I went to my dealer (ParkPlace MB in Dallas) last night to pick up my 2003 C320, ordered in October. Though I was very specific with my options, etc., and confirmed the order was accurate with the dealer, the person who keyed my order in to Mercedes erroneously left off the C4 lighting package (i.e., bi-xenons and washers). This was/is a VERY important feature to me, and I was quite upset. They admitted the mistake was their fault, and the sales person should have double-checked the order after it was entered. They told me my only option was to re-order the car and wait another 2 1/2 months to get it. Also, I would be completely without a car for that period. They said they would not let me drive a dealership loaner car in the interim (I tried to work this angle repeatedly without success).

So...I started negotiating pricing with the sales manager. His final offer (after an hour or so of hashing it out) was $1,250 additional off MSRP, incremental to an already-negotiated discount of $1,265 from the time of order. Also, he threw in all the cargo nets for free. In total, I ended up getting about $2,600 off MSRP for the car, which I feel is a really good deal. However, I can't say I'm not disappointed that I don't have the bi-xenons.

What would you guys have done in my situation? From what I've read, there aren't any really good after-market/retrofit options for the bi-xenons. I welcome your comments/opinions.

well it sounds like your coming out well. I might would have tried to get them to install the bi-xenons for you though.

It would appear you got a good deal despite your disappointment. However, the stock halogens do a pretty good job. IMHO you will not find the absence a big delta to your enjoyment of the car and aftermarket xenon retrofit bulbs are available. I'm surprised that IVO the dealer miscue on your order they were not more agreeable to letting you use an extended loaner. However, since they would have had to eat your delivered car until resale I'm sure they worked hard to make a re-order difficult for you. Regardless, I think you will enjoy the 320-I have found mine to be a real wolf in a sheep suit.

i would have done the same thing. i, too, think a long term loaner would have been appreciated (don't forget your survey later) but then you could look at the additional $1200 off as car rental costs.

get a teddy bear too...

Why didnt you ask your dealer to order the whole bi-xenon assembly for you and put it on yr car? Tell them that you will pay the C4 package price and have them order the assembly through the parts dept (the whole assembly costs much more than the package, thats why I said you only pay the package price). A bi-xenon retrofit is feasible, its only a matter of whether they are willing to do it for you or not.

If you think its too late now, maybe you should contact Steve and see if he has any bi-xenons left.

I didn't think this was entirely feasible as a retrofit. Would the bi-xenons with auto-leveling work the same as they would had the car been built with C4? And I still wouldn't have the light washers in the bumper...

The bi-xenons CAN be put on your car, plug and play, I've done it on my C32 and a lot of members here have done it on their W203. Yes, you will not have the auto-leveling feature, but you can always adjust the lights manually. According to those who have done it, its no big deal. Light washers....I've this feature on my ex-CLK430 and my current C32, I have not used it once! Maybe because we dont snow that much in here, I dont need hot water to wash the headlights.

My recommendation is only for you to get the most/closest of what you want in the very first beginning.

1. i've read some posts that state that retrofitting is not technically legal - and dealers may NOT want to install them anyway
2. you don't get the autoleveling, nor the headlight washers - it isn't exactly the same

if i didn't have a choice, i'd get oem ones and do w/out the autoleveling/headlight washers. but if you do have a choice...

I would get the Euro Bi xenons. Not the US one if I were you. At the MB meet in the San Fernando Valley we compared the 2 and the Euros look much better.

What is the difference between the Euro ones and the US ones?

I bought my bi-Xenons(Euro version) from Steve and there were some condensation issues after period of use in heavy rain so my dealer replace them with US spec bi-xenons and there was a very big difference in terms of the coverage and the light output(even tho the light bulb is the same 35w)!

BTW,, my regular xenons are available for sale!

What exactly did your dealer replace? The bulbs? The lens?

the dealer would never replace Halogens with the new bi-xenon assy. I asked them and they said its not possible, different harnasses, etc....which is crap, its a direct replacement...just wouldn't have the auto-leveling (which is BS anyway)


Anyway - I bet they could do a search for a W203 w/C4 in your area and get one faster than re-ordering.

Don't forget the COMAND !!!!!!!!!!!!

My dealer replace the entire Bi-xenon asssembly with the US version!

For FREE? Do you own the dealership? How can they do that? What are they going to do with your Euro spec one?

well if i were you i would just wait it out and get what you wanted in the first place. maybe u should try and work out a free rental still. even if its not a mercedes loaner at least its a car to drive. it was there mistake and they should do whatever it takes to make you happy. then again this is rare. good luck!!!!

Your euro spec bi-xenons were not adjusted properly when you/they installed them.

Quoting Steve (MBenzNL): "The US bi Xenon pattern has less light output as the euro ones".

Also it appears that the US spec ones turns white and loses it's blue hue after the bulb fully heats, where as the Euro spec, retains it's blue hue.

At the meet in the San Fernando Valley area early this month, we had a comparison between Euro and US spec, wish I took pics but the difference was night and day... I'm sure that there are a few guys at the meet that would agree with me.

Not trying to sound argumentative but just showing the facts...

There is also a white in color flip inside the D2B housing that you could get to easily to control which headlight, either left or right has the upward arch.

US spec ones do not have this.

Jay

My Euros are fogging up on the inside after driving in heavy rain!

What I meant was that the Euros seems MUCH brighter and with better coverage than the US version lights! I care less about the blueness!

jhillman, I think you did GREAT getting the discount you did in return for the lighting snafu. Park Place wouldn't discount a penny when I was there...

Given the posts above, you can probably add bi-xenons aftermarket and spend less than a quarter of the amount you saved... if it's an absolutely gotta have. If it's a frown factor for you, definitely buy them aftermarket. No reason not to enjoy your new car to the full.

I wouldn't worry about the levellers or the washers. I know very few MB owners who have ever used the washers, even those owners with flat headlights and wipers, too. Someone posted several months ago that his washers sprayed the hood, winshield and roof, in addition to the headlights. That could be a detriment if you just washed the car. Also, the MB washer fluid that comes in the car is very good, but eats through some waxes (Zaino in particular).

If you decide to skip on the xenons, but still want more light, you can always upgrade to Philips Vision Plus or Rally Halogens for under $50. I have the Philips Rally's in my car... not xenons, but VERY bright. We can meet up some time and I can show you...

C4 also gives you a larger capacity washer reservoir.

Making them eat the misconfigured car and getting your discount on what you really want sounds fair.

Whe did Rick's sales monkey move from New Jersey to Dallas? And why wasn't I informed? Give him a banana.

I meant my dealer would never install the Bi-Xenons for me in place of my halogens....

Just make sure to slam them on the customer sat surrvey. Even though you got an additional discount for the error, they screwed up and didn't do the due dilligence required to make you a happy customer. You can go aftermarket, but in your eyes, you may never be 100% happy, and MBUSA should know that. Nothing personal Park Place, but you made the mistake, not the customer.

I think you made the right decision. Don't lose sight of the fact that these are only lights we are talking about. They won't make your car run faster or give you better gas mileage. They are after all a very overpriced option that will probably become standard once people are willing to stop paying outrageous sums of money for them.

i was wondering if you can change the settings of the us version to the eur settings?