Need an 'Opponion' on Aftermarket Headlamps

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
02/16/2014 at 13:21 • Filed to: Opponion

With my ST ownership being only a few weeks away, I've already begun choosing aftermarket parts to make my ST "My ST". I'm already planning on adding an MBRP 3" Catback, but now I'm looking at headlights/headlamps. I'd like an 'Opponion' on these three in particular:

I'm leaning towards the 3rd one. What do you guys think? Or which do you think goes with this exhaust?

DISCUSSION (28)

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 13:34

3rd

wtrmlnjuc > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 13:36

I'd go for the third one, the first one being my second choice. Third one looks unique without looking 'too aftermarket'.

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 13:38

3rd one.

oldestyoungn > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 13:38

Definitely 3rd if it was me because aggresiveness, but for a "docile" look kinda like with angel eye headlights number one is better.

W124E500 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 13:38

Definitely the 3rd. If not, go for the 1st one

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > oldestyoungn
02/16/2014 at 13:41

Yeah. I'm kinda going for the more aggressive look to match the more agressive sounding catback I plan to get.

Louros > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 13:42

Aftermarket headlights are hot garbage. I consider headlights a safety item; why replace OEM engineering for something whose light output is probably questionable at best?

oldestyoungn > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 13:42

3rd then.

PushToStart > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 13:43

Third one for sure. The second one doesn't seen to even follow the lines/ shape of the headlight, I don't like that one...

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Louros
02/16/2014 at 13:45

I'm sure it's possible to change the bulbs for much brighter ones if they aren't as bright as OEM. I just dislike the fact that Ford only put the Titanium headlights on the ST1 and ST2 and gave the ST3(top trim) HID projectors that run for about $2k a set. I think the whole ST lineup should have gotten unique headlights.

But I do understand your reasoning in regards to reliability and safety.

Victorious Secret > Louros
02/16/2014 at 13:47

Because cheapness.

Not that its ever wise to cast aside something that was designed to work for something that is just cheap.

That and the stock ST lights are damned good for what they are, reflector or HID variants.

Louros > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 13:48

Brighter bulbs won't improve poor reflector/projector design

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 13:54

Are they DOT friendly? If not, I have the right to blind you if your aftermarket headlights shine in my faaaaaace. :I

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 14:00

I like the first one, it balances out the sharpness and angularity of the car with something a little more supple and, dare I say it, sultry.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Louros
02/16/2014 at 14:01

I don't doubt that the stock ST lights are good. Heck, they might be better! It's not that I want to cheap out on lights, If could even find a used set of ST3 HIDs I'd buy them; no one who has then will ever give them up though.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Louros
02/16/2014 at 14:02

And I know I don't know much about the complexities of headlight design either.

YSI-what can brown do for you > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 14:04

Screw the catback get headers(or downpipes)!!!! The lights however do look nice, it isn't like the FRS were people put 2 DRL with halos turn signals and an LED strip, they look very nice and OEM. I want to get a set of these for my car, they are on the left.

Kinja'd!!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > YSI-what can brown do for you
02/16/2014 at 14:23

I could get a downpipe with the catback and that'd sound awesome! I love the look of the lights on the left; much more elegant than the right.

GTI MkVII > Louros
02/16/2014 at 14:25

Couldn't agree more. Not only do aftermarket ones usually look a bit tacky, I don't think I've ever seen an aftermarket set put out a halfway decent beam pattern.

GTI MkVII > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 14:29

If I were in your shoes, I'd only consider two options for headlights:

1) Find OEM HID projectors

2) Retrofit proper HID projectors into your existing housings. If you're not comfortable enough to build them yourself, there are companies that will do it for you.

Aftermarket headlights almost always suck. Fitment, build quality, robustness, beam pattern, weather sealing, safety, etc. All questionable when dealing with non-OEM parts.

jkm7680 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 14:35

Third and fourth look the best to me, just don't go and buy $500 headlights though, they seem to be more money pit than anything

Redd, the RX-7 that could > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 15:02

Hard to tell what the LEDs look like in person, but I'm leaning towards the first one, definitely forget about the second.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > GTI MkVII
02/16/2014 at 15:04

I hadn't considered that. might do that instead.

J. Drew Silvers > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/16/2014 at 15:21

Yeah, DOT certification and such are important in this case. It's on the same plane as bikers who wear "novelty" helmets instead of certified helmets. Also, I'll gladly knock Chinese aftermarket light housings because I have yet to see any that haven't had seal issues and become foggy in a year or two. Ever since they started making Altezza-style tail light housings and Angel Eye - style headlight housings for every car known to man, anything aftermarket looks cheap and cheesy to me. Just my opinion, of course. Take it or leave it.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > J. Drew Silvers
02/16/2014 at 15:29

Oh I understand what you mean. If anything, I wish I could just get the actual lights and retrofit them into OEM housings; not sure if that'd permanently affect the seal though.

Slave2anMG > GTI MkVII
02/16/2014 at 17:39

What he said. Once you've driven behind shit lights, and then get in a car with good lights you'll not worry about looks. There's something kind of important about being able to see at night...

I_AmDeath > GTI MkVII
02/17/2014 at 05:15

Don't EVER. and I mean EVER put HID's in halogen housings.

GTI MkVII > I_AmDeath
02/17/2014 at 13:30

I never advocated for anyone to do that. I told him to retrofit OEM (Ford or otherwise) HID projectors into his existing housings. Popular options include S2000 or TSX projectors paired with high quality ballasts and OEM D2S bulbs.