i have the new 1.8 L M271 engine. the badging on the side of my car says '1.8'

 

yeah it does look a little froggy in the last pic. i love the color though.

 

Wood is an option on 2003 coupes in North America. There was much whining by the media and a few owners that the 2002's couldn't be a real Mercedes because of the aluminum trim.

 

I def like the bi-xenons more but to me they are both ugly... never liked the coupe.

 

OK, so what are our options? I, too, hate the performance of the standard halogens, but with a daughter starting college in a month, I am not in a position to be spending $1K on improving my headlights, and I constantly read in these forums of the difficulty people have when trying to improve their lighting with other options (HID, etc.)

Anyone???

 

Philips VisionPlus. Up to 50% more light from the same 55 watts. And you don't have to mess with changing settings in the computer. There are also Philips Rally 80 watt bulbs. They are not legal for road use, and the higher heat they make may cause cumulative damage to the headlight housing. No one knows yet, because no one has been using them for an extended period.

I have VisionPlus bulbs in the highs and lows. They really make a difference.

 

As always, go straight to the source! Thanks, Lynn.

Tim

 

Yeah, Lynn always shines a little light on all of us.

 

Ain't that the truth? Hey, Matt, since my car is identical in looks to yours, could I just steal your picture and use it on my posts too?

 

Nope, your lazy butt has to get a camera. Actually, I'm serious, if you're thinking about using it for your sig. That would be weird if we both had the same one. And I get a lot of PM's with people asking what kind of lights I have.

 

No, I was just pulling your leg. I have a camera, but I DO love your pic!

Tim

 

Thanks, me too. I didn't take that one on purpose, so I got lucky. I had to cut it down anyway to be able to put it on the forum, and that is what I ended up with.

 

My wife will not buy a car without them now.

 

Lynn,

OK, so I went to the store(s) today. AutoZone, Advance Auto, Meijer, etc. Nobody carries Phillips at all. Everyone of them carries Sylvania! Where did you get yours? (I tried PM'ing you, but your mailbox is full.)

Thanks.

Tim

 

I just cleaned the PM box the other day, and it's full? Damn.

The best place to get the VisionPlus is at Auto Lamps Online. The VisionPlus aren't quite legal, so they have to be shipped from the UK. I don't know why they are not DOT approved. They meet the specs as far as I know. I have only been flashed once, and I think that was someone who thought the city lights were the high beams.

Auto Lamps ships free of charge and very promptly. They usually throw in something extra. I got six bulbs for the price of four.

 

Kerosene?

 

You need to stay ignorant like me so that people don't bother asking you questions!

Thanks for the quick reply.

Tim

 

Yeah, but you probably can't get them since you don't have the dealer connections that I have.

 

Ooh, Ooh, I'll ask. What kind of light do you have matt? If I remembered correctly those are eaglelite or whatever right?

 

No, no, you have to PM me. That way I can continue to give the same answer over and over again without making it public knowledge. Maybe I should put it in my sig.

BTW, yes, they are Eaglite.

 

What about the foglights, Matt?:p

 

They're kerosene too. Oh no wait. For those, I bolted some mag lights to the bumper. It really helps me see. Except for when everyone shines their high beams in my eyes.

 

you are going to spend much more than 1k for aftermarket bi xenons

more like 1500 or 2000

its definitely worth it though, i was at the dealer couple days ago and they had the 230 coupe and i thought it was CLK from the front