Hi Everyone,
I'm in the market for a 996, and am wondering how noticeable the difference is between the regular incandescent lights or the "Litronics" lights, or the 2002 and newer 996.2 HID lights. And, if I do find a 996.1 I like with incandescents, how hard / expensive would it be to retrofit OEM, or aftermarket, HID lights? How much are aftermarket HID lights? How's their quality?

Also... I am in Florida, so we have long hours of sunlight here, and most roads are very well lit (ie, I won't be driving on the mountain roads of New England in the pitch dark...).

Thanks everyone!

 

It's Litronic/Xenon/HID vs Halogen for any MY. Get the HIDs if you can and plan to drive it at night. They make a massive difference.

As far as upgrading after the fact, going OEM will be $$$$ as just the housings (new) are over $2k each. There are threads out there about going from Halogen to HID (both OEM and aftermarket). Dig them up and see what is involved.

 

MK I cars have Litronic headlights as an option - HID low beams and halogen high beams. MK II cars have Bi-Xenon headlights as an option - HID low beams and high beams with supplemental halogen high beams. It's a desirable option in either series. The MK I halogens utilize a reflector assembly rather than a projector assembly like the Litronics. Aftermarket conversion of the reflector assembly is possible, but not ideal.

 

Thanks guys...
is there a noticeable difference in the illumination (performance) of the Mk I HID vs the Mk II HID? Or are they both pretty good?

 

There is no drastic difference between the litronic model years. They're all better than standard 12v bulbs.

 

Get the Litronics. Yes they are that much better. Plenty of headlight units available from salvage cars.

 

So does that mean I can get an H4 headlight car, and then easily find a salvaged set of Litronics to upgrade? Or just get a Litronics car to start with?

 

Just get a Litronics car to begin with as the wiring is slightly different and also you have auto leveling feature as to not blind oncoming drivers.

Other alternative if you don't care about auto-leveling and are handy is the HID retrofit as seen here:

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...and-986-a.html

 

Where in Florida? I'm in Pensacola and I have the Bi Xenons that Alpine was referencing in the link he posted. If you're close, come by and check them out.

 

Not worth the hassles

The standard bulbs you can buy in any auto parts store
Makes it easy if on a road trip

 

Used MKII Litronics are VERY expensive, new ones are STUPID expensive. I went the route of Halogens when I bought my project car because of price.

 

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...ns-please.html

 

I just posted the above link....checked to make sure it worked....I did some research and called theretrofitsource.com they were very helpful...they're in Atlanta and one of their top rated installers is in cumming. I chatted with him about an hour and he walked me through all the terminology, processes and differences in the factory projectors and aftermarket...he had A LOT of pics from various installs he performed....I picked the BiXenon projectors, nightbreaker bulbs, upgraded ballast, HID for the driving lights(normal ballast for that one)..so they will match when the headlights and driving lights are on...but I left the factory high beams stock....you'll barely be able to see them over the HIDs...and if they're undesirable, i'll take it back and he will unplug the factory high beams....total for driver's and passenger side is $1200...takes 5hrs

 

I actually prefer the way the Litronics in a MK1 car look, the shiny oval headlight washer on the MK2 cars is odd IMO. Both are great for night driving. I haven't thought once in mine, man I wish my lows or highs are brighter. Oddly enough in my Cayenne S with bi-xenon's I wished where brighter once in a while; but the CTT I didn't, I just assume it was something with the self leveling in the CS.

The best HID car I have owned was a 02' Audi S4; they where 100% stock and just lit up everything (I live about an hour west of Detroit, so the far suburbs, still lots of country and no street lights with 55 mph speeds all over) With that said, I will not buy a car (as a daily) without HID anymore.

 

Pics of the $1200 mod por favor.