turn signal lenses Repro vs Bosch?

[RacerX]

Need to replace my lenses.
I would appreciate any opinions on whether there is a noticeable difference in appearance/fit/quality between the Bosch lenses and the lower cost repros sold on Pelican. Authenticity alone does not matter to me if aesthetics, fit and function are equal.
Thanks.

[Alan.uk]

Hi,

I have fitted lots of both types. Fit and function of the repros is good, but (in my opinion) the quality of the Bosch ones is much better.

I will get a pic of the two types, side by side, later today.

Alan

[Alan.uk]

Hi,

I didn't manage to get a pic of lenses next to each other, but this pic shows repro ones on a RHD 73 E I have just finished restoring.

HTH

Alan

[jbell959]

Do the repro lenses say Bosch on the front?

[Zithlord]

The ones I have seen do not say Bosch.

RacerX, are you looking for the US version, all amber? I have a set of very nice Borsch originals I dont need.

John

[TEC69E]

The repo lenses from Pelican are noticably different than Bosch. Mine are US Amber with Black Trim (73T) and I purchased one from Pelican thinking it was a Bosch unit. Turns out when I compared the two the repo's amber tint looked like it was sprayed on out of a can with lots of light to dark variations and the overall finish of the lense was pretty rough compared to the Bosch unit. In addition, the Black trim appeared to be applied with a 'Sharpie' because it was also inconsistent in it's tone. When I called Pelican to question this lense, they told me it was a repo and they were going to charge me a re-stocking fee to return it . . . lesson learned.

I ended up buying the real deal Bosch unit from an Early911 guy and paid a premium, but it is a perfect match.

[sithot]

When I called Pelican to question this lense, they told me it was a repo and they were going to charge me a re-stocking fee to return it . . . lesson learned.

First class C.S.; Not.

Tom

[LongRanger]

Hi,

I didn't manage to get a pic of lenses next to each other, but this pic shows repro ones on a RHD 73 E I have just finished restoring.

HTH

Alan

I'm in this situation now, myself.

I want to replace the faded 40-year-old T/S lenses on a '70. Stoddard sells OEM Porsche and repro. The cost difference is, like, 300% . . . so I'm here to ask for some input.

TiA

Rick Kreiskott

[pu911rsr]

There is a very obvious difference between the Bosch lenses and the Repops, once they were mounted on car it would probably not be as noticable.
Phil

[gruen911]

Phil's right. Once they are on the car, the difference is not as noticeable. I have used both originals and repro's. The repro's are certainly not as good. If you want high level resto or concourse, OEM Bosch is the only way to go. If you want a nice respectable driver, the repro's are fine. The cheapness of the repro's really comes out with the pre-73 chrome lense frame paint versus the original. The Bosch orange is also a bit brighter and more see thru. The repro orange seems a little more like painted plastic rather than orange colored plastic on the OE Bosch lenses.
One thing for sure though, a new set of repro's is much nicer than a 40 yr pair of originals. If you are on a budget, go for the repro's. If you own a nice S, E or T and don't want to drop dime on new originals, be patient and fish the board here and on Pelican. Good ones come up every week or two. Better yet, go on German Ebay and look there. With all the cars that are being imported from the USA, and the German requirement to have 3 colored rear and two colored front lenses, Germans liquidate really nice US only lenses often. Search under Blinkerglas or Rueckleuchte etc...