hid
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
Here is a post I made from 2006. It still applies:
There are some questions you need to ask any one that sells kits to convert to HID lamps:
Is the conversion beam pattern correct?
How is the conversion made to be beam pattern correct?
How is the conversion tested to ensure beam pattern correctness?
If it is not beam pattern correct, can they tell you how to fix it?
Do they know what a correct beam pattern looks like?
Are they aware that non-beam pattern correct conversions have serious disadvantages? A person could get hurt!
I can't see how a bulb designed for a projector housing can be installed in a reflector housing and get a proper beam. Since the lamps must have their base changed, it might be possible. Mid 90's Mercedes actually had such a lamp, but it has fallen from favor. One big problem with putting a HID lamp in a reflector is the insulation of the return wire. Most reflectors are metalized, and will arc to the return wire.
The color temperature of the lamp is either 4300K or 6000K. Only 4300K is used in OEM headlights. How would you measure it? Knowing that most people can't, sellers lie. The way they make it blue is to put a filter on the external glass. This raises the color temperatue, but decreases the light output significantly.
My experience is that Osram (Sylvania) or Philips HID bulbs get more blue as they age, and they last about 2,000 hours. Asian lamps (unknown manufacturer) seem to remain rather constant in color, but expire at about 600 hours.
Conversion to Bi-Xenon is possible, but you must change the housings. MbenzNL.com has more infomation on factory parts. These lamps will probably not be available much longer because of the soon to start production of the new C class body style (W204), so you should move quickly if you really want them.
Changing the housings is not the full job. You do need the computer to be version coded for xenon lamps. This is because halogen lamps draw 55W and most HID lamps draw 35W. The car can tell the difference.
In most aftermarket installations you don't get the automatic leveling sensors and sensor wiring harness, nor the heated headlamp washers. Both of these require a lot of very expensive additional parts. Many folks don't think these items are really necessary, but be aware that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 requires the leveler and washer. It is your choice.
The bottom line is all of the kits that install a hid capsule in a halogen bulb base so it fits your housing uses a counterfeit lamp. You cannot insulate the base as required for hid. This is one reason these kits don't work. Save your money boys, none of these kits are worth what you pay for them.
There are some questions you need to ask any one that sells kits to convert to HID lamps:
Is the conversion beam pattern correct?
How is the conversion made to be beam pattern correct?
How is the conversion tested to ensure beam pattern correctness?
If it is not beam pattern correct, can they tell you how to fix it?
Do they know what a correct beam pattern looks like?
Are they aware that non-beam pattern correct conversions have serious disadvantages? A person could get hurt!
I can't see how a bulb designed for a projector housing can be installed in a reflector housing and get a proper beam. Since the lamps must have their base changed, it might be possible. Mid 90's Mercedes actually had such a lamp, but it has fallen from favor. One big problem with putting a HID lamp in a reflector is the insulation of the return wire. Most reflectors are metalized, and will arc to the return wire.
The color temperature of the lamp is either 4300K or 6000K. Only 4300K is used in OEM headlights. How would you measure it? Knowing that most people can't, sellers lie. The way they make it blue is to put a filter on the external glass. This raises the color temperatue, but decreases the light output significantly.
My experience is that Osram (Sylvania) or Philips HID bulbs get more blue as they age, and they last about 2,000 hours. Asian lamps (unknown manufacturer) seem to remain rather constant in color, but expire at about 600 hours.
Conversion to Bi-Xenon is possible, but you must change the housings. MbenzNL.com has more infomation on factory parts. These lamps will probably not be available much longer because of the soon to start production of the new C class body style (W204), so you should move quickly if you really want them.
Changing the housings is not the full job. You do need the computer to be version coded for xenon lamps. This is because halogen lamps draw 55W and most HID lamps draw 35W. The car can tell the difference.
In most aftermarket installations you don't get the automatic leveling sensors and sensor wiring harness, nor the heated headlamp washers. Both of these require a lot of very expensive additional parts. Many folks don't think these items are really necessary, but be aware that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 requires the leveler and washer. It is your choice.
The bottom line is all of the kits that install a hid capsule in a halogen bulb base so it fits your housing uses a counterfeit lamp. You cannot insulate the base as required for hid. This is one reason these kits don't work. Save your money boys, none of these kits are worth what you pay for them.
