Anybody looking for factory Litronics?
07-13-2011, 01:49 PM
#46
Drifting
Thread Starter
OK, talked to the seller. For 11 or more, he will sell to us at $1050. He is sending me pics of everything that is included so we can go from there.
07-13-2011, 02:16 PM
#47
I just contacted my Porsche parts guy. My understanding is that the specified part number is for the headlight assembly only. Now, maybe this is a great deal and good luck to all interested, but for me, personally, too much uncertainty (btw, I have a 1996, too). The Porsche factory wants $4k for a complete unit with all that you need. Sorry, I am withdrawing my interest.
07-13-2011, 02:38 PM
#48
Agent Orange
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
US and European light patterns are different. On the outside the headlights look the same but the US lights allow a small amount of light to go above the cutout of the light beam. It is meant to light up road signs. In Europe, the cut out is sharp with no light passing over it. I have been using the Euro headlights on several Audis and VWs and the difference is very noticeable.
07-13-2011, 02:59 PM
#49
Drifting
Thread Starter
I'm getting pictures from the seller so we can see exactly what is included. I also found a source for the control units - 200 for both - and the seller has several sets.
07-13-2011, 03:07 PM
#50
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US and European light patterns are different. On the outside the headlights look the same but the US lights allow a small amount of light to go above the cutout of the light beam. It is meant to light up road signs. In Europe, the cut out is sharp with no light passing over it. I have been using the Euro headlights on several Audis and VWs and the difference is very noticeable.
Jack
07-13-2011, 03:20 PM
#51
Nordschleife Master
I just contacted my Porsche parts guy. My understanding is that the specified part number is for the headlight assembly only. Now, maybe this is a great deal and good luck to all interested, but for me, personally, too much uncertainty (btw, I have a 1996, too). The Porsche factory wants $4k for a complete unit with all that you need. Sorry, I am withdrawing my interest.
sorry I am out
07-13-2011, 03:27 PM
#52
Drifting
Thread Starter
Well, of course the Porsche factory wants 4,000....
I think I shall undertake this whatever happens with the group buy (which seems to be falling apart; that's why I hate trying to organize these things)
I think I shall undertake this whatever happens with the group buy (which seems to be falling apart; that's why I hate trying to organize these things)
Last edited by TheBen; 07-13-2011 at 03:53 PM.
07-13-2011, 05:04 PM
#54
Drifting
Thread Starter
I will. Awaiting the seller's email. Also, trying to confirm about that source of ballasts.
I now believe that the price includes everything but the ballasts...but I found them for 200/set. I'll let everyone know asap.
I now believe that the price includes everything but the ballasts...but I found them for 200/set. I'll let everyone know asap.
07-13-2011, 07:13 PM
#55
Banned
The kit number from Sunset includes all of the parts needed for the installation per the service instruction list I posted here previously. Even with the controller/ballast you still need the wiring harness and all the little parts to make it "correct". For me this is important to do it per factory specs otherwise one can save a lot of money and go with an aftermarket solution for a lot less money ($270 for a kit from Xenon Depot which includes Philips bulbs). I will be interested to see what the seller thinks is a "complete" kit and what the cost is.
07-13-2011, 07:21 PM
#56
Hard for me to justify something that costs around 10X-20X as much for the same result and no one would be able to notice any difference.
I believe in the 1990s, Litronics and HID was new and expensive, thus the expensive price. But now it's cheap and everywhere. Porsche is charging $4,000 for a $160 set-up? That's crazy.
07-13-2011, 07:38 PM
#57
Drifting
Thread Starter
OK, talked with the seller. It is the lamps, bulbs, and ignitors only.
I have a source for the ballasts/control units. The wiring is available from Sunset for around $80.
Has this fallen apart completely or are some people still in? I can see if he'll go lower because this does not include ballasts.
I have a source for the ballasts/control units. The wiring is available from Sunset for around $80.
Has this fallen apart completely or are some people still in? I can see if he'll go lower because this does not include ballasts.
07-13-2011, 08:04 PM
#59
Rennlist Member
Yeah, I know this is a "purist" thing, but I got a great HID kit with a 5 year warranty, including bulbs, for about $250. Meanwhile, I just looked at the website I bought my HIDs from, and now it's $100 for the kit I bought, and $60 for the 5-year warranty, and it I didn't need to purchase anything additional for them to work. I've had them for 2-3 years, never once a problem.
Hard for me to justify something that costs around 10X-20X as much for the same result and no one would be able to notice any difference.
I believe in the 1990s, Litronics and HID was new and expensive, thus the expensive price. But now it's cheap and everywhere. Porsche is charging $4,000 for a $160 set-up? That's crazy.
Hard for me to justify something that costs around 10X-20X as much for the same result and no one would be able to notice any difference.
I believe in the 1990s, Litronics and HID was new and expensive, thus the expensive price. But now it's cheap and everywhere. Porsche is charging $4,000 for a $160 set-up? That's crazy.
To Ben... Right now I'm really on the fence on these. If it was plug-and-play it would be one thing, but wiring harnesses and ballasts are starting to add more money than they may be worth to me. Bummer.
07-13-2011, 08:17 PM
#60
Rennlist Member
I have aftermarket HIDs too. I think the difference in cost is at least partly due to the self-leveling feature that is not present in our aftermarket HIDs, that I'm guessing IS present in the Litronics (I believe car manufacturers have to have a self-leveling feature in their HID headlights).