BIX upgrade questions
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c230
Yeah man just buy some Depos projectors and do a retrofit with some oem bi-xenon projectors and a xenon kit for under $450. You still will get the same Bi-Xenon output for less. Bi-Xenons OEM cost $1300. Save yourself $850 going this route instead.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: South Fla.
06' C230SS
I know a lot of you will dis-agree....but I would like to try out the Depos to start off :-X
1.) Who has them on their cars or has in the past???
No!
2.) What do you have to say about them? Feelings/Concerns/Pros/Cons???
Depo = Low Beam Only. Depo = Lower Quality Beam Pattern. Other than that, they are awesome replicas. OEM Bi-X = Low & High Beam. OEM Bi-X = Perfect Beam Pattern. So it's safe to say Depo < OEM Bi-X for two good reasons!
3.) Most kits...Do they come fully equiped with everything you need to have for bolt on and use???
MTEC SLIM HID KITS
4.) Is there any extra items you need for the application?
No and you really don't even need the porjector lamps you could just use your Halogen housings, but then again I think the best part of Projector lenses are the look in the daylight.
5.) Last Q...Where is the best place to purchase and what is the typical price???
MTEC on eBay is about $240-$340
Thank You for any help in advance...and for the guys who a 100% about the OEM...I understand and WILL have them this year...hahah just want to try to cheap ones for a bit
I don't blame you. I still havent splurged for the OEM Bi-X yet either.. but I'm willing to wait until the summer rather than buying Depo's now!
1.) Who has them on their cars or has in the past???
No!
2.) What do you have to say about them? Feelings/Concerns/Pros/Cons???
Depo = Low Beam Only. Depo = Lower Quality Beam Pattern. Other than that, they are awesome replicas. OEM Bi-X = Low & High Beam. OEM Bi-X = Perfect Beam Pattern. So it's safe to say Depo < OEM Bi-X for two good reasons!
3.) Most kits...Do they come fully equiped with everything you need to have for bolt on and use???
MTEC SLIM HID KITS
4.) Is there any extra items you need for the application?
No and you really don't even need the porjector lamps you could just use your Halogen housings, but then again I think the best part of Projector lenses are the look in the daylight.
5.) Last Q...Where is the best place to purchase and what is the typical price???
MTEC on eBay is about $240-$340
Thank You for any help in advance...and for the guys who a 100% about the OEM...I understand and WILL have them this year...hahah just want to try to cheap ones for a bit
I don't blame you. I still havent splurged for the OEM Bi-X yet either.. but I'm willing to wait until the summer rather than buying Depo's now!
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From: Near Worcester, MA.
2013 E350
I may have to opt for the after market projector's and HID kit for cost reasons. Since I have the majority of cash avaialble and the purchase would have been via credit card and the seller doesn't accept credit cards any longer, I will have to opt for the less expensive route if I want to rid my halogens.
I honestly don't think the beam pattern and hot spots will bother me so I think I'll be OK.
Thanks to all that replied and helped answer all my questions.
I honestly don't think the beam pattern and hot spots will bother me so I think I'll be OK.
Thanks to all that replied and helped answer all my questions.
I read through a ton of posts about this light issue before i did what i did.
I'm very satisfied with the outcome of my install and do not have a light pattern issue, nor do my lights give off unpleasant glare, i did check out all concernes mentioned after my install.
I had planned to buy Depo projectores as well, but decided against it after doing my research here on this forum.
Good luck with whatever you do deceid to do.
T.
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From: Central Massachusetts
2004 C320 4matic (SOLD)
Coupe vs Sedan
Is there a visable way to determne if Bi-Xenon's are from a coupe or sedan? I've inquired into a set of used OEM BIX and haven't heard back from the seller yet. Other than part number, are there visual differences? Also, if anyone has the part number for OEM BIX for a sedan, please post it up for my reference.
Again, thanks for all the help.
Again, thanks for all the help.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: MA
E90 M3
Is there a visable way to determne if Bi-Xenon's are from a coupe or sedan? I've inquired into a set of used OEM BIX and haven't heard back from the seller yet. Other than part number, are there visual differences? Also, if anyone has the part number for OEM BIX for a sedan, please post it up for my reference.
Again, thanks for all the help.
Again, thanks for all the help.
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From: Central Massachusetts
2004 C320 4matic (SOLD)
Gottcha. It's hard to tell from the pics since I'm not sure it it was stretched/ skewed. I'll have to wait until I hear from the seller.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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From: Central Massachusetts
2004 C320 4matic (SOLD)
I just spoke to the seller and they confirmed they are from a sedan.
I bought them over the phone and should have them within the week!!
Now to find a place to program xenon=present
I bought them over the phone and should have them within the week!!
Now to find a place to program xenon=present
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'06 CLK500
Bixenon's definitely a good investment.
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From: Central Massachusetts
2004 C320 4matic (SOLD)
Thanks, but it would be a little late now I suppose.
Flippin dealers are killin me with prices. I called another dealer (Wagner) and asked about the service A and was quoted $250. A little less than the other MB dealer but still over priced. I then asked about the program for xenon=present and the woman had no idea and said... "well, I'd assume at least an hour, so $115". I've started a search for a local independent repair shop with MB experience but thus far have come up short. I suppose I could call back and see if she meant a minimum of 1 hour charge or if it would a fraction of an hour if that's all it took.
I'll continue to look and ask around but fear I'll have to be over charged for the xenon=present.
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From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
Thanks, but it would be a little late now I suppose.
Flippin dealers are killin me with prices. I called another dealer (Wagner) and asked about the service A and was quoted $250. A little less than the other MB dealer but still over priced. I then asked about the program for xenon=present and the woman had no idea and said... "well, I'd assume at least an hour, so $115". I've started a search for a local independent repair shop with MB experience but thus far have come up short. I suppose I could call back and see if she meant a minimum of 1 hour charge or if it would a fraction of an hour if that's all it took.
I'll continue to look and ask around but fear I'll have to be over charged for the xenon=present.
Flippin dealers are killin me with prices. I called another dealer (Wagner) and asked about the service A and was quoted $250. A little less than the other MB dealer but still over priced. I then asked about the program for xenon=present and the woman had no idea and said... "well, I'd assume at least an hour, so $115". I've started a search for a local independent repair shop with MB experience but thus far have come up short. I suppose I could call back and see if she meant a minimum of 1 hour charge or if it would a fraction of an hour if that's all it took.
I'll continue to look and ask around but fear I'll have to be over charged for the xenon=present.
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GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Thread Starter
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From: Central Massachusetts
2004 C320 4matic (SOLD)
When??
Another question...
Do I have to wait until I install the BIX to have the xenon=present set or can I have it done THEN install? Meaning, if I went to the dealer on Friday afternoon and had it set, could I then install the lights Saturday or even Sunday?
Thus far with the few calls I've made to local shops, not one said they can set the xenon=present and every one of them suggested the dealer. I'll probably bite the bullet and pay their inflated fees.
Do I have to wait until I install the BIX to have the xenon=present set or can I have it done THEN install? Meaning, if I went to the dealer on Friday afternoon and had it set, could I then install the lights Saturday or even Sunday?
Thus far with the few calls I've made to local shops, not one said they can set the xenon=present and every one of them suggested the dealer. I'll probably bite the bullet and pay their inflated fees.
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2002 Mercedes C320, added OEM Bi-x, clear side markers, Bilstein + Eibach Pro Kit
IMHO OEM Bi-x are the better option, and definitely worth the investment. They look great, and you have the comfort of knowing that they are OEM and will work perfectly. You're also guaranteed a perfect fit, every time.
Steve and Wanda are amazing, and anyone wanting Bi-x should go with them. Yes $1300 may seem steep, but you are getting brand new MB parts, so definitely worth the investment. Put it this way, it's like a $1000+ option when you used to upgrade the car with Bi-x when buying from the dealer.
I found installation to be tricky, as no stealer wanted to do it. I took it to a highly recommended shop in the Toronto area, but they didn't have MB Star diagnosis so I had to pay the stealer to change the computer.
If you install them and then code it, your lights will mainly not work, or flicker. It doesn't do any damage, just you can't really drive at night.
Steve and Wanda are amazing, and anyone wanting Bi-x should go with them. Yes $1300 may seem steep, but you are getting brand new MB parts, so definitely worth the investment. Put it this way, it's like a $1000+ option when you used to upgrade the car with Bi-x when buying from the dealer.
I found installation to be tricky, as no stealer wanted to do it. I took it to a highly recommended shop in the Toronto area, but they didn't have MB Star diagnosis so I had to pay the stealer to change the computer.
If you install them and then code it, your lights will mainly not work, or flicker. It doesn't do any damage, just you can't really drive at night.
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
What one needs to ask when the call around is
"Do you have the Star Diagnosis computer for mercedes?"
Asking if they can code Bix is like shining a spotlight on a deer on a dark night...
Once you've determined they have the computer, ask whats their hourly rate is..hopefully it's close, drive there with your bix in hand (or rather, trunk) Show them the lights, explain what you're doing and hand them the coding sequence from this website, and ask how much? Hopefully a 50 dollar bill in cash will be enough. Cash is good.
Asking if they can code Bix, they probably won't say yes, if they've never done it before.
An yeh, get it coded in advance.
I tried to get my local guy to do it, but he went,
uh...whats this? I told him. And he was like, "that doesn't sound safe" and refused, though I was paying him to connect the computer, but for other reasons (clearing SRS errors) . But then I don't have Bix...just figured I'd get it set since it doesn't seem to have a bad effect if you don't have them, and if I got them later, I'd be ready to go.
"Do you have the Star Diagnosis computer for mercedes?"
Asking if they can code Bix is like shining a spotlight on a deer on a dark night...
Once you've determined they have the computer, ask whats their hourly rate is..hopefully it's close, drive there with your bix in hand (or rather, trunk) Show them the lights, explain what you're doing and hand them the coding sequence from this website, and ask how much? Hopefully a 50 dollar bill in cash will be enough. Cash is good.
Asking if they can code Bix, they probably won't say yes, if they've never done it before.
An yeh, get it coded in advance.
I tried to get my local guy to do it, but he went,
uh...whats this? I told him. And he was like, "that doesn't sound safe" and refused, though I was paying him to connect the computer, but for other reasons (clearing SRS errors) . But then I don't have Bix...just figured I'd get it set since it doesn't seem to have a bad effect if you don't have them, and if I got them later, I'd be ready to go.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Apr 9, 2008 at 02:02 PM.
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From: Central Massachusetts
2004 C320 4matic (SOLD)
Thanks for that tip. Sometimes the obvious isn't so obvious.
I actually stopped by one of the local independent shops to speak to one of the tech's and I started talking about the star dignosis. He started to explain they recently upgraded their scan system and specifically added the MB and BMW software. I'm not sure what that means but I did mention the pics and detailed instructions (thanks for that tip as well and kudos to JohnCL for posting that ). Anyway, I'll bring that in and they'll see if their system can do it. Worst case is they can't and I'm off to the dealer, again, with pics and detailed instructions in hand.
Wish me luck and a huge thank you to all that helped with my questions.
I actually stopped by one of the local independent shops to speak to one of the tech's and I started talking about the star dignosis. He started to explain they recently upgraded their scan system and specifically added the MB and BMW software. I'm not sure what that means but I did mention the pics and detailed instructions (thanks for that tip as well and kudos to JohnCL for posting that
). Anyway, I'll bring that in and they'll see if their system can do it. Worst case is they can't and I'm off to the dealer, again, with pics and detailed instructions in hand.Wish me luck and a huge thank you to all that helped with my questions.
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
hehe
We'll see how long these last...
Too bad I don't have a sedan...
complete set of Bix for...
$275 including shipping, but something about a cracked housing?
How bad can it be? A little glue maybe?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OEM-W...ayphotohosting
We'll see how long these last...
Too bad I don't have a sedan...
complete set of Bix for...
$275 including shipping, but something about a cracked housing?
How bad can it be? A little glue maybe?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OEM-W...ayphotohosting
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Central Massachusetts
2004 C320 4matic (SOLD)
hehe
We'll see how long these last...
Too bad I don't have a sedan...
complete set of Bix for...
$275 including shipping, but something about a cracked housing?
How bad can it be? A little glue maybe?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OEM-W...ayphotohosting
We'll see how long these last...
Too bad I don't have a sedan...
complete set of Bix for...
$275 including shipping, but something about a cracked housing?
How bad can it be? A little glue maybe?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OEM-W...ayphotohosting
I wouldn't based on his description
"...on a pair of Mercedes-Benz Genuine C Class W203 Bi-Xenon Headlamps.
This is an OEM version from Mercedes..."
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From: MA
E90 M3
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
He wrote me back and said both housings are cracked, he has no more pics.
Sounds like collision damage...
I wonder...is there any way to disassemble them, and put the inards into the coupe stock headlight housing?
Hmmmmm.....
Well, doesn't matter....they're sold.
Lasted about an hour....
Sounds like collision damage...
I wonder...is there any way to disassemble them, and put the inards into the coupe stock headlight housing?
Hmmmmm.....
Well, doesn't matter....they're sold.
Lasted about an hour....
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Apr 9, 2008 at 10:42 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Central Massachusetts
2004 C320 4matic (SOLD)
Update
Well, after many calls to various local shops, no one seems to have the Star Diag. with the exception of the dealer. The good news thus far is one dealer "estimated" the time to be 30 minutes at a cost of $62. They set aside time Thursday morning for me to come in. I will still bring the printed pics and instructions and see if I can't get that $62 to at least half. I figure worst case is it will cost $62 but it'll be done right.
