Anyone tried an HID conversion

[hothatch2002]

Have never been entirely happy with the headlights on my 996 C4, they are about as bright as a glow worms armpit!

Have seen some HID conversion kits around and was looking for some first hand advice. Which are good / bad. Where to position the ballast. Can they cause an electrical fault / catch fire.

Simon

 

[Black80XSA]

Done this on the Boxster, and know of a similar fit on a facelift 996.

Make sure you buy a kit listed for the car, some bulb elements are too long and touch the internal cone reflector inside the headlamp unit. The ones on Ebay i think are OK, i got mine form Ninemeister and had no issue. Just check before hand.

Are they any good ? - much more light on the road, but don't expect huge gains in overall reach/range (after all this is governed by the lens of the headlamp unit itself ). They are better than any of the various PIAA bulbs i'd tried in other cars.

However, i'd say its worth risking a set of Osram Silverstar bulbs first (<£20) - these might give you enough extra not to worry about the extra outlay.

Balasts can be attached directly onto rear of headlight pod - plenty of room. I did a write up of my install on another forum. http://www.porschaforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1032

Here's a before and after pic - the std headlight is afactory standard Osram bulb ie no upgrade at all

 

[Guest]

the guy before me done this on my C2 and I ahve to say the HID conversion is superb and dished out a load more light and reach

if you have a look on EBAY you will be surprised what you can find!!

I drove a friends C4 on the same plate and was horrified at the lights!

about as effective as a bloody beetle or ford escort!

a must if you are going rather quickly down a country lane!!

just my 2c
Nick

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

I got the one from hid-online.com. Not too impressed. The bulbs were too long and touched the light shield. They told me to remove the shields (which was an absolute pig of a job) as it would not affect the light pattern. Well, it did - not a lot, but the beam cut-offs aren't quite as sharp as they used to be. Also, I had faults with two bulbs. They were replaced without question but it was a pain in the *rse having to take them in and out.

 

[SambaMav]

Hi,

Sorry for not replying earlier, I have just done the HID conversion to my C4. I got the kit for Ebay and it fits fine, all I had to do was tap the reflector cone forward a few mm in one headlight. The light is definitely much whiter and brighter than before.

Very easy to do, the hardest part was drilling the hole in the back panel that attaches the light unit and getting the grommet to fit flush with all the ribbing on the panel.

Have fun

Stu