612 Headlight - OEM Manufacturer | FerrariChat

612 Headlight - OEM Manufacturer

Discussion in '612/599' started by dick101, Jun 10, 2015.

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  1. dick101

    dick101 Rookie

    May 19, 2015
    3
    London, England
    For a prospective 612 buyer in the UK there's a much bigger choice of 612 cars in Europe (France, Germany Italy Spain), than in the UK. Currently, about eighty 612 cars on offer in Europe, and just twelve in the UK. They are LHD of course, but not such a disadvantage if you plan to drive in Europe frequently. European cars are cheaper than in the UK also, because the Euro is weak right now. The fly in the ointment is that the LHD car will need RHD headlights to pass the UK's vehicle test (MOT) needed for registration. Used 612 RHD headlights are as rare as hen's teeth. New, they are about GBP 1700 a side. Which begins to take the edge off buying the car in Europe in the first place. So I am trying to find out if it is practical to modify 612 headlight assemblies by changing out the LHD BiXenon projector for a RHD projector- either an original OEM projector assembly or an aftermarket projector. This modification is popular and easy with most high-end BMW and Audi cars. But if the 612 projector is totally integral (glued, welded) with the big scooped main 612 headlight assembly, the idea is a non-starter.
    Does anyone know who makes the 612 headlight assemblies (the 599 are similar)? The BiXenon ballast OEM manufacturer is Osram - but did they make the projector assembly also?
    Any left field ideas on managing a 612 LHD -RHD headlight conversion would be welcome
     
  2. momiji

    momiji Karting

    Dec 30, 2010
    74
    UK
    Probably not really worth the trouble when you factor in hidden costs of importing, and resale value. A RHD 612 is a much rarer car, as you point out , so will hold its value much better, but there seems still to be a steady trickle of them coming to market. An imported/converted LHD will instantly depreciate further once in the UK unless it is a rare version like a Sessanta or manual, in which case cost of conversion might be justified (or your time and effort to find a more innovative solution). At current prices the 612 offers great value IMO, both in UK & Europe, and there is usually a variety of age/specification choice of well looked after cars if you are patient. A great drivers GT car and one of the most elegant Ferrari designs of the modern era.
     
  3. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,309
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    Look in the PH classified and ask any UK dealer with a LHD 612 what they did to the lights
     
  4. Hans

    Hans F1 Veteran

    Feb 17, 2006
    7,734
    Hilversum, Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Hans Teijgeler
    Or borrow a pair of lights from a dealer, get the car registered and then put the original lights back in. Shouldn't matter too much, since you say you plan on driving on the continent a lot with it anyway.
     
  5. dick101

    dick101 Rookie

    May 19, 2015
    3
    London, England
    Momiji is right - common sense is to buy a RHD car to use in the UK. LHD cars are hard to sell here. There are two advertised presently, and they have been sitting unsold for many months (though one is Rosso Corsa - a very wrong colour for a 612) . However there really are some very good 612 prices in Europe now- for example 2008 OTO cars in Paris, Nice and Madrid, with lowish mileage, all priced around 97K Euros, which is GBP 70K or USD 109K at current exchange rates. For comparison the lowest priced 612 OTO in the UK today (RHD) is asking GBP 110K. So, leaving aside headlight issues the European cars are a good deal.
    There are also plenty of 2004 - 2006 cars for sale with relatively high mileage (50-80K Km / 30-50K miles) especially in Germany. The majority are colour Nero. This points to substantial earlier business use of these cars, bought as a faster alternative to big BMWs, Mercs and Audis for driving between Munich and Berlin, Paris and Lyon, or Madrid and Barcelona, faster than flying or the train. And this pattern is confirmed by business colleagues in Frankfurt. It's a pattern of use for 612s that is not seen in the UK or the US (where distances are bigger and flying is cheap). But what will happen to these older high mileage cars? They do not seem to be selling well now, and several are being sold by ordinary local second hand car dealers, not Ferrari dealers or luxury car specialists. They will probably become multiple owner, poorly serviced cars to avoid in the future.
    But I am still interested in any info out there on 612 Headlights, and their construction!
     
  6. Makuono

    Makuono Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 15, 2014
    998
    Full Name:
    Ricardo

    Valeo


    612
     
  7. Gentleman Prefer 599's

    Nov 3, 2012
    22
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Amit
    Bravo dick101, I am always amazed at the wealth of knowledge that is shared amoungst F Chatters... From Technical expertise to in this case just shear market analysis. I am pretty sure this site is monitored by the manufacturer for opinions but the depth of understanding of the current and even future market values is outstanding... Keep up the good work fellow Enthusiasts...
     
  8. momiji

    momiji Karting

    Dec 30, 2010
    74
    UK
    #8 momiji, Jun 11, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2015
    Very good point - a surplus of high mileage 'businessman express' cars available on the continent. Up until now they are likely to have been well looked after to maintain reliability over a high mileage, but as they change hands many will be doomed to a poor service and maintenance future life (Ferrari smokers...). 550 Maranellos have been through this cycle over recent years. They scraped along the bottom for some time, but now swinging back into favour. As a result there are some shocking examples out there.

    Back to the lights - as I understand it, 599 headlights are switchable, and therefore suitable for LHD & RHD countries, whereas 612 units were not, and they are also colour coded to bodywork. Googled it and found some RHD units for sale in Canada - here: 2005 2010 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti RH Right HID Xenon Headlight Headlamp | eBay - reasonable price inc shipping, but for white car. Is it easier to repaint or to change projectors?
     
  9. dick101

    dick101 Rookie

    May 19, 2015
    3
    London, England
    Thanks to all for useful information and help: Makuono, momiji and Hans. I hadn't thought of Valeo, had imagined Bosch, Hella or Marelli. That's good - I can chase down the actual Valeo projector used in the 612. Part of the high cost of new 612 lights comes from the colour coding, but the Canadian eBay lights can be painted to match quite easily. Hans' idea is sharp - there are two friendly dealers I know who would do that for me.
    I will post what I find out at Valeo, for reference.
     
  10. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 25, 2008
    14,112
    Amersfoort, The Netherlands, Europe.
    Full Name:
    Mel
    This is what we call: The Dutch way" "/ "going Dutch" ... isn't it ? :D
     
  11. 599_GTO

    599_GTO Karting

    Mar 7, 2018
    234
    Full Name:
    J.S.
    Hi guys,

    Reviving an old thread for hopefully an update.
    @dick101 , did you make any progress on this? I am thinking of bringing a LHD 612 into the UK. I have been told that if the car has xenons (I think they all did), the scatter pattern might be tight enough to allow me to get through the MOT without any adjustment.

    Any advice from anyone greatly appreciated!
     
    Makuono likes this.

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