DEPO Headlights Thread - everything you ever wanted to know about DEPO
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Palm Harbor, FL
07 C230 SS and 06 Acura TL NAV
email Steve at s_krabbenborg@hotmail.com
he is in Netherlands. the website is www.MBenzNL.com, but the online store is closed.
he is in Netherlands. the website is www.MBenzNL.com, but the online store is closed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,147
Likes: 2
From: Central Florida
R129, XF Sportbrake, SC400
Yes, if you put a halogen bulb in a projector it's not going to be as bright as an HID bulb. If it was so bad why would so many automakers do it? Take the ML for instance, they changed the headlight housing in 2002 to a projector type and used halogen bulbs and had HIDs available. Then if you wanna go a bit old school, when the ES300 first came out, they also used projectors with halogens.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
2002 c240
Yes, if you put a halogen bulb in a projector it's not going to be as bright as an HID bulb. If it was so bad why would so many automakers do it? Take the ML for instance, they changed the headlight housing in 2002 to a projector type and used halogen bulbs and had HIDs available. Then if you wanna go a bit old school, when the ES300 first came out, they also used projectors with halogens.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
If anyone has a broken 203 projector headlight they wish to sell for cheap, I'll
buy and open up and note critical specs and to see if any OEM HID projectors
will easily fit.
I'm just about to begin another Depo mod, fitting instead an OEM bixenon from
an E55 or RS6. I'm planning on taking pics to make a DIY for 210 owners so
they can perform this relatively easy mod themselves.
If I had a 203 headlight to open up and measure, we may be able to do same
for 203s.
( already checked my local wrecking yard - none found)
buy and open up and note critical specs and to see if any OEM HID projectors
will easily fit.
I'm just about to begin another Depo mod, fitting instead an OEM bixenon from
an E55 or RS6. I'm planning on taking pics to make a DIY for 210 owners so
they can perform this relatively easy mod themselves.
If I had a 203 headlight to open up and measure, we may be able to do same
for 203s.
( already checked my local wrecking yard - none found)
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Palm Harbor, FL
07 C230 SS and 06 Acura TL NAV
email Steve at s_krabbenborg@hotmail.com
he is in Netherlands. the website is www.MBenzNL.com, but the online store is closed.
he is in Netherlands. the website is www.MBenzNL.com, but the online store is closed.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
I think that has to be the understatement of the day!
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Orange County
2002 C240 Black
I am gonna try that
Check the connection between the stock harness and the Depo headlight's plug. Make sure all the prongs inside the headlights housings are extended all the way. For some reason 2 of mine were pushed in. All i had to do was take a pair of plyers and pull them back out. After that everything worked beautifully and I havent had a problem since.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Montebello, CA
2004 c230 ss
Just purchased the following
Purchased these for 240 shipped. I asked the seller if they were OEM and he said they were. I can tell now that they are non bix, but not a problem, since I was not looking for the bix for 1200+. I just like the clear look of the lenses. Now as far as HID kits, do any of you recommend any specific kits, or shops in LA to have them installed. Ive been reading and thats why I did not purchase the Ebay Depot's. Thanks for the help.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 0
From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
W203, W211, W219, W212
Any updates on this? Has anyone purchased a set of these?
One other thing that I noticed:
Each of the eagle eyes assembly has two cells that don't have LED bulbs in it, due to the brackets sitting behind the cells.
It doesn't seem the same case with the depo lights below. But I'm not sure. Would someone please clarify. Thanks.
One other thing that I noticed:
Each of the eagle eyes assembly has two cells that don't have LED bulbs in it, due to the brackets sitting behind the cells.
It doesn't seem the same case with the depo lights below. But I'm not sure. Would someone please clarify. Thanks.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Any updates on this? Has anyone purchased a set of these?
One other thing that I noticed:
Each of the eagle eyes assembly has two cells that don't have LED bulbs in it, due to the brackets sitting behind the cells.
It doesn't seem the same case with the depo lights below. But I'm not sure. Would someone please clarify. Thanks.
One other thing that I noticed:
Each of the eagle eyes assembly has two cells that don't have LED bulbs in it, due to the brackets sitting behind the cells.
It doesn't seem the same case with the depo lights below. But I'm not sure. Would someone please clarify. Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 0
From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
W203, W211, W219, W212
The question is (written in between the two pictures), whether the Depo lights have empty cells as well or not.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Drex, perhaps I should clarify my question. I wasn't asking about the two empty cells on the S-Class type. I've even said in the post that the cells were empty because of the brackets (or mounting spots) sitting behind them.
The question is (written in between the two pictures), whether the Depo lights have empty cells as well or not.
The question is (written in between the two pictures), whether the Depo lights have empty cells as well or not.
note that the tail lamp cut out for the bulbs are made to fit both 01-04 and 05-07.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Drex, perhaps I should clarify my question. I wasn't asking about the two empty cells on the S-Class type. I've even said in the post that the cells were empty because of the brackets (or mounting spots) sitting behind them.
The question is (written in between the two pictures), whether the Depo lights have empty cells as well or not.
The question is (written in between the two pictures), whether the Depo lights have empty cells as well or not.
I've actually considered trying these as well, but I like the S Class taillights, especially after I did the re-wire to have dual running lights on both sides (w/ the OEM rear foglight still working).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 0
From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
W203, W211, W219, W212
Np. I think I like the S-Class better as well, but I really do like LED brake lights, and we all know that the eagle eyes LED quality just plain sucks. Currently I have the eagle eyes non LED, and they work just fine.
I’m still not sure whether to get one of these or not. I might, just for fun. But I’d like to read some sort of review from a user before making a decision.
I’m still not sure whether to get one of these or not. I might, just for fun. But I’d like to read some sort of review from a user before making a decision.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: Downtown Columbus
w211 e500
Most people report that the LED's start burning out after 1 year with the Eagle Eyes. For the price of OEM 05+ taillights, you can buy 3 sets of LED taillights (I doubt I will keep this car 3 years). Once my Eagle Eyes burn out, I'm going to give the Depo brand a try.
I learned about the Depo headlights the hard way. I installed them, sold em in less than 2 weeks, and bought OEM Bi-Xenon's. The Depo's actually look great, however there is a design flaw. The reflector "bowl" inside the Depo's are installed backwards at the factory. This ruins the light pattern by causing hot spots, and the light is front heavy with very little light on the sides. To many people, it's acceptable. Since I live in Ohio with a lot of rural dark roads, the light pattern was unacceptable for me.
Check out the link below. This is from a VW forum, however the VW owners were able to "tweak" the Depo lights to fix the factory design flaw to fix the output of the light. Unfortunately, the Depo's for the C Class can't be fixed easily like the VW.
Depo Light Pattern on my W203
I learned about the Depo headlights the hard way. I installed them, sold em in less than 2 weeks, and bought OEM Bi-Xenon's. The Depo's actually look great, however there is a design flaw. The reflector "bowl" inside the Depo's are installed backwards at the factory. This ruins the light pattern by causing hot spots, and the light is front heavy with very little light on the sides. To many people, it's acceptable. Since I live in Ohio with a lot of rural dark roads, the light pattern was unacceptable for me.
Check out the link below. This is from a VW forum, however the VW owners were able to "tweak" the Depo lights to fix the factory design flaw to fix the output of the light. Unfortunately, the Depo's for the C Class can't be fixed easily like the VW.
Depo Light Pattern on my W203
