European vs. USA xenon

[chema]

I've heard that the USA xenon headlighs are different than the european ones. I've imported a USA boxster 987 into Europe, and I need to replace one headligh, anyone knows if I can use the european model in a USA vehicle?

Thanks!

Chema.

[SA321]

I've heard that the USA xenon headlighs are different than the european ones. I've imported a USA boxster 987 into Europe, and I need to replace one headligh, anyone knows if I can use the european model in a USA vehicle?

Thanks!

Chema.

i have not done it on 987 (only on 996 and 955). plugs and form factor were the same - the only difference is marking on the glass (E vs DOT). it would be too expensive for Porsche to have too many differences between regional versions so i guess with 99% certainty you can swap one for the other Edited October 29, 2009 by SA321

[chema]

I've heard that the USA xenon headlighs are different than the european ones. I've imported a USA boxster 987 into Europe, and I need to replace one headligh, anyone knows if I can use the european model in a USA vehicle?

Thanks!

Chema.

i have not done it on 987 (only on 996 and 955). plugs and form factor were the same - the only difference is marking on the glass (E vs DOT) and different shape light beam (you will not notice the difference). it would be too expensive for Porsche to have too many differences between regional versions so i guess with 99% certainty you can swap one for the other

Thanks for your answer!

[berty987]

As far as im aware the european light has a facility for left or right hand driving by virtue of a tag internal to the unit. I know that the bulb types used in the USA are also different to European models so it would be worth checking the parts manual for both north american and european cars as to the bulb part numbers for hi beam and turn signal. I am not aware of the wiring loom being different. Porsche standardise on parts where possible so the advent of two part numbers for a xenon headlight unit suggests there may be some more subtle differences. The beam pattern should be the same on NA and Europen xenons though there may be some adjustment required. I have a set of LHD european HID headlamps that are nearly new if you are interested drop me a PM.

[UBSdude]

IIRC, European HID headlamps don't allow as much stray light above the cutoff line, since most European street signs are lit up already. US beams allow more light to shine above the cutoff line so that reflective street signs are lit up. Also, the sharper Euro cutoff line creates a more intense blueish/purpleish hue right at the line where the light is refracted. As far as the answer to your question...I have no idea honestly. I would think the projectors on the Euro spec models is different since that's what creates the beam pattern.

[berty987]

Im not aware of many if any street signs being illuminated in Europe save those found at crossings or those on motorway gantries . The cut off for the beam ensures that oncoming drivers are not dazzled by the lights , so I'm surprised there would be any difference. The cut off on the beam pattern is determined by a flap that sits at the rear of the reflector housing in front of the bulb itself. On the european headlamp this has two positions to create either a flat or "kicked up" beam pattern at one edge. The flat beam pattern is used when a LHD car drives in a RHD country or vice versa. Certainly if you are now in the UK rather than USA if the beam pattern does not have the correct cut off you will fail the MOT (vehicle road acceptance test) and have to buy two headlights.

[SA321]

Certainly if you are now in the UK rather than USA if the beam pattern does not have the correct cut off you will fail the MOT (vehicle road acceptance test) and have to buy two headlights.

regardless of the beam (which are different under DOT and E standards) you have to buy European headlights as inspector will look for "E" in circle marking on the headlight. That is how in my case they determined compliance (they had no clue about beams)