pics please..im interested
DEPO Headlights Thread - everything you ever wanted to know about DEPO
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Benz/BMW
Newbie
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You won't need to take the headlights out. You can simply cut/trim part of the metal base of the bulb itself according to what Whatthehulk reported. Then install bulb in the right direction, and it's fixed. I wish I had tried this before selling my Depo's as it would have saved me a lot of money. Hopefully he will have pics up soon.
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From: So Cal
03 c320
[QUOTE=1ncognito;2305280]You won't need to take the headlights out. You can simply cut/trim part of the metal base of the bulb itself according to what Whatthehulk reported. Then install bulb in the right direction, and it's fixed. I wish I had tried this before selling my Depo's as it would have saved me a lot of money. Hopefully he will have pics up soon.[/QUOTE
oh i see, but yea i hope its that easy..im still waiting for the pics
oh i see, but yea i hope its that easy..im still waiting for the pics
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From: TO, CA
'03 C230 SS
There is no headlight removal needed. All you do is take out the bulb, trim the base of the H7 bulb so it looks symmetrical, then reinstall the bulb upside down ( 180 degree flip). Bada-bing. Tomorrow I am going to borrow my parents camera when I visit them and take a few snaps. The pictures will speak for themselves.
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From: aTx
2006 C230SS, 2007 e63, 2009 gl450, 2003 Ducati 749
I still can not grasp how turning the bulb upside down will correct the beam pattern issue? The light will still emit the same "light". It is the reflector bowl that is the issue correct?
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From: TO, CA
'03 C230 SS
some pics with the tweak
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From: aTx
2006 C230SS, 2007 e63, 2009 gl450, 2003 Ducati 749
Looks the same as the beam pattern with the problems, just taken with a better camera????
I haven't heard of a successful fix. Someone told me they took the lens off of the headlight, and was still unable to reach a few of the screws that hold the reflector "bowl" where it is. Here's a link to what some VW owners were able to do. Sucks that it doesn't work for ours.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1918243&page=1
I thought about fixing my Depo's, but it looked like you would have to cut open the headlight. I sold them in less than a week and bought some OEM Bi-Xenon's.
To those who don't know what's wrong with the Depo's, the reflector bowl is installed backwards. This is obvious as the position of the H7 bulb sits 180 degrees in the wrong direction. There is a tab in the base of the H7 bulb that is supposed to point up. The tab points down in the Depo, making the beam pattern horrible.
Notice the Hot Spots and lack of side lighting
Cutoff is sharp, but hotspots are extreme
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1918243&page=1
I thought about fixing my Depo's, but it looked like you would have to cut open the headlight. I sold them in less than a week and bought some OEM Bi-Xenon's.
To those who don't know what's wrong with the Depo's, the reflector bowl is installed backwards. This is obvious as the position of the H7 bulb sits 180 degrees in the wrong direction. There is a tab in the base of the H7 bulb that is supposed to point up. The tab points down in the Depo, making the beam pattern horrible.
Notice the Hot Spots and lack of side lighting
Cutoff is sharp, but hotspots are extreme
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Southern California
C300. FJ Cruiser, 370Z
[QUOTE=WhatTheHulk;2309653]PS- It was kinda bright out and I couldn't figure out how to change the settings on my parent's camera to night.
first picture looks okay but the second picture. . . I need to wear my shades
Let's see it in front of a garage door.
first picture looks okay but the second picture. . . I need to wear my shades
Let's see it in front of a garage door.
Last edited by RDSBENZ; Jul 8, 2007 at 07:38 PM.
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'03 C230 SS
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Invest a buck to enhance not only the appearance, but also the functionality of your MB.
Skip all the BS with off-Broadway parts and get the real deal. That would be OEM parts from your trusted supplier or Steve at MBenzNL.
I just got back home from a ~600 mile road-trip holiday with some recently DIY installed Euro Bi-Xenons. We were in and about the Solvang and Vandenberg AFB areas where little, if any, secondary highway street lighting exists. On low beam, the headlights illuminated the center divider reflectors to at least 1500 feet while casting usable light on every RH sign and potential hazards. When the high beams were activated, visibility extends upwards to a mile or more! Not once was I signaled by an oncoming motorist due to poor beam pattern or glare.
Buy the best and cry once.
Skip all the BS with off-Broadway parts and get the real deal. That would be OEM parts from your trusted supplier or Steve at MBenzNL.
I just got back home from a ~600 mile road-trip holiday with some recently DIY installed Euro Bi-Xenons. We were in and about the Solvang and Vandenberg AFB areas where little, if any, secondary highway street lighting exists. On low beam, the headlights illuminated the center divider reflectors to at least 1500 feet while casting usable light on every RH sign and potential hazards. When the high beams were activated, visibility extends upwards to a mile or more! Not once was I signaled by an oncoming motorist due to poor beam pattern or glare.
Buy the best and cry once.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
some good advice here..... TAKE IT !
Invest a buck to enhance not only the appearance, but also the functionality of your MB.
Skip all the BS with off-Broadway parts and get the real deal. That would be OEM parts from your trusted supplier or Steve at MBenzNL.
I just got back home from a ~600 mile road-trip holiday with some recently DIY installed Euro Bi-Xenons. We were in and about the Solvang and Vandenberg AFB areas where little, if any, secondary highway street lighting exists. On low beam, the headlights illuminated the center divider reflectors to at least 1500 feet while casting usable light on every RH sign and potential hazards. When the high beams were activated, visibility extends upwards to a mile or more! Not once was I signaled by an oncoming motorist due to poor beam pattern or glare.
Buy the best and cry once.
Skip all the BS with off-Broadway parts and get the real deal. That would be OEM parts from your trusted supplier or Steve at MBenzNL.
I just got back home from a ~600 mile road-trip holiday with some recently DIY installed Euro Bi-Xenons. We were in and about the Solvang and Vandenberg AFB areas where little, if any, secondary highway street lighting exists. On low beam, the headlights illuminated the center divider reflectors to at least 1500 feet while casting usable light on every RH sign and potential hazards. When the high beams were activated, visibility extends upwards to a mile or more! Not once was I signaled by an oncoming motorist due to poor beam pattern or glare.
Buy the best and cry once.
X 1,000,000,000one of my 2003 quotes of the year: "if you can't afford a Benz......."
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From: Southern California
C300. FJ Cruiser, 370Z
* * * * *
* * * * *
Nothing but smart remarks from you ha? You don't have to be a jack--s about it. Sorry but I have to say something.
Nothing but smart remarks from you ha? You don't have to be a jack--s about it. Sorry but I have to say something.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Chicago, IL
04 C230K Sport Sedan
C230K Project begins
I'm just starting to mod my 04 C230K. I'm a newbie to the forums and I feel like I'm going in circles when reading some of these threads. Here's what I'm planning on doing for now, I'll post before and afters and please give me your opinions as this is my first major tuning project: 
Engine:
Speed Tuning ECU, pully, belt package
Kleemann header (software for ECU may conflict with Speed Tuning...Anyone?)
EisenHaus exhaust (possibly racing, but most likely sport)
Custom cut stainless intake pipe (I saw the thread about the Accord pipe...)
Exterior Looks:
Black Crystal AMG headlights with Hyperwhite bulbs (too cheap for real BIX right now...)
New Grille (Black CL style)
Flat hood ornament
C55 A style lip spoiler
Tints ala 35% front 25% rear
Interior Looks:
Euro-Spec Navi/command
Silver shift ***
Engine:
Speed Tuning ECU, pully, belt package
Kleemann header (software for ECU may conflict with Speed Tuning...Anyone?)
EisenHaus exhaust (possibly racing, but most likely sport)
Custom cut stainless intake pipe (I saw the thread about the Accord pipe...)
Exterior Looks:
Black Crystal AMG headlights with Hyperwhite bulbs (too cheap for real BIX right now...)
New Grille (Black CL style)
Flat hood ornament
C55 A style lip spoiler
Tints ala 35% front 25% rear
Interior Looks:
Euro-Spec Navi/command
Silver shift ***
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
C300. FJ Cruiser, 370Z
I'm just starting to mod my 04 C230K. I'm a newbie to the forums and I feel like I'm going in circles when reading some of these threads. Here's what I'm planning on doing for now, I'll post before and afters and please give me your opinions as this is my first major tuning project:
Engine:
Speed Tuning ECU, pully, belt package
Kleemann header (software for ECU may conflict with Speed Tuning...Anyone?)
EisenHaus exhaust (possibly racing, but most likely sport)
Custom cut stainless intake pipe (I saw the thread about the Accord pipe...)
Exterior Looks:
Black Crystal AMG headlights with Hyperwhite bulbs (too cheap for real BIX right now...)
New Grille (Black CL style)
Flat hood ornament
C55 A style lip spoiler
Tints ala 35% front 25% rear
Interior Looks:
Euro-Spec Navi/command
Silver shift ***
Engine:
Speed Tuning ECU, pully, belt package
Kleemann header (software for ECU may conflict with Speed Tuning...Anyone?)
EisenHaus exhaust (possibly racing, but most likely sport)
Custom cut stainless intake pipe (I saw the thread about the Accord pipe...)
Exterior Looks:
Black Crystal AMG headlights with Hyperwhite bulbs (too cheap for real BIX right now...)
New Grille (Black CL style)
Flat hood ornament
C55 A style lip spoiler
Tints ala 35% front 25% rear
Interior Looks:
Euro-Spec Navi/command
Silver shift ***
Welcome!
That's a good list.
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From: SF East Bay
"Double Stuff" SOLD | Nor*Cals "Pesky Audi"
FINALLY!!!!!!! someone who knows what they are doing as a 'newbie'. Thats a good start for modding. What you might want to do is, if your going to do headers and intake, wait to do your ecu tune. That way it wont have to be recalibrated/flashed. Should see some niiiiice gains off your performance list.
Good luck, welcome to the boards, and be sure to keep us up to date.
Good luck, welcome to the boards, and be sure to keep us up to date.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
04 C230K Sport Sedan
Good thinking...I was planning on doing the looks first and throwing on the intake. I figure I get all the lower cost stuff out of the way.
I'm not sure if I want to go with a Kleemann ECU or the SpeedTuning ECU. I hear that the SpeedTuning ECU is just a pre-programmed flash and is not customizable, maybe I'm wrong, but I may run into a problem with the Kleemann headers. I have to check with a local shop.
Thanks for the tip...
Pics to come soon.
I'm not sure if I want to go with a Kleemann ECU or the SpeedTuning ECU. I hear that the SpeedTuning ECU is just a pre-programmed flash and is not customizable, maybe I'm wrong, but I may run into a problem with the Kleemann headers. I have to check with a local shop.
Thanks for the tip...
Pics to come soon.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
04 C230K Sport Sedan
I asked my local shop here in Chicago and they said the headers are $2G and the ECU programming is $1G. I know that's really high for an ECU mod so I too was skeptical at first. I need to double check with them.
Anyone in Chicago know CPT? http://www.gocpt.com/
Anyone in Chicago know CPT? http://www.gocpt.com/
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 0
From: SF East Bay
"Double Stuff" SOLD | Nor*Cals "Pesky Audi"
check out speed innovations ecu tune. pretty cheap and nice gains.
the kbox was apart of the boost kit that piggy-backed the ecu and rumor has it thats its such a 'safe' tune that it wasnt even worth the install. some people ran without it.
flip has his kbox [possibly ecu as well] custom tuned, but thats some work, im geussin.
the kbox was apart of the boost kit that piggy-backed the ecu and rumor has it thats its such a 'safe' tune that it wasnt even worth the install. some people ran without it.
flip has his kbox [possibly ecu as well] custom tuned, but thats some work, im geussin.
