54697-advice-used-litronics.html

[KRAM36]

Litronics are not plug and play though, right? You need more then just the headlight to make them work?

[KevinH1990]

Litronics will work without the harness, but adding the harness and controller adds some additional features:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/55119-986-litronics-plug-play.html

Here's someone selling the whole package:
Early 996/986 Litronic headlights and headlight washer conversion package - Rennlist Discussion Forums

If anyone wants to read about adding the harness and suspension sensors you can find the information here:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/55840-can-you-endure-one-more-litronic-thread-me.html

And a video showing the operation with the harness, controller and sensors installed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGkfebCCf2Y&feature=youtu.be

[clickman]

Originally Posted by gtoger

Many thanks to Particlewave for the explanation. So as I understand it, it will be roughly $425 in parts

PW gave a range of what they USED to cost; you've shown the upper end. We don't know what Pelican is going to charge for them.

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by clickman

PW gave a range of what they USED to cost; you've shown the upper end. We don't know what Pelican is going to charge for them.

I would imagine Pelican got a good deal with Fred for a large volume purchase. Guessing, I would say $500 for the high end. Fred had to be making some money off these even selling them for $325 to $424, I hope.

The one thing that makes me even more happy and more thankful to pw, is they have PORSCHE OPTICS and Limited Edition on them. The ones at Pelican won't have that on them.

Another nice thing about these over the Litronic lights is they are Bi-Xenon, they don't use a halogen bulb for the high beams. The pictures of these look great, but in person, they are flat out awesome looking. Even pw after installing them on my car, said it was the first time he had seen them on another car other then pictures and how sweet they look in person.

[ZX9RCAM]

Sorry to resurect an old thread, but I found this using the search feature.

Originally Posted by particlewave

That is all...

Particlewave, what has been done to these to make them look new?
I need these on my 996!
Thanks in advance.

[particlewave]

The halogen headlights use for that conversion were new.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-Boxster-986-1999-2004-Headlights-Front-Lamps-PAIR-LH-RH-OEM-/291487091461?

[imari]

I went with this set for about $1000. I love the way they look and hope that they last, I've had them on for about 2 weeks now.

[Sassmatt72]

Are they bright?
is the beam pattern good?

any issues?

thx, Matt

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by particlewave

The halogen headlights use for that conversion were new.

Porsche Boxster 986 1999 2004 Headlights Front Lamps Pair LH RH | eBay

It doesn't look like these GT projectors are available anymore unfortunately

[ZX9RCAM]

Originally Posted by particlewave

The halogen headlights use for that conversion were new.

Porsche Boxster 986 1999 2004 Headlights Front Lamps Pair LH RH | eBay

Unfortunately the link states not compatible with my 99 996.

Are you still doing installs of the Vivo's into stock assemblys?