981 S standard xenon's, good enough?
Discussion
Just read a previous thread highlighting that the standard xenon aren't as bright as the upgraded ones. I've never heard of this before (on any car), nor of xenons that aren't bright enough to require washers.
Now the car is out, can anyone share their experiences of these lights? How bright are they? Is there a significant difference between the 2 options?
I don't need bendy or self cleaning lights, so didn't tick the box (£500 ish) but the brightness of lights is really important to me and it may need revisiting.
I only have a couple of days to spec change.......
ta
Now the car is out, can anyone share their experiences of these lights? How bright are they? Is there a significant difference between the 2 options?
I don't need bendy or self cleaning lights, so didn't tick the box (£500 ish) but the brightness of lights is really important to me and it may need revisiting.
I only have a couple of days to spec change.......
ta
No sure about brightness but when you are motorway driving I think the lights extend further down the road. Someone can confirm.
Edited to add the official description:
Lights will always be an essential safety feature, but we go one step further by using them as part of an extraordinary styling concept.
Clear glass halogen headlights are fitted as standard on the Boxster. The Boxster S is equipped as standard with Bi-Xenon headlights. On both models, LED daytime running lights and position lights are housed in a separate auxiliary light unit above the outer air intakes. LEDs provide powerful illumination, respond extremely rapidly to driver input, offer a longer service life and have an unmistakable appearance.
LED technology opens up entirely new possibilities for designers. Not only are LEDs capable of fulfilling all the functions of the imposing taillights and third brake light, they are integral to safety and create a look that is unmistakable, day and night.
Bi-Xenon headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
The optional Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), which comprises Bi-Xenon headlights with halogen main-beam headlights, a headlight cleaning system and automatic dynamic range control, provides uniform illumination of the road whether dipped or main beam is selected.
The dynamic cornering light function swivels the main headlights towards the inside of a bend based on steering angle and road speed. Put simply, a greater part of the road ahead is illuminated the moment you enter a bend.
The system also includes a speed-sensitive headlight range control function. With adaptive light systems, it is possible for the maximum range of the dipped beams and their lighting power to be adjusted as a function of the speed of the vehicle. PDLS takes care of this automatically in two stages. Stage 1 is the basic position, optimised for driving at lower speeds such as in city traffic. Stage 2 is designed for driving at faster speeds, such as when on the motorway. Another function of PDLS is the adverse weather function. Activated when you switch on the rear fog light, it reduces the effect of reflection phenomena in poor visibility conditions.
Automatic headlight activation
In the new Boxster models, automatic headlight activation is available as standard. The system automatically switches between daytime running lights and dipped beam based on ambient lighting conditions.
Edited to add the official description:
Lights will always be an essential safety feature, but we go one step further by using them as part of an extraordinary styling concept.
Clear glass halogen headlights are fitted as standard on the Boxster. The Boxster S is equipped as standard with Bi-Xenon headlights. On both models, LED daytime running lights and position lights are housed in a separate auxiliary light unit above the outer air intakes. LEDs provide powerful illumination, respond extremely rapidly to driver input, offer a longer service life and have an unmistakable appearance.
LED technology opens up entirely new possibilities for designers. Not only are LEDs capable of fulfilling all the functions of the imposing taillights and third brake light, they are integral to safety and create a look that is unmistakable, day and night.
Bi-Xenon headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
The optional Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), which comprises Bi-Xenon headlights with halogen main-beam headlights, a headlight cleaning system and automatic dynamic range control, provides uniform illumination of the road whether dipped or main beam is selected.
The dynamic cornering light function swivels the main headlights towards the inside of a bend based on steering angle and road speed. Put simply, a greater part of the road ahead is illuminated the moment you enter a bend.
The system also includes a speed-sensitive headlight range control function. With adaptive light systems, it is possible for the maximum range of the dipped beams and their lighting power to be adjusted as a function of the speed of the vehicle. PDLS takes care of this automatically in two stages. Stage 1 is the basic position, optimised for driving at lower speeds such as in city traffic. Stage 2 is designed for driving at faster speeds, such as when on the motorway. Another function of PDLS is the adverse weather function. Activated when you switch on the rear fog light, it reduces the effect of reflection phenomena in poor visibility conditions.
Automatic headlight activation
In the new Boxster models, automatic headlight activation is available as standard. The system automatically switches between daytime running lights and dipped beam based on ambient lighting conditions.
Edited by SonnyM on Friday 13th July 16:36
Xenons are up there with A/C in terms of "essential equipment" on any car I look to buy.
I would expect xenons on a ~£50k car, hell most hot hatches have them nowadays.
Aside from that once you've had them its tough to go back to halogens, they don't hold a candle (pun intended) to the brightness and clarity xenons give, especially on enclosed roads etc.
Plus yellow headlights look pretty crappy in the days of white lights and DRLs.
I would expect xenons on a ~£50k car, hell most hot hatches have them nowadays.
Aside from that once you've had them its tough to go back to halogens, they don't hold a candle (pun intended) to the brightness and clarity xenons give, especially on enclosed roads etc.
Plus yellow headlights look pretty crappy in the days of white lights and DRLs.
ROK said:
no difference in total lumens.
the PDLS lights have more powerful bulbsI have PDLS, and think they are worthwhile, especially when driving on country roads and on motorways .. the extended beam at high speed makes a real difference (at least compared to the Xenons on my 987S).
And with PDLS, you can switch to LHD lights using the computer lever.
I'm confused. I always thought that Bi-xenon referred to lights with two xenon 'bulbs' per side i.e. a dedicated dipped beam xenon plus a secon xenon to provide main beam in addition to the dipper which gets tilted up a bit to shine farther down the road. With PDLS, you appear to get an extra Halogen bulb thrown in for good measure so it would appear that there are now three sources of light when on full beam??
http://www.porsche.com/microsite/technology/defaul...
Also interesting to hear that you can adjust the beam pattern but can some one confirm that they can produce the correct LHD and RHD patterns I.e. / __/ and \__\ or does it just flatten the beam pattern to avoid dazzling?
http://www.porsche.com/microsite/technology/defaul...
Also interesting to hear that you can adjust the beam pattern but can some one confirm that they can produce the correct LHD and RHD patterns I.e. / __/ and \__\ or does it just flatten the beam pattern to avoid dazzling?
MogulBoy said:
I'm confused. I always thought that Bi-xenon referred to lights with two xenon 'bulbs' per side i.e. a dedicated dipped beam xenon plus a secon xenon to provide main beam in addition to the dipper which gets tilted up a bit to shine farther down the road.
As far as I'm aware, Bi-Xenon basically means that main beam also uses xenon light, instead of halogen. Older cars with non-Bi-Xenon couldn't use the xenon light for then main beam. On the other hand, Bi-Xenons work by having a shutter on the light projector, so when you switch to main, the shutter just lifts and lets more light out. There is always a single xenon light source, at least in most cars that I know of.SFO said:
ROK said:
no difference in total lumens.
the PDLS lights have more powerful bulbsI have PDLS, and think they are worthwhile, especially when driving on country roads and on motorways .. the extended beam at high speed makes a real difference (at least compared to the Xenons on my 987S).
And with PDLS, you can switch to LHD lights using the computer lever.
nickfrog said:
It would have been in the salesman's interest to do his job and make you spend even more I guess.
To be fair I would have missed the a/c thing if it wasn't for somebody on here or boxa that told me!The salesman didn't explain this or the phone module to me, the forums did!!!
Unless I'm mistaken you will simply have regular halogen headlights with "white" bulbs. Xenons require headlight washers (at least homogenised in the UK), so if you don't have washers and auto-levellers, you don't have xenons, at least not a factory installed system.
Can't speak for 997 but automatic climate control was an option on the 98x too. Without it you just had manual control.
Can't speak for 997 but automatic climate control was an option on the 98x too. Without it you just had manual control.
458 Italia said:
You are mistaken. They are xenons and they have no headlight washers.
They are factory installed and I certainly haven't changed them and the dealer only had the car for 4 hours before I collected and I can't imagine they fitted some different bulbs on PDI.
This is the Eentire point of the thread that the Boxster S has bi-xenons that are not as powerful as the PDLS ones and therefore do not require a washing system. They do auto level though.
hmmm. Very Interesting. I'm sure they cannot call them xenons if they aren't. So no dispute there. I also thought the rule regarding washers applied but maybe this is for the aftermarket kits only. Vaguely remember hearing something along the lines of some euro legislation meant if from new they don't have it is fine. Doesn't make sense though! Hopefully someone who knows what they are talking about will be along to explain. They are factory installed and I certainly haven't changed them and the dealer only had the car for 4 hours before I collected and I can't imagine they fitted some different bulbs on PDI.
This is the Eentire point of the thread that the Boxster S has bi-xenons that are not as powerful as the PDLS ones and therefore do not require a washing system. They do auto level though.
Edited by 458 Italia on Saturday 14th July 00:07
458 Italia said:
I am also very disappointed to have not selected '2-zone climate' as I was unaware it didn't even have '1-zone' as standard. There are about 17 steps of heater and fan control and it is a PITA to keep adjusting every time the roof goes up and down assuming you need some heat in the British summer.
I had auto climate control on my 987.1 S, and not on my 981S. With top down, I have to adjust fan and temp on both cars. climate control does not obviate the need for fiddling when roof is down.458 Italia said:
I have the 981S with 'standard' xenons without headlight cleaning and allegedly weaker bulbs.
They are like normal halogens with whiter light. I am disappointed with them
Sorry to hear that you are disappointed with the standard xenons. They still should be stronger than the halogens: halogens usually provide 1500 lumen, the standard xenons 2000, the more expensive ones 3000. Maker of the xenon bulbs claim that there is almost no difference in brightness and reach of the weaker xenons but that the beam is not as broad as with the more expensive ones. Could be a disadvantage on dark winding country roads, probably not so much an issue in the city or on the Autobahn. Will find out soon when my 981S with the standard xenons arrives. They are like normal halogens with whiter light. I am disappointed with them
Porsche didn't do a good communication job in explaining the technical differences to their customers. Same goes with the auto climate which only comes with the dual zone climate.
BTW I don't think that you simply can swap the weaker bulbs for the stronger ones.
Maybe it's a small consolation that you save some weight with the standard xenons :--)
458 Italia said:
ROK said:
No one Has stepped up with proof that there are diff grades of his bulbs. Jury is out. Some are so quick to accept opinion as fact.
Chins spoke with the 981 Product Manager who confirmed there are 2 different power levels.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Do you want me to dismantle my standard xenons and someone else do the same with his PDLS to see if the bulbs are marked with the wattage?
458 Italia said:
You are mistaken. They are xenons and they have no headlight washers.
They are factory installed and I certainly haven't changed them and the dealer only had the car for 4 hours before I collected and I can't imagine they fitted some different bulbs on PDI.
This is the entire point of the thread that the Boxster S has bi-xenons that are not as powerful as the PDLS ones and therefore do not require a washing system. They do auto level though.
It's a legal requirement for Xenon lights to have headlight washers! They are factory installed and I certainly haven't changed them and the dealer only had the car for 4 hours before I collected and I can't imagine they fitted some different bulbs on PDI.
This is the entire point of the thread that the Boxster S has bi-xenons that are not as powerful as the PDLS ones and therefore do not require a washing system. They do auto level though.
Edited by 458 Italia on Saturday 14th July 00:07
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff