I posted on the tech forun, but will try here too:

Picked up a 230 coupe tonight. Everything is wonderful, except the low beam lights seem to be aimed too low. In the manual, it makes reference to checking the alignment after changing bulbs, but I couldn't find instructions for doing that. So, the questions are:
1. Are the headlight alignment specs something I can easily check myself.
2. How can the low beam height be adjusted?


Thanks!

 

my low beams seemed low as well. i switched out th stocks and put a set of phillips visionplus bulbs and raised the beam up. this made a signifigant difference.
to adjust, there is a black plastic knob that you can turn with your hand or with a flat head screwdriver (i just used my hand). the knob is located on top of the headlight, between the low and the high beam. i mainly just aimed my lights at a wall, turned the knob until the beam raised, and used trial and error to figure out the proper height.
i was suprised that the manual doesn't illustrate this. i just popped the hood and made a lucky guess.
now, my lights are at a comfortable height.

ryan

 

Ryan:
Thanks for the info. I called the dealer today, and talked to a low on the food chain person in service. He couldn't answer anything and came back to me after talking to someone else with the following reply: "they are self adjusting, but if you are having a problem bring it in and we will adjust it" Me--"I am an hour away, can't i do it myself?" Him--"No, you have to bring it in"

Seemed a bit beyond belief, since every other car I have driven in the apst 35 years had readily adjustable headlights.

BTW, how do you like the visionplus? Did you mailorder or get them locally?

Thanks

 

I hope the following is helpful. Remember that the ECE headlights now used by Mercedes have a very distinct vertical cutoff, and do not shine as far down the road as traditional American headlights. This cutoff should be 60 meters in front of the headlights.


http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/how_to/aim/
http://www.memagazine.org/backissues.../letlight.html

A post at the Philips forum gives a formula which gives the cutoff distance at 94 meters (310 feet) if the headlight height is 26 inches. As close as I can eyeball it, the headlight height of my C23 coupe is 26 inches.
http://www.lighting.philips.com/foru...es/28655.shtml

 

i got the bulbs online.... i have an extra set if you are interested...

ryan

 

DRMike, the VisionPlus are superb! I've been using them for over 2 years now and highly recommend to anyone. They can be purchased online for $40, delivery included, from Autolamps Online

 

vadim, are you using them for the high beams also?

 

No, Lynn, just for the lows... I hardly ever use brights... Just to flash sometimes, but the stock H7s are fine for that