C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

How much would you pay for HID?

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Old 03-15-2003, 01:11 PM
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How much would you pay for HID?

I've contacted the admins to see about advertising on this forum, 4 days ago, so I'm going to post this and hope it catches their eye and I can begin vendor discussions, but in the meantime:

How many of you MEMBERS would be interested in HID for $400 shipped?

It's a very high quality kit that I just installed for the first time in a Mercedes 2 days ago (a CL500 2003) and it looked great! It fits ALL Mercedes models. It does, on some, require a computer flash that can only be done at the deal (AFAIK) to prevent some strange things from happening:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=32951

Here are the pictures from that install. For more info on this really high quality Matsu****a Ballast and Igniter and GE bulb 4500K, visit my site www.umnitza.com







Old 03-15-2003, 01:14 PM
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209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
The KIT Looks great...But The Bulbs Wont Work Well with the NON Xeon lens and Reflector...Factory Xeon Is The Way to go...Euro Xeon is Even better!
Old 03-16-2003, 05:12 AM
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Umnitza,

I am familiar with Catz HID, they are good quality. I have a few questions for you please:

1. Will you ship overseas (Singapore)?
2. Can you do $400 including shipping & insurance to Singapore?
3. Are the price different if I am interested in the 5000K (Rising White) set?

Please let me know, thank you.
-Hendry
Old 03-23-2003, 03:28 AM
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I did not check this thread for some reason I didn't get notified.

The common misconception that is pervasive throughout the Xenon/HID discussions is that the light scatter is "unbearable", just get projectors from the factory, just do this, just do that.


Here are the facts.
Yes, there is more light scatter than with normal projectors.

NO, this is not significant and YES it provides an incredible amount more light and it's STILL pointed int he correct direction with MINIMAL scatter.

I've seen this on the Mercedes that I installed and I've seen it on the E46 without projectors (BMW 3-series).

So, there you go


hleo - I responded:
Old 03-23-2003, 04:35 AM
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W212 E63
Just to let everyone know... here is the before and after the HID from a in-car view.
Old 03-23-2003, 04:36 AM
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Here is after the HID was installed..
Big difference..
Old 03-23-2003, 04:39 AM
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hallelujah we have light

Now, yours are bluer because of the marketing term "Stage II"

That basically implies that you have 6000K = which is less actual light on the road than 4500K.

Those pics are GREAT though!
Old 03-23-2003, 12:12 PM
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OH wow.... that's a huge difference... but how many people are you going to blind with those new HID's... haha
Old 03-23-2003, 12:55 PM
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The True OG Modded out W203
Can you install the kit in the fog lights? I'm a little confused w/the way these kits install....Thanks!
Old 03-23-2003, 01:13 PM
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Yes, they can be

Though why? I don't know.
The normal low beam is significant already.

No one will go "blind" it's just like aiming your standard halogen lights:p
Old 03-23-2003, 05:20 PM
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W212 E63
Originally posted by altai1083
OH wow.... that's a huge difference... but how many people are you going to blind with those new HID's... haha
I don't think I have blind anybody at this point yet... becasue I haven't receive any high beams from the oppsite cars...
Old 03-23-2003, 06:45 PM
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Originally posted by eason
I don't think I have blind anybody at this point yet... becasue I haven't receive any high beams from the oppsite cars...
I get high beams every once and awhile from my regular stock lamps.... go figure... haha
Old 03-23-2003, 07:01 PM
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so, I've been in "light" contact with the proprietors of this site.

I'll be calling them on Monday.

In the meantime, let's get a good group of folks together for these.

They are remarkably easy to install and require a visit to the dealer (usually free, if you talk to the right guy) for a 10 minute flash of the computer.

And, @ 400, they are significantly more inexpensive and potentially better quality than OEM.
Old 03-26-2003, 04:22 AM
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bump!

Best kit on the market for this price
Old 03-26-2003, 12:45 PM
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Originally posted by umnitza
they are . . .potentially better quality than OEM.
BULL****
Old 03-26-2003, 01:46 PM
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Originally posted by Lynn
BULL****
are you an expert?

sounds like an expert opinion.

How about a picture - we are comparing OEM Bi-Xenon and Xenon applications for the BMW:



Click this for a video of the above picture
Old 03-26-2003, 02:07 PM
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Umnitza...nice pics and nice price too. Don't mind the negativity around here as a few MB owners believe if u dont shell out a grand for an HID kit it's crap. I think your presentation and approach is very good and I think you will get more business once the forum admins approve (as i can understand some ppl's fear of getting ripped off). Good luck to you and if my w203 isnt under lease and if we didnt have such wussy dealers in Houston, TX i'd get this kit
Old 03-26-2003, 02:20 PM
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Thank you.

Now if only they'd return my calls Many VMs, no returns.

I agree, the price seems kind of low, but in reality this kit sells for $550 everywhere.

I'm doing an introductory special for y'all
Old 03-26-2003, 04:36 PM
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There is no damn way that some half assed kit assembled by some shade tree mechanic is ever going to have better quality than an OEM piece. Most of the uproar over HID's is due to poorly designed, poorly made and poorly installed aftermarket conversions.

There are some kits that are acceptable in their performance, but most are not. And none of them can come close to the OEM lights in terms of quality. If they could, these kits would be OEM. Mercedes, like any other business, will take the cheapest acceptable alternative.

No, I an not an expert, but Daniel Stern is. I suggest you go to his site and learn about aftermarket HID's.
Old 03-26-2003, 04:43 PM
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Lynn,

Tell you what, I'll humor you with a reply.

I can't reveal the brand. But I assure you it's not assembled by YOUR mechanic.

Here are the specs:
Molded base for proper focal point
Features and Benefits:
Excellent lamp wattage regulation over wide range of input voltage: 9 to 16VDC
Quick starting in both cold and hot restrike conditions
Extremely fast “run-up” of lamp output:
Cold start: 60% output in (4) seconds
Hot restrike: 50% output in (1) second
Safety Shutdown Feature: Shuts-off within (1) second if no start or if output is shorted
Excellent humidity resistance-fully potted
Superior solid state ignitor design
Small size / lightweight
Corona-free lamp socket design
Made in Japan

Specifications:
Lamps 35 Watt D2R or D2S
Nominal Input Voltage 14.0 VDC (12V battery)
Input Voltage Range 9.0 to 16.0 VDC
Input Power (steady state) <46W
Input Current (steady state) 6A @ 9V; <4A @ 14V
Input Current (starting) <20 A
Output power 35± 2W
Lamp Frequency 250 Hz Square Wave
Ignition Pulse Voltage Nominal 22KV
Safety Shutdown: No start Yes (<1 sec.)
Low Input Voltage Yes (<6 VDC)
Minimum Start Temperature –30°C / 22°F
Maximum Case Temperature +85°C / 185°F
Maximum distance from power supply to inverter 2.5 m (8 feet)
Maximum lead resistance 50 milliohms (including wire and terminals)
REQUIREMENTS: External fuse/breaker 20 A

The XXXX HID kits are a series circuit design. The igniter and ballast manufacturer (Matsu****a) developed an interesting series of film capacitors to deal increased current draw. EPCOS developed the MKT, MFT, and MKN capacitors for advanced automotive lighting. The initial start-up is the most current consuming aspect of the HID conversion. Upon ignition, the system should draw less that 15 amps. When the igniter shuts off, usually 3-5 seconds after ignition, the ballast provides a secondary voltage to sustain the arc. The headlight circuit should be protected by a fuse or circuit breaker with at least a 15 amp current rating provided that the fuse or breaker only protects the headlight circuit. If the fuse or breaker protects another circuit, such as foglights or instrument lights for instance, the fuse rating may be required to be a little higher.

We have found that the current draw that is associated with igniter start-up does not seem to have a long term effect on associated headlight wiring or circuitry. We actually see more customers that have issues with high wattage halogen replacement bulbs as they draw their usable current at all times while they are in use.
But, you know, it's definitely made by a "mechanic" - I'm pretty sure this mechanic has a Ph.D
Old 03-26-2003, 04:44 PM
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Who is Mr. Stern?
Daniel Stern is....someone I probably agree with :p


Last edited by umnitza; 03-26-2003 at 04:48 PM.
Old 03-26-2003, 04:48 PM
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When done right and with a quality kit... it is by no means "shadetree".

You must have bought or seen too many of those 12,000K Ebay HID kits.
Old 03-26-2003, 05:03 PM
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Originally posted by Lynn
There is no damn way that some half assed kit assembled by some shade tree mechanic is ever going to have better quality than an OEM piece. Most of the uproar over HID's is due to poorly designed, poorly made and poorly installed aftermarket conversions.

There are some kits that are acceptable in their performance, but most are not. And none of them can come close to the OEM lights in terms of quality. If they could, these kits would be OEM. Mercedes, like any other business, will take the cheapest acceptable alternative.

No, I an not an expert, but Daniel Stern is. I suggest you go to his site and learn about aftermarket HID's.
Lynn I'm sure Mercedes uses good quality stuff but to just assume that aftermarket kit is absolutely crap compare to OEM is a bit premature esp when no one has done a comparison yet (even if they do I'd have to see facts). Also, to say that Mercedes uses absolutely best parts in their cars is...well laughable as many of our comments and publications show MB is one of the worst reliable luxury brand. Now did that stop me from buying an MB? no not really b/c for the price-range and what I'm getting its a really good price....am i buying an MB again?.....more than likely not. This vendor did not even claim that his HID kit is ABSOLUTELY better then OEM but he stated that it MAY be. We'll have to wait and see someone actually try it lets keep our minds open and hope no one get ripped off (kidding.....but not really)
Old 03-26-2003, 05:09 PM
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wasnt someone selling Hella Ballast and bulbs for 350?

I have a kit with philips ballast and 4300k bulbs and they work fine. Many of the coupe owners have other HID kits, and they all work.

The question is how long will the ballast work for. I assume most of the name brand ones will be fine.

~fk
Old 03-26-2003, 05:21 PM
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Well, I wouldn't have posted this if I hadn't gone through it on a CLK 500 already.

The light output, by my customer's account, is nothing short of amazing and consistent.

Course, he's only had it for 1 month now. But I've also installed this kit in my car, my wife's car (E38) and 4 other friend's cars.

All easy installs, all the same kit just different molded bases.

Last edited by umnitza; 03-26-2003 at 05:30 PM.


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