Bi Xenons retro fit?

[MelanieH1511]

hello everyone - quick q from a newbie ????. Trying to locate a brand new 718 in the UK and have found one almost bang on the spec I’d like - except it doesn’t have bi xenons.... (given where I live - deepest darkest countryside and pot holes to kill my 20” Carreras) Id really like them... can I have them retro fitted.....?! Thanks in advance ??

 

[fergusor]

Bi-xenons are standard on all 718’s.

But you can upgrade them to the Porsche Dynamic Light System, or upgrade them further to LED’s with PDLS.

But rest assured all 718’s come with bi-xenon, it’s the dynamic bit that’s an option (swivels the lights so you can see around corners better).

 

[MelanieH1511]

Ha! thank you very much ??. I spoke to the sales guy and he said there was a difference in the power albeit marginal....??

Do you think it’s poss to retro fit the dynamic element...?

 

[fergusor]

You'll probably have to replace the complete headlight unit to update to PDLS. I'd imagine all that would be needed then would be to reprogamme the units once they've been installed.

I think the bi-xenon light units all look the same (unless the previous owner specced the black units) so people wouldn't know they were PDLS unless they looked closely at them (I think it says PDLS on them).

 

[Motorhead]

Even if it's possible I'm sure that upgrading to PDLS would be very expensive. Because of the increased power output you'd probably need to add headlamp washers (a possible legal requirement?), another expensive upgrade (modified front PU and larger washer reservoir, etc.).

However, I've got an early version of PDLS on my 987.2 Cayman - they're an excellent option if you're able to specify them.

Jeff

 

[Dylan1]

Although all have bi xenons these are lower power units (5kw rather than 15kw?)
you really need to try them in the dark to check as I found them not bright enough
mine has pdls and is MUCH brighter
as a rule of thumb if the headlights don’t have wash facilities then they’re not going to be bright enough
just my experience and advice

 

[MelanieH1511]

Although all have bi xenons these are lower power units (5kw rather than 15kw?)
you really need to try them in the dark to check as I found them not bright enough
mine has pdls and is MUCH brighter
as a rule of thumb if the headlights don’t have wash facilities then they’re not going to be bright enough
just my experience and advice

hmm.... thanks for this!! I spoke to dealer and he inferred they were marginally dimmer... but 10kw could make a big difference (a. with my eyesight and b. its sooooooo dark in the countryside and potholes are everywhere!)

They are looking at replacing the headlight units for me (at a cost) in a pre registered one that is already specd almost to my liking - bar Bi Xenons with PDLS....! Or - do I just order a new one when they're released and live with the leadtimes... Im not entirely sure what else is changing with cars ordered after September bar complying with the new WLTP emissions.....?! Aargh! There are others available but I didn't really want to pay an extra £3/4k for extras that Im really not bothered about - just want nice bright headlights!! (especially after my existing merc is so crap in the dark!)

 

[Motorhead]

Maybe you could persuade the Centre to lend you a 718 with standard headlights lights so that you can evaluate them?

Jeff

 

[BrianJ]

My original 986 had Litronics which I specified; I was so pleased with those that on the subsequent 987 I similarly specified "Bi-Xenon lighting system with dynamic cornering lights" which were the predecessor to PDLS. They were fantastic - the extra brightness, swinging of the beam into corners and automatic levelling really enhanced the night time vision and safety, and enabled much better confidence and speed. The headlamp washers were also a real bonus in dirty/salty weather. When I bought my current 981 second hand, it had the standard Bi-Xenons. Compared with my previous two cars I don't drive a lot at night now, but the (I discovered later) lower-powered standard of lighting at night is really very poor - not having PDLS is my only regret on this otherwise excellent car, and believe it isn't a realistic retrofit, though would be delighted to be proven wrong. About the same time as buying the 981, we also bought an Audi Q3 and specified the PDLS equivalent - the difference (pardon the pun) is night and day.

 

[MelanieH1511]

Bi Xenons with PDLS it is then..... thanks everyone for your advice and in put!!

 

[Dylan1]

You would only regret not having the PDLS seriously
my eyesights not getting better and I wouldn’t dream of a car without it now - and especially once you’ve had a car with them ,anything less is really dim at night
good luck with your search

 

[Wollemi]

Certainly I have heard nothing good about the standard lights on the 718, or the 981 for that matter.
I once had a 981 on loan and the headlights were the worst lights I’ve experienced on any modern car. They were shockingly bad.

 

[MelanieH1511]

So....finally sourced my 718 - with lots of toys I hadn't originally realised I needed () but hey - in for a penny and all that.....! Its got PDLS whoop whoop and a whole host of other stuff too..... except folding mirrors Never mind...even though on the past 3/4 cars I've had its the only way I can tell I've locked it is by checking if the mirrors are nicely tucked in safely!!

Hoping to collect at end of month/early September - excited - muchly []

 

[Dylan1]

Fab!!
enjoy