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

hid or no?

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Old Jun 11, 2010 | 08:48 PM
  #76  
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From: centennial, CO
2003 c240
if your planning on going with oem projectors then you should order ddm with a d2s(for projector) or d2r(for reflector) sized bulb so that once you get your projectors it will work right away. To do this you will need this adapter:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H7-D2...Q5fAccessories

this also leaves you the option of getting a higher end bulb. Either phillips or morimoto. From what i have seen only 55w systems have melted bulbs, but it wasnt in a c-class so according to matt and andrew it doesn't melt in the c-class.

edit: sorry actually it did melt in one of their lights. If you want 55w then just upgrade to a higher end bulb, one with a metal retaining clip that hold the bulb in place.

Last edited by fookoo303; Jun 11, 2010 at 08:51 PM.
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 08:15 AM
  #77  
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From: New Joisey
13 Jeep JKU Sahara w/4" lift Kit & the works,2015 Toyota Sienna XLE,2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
here is a link to my sienna van forum where I had posted a clear explanation with pictures on this issue...........

http://siennachat.com/forum/index.php/topic,1255.0.html

enjoy
javvy
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 09:55 AM
  #78  
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2007 c230
i'm shocked the governemtn doesn't enforce the illegal HID issue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVuSSdZNsZw
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 01:44 PM
  #79  
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From: centennial, CO
2003 c240
i think they have tried enforcing it but its just like most other car mods. All the maufactuer and sellers have to say is that its for off-road use only. I personally hate coming across other cars that just use PNP kits cuz i have very sensitive eyes and i get blinded by glare. The best thing to do with getting HID is doing a projector retrofit.
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 05:56 PM
  #80  
draze's Avatar
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From: Canada, ON
2002 c230 kompressor M111 6spd
hid's are too much trouble for me right now....so i installed GE Nighthawk Platinum on passenger side only....had no time to take of bumper on driver's side, plus i want to wait until dark to see the difference.
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 06:59 PM
  #81  
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
you all have a point, to some degree. the devil is in the details. if by some
luck, and chance, a particular set up results in minimum of glare, then you got
off lucky.

think of holding a magnifying glass in bright sunlight. at a specific focal point,
the rays converge and you can get ignition/flame. just a bit off and it won't.

same is true for this whole argument of reflector halogen vs reflector HID vs
projector halogen vs projector HID. within each design, minimum critical
specifications are drawn up.....to match the bulb it was designed to be used
with.

vary the bulb (ie specification) and the formula changes. light may scatter
horribly with one headlight design if the bulb was changed, may be less so
with another headlight design (again, bulb changed) if the specs have broader
tolerance or is weighted towards the middle, or the extreme in terms of specs.

this is why DOT/NHTSA has prohibited end user (re)creation of HIDs. this
means no kitting, no retrofits, etc....why?....because no end user would
ever have the technical know how, or ability to adjust and rule out the
uncontrollable glare. because of the high intensity of HIDs, maintaining
proper focus is paramount.

it may 'look' focused to you, but I can tell you that as a sport biker coming
around a canyon road at night, I can easily spot the kitted cars and m/cycles
easily. i've lost night vision so bad 2x that i had to dive for the shoulder and
hope I could keep the bike up.

HID kit folks really dont care about glare, only that it looks cool while you're
checking out the car with your buddies. when in non-inclement weather
driving, you probably benefit from glare. you see road signs, bushes along
the shoulder, way down the road. holy bat*****...you're cool.

done with an eye towards minimizing glare, you may be able to keep the
quality of the beam from being an eyesore....especially to opposing drivers.

namaste,

Last edited by raymond g-; Jun 12, 2010 at 07:07 PM.
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Old Jan 12, 2015 | 11:50 PM
  #82  
TYUS's Avatar
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From: SO FLORIDA
2010 E350 SPORT SEDAN, 2006 C280 4MATIC- SOLD 2009 FORD F-250, 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID, 2013 MB E550
Originally Posted by bdgdl08
I'm not saying the cut-off is in any way perfect, but it is definitely very distinct and not the blob of light that is Nick's. The funny thing is, after driving around for 6 months with the HIDs in and never getting flashed, I was flashed last week with my halogens aimed the exact same way. I will say it was a fluke, but it's still a little funny.

EDIT: For the record, I have the same 55w DDM kit as Matt and Nick. I know that one of Matt's bulbs started melting, and one of mine went bad after less than 6 months. All I can say is, LIFETIME WARRANTY FTW!!!
HELLO SIR.
I HAVE A 2006 C280 4M AND WANNA INSTALL HID MAIN LIGHTS. WHERE DID YOU PLACE YOUR BALLASTS OR RESISTERS?
THANKS! HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO
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