Poeche Boxster 2013 2.7PDK HORRIBLE HEADLIGHTS- HELP!

[George 981]

Having had a Porsche Boxster 986 3.2S for 11 happy years, lured by the newer design of the 981 and a crisp white exterior I decided to break open the piggy bank and treat myself to a new to me 6 yr old Aug 2013 981 2.7pdk model.


And after a small heart attack due to the Ackerman effect I had never experienced before, 4 new Michelins fixed that, but overall she is a beautiful car and although not the bigger engine more than good enough for me.


HOWEVER, what the heck is the deal with the horrible yellow dull headlamps that they allowed it out of the manufacturing plant with? I am genuinely shocked having had a bright white in my old model 2 generations before it never occurred to me they would put in something this BAD in such a super car... its like having a couple of candles in there... I had to get out and check the glass was not discoloured.


So my question is, can I do anything about it? I hear on one hand I can buy another bulb and simply switch it over and then Porsche service tell me they are halogen bulbs and they cannot do any better or retro fit.


So I am confused, can I simply get a blue light H7 bulb and switch it over, or not?....any experts out there with any pearls of wisdom please, oh and I have picked up the previous owners remaining 18mths of extended warranty, I read that is possibly affected? ...again any pearls of wisdom much appreciated.

[gsewell]

The halogens are horrible. Try looking on eBay for nighteyes LEDs 6000K 9000lm bulbs. Massive improvement.

[George 981]

Thanks for the reply.

Is that just a bulb switch then?

[gsewell]

Just a bulb switch from halogen. A little fddly with the large heat sink, in my case I unscrewed the retaining spring but other owners have said that the new bulb can be removed from the base plate which should make it very easy.

[George 981]

Much appreciated...I will look into it. Cheers.

[andy.yeow]

i have actually just replaced the standard H7 bulbs in a Cayman to the Philips H7 led kit, looks alot better! just need to check the level is good when dark

[George 981]

I saw these on ebay, they are quite expensive, they say they are compatible...any thoughts?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Bulbs-H7-Led-White-6...

cheers!

[gsewell]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nighteye-Car-72W-9000LM...

[George 981]

gsewell said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nighteye-Car-72W-9000LM...

Yes saw these too thanks, I was wondering what the difference was between these are £18 a pair and the ones at £50 a pair other than being skint?

[flump]

I had a pair of the night eyes and they flicker when the car starts or the start/stop is engaged. They do appear brighter close to the car and illuminate the road surface very well, but I was convinced they light farther objects worse than the halogens due to the less concentrated beam pattern. So if you need to rely on them on a country lane it might catch you out. They will also invalidate your type approval and MoT, and if you crash could be used by your insurance company as an excuse not to honour any payout. I also worried about them melting the light casing due to it being sealed and them generating a lot of heat or their heatsinks failing. Food for thought.

[dbroughton]

There are some decent upgrades of the really crappy standard bulbs that don't take any effort to change. I just fitted these at £20 a pair

Philips 12972XV+S2 X-tremeVision Car Headlight Bulb, H7 12V, 55W Halogen

Brighter and whiter and still have a decent life span.

[George 981]

dbroughton said:

There are some decent upgrades of the really crappy standard bulbs that don't take any effort to change. I just fitted these at £20 a pair

Philips 12972XV+S2 X-tremeVision Car Headlight Bulb, H7 12V, 55W Halogen

Brighter and whiter and still have a decent life span.

I looked them up, I was told H7 by Porsche parts dept, so these seem a match but on the compatibility test it says:-

"This item doesn't fit Porsche Boxster 2013 981 [2012-2019] Convertible 2.7 Convertible 2706ccm 265HP 195KW (Petrol)." I'm a bit confused as surely all H7 bulbs are the same?

[Wollemi]

It truly is a disgrace that a performance car was allowed to come out of a factory with lights as bad as the 981 standard halogens. When I had one as a loan car I was genuinely shocked at how bad they were, worse than any cheap hire car I’ve had on holiday.

I do hope that the LED figment works well for you.

[ransom81]

Here's my 987 before and after of the bulb upgrade. I'm very happy with the outcome both aesthetically and functionally.

[dbroughton]

George 981 said:

dbroughton said:

There are some decent upgrades of the really crappy standard bulbs that don't take any effort to change. I just fitted these at £20 a pair

Philips 12972XV+S2 X-tremeVision Car Headlight Bulb, H7 12V, 55W Halogen

Brighter and whiter and still have a decent life span.

I looked them up, I was told H7 by Porsche parts dept, so these seem a match but on the compatibility test it says:-

"This item doesn't fit Porsche Boxster 2013 981 [2012-2019] Convertible 2.7 Convertible 2706ccm 265HP 195KW (Petrol)." I'm a bit confused as surely all H7 bulbs are the same?

How odd. I always thought H7 was H7. Which compatibility tool?

[George 981]

dbroughton said:

George 981 said:

dbroughton said:

There are some decent upgrades of the really crappy standard bulbs that don't take any effort to change. I just fitted these at £20 a pair

Philips 12972XV+S2 X-tremeVision Car Headlight Bulb, H7 12V, 55W Halogen

Brighter and whiter and still have a decent life span.

I looked them up, I was told H7 by Porsche parts dept, so these seem a match but on the compatibility test it says:-

"This item doesn't fit Porsche Boxster 2013 981 [2012-2019] Convertible 2.7 Convertible 2706ccm 265HP 195KW (Petrol)." I'm a bit confused as surely all H7 bulbs are the same?

How odd. I always thought H7 was H7. Which compatibility tool?

The one listed with these bulbs for my car 'computer said no!'
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Philips-12972XV-S2-X-tr...

[George 981]

dbroughton said:

George 981 said:

dbroughton said:

There are some decent upgrades of the really crappy standard bulbs that don't take any effort to change. I just fitted these at £20 a pair

Philips 12972XV+S2 X-tremeVision Car Headlight Bulb, H7 12V, 55W Halogen

Brighter and whiter and still have a decent life span.

I looked them up, I was told H7 by Porsche parts dept, so these seem a match but on the compatibility test it says:-

"This item doesn't fit Porsche Boxster 2013 981 [2012-2019] Convertible 2.7 Convertible 2706ccm 265HP 195KW (Petrol)." I'm a bit confused as surely all H7 bulbs are the same?

How odd. I always thought H7 was H7. Which compatibility tool?

The one listed with these bulbs for my car 'computer said no!'
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Philips-12972XV-S2-X-tr...

[dbroughton]

if its any help, it says it doesn't fit my 2011 boxster S either but I have them fitted. The compatibility tool is broken

[LordGrover]

Is it feasible to retrofit Bi-Xenon headlights (PDLS+) with dynamic high beam?