DDM Tuning HID's $30!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, FL
2003 C320 4Matic
hey so i've always been interested in converting my halogens over to HID's but never looked to far into it, i'm pretty uninformed in the electrical area and was hoping you guys could help me with a few questions
First the plug n play issue people are having.. i keep reading about setting Present to Xenon? whats this about, is it just a setting on the cars display or how do you go about doing that?
and second, basically if i've had no real experience with wiring electrical ballasts/sockets/anything of the sort, what would i be looking at trying to install this myself? a days work and then a broken headlight? or is this soemthing that's pretty doable with a few instructions and pictures? or would i be better off bringing it in somewhere in the first place, and if that's the case what should i be looking at on installation costs? (i'd probably get a closer estimate actually calling a shop lol but any help is appreciated)
edit: and this one makes me feel real dumb but
yet i went through that link and on the website the kit is called "The Apexcone Raptor Kit"... the only other kit option is a Slim Ballast, and in the description it doesn't state Apexcone or Raptor kit.
Thanks alot for any answers on those!
First the plug n play issue people are having.. i keep reading about setting Present to Xenon? whats this about, is it just a setting on the cars display or how do you go about doing that?
and second, basically if i've had no real experience with wiring electrical ballasts/sockets/anything of the sort, what would i be looking at trying to install this myself? a days work and then a broken headlight? or is this soemthing that's pretty doable with a few instructions and pictures? or would i be better off bringing it in somewhere in the first place, and if that's the case what should i be looking at on installation costs? (i'd probably get a closer estimate actually calling a shop lol but any help is appreciated)
edit: and this one makes me feel real dumb but
the Raptor kits are not as good as their apexcone kits.
Thanks alot for any answers on those!
Last edited by 03MBC320; Dec 23, 2009 at 12:30 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,545
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
Really, it was easy! I have no wiring background, but it's all just olugs. The raptor kit is the cheaper one that uses Raptor ballasts and Apexicone bulbs. The other used the same bulbs, but DDM ballasts. There is no need to worry about the Xenon = present option if you use the error eliminators. I would absolutely recommend doing the conversion! I drove from St. Augustine to Boca Grand today (a 5 hour drive, 3 of which were in the dark) and the lights made a hell of a difference! I was worried going into the project, but once I figures out what I was doing, it was a breeze. Do it, and if you need any help, send me a PM. I'm not sure where you're located, but if it's near me I'd be glad to give a hand.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, FL
2003 C320 4Matic
Thanks, also i was just reading through omg its nates HID install on HIDs
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...d-install.html
and someone mentioned that it gave an error on pre-facelift models (which i'm assuming is before 05?) I've got an 03, can anyone confirm that i'll have errors or not?
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...d-install.html
and someone mentioned that it gave an error on pre-facelift models (which i'm assuming is before 05?) I've got an 03, can anyone confirm that i'll have errors or not?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
Here is my standard warning to anyone looking at a kit to fit standard Halogen housings:
There are some questions you need to ask any one that sells kits to convert to HID lamps:
Is the conversion beam pattern correct?
How is the conversion made to be beam pattern correct?
How is the conversion tested to ensure beam pattern correctness?
If it is not beam pattern correct, can they tell you how to fix it?
Do they know what a correct beam pattern looks like?
Are they aware that non-beam pattern correct conversions have serious disadvantages? A person could get hurt!
I can't see how a bulb designed for a projector housing can be installed in a reflector housing and get a proper beam. Since the lamps must have their base changed, it might be possible. Mid 90's Mercedes actually had such a lamp, but it has fallen from favor. One big problem with putting a HID lamp in a reflector is the insulation of the return wire. Most reflectors are metalized, and will arc to the return wire.
The color temperature of the lamp is either 4300K or 6000K. The metallic salts in the bulb determine the color temperature. Only 4300K is used in OEM headlights. How would you measure it? Knowing that most people can't, sellers lie. The way they make it blue is to put a filter on the external glass. This raises the color temperatue, but decreases the light output significantly.
My experience is that Osram (Sylvania) or Philips HID bulbs get more blue as they age, and they last about 2,000 hours. Asian lamps (unknown manufacturer) seem to remain rather constant in color, but expire at about 200 to 600 hours.
Conversion to Bi-Xenon is possible, but you must change the housings. MbenzNL.com has more infomation on factory parts.
There are some questions you need to ask any one that sells kits to convert to HID lamps:
Is the conversion beam pattern correct?
How is the conversion made to be beam pattern correct?
How is the conversion tested to ensure beam pattern correctness?
If it is not beam pattern correct, can they tell you how to fix it?
Do they know what a correct beam pattern looks like?
Are they aware that non-beam pattern correct conversions have serious disadvantages? A person could get hurt!
I can't see how a bulb designed for a projector housing can be installed in a reflector housing and get a proper beam. Since the lamps must have their base changed, it might be possible. Mid 90's Mercedes actually had such a lamp, but it has fallen from favor. One big problem with putting a HID lamp in a reflector is the insulation of the return wire. Most reflectors are metalized, and will arc to the return wire.
The color temperature of the lamp is either 4300K or 6000K. The metallic salts in the bulb determine the color temperature. Only 4300K is used in OEM headlights. How would you measure it? Knowing that most people can't, sellers lie. The way they make it blue is to put a filter on the external glass. This raises the color temperatue, but decreases the light output significantly.
My experience is that Osram (Sylvania) or Philips HID bulbs get more blue as they age, and they last about 2,000 hours. Asian lamps (unknown manufacturer) seem to remain rather constant in color, but expire at about 200 to 600 hours.
Conversion to Bi-Xenon is possible, but you must change the housings. MbenzNL.com has more infomation on factory parts.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
06 C230 6 Speed FTW
Could you post pictures of your ballast placement?
My HID kit came today! It took me quite a while, but after a trip to the hardware store (well, two of them) to get a unibit do drill holes in the dust covers, I got them installed. I had to use the error eliminators, though; I installed without them, which worked until I turned on the car, then flickering and bulb out error. I went for a test drive, re-aimed my headlights a bit, and now everything is great. I had trouble figuring out where to place the ballasts. I need to be able to drive the car, so I used the adhesive (for now), but used the small zip ties that came with the kit so that, if the adhesive fails before I can fix their placement, they will keep the ballasts around. If the adhesive fails, the ballasts will be hanging from tubing.
My HID kit came today! It took me quite a while, but after a trip to the hardware store (well, two of them) to get a unibit do drill holes in the dust covers, I got them installed. I had to use the error eliminators, though; I installed without them, which worked until I turned on the car, then flickering and bulb out error. I went for a test drive, re-aimed my headlights a bit, and now everything is great. I had trouble figuring out where to place the ballasts. I need to be able to drive the car, so I used the adhesive (for now), but used the small zip ties that came with the kit so that, if the adhesive fails before I can fix their placement, they will keep the ballasts around. If the adhesive fails, the ballasts will be hanging from tubing.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,545
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
I would recommend it. I bought the ballasts under Matt's advice with the understanding that I could return them if I didn't need them. It's only twenty bucks, so it's not too bad. It's funny, thought, I spend half as much money ($40) on the unibit as I didn on the whole package. Well worth it though! It was a great Christmas gift from the gf!
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 361
Likes: 3
From: Chicagoland
2008 ML350 4matic
Check out xenithxenons.com......
great kit, totally PNP with relays wired in-line, NO ERRORS, NO FLICKERING.
A little more than most kits, but seems pretty high quality, 112.00 out the door.
great kit, totally PNP with relays wired in-line, NO ERRORS, NO FLICKERING.
A little more than most kits, but seems pretty high quality, 112.00 out the door.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 0
From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
for which kit? I think it's been established that results may vary. Maybe the '05s are different. 
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
2007 C230 Sport
lookin at getting fog and low, do i need the eliminators? and if i get the eliminators do i need to purchase 2 or is just 1 enough? i have the 2007 model.
sorry i'm noob at this hid install cause i came from an import and we don't need any eliminators
sorry i'm noob at this hid install cause i came from an import and we don't need any eliminators
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 0
From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
I assume you're ordering from DDM... each order of eliminators ($20) is a pair. If you're doing both fogs and lows you will need to order two (two pair which is 4 total). Good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Seaford, Delawhere
2002 C240
Anybody have before and after pictures of these lights on there car? Also how is the beam pattern? Is it scattered like most aftermarket HIDs on oem light housing, or does it look similar to stock HIDs with a good pattern? Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,545
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
There are little darker patches that lie on the edges on both sides, but are not really visible over the hood. I have pictures that I will post in just a little bit.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 0
From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
Just put them on for the lows and don't use your fog lights until you get them in. I also heard that you can turn the lights on for somewhere between 20 and thirty seconds before turning your car on. After that time period, the car stops monitoring the power output, or something. Whoever I heard this from needs to chime in.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 0
From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
It's the Apexicone lights with the DDM slim ballasts. http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p...=101&parent=85
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 0
From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
Here are the pictures. They are all I have at the moment, but I can take more if you would like something specific.
They are the 55w 6000k DDM slim ballast kit. I am absolutely astounded at how great these are. They are in the stock halogen housings (H7 bulbs) with error eliminators. Also, just the low beams. One thing that I have noticed with these is that the cutoff goes up alot on the right (for signs and such), but just at dusk, highway signs light up amazingly.
They are the 55w 6000k DDM slim ballast kit. I am absolutely astounded at how great these are. They are in the stock halogen housings (H7 bulbs) with error eliminators. Also, just the low beams. One thing that I have noticed with these is that the cutoff goes up alot on the right (for signs and such), but just at dusk, highway signs light up amazingly.
Last edited by bdgdl08; Jan 5, 2010 at 12:36 AM.
