Dispelling another Myth: Ebay 99spec combo lights compared to OEM

[Brent]

Here is my background with the lights: I have had and ran several different sets from several different places of the replica 99spec combo lights. I also have ran and still currently own OEM combo lights. Here is a comparison between the 2.

Ebay 99spec Combo lights:
The facts:
-They are around $100 new
-They come with a harness that will directly plug in to your stock light harness, putting your grand total for the lights + getting them to work at ~$100
-Very very small differences. If you don't know exactly what you are looking for you won't be able to tell the difference between the replicas and the OEM lights and they are not anything that makes the lights look worse.
-Driven with the lights on 500miles(around 9 hours), only stopping for gas once and they did not melt, nor have I ever had an issue with the lenses melting when on for extended periods of time.

OEM 99spec Combo lights:
The facts:
-They are around $300 new
-They require a harness adapter available from knightsport racing to be able to plug into our FD's that cost $50 putting the grand total ~$350.
-They are OEM, so you know exactly what you are getting.
-Never had any issues with these lights. Have not driven quite as much with these.

Pictures:

Here are the pictures of the Replica lights, the difference between the OEM is 01-216 blah blah blah is stamped on the lense. The actual bulb housing is the same color, but have tiny "squares" all around the inside. As you can see, I run them on my car




Here are the OEM lights: Note that these have Stanley P0234L on the lense and the bulb housing is smooth on the inside.





To me, the difference does not justify paying an extra $250, but that is just me.

[87 t-66]

i'd never be able to tell the difference along with 99% of everyone else

[Herblenny]

I know... when I bought mine, there wasnt an ebay choice... I would of totally bought ebay ones!

Thanks for the comparison Brent!

[Sukebe7]

Just to clear up some confusion, there is more than one type of replica 99 spec combo lights for sale on ebay. They are made by different manufacturers. Just saying "ebay combo lights" doesn't really specify which ones. I have seen the ones you have pictured, however recently no one seems to be selling them anymore. The ones being sold on ebay now are mostly replicas that are stamped "Hyper Sport" and are quite different. They don't include the bulbs or the harness, and they require a little bit of modification to accept the stock bulb holders. The ones you have pictured are definitely the better of the two replicas. I would only get the Hyper Sport ones as a last resort if I couldn't find the others ones.

Do you remember which ebay seller sold the ones you have?

[Brent]

Originally Posted by Sukebe7

Just to clear up some confusion, there is more than one type of replica 99 spec combo lights for sale on ebay. They are made by different manufacturers. Just saying "ebay combo lights" doesn't really specify which ones. I have seen the ones you have pictured, however recently no one seems to be selling them anymore. The ones being sold on ebay now are mostly replicas that are stamped "Hyper Sport" and are quite different. They don't include the bulbs or the harness, and they require a little bit of modification to accept the stock bulb holders. The ones you have pictured are definitely the better of the two replicas. I would only get the Hyper Sport ones as a last resort if I couldn't find the others ones.

Do you remember which ebay seller sold the ones you have?

Good catch. I have ordered 4-5 sets off of ebay over the years and have always recieved the ones I have pictured. I have no idea on sellers. I would email the seller for pictures if you can't see close up's of the lense to ensure which kind you are getting.
Now, with the hyper sports, what has to be done to be able to accept the stock bulb holders? A little bit of filing? If so, this is exactly the same as the OEM ones. I pulled a picture of the hyper sport ones listed on ebay and they appear to be exact OEM replica's to include the innerhousings. Here is a pic of the hyper sports:

[Sukebe7]

Originally Posted by Brent

Good catch. I have ordered 4-5 sets off of ebay over the years and have always recieved the ones I have pictured. I have no idea on sellers. I would email the seller for pictures if you can't see close up's of the lense to ensure which kind you are getting.
Now, with the hyper sports, what has to be done to be able to accept the stock bulb holders? A little bit of filing? If so, this is exactly the same as the OEM ones. I pulled a picture of the hyper sport ones listed on ebay and they appear to be exact OEM replica's to include the innerhousings. Here is a pic of the hyper sports:

Yes, they just need to be filed. I believe Black Talon has pictures of the modification of the lights here:
http://fdowners.com/showthread.php?t=227&page=2

[HDP]

Originally Posted by Brent

Good catch. I have ordered 4-5 sets off of ebay over the years and have always recieved the ones I have pictured. I have no idea on sellers. I would email the seller for pictures if you can't see close up's of the lense to ensure which kind you are getting.
Now, with the hyper sports, what has to be done to be able to accept the stock bulb holders? A little bit of filing? If so, this is exactly the same as the OEM ones. I pulled a picture of the hyper sport ones listed on ebay and they appear to be exact OEM replica's to include the innerhousings. Here is a pic of the hyper sports:

The hyper sport lights have raised areas on the outer lense, not smooth like OEM. I didn't have to make modifications to the lights themselves, but I did have to make my own harness by using a different turn signal socket from a junkyard car(I think it was from a 2000 Mazda 626) the socket & harness from my 93 side bumper light and the connector from my old combo lights and wired it all together.

[Brent]

Great information!

I would reccommend getting the other brand of replica's. They are still selling the other replica's on ebay that come with the bulbs and plug and play harness for the 93-95 FD's. I picked up another set about a month ago off of ebay for around $80shipped.

How's the car coming Don?

[HDP]

Originally Posted by Brent

How's the car coming Don?

It's running really well. Just have a few odds & ends to tidy up. Dyno'd last weekend and put down 267whp @ 7 psi. I figure after a tune and up the boost to about 10, I should be around 300, then I can start on the high boost tune to about 17 psi.

[Herblenny]

Originally Posted by HDP

The hyper sport lights have raised areas on the outer lense, not smooth like OEM.

I believe the raised lense is what Mazdaspeed versions are suppose to be.

[erox]

Topic Necromancy:

anyone know if these are still on ebay and what brand they fall under? I've been running around ebay trying to find them and have had no luck.

Thanks in advance
-e

[Rotary Afterfire]

Sorry to bring an old thread back from the dead but this is exactly what I was looking for. I pulled the trigger on a set of DEPO 99 spec signals when i was holding out for OEM. Im doing an HID projector retrofit and these just saved me a lot of money and time. Thank you!

[0piston]

I've had 4 different sets over the years,3 oem sets and 1 ebay set. the ones from ebay, forgot the brand but they say made in taiwan stamped on the rear, melted on both left and right near the light bulbs. I only run the stanelys now after that--their could be other better copies out there not sure.

[Rotary Afterfire]

Originally Posted by 0piston

I've had 4 different sets over the years,3 oem sets and 1 ebay set. the ones from ebay, forgot the brand but they say made in taiwan stamped on the rear, melted on both left and right near the light bulbs. I only run the stanelys now after that--their could be other better copies out there not sure.

wow, that sucks, guess Ill stick to LED for the turn signal bulb.

[Brent]

Mine are still in my car. Still never had a set melt.