My C230 turns 7
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From: Atlanta, GA
'02 C230 Coupe (Me) '03 SLK320 6MT (Wife)
Matt... Stop!!!
You know I have been eyeing the hard to find Coupe Bi-X idea for a bit now. This is not helping me fight off the bug.
Looks great on your car. Some time I'd like to see how it lights up the road. But that might feed the bug, never mind.
You seem to have caught the tasteful mod bug yourself.
You know I have been eyeing the hard to find Coupe Bi-X idea for a bit now. This is not helping me fight off the bug.
Looks great on your car. Some time I'd like to see how it lights up the road. But that might feed the bug, never mind.
You seem to have caught the tasteful mod bug yourself.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
http://youtu.be/aS0VG838fbc
Your wish is my command. Although my iPhone camera exaggerates the hot spots John mentioned, noticeable mostly from the left side projector. It doesn't look nearly so exaggerated in person. But this does give you an idea of the cut-off and stuff.
Your wish is my command. Although my iPhone camera exaggerates the hot spots John mentioned, noticeable mostly from the left side projector. It doesn't look nearly so exaggerated in person. But this does give you an idea of the cut-off and stuff.
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From: Atlanta, GA
'02 C230 Coupe (Me) '03 SLK320 6MT (Wife)
Nice.....and I believe they are actually making a set for the Coupes again. Maybe I should stop keeping one eye open for OEM and just bite the bullet....
Thanks!
Thanks!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I do see them on ebay. Not bi-xenon, but xenon low beams and the great look it adds to the car. You should do it.
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Now that gives a better view of them vs. your garage door shots 
Looks pretty damn good. Based on that video, you made the right choice with the Depos. I would say the OEM are only slightly better and 3 times the price. And this is coming from a STRONG proponent of using OEM parts. Also, I bet you would see an improvement by going to Philips 4300K bulbs, or even Philips Ultinon's. The other beauty of the depos, is they a a perfect platform to do a retrofit to a REALLY good projector if you are so inclined at some point.
Looks pretty damn good. Based on that video, you made the right choice with the Depos. I would say the OEM are only slightly better and 3 times the price. And this is coming from a STRONG proponent of using OEM parts. Also, I bet you would see an improvement by going to Philips 4300K bulbs, or even Philips Ultinon's. The other beauty of the depos, is they a a perfect platform to do a retrofit to a REALLY good projector if you are so inclined at some point.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Now that gives a better view of them vs. your garage door shots Looks pretty damn good. Based on that video, you made the right choice with the Depos. I would say the OEM are only slightly better and 3 times the price. And this is coming from a STRONG proponent of using OEM parts. Also, I bet you would see an improvement by going to Philips 4300K bulbs, or even Philips Ultinon's. The other beauty of the depos, is they a a perfect platform to do a retrofit to a REALLY good projector if you are so inclined at some point.
Looks pretty damn good. Based on that video, you made the right choice with the Depos. I would say the OEM are only slightly better and 3 times the price. And this is coming from a STRONG proponent of using OEM parts. Also, I bet you would see an improvement by going to Philips 4300K bulbs, or even Philips Ultinon's. The other beauty of the depos, is they a a perfect platform to do a retrofit to a REALLY good projector if you are so inclined at some point.Like I was telling you before I installed them, the people who have so many problems with Depo units are those who buy the really cheap ones that come without bulbs and with an H7 halogen projector. Sure, this D2S projector is not as good as one from an OEM unit.. but it's a whole lot better than the H7 one in cheaper Depos!
If you're going to go Depo, buy the ones with the HID pre-installed and the D2S projector. In the description it is listed. They come with poor aim so you do have to tinker with aiming like I have but once you get that done they're great - a HUGE improvement over stock halogens in looks and usefulness.
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2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
The cutoff is based off the shields on the projectors. They can easily be fixed by buying different shields so the cutoff is even. Also depending on the shield you can change the color of the cutoff. Some will make them a bluish tint to an OEM clear cutoff. My friend does custom projectors so he was showing me how you can change everything.
Where do you get the shields? Are they difficult to install? Any other hints along those lines?
BTW - I agree with Matt. Driving at night is a totally new experience. Street signs light up, everything is so much easier to see. Great for old fogies like me!
Last edited by ncmudbug; Feb 14, 2012 at 10:29 PM.
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The shields are already built into the projectors. I am still amazed by the output of mine on these dark country roads near my house. I wish it could be captured on a camera but it just can't be, I've tried.
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2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
I agree, Matt. I'm going to see if I can talk my wife into a pair. I think she'd like night driving a lot more with them.
Are the shields replaceable with the Depos? If it's not too much of a pain or too expensive, I might consider straightening the pattern out a bit more.
Are the shields replaceable with the Depos? If it's not too much of a pain or too expensive, I might consider straightening the pattern out a bit more.
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2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Yeah, that would be a PITA. It would be nice to have the cut off straighter across and I thought I had seen some where the driver's side was a little lower than the passenger side.
No matter, if it's as you say, it's not worth the effort. Those are really minor issues.
No matter, if it's as you say, it's not worth the effort. Those are really minor issues.
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The stepped pattern is normal for a European car. The Japanese cars have a straighter pattern. But yeah the driver's side will probably be slightly lower than the passenger. It's not hard to adjust if you aren't happy.
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2007 c230
In july im doing another projector retrofit. Im thrashing my old headlamps with the FX-R's in them. The light output is pretty amazing from them better then OEM Bixenon. Let me nkow if you want them. Just pay for shipping
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2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
I had an unhappy occurrence this morning. I cranked up my car (the headlights are set to stay on) and my dash told me the driver's side headlight wasn't lit. I stopped and got out and sure enough, I was one-eyed! 
I assumed it was either a bulb or a ballast. All I could do was take a look to see how difficult a bulb might be to replace - very from the looks of it - and make sure the connections to the ballast were secure - they were. At least the ballast was easy to get to.
When I came home from work, all my headlights worked! So thankfully I didn't have to drive home at night one-eyed. This is making me suspect the ballast though it could be a loose connection with the bulb.
Is a ballast something you can buy off the shelf or where is the best place to get them? Are there different kinds, capacities, or other details I'd need to know?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I assumed it was either a bulb or a ballast. All I could do was take a look to see how difficult a bulb might be to replace - very from the looks of it - and make sure the connections to the ballast were secure - they were. At least the ballast was easy to get to.
When I came home from work, all my headlights worked! So thankfully I didn't have to drive home at night one-eyed. This is making me suspect the ballast though it could be a loose connection with the bulb.
Is a ballast something you can buy off the shelf or where is the best place to get them? Are there different kinds, capacities, or other details I'd need to know?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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THE C350
ebay is the best.
I would say start easy switch the bulbs first and wait a few days to see if the issue moves then switch the ballasts next and then if neither of those are the issue then you have an ignitor issue
How old are your bulbs?
The ballasts from my research are really all the same if it fits it works. I have seen on other forums where they have talked about using Mercedes ballasts on a bmw and range rovers. BTW I have an extra one that I will sell for dirt cheap since I doubt I will ever need it. (came in an extra Bix I bought for parts)
I have a felling that either your bulbs are too old and causing extra strain on the system or you have an ignitor going out (common issue with the bix)
I had a few issues with my bix so if you have any questions let me know glad to help.
I would say start easy switch the bulbs first and wait a few days to see if the issue moves then switch the ballasts next and then if neither of those are the issue then you have an ignitor issue
How old are your bulbs?
The ballasts from my research are really all the same if it fits it works. I have seen on other forums where they have talked about using Mercedes ballasts on a bmw and range rovers. BTW I have an extra one that I will sell for dirt cheap since I doubt I will ever need it. (came in an extra Bix I bought for parts)
I have a felling that either your bulbs are too old and causing extra strain on the system or you have an ignitor going out (common issue with the bix)
I had a few issues with my bix so if you have any questions let me know glad to help.
Last edited by samaritrey; Feb 16, 2012 at 11:41 PM.
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2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Thanks for the reply. Actually they are brand new Depos - about three days old!
I might take you up on your ballast. You can PM me with what you want for it. What's involved with ignitors?
I might take you up on your ballast. You can PM me with what you want for it. What's involved with ignitors?
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
You'll have to forgive Trey - he didn't read the thread. lol
I would wait and see if it recurs now that you've made adjustments to the connections. Sometimes even with Xenon set to Present the car will still be unhappy now or then.
I would wait and see if it recurs now that you've made adjustments to the connections. Sometimes even with Xenon set to Present the car will still be unhappy now or then.
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2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Matt, Congratulations on the 130K miles!!
Regarding my Bi-Xenon excitement - there seems to be a pattern forming. This morning when I started up, the drivers side (again) failed to come on. I tried it on my way to work this time and before I got there it was working again. When I left this evening, it worked without drama. I don't want to make too much of a pattern, but I'm wondering if it could be heat related - when it warms up, it starts working, but that could be a bit of a stretch. Part of the problem I think I'll have with troubleshooting this is I have to catch it not working long enough to experiment! I'll check tomorrow morning and try swapping the ballast if it isn't working.
Regarding my Bi-Xenon excitement - there seems to be a pattern forming. This morning when I started up, the drivers side (again) failed to come on. I tried it on my way to work this time and before I got there it was working again. When I left this evening, it worked without drama. I don't want to make too much of a pattern, but I'm wondering if it could be heat related - when it warms up, it starts working, but that could be a bit of a stretch. Part of the problem I think I'll have with troubleshooting this is I have to catch it not working long enough to experiment! I'll check tomorrow morning and try swapping the ballast if it isn't working.
