VVF

Just wanted to share with fellow W203ers.
Brand new US spec Bi-Xenon headlights for sedans. Complete with everything.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290778085388...S:1123&vxp=mtr
It says Hella, but the yellow stickers on the headlights say Automotive Lighting. Apparently they are from 2007 - as you can see on the ballast and the igniter inside the housing.

Also you can contact Aaron directly at bleachedbora at gmail com

SlashW203

Looks like a good deal! How does this setup compare to Bosch or Magneti Marelli (sp?) OEM BiX headlamps being sold? Anything to watch out for as far as compatibility/fitment?

VVF

They look OEM to me. If you remove the stickers with Hella numbers, you can't tell they are made by Hella. All the stickers say Automotive Lighting. I also compared the numbers embossed on the bottom of the plastic housing, with used OEM headlights - the numbers are the same.
I will post some pictures when I have a chance to install mine, but it's not gonna be very soon...

Moviela

Automotive Lighting is the OEM. These appear to be genuine OE manufacturer aftermarket units. The lamps might be el cheapos.

Magneti Marelli S.p.A is Part of the Fiat Group, and the parent company of AL (Automotive Lighting).

Hella might be selling the housings because they have a large aftermarket sales company in Europe.

I don't believe there are any OEM Bosch units. They may be selling them just like Hella does.

VVF

Moviela, so what do you think is going on -
the housings and electronics are AL, but the projectors are Hella?
The ballasts on the bottom also say AL.
The lenses have a horizontal line on them, just like OEM ones.
I initially thought they'd bought AL units and 'repackaged' them or something.
Anyway, will report on the light output when I get to install them.

SlashW203

Very helpful info, Moviela. Look forward to your install & review after, VVF. Thanks to both of you, this might be my new summer project!

VVF

Installed them - very pleased. Definitely an improvement in looks, and most importantly in lighting. On high beam you practically see miles ahead.
See the attached pics on the pattern etc. (forgot to take my camera and had to snap crappy pictures with the cellphone)

SlashW203

They look awesome, I'm jealous, LOL! Couple of questions:

1) Did you code xenon=present in ECU? If so, by dealer or someone w/ STAR machine?
2) How does leveling/alignment work in those lights? Are they auto-leveling or manual adjustment?

VVF

I did not have to set xenon=present somehow... They just work, no flickering, no errors.
I am thinking maybe the previous owner had xenons installed before? Or is there some 'grace period' after which the car will start to throw bulb-out errors?

To make them auto-leveling you would need to retrofit a lot of stuff - two sensors on the sway bars, wiring harness, and probably something else.
Without auto-leveling, you just align them manually, as you would halogens - the alignment screws are the same.

SlashW203

VVF, very helpful info, thanks a bunch! One last question, are the wiring/ plugs all the same or did you have to add/change anything?

VVF

The plugs are the same, except that the new headlights have an extra socket each for the auto-level plugs which I left unconnected since I don't have auto-leveling.