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

My C230 turns 7

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 11:49 AM
  #1  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
My C230 turns 7

Production 01/2005. She certainly doesn't look it, especially sporting her new spectacles! Pics from the weekend:







Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 12:14 PM
  #2  
Pakeboy's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: ME/Ft. Walton Beach, FL
'06 C230 SS
Nice...
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 12:17 PM
  #3  
kluvsbenz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 6
From: Northeast PA-Poconos
2014 E350, 2006 C350 Sport(made it to 280k, loved it!), 1990 300E
Clean as a whistle!!
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 01:22 PM
  #4  
MBfinatic's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 2
From: VA
e36 318i, 2004 sti
still looks new!
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 01:26 PM
  #5  
tommy's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Congrats. Too plain, though.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 01:48 PM
  #6  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Originally Posted by tommy
Congrats. Too plain, though.


I mod. I just do OEM or OEM-style mods. I have 07 rims and now OE-style Bi-xenons. Also, OEM style lip spoiler very soon.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 01:52 PM
  #7  
MBfinatic's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 2
From: VA
e36 318i, 2004 sti
Thats good you have a good taste in mods!
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 02:27 PM
  #8  
TruTaing's Avatar
Moderator Alumni
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 22
From: Seattle
w203 m112
Yay! OEM++!
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 02:50 PM
  #9  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Great Matt - The Bix really lift the car - enjoy & pleased you kept it.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 06:58 PM
  #10  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
The Bi-X change the whole look of the car. I never thought the facelift 203 looked dated, but I gotta say that adding Bi-X really made it look years newer.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 07:07 PM
  #11  
MBfinatic's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 2
From: VA
e36 318i, 2004 sti
How much were those bix?
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 07:23 PM
  #12  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
The Bi-X change the whole look of the car. I never thought the facelift 203 looked dated, but I gotta say that adding Bi-X really made it look years newer.
I think that BiX, clear fogs, clear mirror repeaters & 2007 wheels are the final & best classic look for the 203. You & I both like genuine Benz stuff that could have come ex works.

I, of course, also like the stock look of a C55.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 09:44 PM
  #13  
samaritrey's Avatar
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
Question matt when you hit the high beams do you get some extra xenon light from the projector?
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 11:10 PM
  #14  
splinter's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Owing to its fastidious maintenance and upkeep regimen, your C looks as clean as any.

Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
^ Curious beam pattern and cutoff. Is “OE-style Bi-xenons” a euphemism for aftermarket headlamps?
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 11:45 PM
  #15  
ncmudbug's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 4
From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Yeah, Matt. Give us the straight skinny on your new Bi-X! Where did you get them, what brand... don't leave anything out!

Your car is looking good. I expect you're glad you didn't get a Toyota (what was it? A Camry? )!
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2012 | 01:51 AM
  #16  
christitsworthb's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
bmw
Too plain, though

Reply
Old Jan 4, 2012 | 06:07 AM
  #17  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Much better than some Christmas tree ricers!
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2012 | 09:01 AM
  #18  
MBfinatic's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 2
From: VA
e36 318i, 2004 sti
How did you get those? I want to get that for my new car thats on the way.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2012 | 09:26 AM
  #19  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Sorry, guys. I had told Trey all about them and forgot to mention that these are DEPO bi-xenons. They are true bi-xenon, so when the high beams are on the projectors do throw more light as well as having a halogen high beam (Trey did you think I didn't know what bix was?!). I have never driven a factory Bi-x W203 at night so I can't compare there. However, the IS350 and 135i are both factory equipped with adaptive bix. These on my W203 compare more with the 135.. the IS350 is by far superior to either.

These were purchased from Ebay seller fishcake321 and installed professionally by a body shop. The bulbs are 6000k (which I will upgrade in the future to 4300k). Per my research if you buy the cheap Depo projectors without bulbs, you are getting an H7 halogen projector. Can anyone confirm this? It would make sense given the horrific beam pattern some get with Depo projectors they buy without bulbs.

Overall I am satisfied. It is a big step up from the stock halogens that were starting to look aged with pitting and a bit of yellowing in both light output and appearance. They have a nice cutoff, even if it isn't absolutely perfect.. and they don't offend other drivers. During the day it makes the car look several years newer.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2012 | 09:41 AM
  #20  
johnand's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Looking good Matt Absolutely with the Bi-xenons and 07 wheels your car looks several years newer. Hope to see you at the 200K in a couple of years

On the bi-xenons, while the Depo's beam pattern pictured has a much brighter hotspot than the OEM, and not quite as even light spread and cutoff, they don't look bad at all. I'll try and snap a pic of my OEM's when I get a chance for comparison.

Last edited by johnand; Jan 4, 2012 at 09:45 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2012 | 09:46 AM
  #21  
tommy's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
I mod. I just do OEM or OEM-style mods. I have 07 rims and now OE-style Bi-xenons. Also, OEM style lip spoiler very soon.
Ahhh, I missed the "OEM-style" part of that, now the Depo bit makes sense. Good to see you step out of the OEM cocoon. They do make a big improvement.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2012 | 09:50 AM
  #22  
phister's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 11
From: fort worth, tx
06 C230 SS 6spd
Classy car Matt, bi-x make your car completely different.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2012 | 09:58 AM
  #23  
phister's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 11
From: fort worth, tx
06 C230 SS 6spd
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Sorry, guys. I had told Trey all about them and forgot to mention that these are DEPO bi-xenons. They are true bi-xenon, so when the high beams are on the projectors do throw more light as well as having a halogen high beam (Trey did you think I didn't know what bix was?!). I have never driven a factory Bi-x W203 at night so I can't compare there. However, the IS350 and 135i are both factory equipped with adaptive bix. These on my W203 compare more with the 135.. the IS350 is by far superior to either.

These were purchased from Ebay seller fishcake321 and installed professionally by a body shop. The bulbs are 6000k (which I will upgrade in the future to 4300k). Per my research if you buy the cheap Depo projectors without bulbs, you are getting an H7 halogen projector. Can anyone confirm this? It would make sense given the horrific beam pattern some get with Depo projectors they buy without bulbs.

Overall I am satisfied. It is a big step up from the stock halogens that were starting to look aged with pitting and a bit of yellowing in both light output and appearance. They have a nice cutoff, even if it isn't absolutely perfect.. and they don't offend other drivers. During the day it makes the car look several years newer.
You're correct on the depos w/o the hids do come with H7 halogens. 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.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2012 | 10:56 AM
  #24  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
The quality of the actual units seems quite high. And I can't say enough good things about the difference in makes visually.





Now to add the 07-style lip spoiler from JBSpeed and AZNoptics LED license plate bulbs and I'm set for now. I can't think of anything else I'd like to do to it. Maybe window tinting, but that makes me nervous with the scratching and keyless entry issues. First things first, though, and that is replacing the engine mounts.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2012 | 11:04 AM
  #25  
tommy's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Now that you've got the bug, I'm looking forward to your canards, spinners, and two-level rear wing.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:46 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE