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

How do i know if i have halogen headlights?

Old Jan 18, 2013 | 04:13 PM
  #1  
oldtimer23's Avatar
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2005 c320 4matic
How do i know if i have halogen headlights?

I just got these nice headlights that i ordered from here.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=140906626477

But i didn't realize it said doesn't fit xenon headlights and im not sure if i have them. I don't have headlight washers if that's a sure way to know. It's a 2005 c320 4matic.

Here are some pictures i hope there halogen.

https://i.imgur.com/2hgQr.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/TtVvU.jpg
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Old Jan 18, 2013 | 04:51 PM
  #2  
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2007 c230
more then likely not. Most W203 did not come with Xenon.. But you can use your eyes to tell
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Old Jan 18, 2013 | 05:55 PM
  #3  
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2021 GLC300 4Matic
If you are wondering if those headlights will work with your car? the answer is yes! you bought the right item to upgrade your current headlights.
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Old Jan 18, 2013 | 06:54 PM
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Akhafeez's Avatar
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2004 C240 4matic, 2009 C300 4Matic
+1 they'll fit

you dont seem to have xexons currently
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Old Jan 18, 2013 | 08:29 PM
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2005 c320 4matic
So the headlights i ordered should fit then.
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Old Jan 19, 2013 | 03:43 AM
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06 C230 SS 6spd
when it says doesnt fit xenon models it means that it doesnt fit the models with the factory projectors and bixenon lights. They have a different wiring due to the HID already installed on the cars.

Most are halogen and many order depos to get the projectors and add hid kits. If you're not going to install hids then you'll be fine just plugging them in and going about your day but if you decided to get hids, you'll have 1. to go to the dealer and get the headlight setting set to xenon 2. buy a hid error cancellor/canbus harness if the hids didnt come with them or 3. build your own canbus/error cancellor (which cost under 15 from the supplies at radioshack).
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Old Jan 19, 2013 | 07:39 AM
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2005 c320 4matic
Well does mine have xenon or not?
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Old Jan 19, 2013 | 07:59 AM
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06 C230 SS 6spd
yours clearly doesnt, you have the frosted halogen lights...
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Old Jan 19, 2013 | 08:04 AM
  #9  
phister's Avatar
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From: fort worth, tx
06 C230 SS 6spd
heres what yours look like



heres the how the factory xenon looks like



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Old Jan 19, 2013 | 08:12 AM
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2005 c320 4matic
alright thanks i thought headlight washers if you don't have them there automatically mean there halogen.
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Old Jan 19, 2013 | 02:43 PM
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Does anyone know if there easy to install? I don't want to go to dealer i think i'll call up a local auto garage.
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Old Jan 19, 2013 | 03:17 PM
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Let's clear up a few facts about headlights.

The C class has three body styles, sedan, coupe, and wagon. The headlights for the sedan and wagon have the same fittment. The coupe need a different headlight assembly. The cars have halogen lamps standard, Bixenon as an extra cost option. The halogen lamp housings up to 2004 had a fresnel lens that gave a frosty look to the lights. From 2005 on the reflector was redesigned to allow a clear cover over the housing. The beam pattern is superior with the clear housing.

The Bix system requires headlight washers and and sensors on the axles to automatically level the beam. Inside the housing is a motor that moves a vane in the light path to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. Winter driving conditions cause the exterior of the headights to become dirty. The nature of the light from Bix lamps will also dazzle other drivers if dirty, so heated water can be sprayed on the lamps to keep them clean.

The wiring on all cars is the same. You can swap Bix for halogens and plug them right in. Because the Bix use 35 watts and the halogens use 55 watts there is a change needed in the front SAM to indicate "xenon present" so the lamp out circuits work properly.

Conversion kit that add a xenon lamp to a halogen housing are a waste of money. The reflector in the halogen housing cannot produce a correct beam pattern with a xenon lamp. Every kit I have seen has counterfeit lamps that last only 200 hours, and a power supply (ballast) made with poor quality parts and lousy engineering that fail within a year.

The factory made a kit to convert to Bix lamps, but truthfully it would be better to sell your car and buy one with Bix. You'd save money.

The kit oldtimer23 has purchased is a new wrinkle. It looks like a Bix housing, yet uses halogen lamps. That makes for an easy swap, because you don't need to use a computer with multiplexer to change the adaptation of the front SAM. I would have serious questions about the quality of the beam pattern using a halogen lamp in a projector style housing. As a fashion statement, they do look cool.

Something for everyone to consider that is changing their lamps is one of liability. Heaven forbid you have a serious crash and an investigtion shows your headlights did not meet FMVSS 108, you might have trouble with your insurance company.

My thoughts on Depo lights is this is a housing you would buy to replace a damaged light when you are selling the car.

Last edited by Moviela; Jan 19, 2013 at 03:19 PM.
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Old Jan 19, 2013 | 09:35 PM
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W203 C350 SPORT 6SPD
Originally Posted by oldtimer23
Does anyone know if there easy to install? I don't want to go to dealer i think i'll call up a local auto garage.
you'll need to put your car of lift or put the front end on jack stands. 2nd take the tires off, then your bumper off and other little things which you can look up on youtube.
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