Euro Tail Light Lens - Bosch vs Aftermarket

[gregwils]

I searched the board, but couldn't find any good threads on the differences between the Bosch and aftermarket tail light lens. The product description on our hosts sight suggests that the amber tones are different, but doesn't really suggest how they are different.

Has anyone seen a side by side comparison? Is it worth a 50-60% premium for the Bosch lens? If you purchased the Euro's, which did you buy?

Part of me likes to be purist, but if there is little asthetic difference and no performance difference, then why? My car is not concours or even close.

Hmmm. Maybe I just answered my own question. Anyway, I would appreciate any feedback or guidance. Thanks.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_ELlite_pg6.htm#item23

[widgeon13]

I have pondered the same question and while I have not bought any european lenses I would go with the aftermarkets and keep them when I sell the car, if I sell the car. Not worth the added cost and wtf knows. I've watched for some Bosch here and they go in a heartbeat when listed.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I bought the Bosch and love them. Durable, strong, fit is perfect.

I don't trust aftermarket crap. It almost always has some sort of problem.

[equality72521]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I don't trust aftermarket crap. It almost always has some sort of problem.

I wouldn't lump all aftermarket as crap. There are many, many, many awesome aftermarket items available that far exceed the OEM parts. WEVO, Hargett, B&B, to name a few.

[RWebb]

some aftermarket lenses do not fit well

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by equality72521

I wouldn't lump all aftermarket as crap. There are many, many, many awesome aftermarket items available that far exceed the OEM parts. WEVO, Hargett, B&B, to name a few.

True enough. All I'm saying is "caveat emptor". There's an awful lot of cheaply-made garbage on the market right now, but the better brands (like the ones you mention) who tend to have established reputations to uphold are fine.

FWIW I have a Wevo shift kit on my 911, which is awesome. The Bursch exhaust I bought isn't too bad either although I was disappointed in the finish (I ended up stripping it and POR-20-ing it).

Lights in particular tend to have a lot of cheapo, poorly made reproductions out there these days, as do wheels and a few other parts.

One can make a correlation between how often "aftermarket" versions of a particular part appear on fleabay and how skeptical one should be of the quality. In general.

[island911]

Materials can make a big difference. I don't know if the the aftermarket lens' are acrylic, and the OE Polycarbonate, but suspect that may be the case. (anyone know?)

[JayG]

Anybody with pics?!

[dtw]

I've posted on this before but couldn't find my posts, so here goes again. A couple years ago I purchased a set of the repro rear lenses that everyone seems to be selling. I compared them to some OEM Porsche lenses, including some NOS dated '85 and some recent production.

The re-pops have a much less substantial, washed-out looking pigment applied. The paint on the border has poor adhesion. The molding of the reflective surfaces is much 'muddier' and less sharp/focused than the originals. They do have original Bosch part numbers and include the Bosch trade name, which is fairly surprising to me as the 'real' parts are NOT out of production. Lastly, the reproduction pieces have an incorrect curvature to them, which would put them under stress in an installed state.

Overall, not one single aspect of the repros was executed to my satisfaction. They are garbage. I've found this to be true of the majority of reproduction (not 'aftermarket' - that's a whole 'nother thread) parts. I can't say I was 'happy' to spend nearly $500 putting original, new lenses on all four corners of my '72, but they are nice pieces.

Sorry, no pics. I was going to return my re-pops to Stoddard but I dropped one of the damned things on my garage floor and it broke cleanly in half. Sold the other one.

[williecoyote]

I have the Bosch ones on mine. ( I bought them from dtw incidentally )
They just look right.