SmokeyS500

Hi there I am new to MBWorld. I just bought my first car and of course it has to be a Mercedes. I bought a 2005 Mercedes Benz S500 4Matic (W220) and I have a few questions about it.

1: One of my xenon headlights are turning purple and I assume it is going bad, so I want to replace it. However I would like to replace it with the exact OEM/factory color. I have the headlight washing system so I assume it is bi-xenon. I have heard that the color is 4300k and also 5000k. I am not sure which it is. Does anybody know? If it is in fact 4300k would these work?

2: I would like to put some aftermarket rims on my car but I do NOT want to lose the comfortable ride. So I was thinking of doing aftermarket 17in rims. Does anybody have any aftermarket 17in rims installed that I could see. Or post some pics of your rims so I can get some ideas. Thanx!

3: I have a minor crack in my tail light and I was looking at some new ones. Would these fit with no modifications just like an OEM? Also does anybody have these installed? Are they worth the money?

4: Last question! I wanted to put some exhaust tips on the car. I like the look of the 2 tipped exhaust (AMG tips I believe) does anybody know if they would install correctly even though my 2 stock exhausts slant down towards the bumper? Do they need to be cut or is their a special exhaust made for that?

Thanx for any and all help! Looking forward to be a part of this awesome MB community!

wallyp

This isn't going to be what you want to hear...

But first, congratulations on your S500 - great choice! Second, congratulations in finding one of the best sources for information to help you maintain and enjoy your new car. If you look at the top of the home page for the W220 Forum, you will find a thread highlited in blue that includes the words; "START HERE". Start there. spend as much time as you can spare over the next couple of weeks reading and reading.

Speaking of reading - I hope that you got the Owner's Manuals with your car. If not, there will be quite a few nice items on your car that you aren't likely to find. If you didn't get the manuals, there are tips in the threads here that will tell you where you can download a copy.

Now for the stuff you don't want to hear. Before you start dropping big money on new rims and tires, hold onto those coins for a few months. You may need them to catch up on the deferred maintenance that most newly-purchased W220's feature. Spend the first few months fixing everything that you find wrong with the car. When you realize that you haven't had to fix anything for a month or two, and the car fund is fat again, then start looking for those new rims...

SmokeyS500

Thanx! I did get a owners manual and after hours of reading it doesn't say anything about the Xenon bulbs. I checked the START HERE page and found mixed answers saying it was a 4300K color bulb and some saying it was a 5000K bulb. So I still am unsure on which it is

The car is in MINT condition and has minor issues which have all been corrected. The car was maintenanced the day I bought it and is running like new as it does only have 80002 miles on it. You are probably right I am going to hold off on the rims for awhile but I do need to get these dying bi-xenons fixed. I have Googled and searched everywhere and I get a 50% 50% answer saying it is either 4300k or 5000k color.

Thanx

tusabes

The bulb you linked will work

The problem is if you just change one, it may be a different color than the other side . Bulbs change color after time and also you don't know if the other one is the same OEM or different

Best to change in pairs and keep the other old one that works as a spare

Personally i would just get a pair of $10 5000k bulbs on ddmtuning.com to ensure both match, rather than trying to replace one and make it match

wallyp

It sounds as if you have found a real winner, and are far ahead of the typical first-time buyer!

I wish that I could give you the definitive answer on the bulb temp, but I don't know which it is. I think that tusabes has given a good suggestion - buy two matching bulbs and keep the better working bulb in the car as a spare. I think that I would go for the 4300K bulbs.

ibeforreal

Here is a little procedure I wrote up on changing the bulbs. Make sure you use some type of vinyl gloves to prevent premature wearing out of the bulbs. The oils from your hands will cause that. Just read the second post in the following link.

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...b-my-w220.html

SmokeyS500

Thanx for the link, however I couldn't find the bi-xenon bulbs in the site, only the xenon ones. Do you know of any other sites that sell bi-xenon bulbs cheap? Thanx!

RichM

There is no such thing as a bi-xenon bulb. The bi-xenon system uses a standard xenon bulb and mechanically directs the light beam. The OEM bulb temp is 4,300K. Always replace in pairs. As for cheap bulbs, always remember, you get what you pay for. There is a reason they are cheap. JMHO

ibeforreal

I agree with RichM. don't go for the cheapest.

vmystikilv

1: One of my xenon headlights are turning purple and I assume it is going bad, so I want to replace it. However I would like to replace it with the exact OEM/factory color. I have the headlight washing system so I assume it is bi-xenon. I have heard that the color is 4300k and also 5000k. I am not sure which it is. Does anybody know? If it is in fact 4300k would these work?




-My lights have always been purple, I have had three S classes and one was brand new back in the day. Never bought a S Class were at first start the lights were any other color. Also bought bulbs factory from Mercedes and they were purple too. I wouldn't waste money on that until its starts flickering or going out.

2: I would like to put some aftermarket rims on my car but I do NOT want to lose the comfortable ride. So I was thinking of doing aftermarket 17in rims. Does anybody have any aftermarket 17in rims installed that I could see. Or post some pics of your rims so I can get some ideas. Thanx!




-I have factory 17" wheels now. Originally had 16's. Ride is exactly the same. My s55 had 18's and was still quite comfy. You don't start noticing a real difference until you hit 19". I'll never do 20" again. Looks good, destroys the ride though. Whatever rim you buy as long as they are hub centric you will have nothing to worry about.


3: I have a minor crack in my tail light and I was looking at some new ones. Would these fit with no modifications just like an OEM? Also does anybody have these installed? Are they worth the money?


- Yup on everything but worth the money part. I would also consider a junk yard for a spare factory light. 40 bucks and no one will know the wiser.

4: Last question! I wanted to put some exhaust tips on the car. I like the look of the 2 tipped exhaust (AMG tips I believe) does anybody know if they would install correctly even though my 2 stock exhausts slant down towards the bumper? Do they need to be cut or is their a special exhaust made for that?


-Believe me, you are not going to pay for the AMG tips, they are ridiculous priced and don't just bolt on. Find a exhaust shop and spend about 300 to modify the rear however you want. youll be much happier and cheaper. Also, you can decided then if you want just the look or they can also make it a little loader. Mines are kept quiet. I had one that I pulled the silencers and and change the mufflers. Was cool for about 1-2 months and then I payed to have the central muffler put back to go back to quiet while keeping the tips.










Congrats and welcome brethren!!!

SmokeyS500

Thanx so much for the reply. I am going to do 5000k Philips bulbs as I want more of a blue color without the ricey look. I am going to hold off on the rims for now but will be doing 17 inch. I already bought some OEM tail lights that are all silver/chrome color. And for the exhaust tips i am going to see if someplace can do an AMG style tip.

However would pulling the silencers hurt MPG in any way??

Thanx again for all of your answers!!

vmystikilv

Loosing back pressure I did notice 2-4 mpg go bye bye.


That was probably cause I pushed the gas harder to hear the roar for the few months I had it like that.