Are factory Xenons plug&play for non-xenon cars?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 251
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From: Seattle, WA & now Taipei, Taiwan
W211 E63
Are factory Xenons plug&play for non-xenon cars?
I was wondering if the factory xenons are a direct plug in(I think the ballast and everything is built into the headlight assembly) to a non-xenon equipped car.
Anyone tried this?
Thanks
Anyone tried this?
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Actually the aftermarket kits are more plug and play as you plug the connector from the bulb to the ballast and then stick the new bulb in and plug that into the ballast and get the Xenon option turned on and you are done. The advantage of the factory parts is the dealer will likely install them, no questions asked.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 251
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From: Seattle, WA & now Taipei, Taiwan
W211 E63
The reason that I ask is that I wanted to upgrade to the 03 style headlights on my C32 and sell my C32 Xenons to my C240 friend!
I think even going from Xenon for 03 bi-xenons will have its own trouble because of the different pin-outs for hibeam xenons!
I've heard people getting warning ligts and sides of headlights being shout off by the car due to the aftermarket xenons!
I think even going from Xenon for 03 bi-xenons will have its own trouble because of the different pin-outs for hibeam xenons!
I've heard people getting warning ligts and sides of headlights being shout off by the car due to the aftermarket xenons!
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 581
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From: Dallas
C32 AMG
I think a MB dealer will be glad to install OEM light kits.
I have not actually tried it, but I asked about upgrading our ML and they said "no problem".
I had the Porsche dealer upgrade my '97 993 lights to factory Xenon (it is a much more complicated deal on that car) for about $400 labor - they were happy to do it.
I have not actually tried it, but I asked about upgrading our ML and they said "no problem".
I had the Porsche dealer upgrade my '97 993 lights to factory Xenon (it is a much more complicated deal on that car) for about $400 labor - they were happy to do it.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Europe
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
Actually the aftermarket kits are more plug and play as you plug the connector from the bulb to the ballast and then stick the new bulb in and plug that into the ballast and get the Xenon option turned on and you are done. The advantage of the factory parts is the dealer will likely install them, no questions asked.
Actually the aftermarket kits are more plug and play as you plug the connector from the bulb to the ballast and then stick the new bulb in and plug that into the ballast and get the Xenon option turned on and you are done. The advantage of the factory parts is the dealer will likely install them, no questions asked.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
C200 Kompressor
Originally posted by _Pacific_
I assume the aftermarket kits are a lot of worse than the OEM. Am I right?
I assume the aftermarket kits are a lot of worse than the OEM. Am I right?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 251
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From: Seattle, WA & now Taipei, Taiwan
W211 E63
I have not actually look or take out the entire headlight assembly so I do not know the setup on our C!
On my Boxster the entire head light(non Litronic) has no wire attached to it(everything is self contained) and the entire assembly just slides from a rail into a big socket with all the wiring pin outs.
So I thouhgt if the C class xenons have the same self contained headlights then it will be just the matter of pluging the entire headlight into the socket!
On my Boxster the entire head light(non Litronic) has no wire attached to it(everything is self contained) and the entire assembly just slides from a rail into a big socket with all the wiring pin outs.
So I thouhgt if the C class xenons have the same self contained headlights then it will be just the matter of pluging the entire headlight into the socket!
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Joined: Mar 2002
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C230k
The aftermarket kits are definately NOT as good as the OEM kits. They are an improvement to the stock headlights, but they aren't true HIDs because the housing has not been changed.
Our stock light housings are not projector HID housings.. they are halogen housings which can't focus HID lighting correctly.
You'll definately get brighter lights with aftermarket HID's but you won't get a focused beam pattern like you do with the OEM HID projectors.
Our stock light housings are not projector HID housings.. they are halogen housings which can't focus HID lighting correctly.
You'll definately get brighter lights with aftermarket HID's but you won't get a focused beam pattern like you do with the OEM HID projectors.
Last edited by kineda; Aug 6, 2002 at 06:49 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
Originally posted by box986
So I thouhgt if the C class xenons have the same self contained headlights then it will be just the matter of pluging the entire headlight into the socket!
So I thouhgt if the C class xenons have the same self contained headlights then it will be just the matter of pluging the entire headlight into the socket!
Cheers, BT
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 581
Likes: 4
From: Dallas
C32 AMG
Originally posted by box986
I have not actually look or take out the entire headlight assembly so I do not know the setup on our C!
On my Boxster the entire head light(non Litronic) has no wire attached to it(everything is self contained) and the entire assembly just slides from a rail into a big socket with all the wiring pin outs.
So I thought if the C class xenons have the same self contained headlights then it will be just the matter of pluging the entire headlight into the socket!
I have not actually look or take out the entire headlight assembly so I do not know the setup on our C!
On my Boxster the entire head light(non Litronic) has no wire attached to it(everything is self contained) and the entire assembly just slides from a rail into a big socket with all the wiring pin outs.
So I thought if the C class xenons have the same self contained headlights then it will be just the matter of pluging the entire headlight into the socket!
