mtbscott

The sand beige dash in my 987 Cayman was okay, but the beige steering wheel was a nasty magnet for dirt. Duh!

Z356

Stud, how familiar are you with what is currently offered by Porsche on these two subjects?

a) There is already a 'washer-delete' and its standard. Just don't order Bi-Xenons or LED's. Headlight washers are not 'design' element on a 991, but functional items required by law on certain types of headlights in Germany and in many other countries! It has to do with making sure light doesn't blind on-coming traffic due to dirt/debris deflecting the path of the headlights! It is particularly sensitive in the more sophisticated Bi-Xenons & LED's, thus the requirement for these washers under current gov't. regulations.

b) Porsche offers FIVE dual tone interiors with darker dashboards and lighter interior leathers (Black/Luxor Beige, Black/Garnet Red, Black/Platinum Grey, Agate/Pebble Grey, Espresso/Cognac)!!!!!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel

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certified_prime

My 991.1 does not have headlight washers (I didn't get that option). So...the parts are there and can be retrofitted if you don't like them. Just buy the non-washer bumper and cap off the washer internally.

Z356

That's a costly solution...but you are right Certified.

For those who want/need the better Bi-Xenons or LED's headlights but want to minimized the visibility of the required headlight washers, 'Porsche Exclusive' offers a rather useful option called 'Headlight Cleaning System Covers in Exterior Color', code XUB. It is rather inexpensive - only $295. And it's the easiest way to make your headlight washers less noticeable on the body of your 991 or 981! (See attached first photo).

I went the other way. I wanted to make the washer super visible! So I ordered 'Headlight Cleaning System Covers in Deviated Exterior Color', code CGU. And I chose 'Guards Red' as the deviated color to match the brake calipers and the peculiar external brackets required to attach my '12 Spyder's manual top to the back of the car! Same $295 low price. And they looked...what is that common American urban slang for great & wonderful??? Oh, yes I remember now...they look the ****!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
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StudGarden

As for a):

I don't know or care about European laws regarding headlight washers. The US is a massive market for Porsche and I don't think I've met anyone that likes those ugly warts. By washer delete I obviously meant with xenon or LED lights. If its still required by regulations or they don't want to make even a slight change to the line, I would hope that a company with as many high speed low drag German engineers like Porsche would be able to come up with something a little less obnoxious than those huge ugly blisters.

As for b):

I realize they offer several dual tone interiors. For a very substantial upcharge. Get a Honda Civic with beige leather interior and you get a dark dash and wheel standard. It wouldn't cost them one penny more to do something like that. Not one penny, as long as it was done across the production line. Same for deviated stitching (they could then offer monotone stitching as an up charge, but I bet no one would get it because the "stock" would look better). In any case, beige and platinum (especially beige) absolutely needs a darker dash at the very least. It throws a tremendous amount of glare on the windshield that borders on unacceptable. Fixing that issue shouldn't take thousands of dollars in upcharges, it should be standard.

pyramid

They fixed that with Macan. Apparently, headlight cleaning system can ONLY be ordered if you choose the standard halogen headlight, and it is NOT mandatory.

Z356

Let me clarify your statement, pyramid, because its not totally accurate. Both versions of the Macan will come with BiXenon headlights as standard equipment. The Turbo will come with BiXenons with PDLS as standard. The latter will be an option on the S. There are NO Halogen headlights on the Macan! The only Halogen lamp on the front of a Macan will be a Fog in the S! The Fog light on the Macan Turbo will be LED. The reason you don't READILY see the necessary & mandated headlight cleaning washers is because they are INTEGRATED into the design of the headlight! They 'push-out' when they are needed to do their spray function. So yes, the washers will be MANDATORY on the MACAN, at least on the two current versions!

The designers of the Porsche Macan were able to work with Bosch, or whomever is the supplier/vendor of the headlights, to incorporate the washers into the actual headlight unit because they had BOTH the PHYSICAL SPACE in the front of the vehicle and an angular UNIT DESIGN which was suitable for 'hiding' the washer inside the unit! The team for the 991 was unable to accommodate a washer within the BiXenon or LED housing on that model. This explains the difference between the two.

Porsche 911 designers tried to integrate headlight washers into headlight units in previous models. The 996 is perhaps the one that will come to mind to most of you. And it was deemed an utter visual disaster, winning universal disdain from critics & reviewers. So PAG has learned their lesson and ever since have been careful on how they design the headlights on each new 911 (e.g. 997, 991), since it's considered an iconic element of the model dating back to the prototype first shown at the 1963 Frankfurt Auto Show!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel

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pyramid

Z356, your thourough explanation always entertaining to read.

Unless you are reffereing to usa macan, on all (ok maybe some) other part of the world, the S comes standard with HALOGEN main headlights with projector type technology and automatic static range control including halogen daytime running lights.

I did miss the part where bixenon comes with integrated headlight cleaning system when I configured one for the wife. But it does NOT make the system mandatory as they are a SELECTABLE option on the NON USA configurator for the standard halogen headlights.

Porsche Jeff

Nice option on these, SNOW and ICE....personally I can't wait for the weather to change to get my cabriolet down.

Z356

Yes, 'USA Macan' - that is what I was talking about. Sorry for the confusion. The two Macan models presently scheduled to be imported and sold in the USA will have BiXenon headlights as 'Standard Equipment'. From the press release for the US version Macan at the LA Auto Show in Fall of 2013:

"Excellent vision and clear signals: lighting systems in the Macan

The lighting systems and design of the Porsche Macan deliver exceptional functionality. The distinctive features at the front of the Macan include the generously proportioned main headlight modules, the daytime running lights, and the arrangement of the fog lights. The tail lights with their slim design underscore the vehicle's sports car character, making the Macan unmistakable even in the dark.

Bi-XenonTM headlights are fitted as standard on the Porsche Macan. Bi-XenonTM headlights with PDLS are also available as an option (fitted as standard in the Macan Turbo). These feature projector type technology, including static and dynamic cornering lights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS).

The dynamic cornering light swivels the low beam headlights towards the inside of a corner, depending on the steering angle and driving speed; the static cornering light activates the auxiliary headlights to illuminate the corner.

The Macan S and Macan Turbo feature 4-point LED technology daytime running lights. Fog lights are also included as standard for all Macan models to improve visibility, even in poor weather conditions. The Macan S has round halogen fog lights integrated in the front end. On the Macan Turbo, these lights use LED technology.

The tail lights also use LED technology, and are similar in design to those in the Porsche 918 Spyder. The lights give a highly sophisticated and broad appearance, further reinforcing the sports car characteristics of the Macan. The sculpted design is particularly striking and makes the Macan unmistakable – by day and by night: The circular brake light emphasizes the slender details of the horizontal tail light, simultaneously accentuating the direction the sculpted light effect, which is just as impressive by day as it is by night and ensures that the vehicle is easily recognizable."

Yes, the PCNA Macan configurator doesn't make the headlights in question very clear. But BiXenon are standard on both models. On the S, you have a choice of two PDLS options to choose in addition to your standard 'base' BiXenon unit. On the Turbo, you only have one additional option since the basic PDLS is included as standard with the BiXenons on that model!

Yes...but that brings up an interesting topic. I think all the headlights for the Macan (or the 991 for that matter) are Xenon worldwide and perhaps none are of the older Halogen technology! The only thing that might be necessary to have the mandatory washer system for is if Xenons are ordered with PDLS, and not the fact that they are by themselves BiXenons. If so, the integrated headlight washers on the Macan models (in the photo I attached above) might only be required on BiXenon headlights ordered with PDLS! If that is the case, even US Macan S BiXenon headlights without PDLS will NOT have the integrated headlight washer mechanism incorporated into the unit. Hope we can get that confirmed by a light expert! I am only a specialist in headlight washers in deviating exterior colors, preferably in 'Guards Red'!

Thank you, sir!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
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maxpowers

I really did not like the headlight washers, but wanted to get fully powered seats and a 2 tone interior, so it forced me to get the headlight washers.

The headlight washers are a bit of an eyesore for me so I did pay to get them in exterior color to minimize their appearance. I also don't think we in the US should have deal with the German law with regard to them and that the headlight delete would be a good option for the car.

hzoenvy33

That is a lot of "bar talk" (I don't know if there is an experience in Englisch like the German "Stammtisch"...)..

The active aero vanes help reducing the drag of the car by I think quite a bit. I've done some aerodynamics and the air flowing through cavities and radiators is really hurtful in case of drag. I won't be surprised if we are going to see such a feature on a lot of -more expensive- cars of all manufacturers.

Yes they are somewhat mechanically actuated. There is probably a small electric motor in the bumper to open and close them. The guys are doing math, if the weight of the motor is less problematic than the aero gains, they will do it.. and I'm sure that is the issue. Nobody is doing things "just because they want to"...

Headlight washers are necessary if the headlights are "too bright" (I don't know the exact threshold but at least all Xenon's need that in Europe).
With LED you can make it without washers (like on the 918)...

Therefore it is not a question if you can "delete" them. It's for safety and regulation reasons..

Z356

You be surprised at how tough the Highway Safety Administration & DOT is regarding headlights here in the US too! But there is always the alternative of getting a Bowling Green-made Corvette if these washers become too difficult for some of you to accept...

By the way, Corvettes in Europe are required to have the headlight washers too!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel

.

Z356

LED on the 991 & 991 Turbo DO have washers and it's probably related to the fact they only come with PDLS. The 918 doesn't seem to have PDLS, so that is why perhaps they are not mandated on that model (or it gets an exception as a limited production) even though it's does have LED headlights! We still need a light expert to step up!

I don't think headlight washers have anything to do with how 'bright' the Xenons are..I think it has to do with cleaning debris away from lenses in foul weather so that light rays are not diverted away & blind upcoming traffic! Xenons focus differently than Halogens & thus are more 'sensitive' to this type of obstruction & diversion of light! Remember these are self-levelling headlights that adjust for height, etc and are further complicated by the PDLS functions, which include dynamic cornering, speed-dependent headlight range control, etc (see third attachment).

Frankly, all of this talk about headlight washers has me thinking we need to bring back the mini-wipers too! Those were the days, my friends! That would look so cool on a 991! Too bad the damn surface of the unit is no longer flat!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel

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StudGarden

OK that was funny!

Also thanks for the explanations.