Bi-Xenon Bulbs?
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From: VA
THE C350
I have never heard of that unless you are using a incorrect bulb or something. I actually think a new bulb would cause less stress on the ballast because if the bulb gets old and has burned up some of the metal inside the bulb causing the gap to increase it may take a little more power for the arc to stay on
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C32/C55 AMG
I was reading this thread, http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/ar.../t-180082.html I know our cars are not Saabs, but this same thing happened to a buddy's c55. He put Philips 8000k bulbs in and the ballast on one side died within a couple of weeks, a couple months later the other side died. I had retrofitted OEM bixenons on mine and have had them for over 50k miles and they still are going strong on my c32. Why would the ballast go bad so soon after installing new bulbs?
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From: VA
THE C350
I was reading this thread, http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/ar.../t-180082.html I know our cars are not Saabs, but this same thing happened to a buddy's c55. He put Philips 8000k bulbs in and the ballast on one side died within a couple of weeks, a couple months later the other side died. I had retrofitted OEM bixenons on mine and have had them for over 50k miles and they still are going strong on my c32. Why would the ballast go bad so soon after installing new bulbs?
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From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
Upgrading the fog light bulbs is a good idea while I'm doing the bi-xenon.
I myself have had issues with my bi-xenon when I first purchased the car. One light kept going out ... Mercedes eventually replaced the entire headlight to fix the situation ... lucky for me not on my dime. I'd rather leave it be then deal with a headache over bulbs.
I myself have had issues with my bi-xenon when I first purchased the car. One light kept going out ... Mercedes eventually replaced the entire headlight to fix the situation ... lucky for me not on my dime. I'd rather leave it be then deal with a headache over bulbs.
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It was common on the Bi-X in the early days. Mercedes replaced a lot of units. As long as you use quality bulbs, you should be fine.
at Trey's blunt response about the "8k Philips bulb".. perfect.
at Trey's blunt response about the "8k Philips bulb".. perfect.
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Received a “R headlamp out” malfunction warning in the MFD before heading out on my customary Sunday morning cruise.
Hoping it wasn’t a ballast, pulled the bulb from MBenzNL’s European-specification retrofit housing and stopped off at the local McParts.
Asked the gent working parts counter for a suitable replacement. “What’s it off of?” “2004 C32.” It’s actually a ‘02 originally equipped with frosty xenon’s, so I told a little white lie. “Yours needs a D2R bulb” “Well, this one I just removed has a D2S designation embossed on its base." "Do you mind if I compare the two?” “I’ll have to get my manager since we keep them locked up.” Seems HID bulbs aren’t priced like 3 for $3.99 Costco incandescent specials! $108 later I’m out the door with a fresh D2S bulb. Works perfectly.
The Osram-Sylvania site is currently down, and Dons Bulbs’ cross-referencing capabilities doesn’t adequately differentiate between the two.
So, what’s the difference between OE-specification D2R and D2S xenon bulbs?
TIA
Hoping it wasn’t a ballast, pulled the bulb from MBenzNL’s European-specification retrofit housing and stopped off at the local McParts.
Asked the gent working parts counter for a suitable replacement. “What’s it off of?” “2004 C32.” It’s actually a ‘02 originally equipped with frosty xenon’s, so I told a little white lie. “Yours needs a D2R bulb” “Well, this one I just removed has a D2S designation embossed on its base." "Do you mind if I compare the two?” “I’ll have to get my manager since we keep them locked up.” Seems HID bulbs aren’t priced like 3 for $3.99 Costco incandescent specials! $108 later I’m out the door with a fresh D2S bulb. Works perfectly.
The Osram-Sylvania site is currently down, and Dons Bulbs’ cross-referencing capabilities doesn’t adequately differentiate between the two.
So, what’s the difference between OE-specification D2R and D2S xenon bulbs?
TIA
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Received a “R headlamp out” malfunction warning in the MFD before heading out on my customary Sunday morning cruise.
Hoping it wasn’t a ballast, pulled the bulb from MBenzNL’s European-specification retrofit housing and stopped off at the local McParts.
Asked the gent working parts counter for a suitable replacement. “What’s it off of?” “2004 C32.” It’s actually a ‘02 originally equipped with frosty xenon’s, so I told a little white lie. “Yours needs a D2R bulb” “Well, this one I just removed has a D2S designation embossed on its base." "Do you mind if I compare the two?” “I’ll have to get my manager since we keep them locked up.” Seems HID bulbs aren’t priced like 3 for $3.99 Costco incandescent specials! $108 later I’m out the door with a fresh D2S bulb. Works perfectly.
The Osram-Sylvania site is currently down, and Dons Bulbs’ cross-referencing capabilities doesn’t adequately differentiate between the two.
So, what’s the difference between OE-specification D2R and D2S xenon bulbs?
TIA
Hoping it wasn’t a ballast, pulled the bulb from MBenzNL’s European-specification retrofit housing and stopped off at the local McParts.
Asked the gent working parts counter for a suitable replacement. “What’s it off of?” “2004 C32.” It’s actually a ‘02 originally equipped with frosty xenon’s, so I told a little white lie. “Yours needs a D2R bulb” “Well, this one I just removed has a D2S designation embossed on its base." "Do you mind if I compare the two?” “I’ll have to get my manager since we keep them locked up.” Seems HID bulbs aren’t priced like 3 for $3.99 Costco incandescent specials! $108 later I’m out the door with a fresh D2S bulb. Works perfectly.
The Osram-Sylvania site is currently down, and Dons Bulbs’ cross-referencing capabilities doesn’t adequately differentiate between the two.
So, what’s the difference between OE-specification D2R and D2S xenon bulbs?
TIA
D2R and D2S bulbs are for factory HID installed bulbs. D2R bulbs were originally designed for Mercedes-Benz. Consequently, D2R bulbs and D2S bulbs (used initially by BMW) feature subtle differences at the base of the bulb for fitment purposes. The differences primarily consist of a cut-out and notch for fastening purposes being located differently. In addition to the base varying slightly, D2R bulbs are easily distinguished by ceramic paint along the sides of the capsule.
Fortunately there is now a new type of HID xenon bulb called the D2C, which has a universally designed base, and so can be used to replace either a D2R or D2S bulb.
splinter - you might have a universal housing that will accept both.
I have heard suggested that R was for reflector housings & S for projector housings. To my knowledge this is false.
Any input would be appreciated from a more knowledgeable member.
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"S" - Shielded aka Projector
Never heard of that being false. The paint on the D2R is supposedly to shield some glare from a reflector housing.
It is also my understanding that:
"C" for D2C means "Colored" and they are 6000k+ with bases that allow them to fit either D2R or D2S, as you said.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Matt - thanks for the reply. I'm still confused as I know that D2R lamps were fitted to Benz BiX or Xenons.
Maybe the confusion is with the old frosted Xenons on early C32's etc. I've never had a failure so I have no experience. I was hoping Trey would comment because I know he has changed out lamps on his OE BiX.
Maybe the confusion is with the old frosted Xenons on early C32's etc. I've never had a failure so I have no experience. I was hoping Trey would comment because I know he has changed out lamps on his OE BiX.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
OEM Bi-X are D2S bulbs. If the bases were the same and you could put D2R bulbs in the projector housing it would be sort of shielded twice. I guess it would work, but I'd guess it would be lesser output.
Had a 2002 Acura TL several years back. It used D2R HIDs. Read up a lot on them then.
Had a 2002 Acura TL several years back. It used D2R HIDs. Read up a lot on them then.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Does anybody know if D2R lamps were fitted to the frosted Xenons or only older S Class models etc? They were designed for Benz.
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From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
I went with 6000k bulbs and the color is perfect ... just a slight hint of blue but when compared to the stock bulbs noticably different. I'm happy with the decision and think it is a fair compromise.
I did notice that one of my oe bi-xenon headlamp lenses is almost like spiderwebbing in the plastic. What is the cause of this and how could it be fixed? I heard of sanding but I'm afraid to make matters worse!
I did notice that one of my oe bi-xenon headlamp lenses is almost like spiderwebbing in the plastic. What is the cause of this and how could it be fixed? I heard of sanding but I'm afraid to make matters worse!
