986.2 headlights in 986.1
 

I'm a bit puzzled why this hasn't been asked and answered before. Maybe because it's so obvious it doesn't need answering?

My amber-signal headlights are burned, yellowed and dull. I want to replace them with the all-clear headlights from a 2003-4 model, but I can't find a definitive answer that assures me that they'll fit.

Does anyone have a source that confirms or denies that the lights from late 986s can be used in early 986s?

All 986 headlights are interchangeable with each other and the 996 Mk1 headlights. ;)
I've had every variant in my car at one time or another...

BTW, best price for new is around $790 shipped.

Exactly the information I was looking for. Many thanks!

If you're interested, I have a nice set for $500. Let me know.

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Since you are the guru and this is an appropriate place to ask, what are the different options.

Amber, no Amber, and litronic? Or is there more then that?

Yes. 3 OE variations that you mentioned. ;)

Particlewave, I've been having impure thoughts about an 03 or 04 996. Will you be able to install my projectors?

I'm gonna do my own research, but just in case I don't find it, where have you seen $790?

I've seen them priced as much as $1145 each, but I just bought a pair for $745 from a seller on eBay.

$789.95 shipped. I have personally received 7 sets from this seller. Great seller ;)

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

The 996 mk2 headlight have projectors molded into the reflector assembly, so installing aftermarket projectors would require some serious fabrication. :eek:

Thanks.

I saw your previous comments that all these headlights are interchangeable; however, on the listing you mentioned, it identifies '98 Boxsters (what I drive) as incompatible with these headlights. What do you think?

I'd appreciate your opinion on these headlights (below), if you recognize them (I saw a youtube video that didn't have much good to say about headlamps from Taiwan):

https://www.uniquestyleracings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=445&search=

Yeah, they are all the same. They list them that way because the clear turn signal style didn't come out until later, but they still fit all 986 models. ;)

The "led strip" headlights that you linked are complete garbage. From LEDs that burn out quickly to plastic projectors that can melt if the bulb is too hot to the "cooling holes" in the cases that also allow dirt and moisture in...I could go on, but I'll spare you. Let's just say that I wouldn't recommend those to my worst enemy. :D

Myself as well. I've seen cheaper ones but always just so so condition. I myself wanna eliminate my very good condition Lits for some extremely good condition halogens with clear blinkers so I can do a retrofit before I just say to heck with it and do the infiniti 5 projector units and lose most of my high beam.

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Thanks. You probably saved me money and aggravation. :cheers:

Usually every car on the planet has a .1 or A and a B, just the change to show progression to fixes and tweets to the issues that were found. A body style change is always a part of it but usually just subtle differences. Mostly a manufacture doesn't wanna change too much, if they changed the design of the shape they would have to spend more money on extra parts.

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PW - are these headlights pretty bright? I have the originals in my '02 and they are 'dimsih', and get very dim once the engine is turned off.

They are OEM and fairly bright as far as halogens go.
New with all new bulbs. All sets that I have received were quickly converted to HID bi-xenon projectors, though.

Question: I've seen headlights advertised on eBay that have, what I would call a small circular projection lens -- the kind you see on more-modern cars. But, the seller states that the headlight is w/o litronics. Would this mean that the headlights once had xenon/hid/litronics, but was replaced with a halogen bulb? Or, do even more recent cars have this projection lens and standard (halogen) non-hid bulbs?

Those headlights are xenon, but the Litronics parts are the automatic leveling and high-beam centering apparatus, as I understand it. So, they are said to work without the Litronics controls, but the high beam isn't quite as focused. I can't give you any more details, as I opted for the 986.2 (clear turn signal) lights rather than try to get the xenon lights.