991 headlight lens replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 131
Likes: 52
991 headlight lens replacement
I know Porsche does not make headlight lens but I am tempted to buy an aftermarket lens replacement from china. I really dont feel like spending over 2k for a headlight that has a minor cracking but its really bugging me and very noticeable. Apparently its a common defect and my car is out of warranty. eBay headlights are all junk, mostly cracked the same way or overly priced and ive been lurking for many months.
I know a headlight retrofitting company locally that can install the lenses.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/20333812980...59.m2763.l2649
The seller agreed for $120 and I can get them installed for $180.
I know a headlight retrofitting company locally that can install the lenses.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/20333812980...59.m2763.l2649
The seller agreed for $120 and I can get them installed for $180.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 463
Likes: 89
From: Atlanta
$180 seems reasonable for the labor. On my 981, I purchased new lenses on ebay and did the install myself. The lens quality was very good, but the process to remove was a PITA.
Let us know how it turns out.
Let us know how it turns out.
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Track Day
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 17
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I know Porsche does not make headlight lens but I am tempted to buy an aftermarket lens replacement from china. I really dont feel like spending over 2k for a headlight that has a minor cracking but its really bugging me and very noticeable. Apparently its a common defect and my car is out of warranty. eBay headlights are all junk, mostly cracked the same way or overly priced and ive been lurking for many months.
I know a headlight retrofitting company locally that can install the lenses.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/20333812980...59.m2763.l2649
The seller agreed for $120 and I can get them installed for $180.
I know a headlight retrofitting company locally that can install the lenses.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/20333812980...59.m2763.l2649
The seller agreed for $120 and I can get them installed for $180.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,284
Likes: 140
From: Philadelphia, PA
Do yuo have instructions on how to do this? I'd love to take a look.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 553
From: Calgary, AB
I'm very interested in this as well. Years ago, when I had an Acura RSX Type S, a popular mod was to bake the headlamps, crack them open and then black out the interior components. It was the poor man's solution to avoiding the costly JDM Type R lamps.
I realize there are black headlamps for the 991, but it seems that they might not be a direct swap for those of us with the base lighting setup (IE: just low-beam xenon, no PLDS).
Mine are cracking around the edges as well but the original owner had PPF applied on the lenses - normally a big no-no, but in this case, might have actually helped prevent any further cracking.
I realize there are black headlamps for the 991, but it seems that they might not be a direct swap for those of us with the base lighting setup (IE: just low-beam xenon, no PLDS).
Mine are cracking around the edges as well but the original owner had PPF applied on the lenses - normally a big no-no, but in this case, might have actually helped prevent any further cracking.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,010
Likes: 1,476
From: ^ The Bay Bridge
I'm very interested in this as well. Years ago, when I had an Acura RSX Type S, a popular mod was to bake the headlamps, crack them open and then black out the interior components. It was the poor man's solution to avoiding the costly JDM Type R lamps.
I realize there are black headlamps for the 991, but it seems that they might not be a direct swap for those of us with the base lighting setup (IE: just low-beam xenon, no PLDS).
Mine are cracking around the edges as well but the original owner had PPF applied on the lenses - normally a big no-no, but in this case, might have actually helped prevent any further cracking.
I realize there are black headlamps for the 991, but it seems that they might not be a direct swap for those of us with the base lighting setup (IE: just low-beam xenon, no PLDS).
Mine are cracking around the edges as well but the original owner had PPF applied on the lenses - normally a big no-no, but in this case, might have actually helped prevent any further cracking.
Not motivated enough to disturb my headlights to do this now, and feel lucky that they haven't shown any of the micro cracks that affected my GT4 lights, but I may buy 2-4 of these lenses to store for a future silvering project and/or the long haul. Seems crazy to spend thousands to replace cracked or pitted lenses.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 1,039
From: Dickson, TN
Not motivated enough to disturb my headlights to do this now, and feel lucky that they haven't shown any of the micro cracks that affected my GT4 lights, but I may buy 2-4 of these lenses to store for a future silvering project and/or the long haul. Seems crazy to spend thousands to replace cracked or pitted lenses.
If anyone does have a good HID turning headlight ..... I'd be interested.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,010
Likes: 1,476
From: ^ The Bay Bridge
The process of heating a pair of Porsche headlight units up in an oven might see me break out in hives, so I can't see doing it unless the lenses are cracked or otherwise need to be replaced and there's no warranty coverage. With that said, I suspect that it can be done well if done very carefully.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 463
Likes: 89
From: Atlanta
Yeah…no way.
The process of heating a pair of Porsche headlight units up in an oven might see me break out in hives, so I can't see doing it unless the lenses are cracked or otherwise need to be replaced and there's no warranty coverage. With that said, I suspect that it can be done well if done very carefully.
The process of heating a pair of Porsche headlight units up in an oven might see me break out in hives, so I can't see doing it unless the lenses are cracked or otherwise need to be replaced and there's no warranty coverage. With that said, I suspect that it can be done well if done very carefully.
