mickey13

I've seen that this has been brought up a few times in past, yup I used the search function. But I wanted to revisit the issue and see what people thought with their long term results.

My car has the xenon headlamps and standard fogs. I am considering upgrading the fogs and possibly the xenon to a different temperature.

My first consideration is the fogs, I'm thinking simply switching out the white H1s for PIAA 13501 H1 Style Plasma Ion Crystal Yellow 55=100-Watt Bulb. This really seems like the best solution, as it is really plug and play. Hella also sells a yellow bulb, but it is considerably less expensive than the PIAA and I'm assuming it's because PIAA is brighter and better?

However I've read that some people are using kits (ddmtuning keeps coming up, they sell a 35 watt kit with resistors etc to cancel the error code) and putting in HID fogs at 3000k. Can anyone give their perspective as to one versus the other, would be more helpful if maybe you've seen or tried them both.

There is also the issue of crystal clear fog units, not positive that I'd want to swap them out as my headlights aren't crystal clear but willing to hear some opinions on it.

I'm also on the fence about the factory xenon headlights. I am not sure, but I think the temperature on the factory lights is 4300k? It seems bluer when you turn it on but definitely becomes white after it heats up a bit, so I'm wondering about an oem quality 6000k to replace with.

eFifty5AMG

For the low beams: 85126+ is said to have a near 5000K and the 85126WXX2 should be the 6000K. Both by Philips, both 35W, and both D2R with the shield for our headlights.

I don't have any personal experience with HID fogs, or HIDs in the 202, but have ran some 55W low/high beams @5000K from DDM Tuning in another vehicle, holy $#!+ were they bright!! The thought of running a 35W 3000K fog setup and 35W HID high beams has crossed my mind.

mickey13

+1 Thanks for the part numbers. I didn't find 85126WXX2, but I did find 85126UB. Looks like it might be correct? 85126UB is for sale on ebay for about 100 with shipping.

PJmak

What i would give for a pair of stock xenon headlights. The previous owner upgraded to some after market hid crap...

eFifty5AMG

Might also be listed as 85126WX, the UBs look like they're 6000K as well. Be careful with eBay bulbs, I've heard a lot of stories that the ones listed as genuine Philips could be fakes.

eFifty5AMG

I always feel cool when my Xenons self-level on startup

PJmak

I hate it when mine flicker at startup and come on one shortly after the other :/

Plus they are so blue i feel like people hate me on the road

PJmak

This is what they look like in daylight

mickey13

I'm going to keep looking for the oem 6000k, if I get the ub, I'll try to get them from a known distributor. I'd rather pay an extra 50 or whatever and just get what I want. I've also read that these bulbs last 5 years or something so cost over time isn't that great. PJ: the flickering and delay wouldn't bother me at all, but I will say that the self leveling feature is very James Bondish. I always try to impress my dates with it LOL. Those are pretty blue, guessing they are 8000k?

siideways

Hmmm...why don't the inner sides of your headlights light up?

PJmak

Those are high beams

Sulaco

For those wondering about upgrading to factory xenon.

You can't. It requires self leveling system which is integrated into the chassis of the car including suspension front and back. Requires staggering parts list and disassembly of car.

PJmak

I had xenons before these so it should all be there but thats good to know

mickey13

So confused. Found like a million c43 lights? so stock is 4200-4300k, next up in 5000k, then 6000k? crazy I don't even know what to do!!

Found the 5000k at homedepot.com but the rest are all from shady sellers... WTF

mickey13

PJ: Nice rims, I bought some 18s from a guy on here named Asad. Shipping supposedly this week, not sure they are all genuine but at least 2 made in Belgium. Price was right, gonna have the chrome blasted off and powder-coated. Maybe polish the lip?

PJmak

Thanks. Youll love the look with 18s on

Btw im not sure what temperature the bulbs are, i never asked the guy but ill see if i can check and maybe post another pic or two

DRBC43AMG

If I recall, everything up to 5000K is road legal. Anything above is not, which explains that getting that type of stuff you need to go the "obscure" way with all the risks that go with it...

eFifty5AMG

I prefer 5000K, pure white. I believe 5000K has the most usable light as well. I purchased some cheap 6000K D2S bulbs last year and did not like the color temperature. Been using the stock since; will probably use the 85126+ when they need to be replaced. I think I have some pictures of the 6000Ks I can dig up after work.

mbsickness

So your car had the factory Xenons and the PO removed them for Pre-1997 headlights? If so I'm speechless.

PJmak

No he installed a whole new set of after market headlights. Housing and everything...

Sulaco

Going with the FACTORY xenons on a car that never had them is going to need some rigging. They rely on the self-levelling function to hold them straight. At rest, they look down on the road in front of you. As you crank, they will raise up, scan back down, then raise back up again as a sort of test for the self-levelling function.

Without the self levelling function, the stock xenons will not aim correctly. You'll have to go inside the unit and rig them up to avoid looking down all the time.

mickey13

That would be awesome, I'm on the fence about buying the 5000k from homedepot.com, which I know will be genuine philips and risking a buy for 6000k from an unknown source. I don't want the color to be too blue, I just don't dig that look, but a very slight slight twinge of blue would be ok.

After searching around, I also found 5500k, but at $200 for the set, I want to make sure I get the right color the first time.

eFifty5AMG

Dang, totally forgot. Give me a few minutes.

eFifty5AMG

Stock Xenon bulbs & fogs.








6000Ks












Replacement fogs (I rarely use these TBH)



And back to factory

mickey13

Nice shot with the moon right there! Yeah, I see what you mean about a little too blue. Has that "aftermarket" look which I'm trying to avoid. Going to pull my one of my bulbs out to verify what I'm running and maybe just jump on those 5000k. The 5500k looks interesting too.

Thanks for the pictures.