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I’m going to a recycle yard this weekend on a quest for a set of OEM Bi-Xenon Headlights. In order to ensure that I buy the correct parts (if I find any) can anyone confirm that these are the correct parts for a 2005 C230 Sport Sedan? I think the lights for a coupe and the C55 AMG are different and I don’t want to buy the wrong part:
Also, do you have any guidance on good prices to pay? I’m hoping to find some in decent shape that I can polish myself to save some money over new ones that seem to cost $800 or more per side.
Thanks in advance
I am in Germany right now, but I am looking for a set of lights for my car in the U.S. Are EU spec lights OK for the U.S.? In other words, did your post just save me from making a mistake?
Technically any USA headlight has to have the DOT markings on it or they're illegal. No idea if the EU ones have it.
All I know (from reading online) is that supposedly the US ones allow more upward light to light up overhead signs on the highway. Also the US ones have the horizontal beam adjustment screw covered, but they still work.
Thanks
On Benzworld I received a response stating, “The w203 has harmonized DOT/ECE lights. The only difference is the headlight level adjustment in the dash.”
If I find something with a DOT mark, I’m likely to be OK.
It will be interesting to see a German recycling yard even if I don’t find the lights.
Thanks for the tour! Looks similar to the US yards, but quite unusual with all the 'luxury' stuff
I bought mine from this guy a couple years ago: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hella-OEM-M...8AAMXQwwlSCoKe
Not sure if he still has pairs somewhere in the warehouse or just that single side though.
I think I paid around 800 for the pair.
UPD: You can also check on http://www.car-part.com , but the quality can be hit-and-miss. Request pictures...
The lenses need to be polished, but they appear to be in good shape. My casual inspection didn't reveal any broken or missing parts. However, if someone with more experience than me with Bi-Xenons see's any problems, please point them out. Also, I'd like to test them before I install them. If anyone knows the pin assignments for power and ground, please let me know.
Driver's side front
Driver's side back
Driver's side botton
Passenger side front
Passenger side back
Passenger side bottom
Picture of the lights on the donor car.
My mechanic suggested that I just replace the lenses. (Replacements are available for about $50.) However, they don't have any major scratches and I think an hour or two of work with the Sylvania headlight polishing system will take care of the discoloration. I found them in a yard in Pennsylvania by searching on Car-Parts.com One side was $340 and the other was $120 - which seems odd.
Yellowing lenses seems to be hit or miss. Not sure what causes the lenses to completely yellow like that. Usually it's just limited to where the clear coat starts to go bad.
My c230k cam stock with the bi-xenon's. I've had to mess with a little arm assembly clamped to the front sway bar that I believe has something to do with the self-leveling feature of the bi-xenon's. I know many have upgraded to the bi-xenon's so I'm thinking it's not a problem, but thought I'd mention it just in case...
The information I’ve found indicates that the self-leveling system is required in Europe, but not in the USA. So, I haven’t seen a thread stating that anyone has added it to a C Class. I did see a couple of posts indicating it would be expensive, but they lacked detailed explanations.
However, the Boxster I own (2000 model year) has a simpler electrical system than my C230. I am reluctant to start adding things unless I’m absolutely sure it will all work together harmoniously. Also, I obtained the parts for my Boxster relatively inexpensively and I haven’t had as much luck finding good used parts for my Mercedes.
That said, if anyone has retrofitted the self-leveling system on a W203 I’d enjoy reviewing the details and consider giving it a go.
The Sylvannia system removed the yellowing, but it is not quite as smooth as a new set. I will take a look at them in sunlight tomorrow and then decide whether I will proceed with cover replacement.
Last edited by KevinH2000; 07-01-2018 at 10:58 PM.
I would just replace the lenses. It's really easy since you already have them out. The last few pics show the new lenses.
https://imgur.com/a/aI1Js
For removing the lenses don't stick them in the oven, that's overkill. I used a cardboard box with a hole for a hair dryer to blow into it. About 5 minutes and they're ready to come off like this.
https://youtu.be/1Ji1NlRGetQ
I agree. If they don’t look good in the sunlight I’ll buy replacement lenses. I don’t want to put them on and then remove them because I’m not satisfied with the results.
I decided to channel my inner perfectionist and buy a set of new lenses for $52 on Ebay. They will arrive in about a week. I didn't want to spend the extra money, but I think the replacement lenses will help me achieve a noticeably better look for the front of the car.
I will start work on removing the lenses from the bi-xenon headlights. I'll use one of the lenses to replace the cloudy lens on my passenger side halogen headlight. I will eventually sell the halogens and I want them to be as nice as possible for the buyer.
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort (What the heck, it gets 38 mpg!)
Nice.
I waited a long time to get mine.
Until finally a member here decided to sell his, + his
05 facelifted tails and mirror blinkers.
I had to swap everything over, and install my parts in his car.
Ran into a problem last minute, my stock headlight had a
fried connnection which the dealer had fixed with a retrofit kit.
Yikes!
Had to get in there, and clean up the connection real good, scraped away some melted plastic, and it all went
well.
He had stock Bix, but I guess because he didn't expect to get much for the car,
he decided to sell them... (Blake, if anyone remembers)
Someone would be surprised if they punched up the datacard and found the car had all the levelling sensors etc.
which I don't.
Regular doses of PlastX and 303 protectant after keep them clear.
(After I refinished them some years ago)
I can't imagine owning a car without Bix.
You just gotta have them.
Nice.
I waited a long time to get mine.
I can't imagine owning a car without Bix.
You just gotta have them.
Obviously I agree. I put a set of litronics (Porsche equivalent of bixenons) on my 2000 Boxster and now all other headlights seem like they are weak and yellow. You can read about my litronic project here: http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-g...litronics.html
One advantage of the Mercedes lights is that you can buy new lenses for about $52 a pair. UPS notified me that mine should arrive tomorrow and I am hoping to install them after I arrive home from work. I’m eager to see how they look.
The disadvantages of Mercedes are that you have to esssentially remove the bumper to install the lights (on the Boxster the entire assembly can be removed without touching anything else) and you have to have the system programmed to recognize the bixenons.
I'll take some photos outside tomorrow evening, but even with artificial light the improvement in lens clarity is noticeable when compared to my polishing effort. The lenses were not a perfect fit. There were some areas where there was a small gap between the lens and the housing. I ran a bead of RTV silicone sealant around the seam. That should keep any water from intruding.
It took about two hours to lower the bumper and install the lights.
I have an appointment with my mechanic on Monday to update the programming in the car to recognize the bi-xenons. I also have an appointment at the Mercedes dealership on Friday for the Takata air bag recall. I was wondering whether I should just have Mercedes take care of programming while the car is there for the airbag. I don’t have any experience with the dealer and I’ve seen posts indicating that some dealers are reluctant to work on owner modifications.
I’m pleased with the improvement over the appearance of the car with halogen Headlights.
Photo taken at time of purchase. I think that the combination of the bi-xenon lights and the new grill make the car look more up-to-date.
Last edited by KevinH2000; 07-15-2018 at 11:30 AM.
I had the system coded to recognize the xenon headlights today. I haven’t driven in the dark yet, but I went out and tested the lights. They met my expectations. For my Boxster, Porsche made a retrofit kit that added the xenon light rotation feature. (The xenon bulb swivels up when you turn on the high beams.). Did Mercedes make a similar kit for the W203? I did a search and found a hint about a kit that was available in Europe, but no part number or details. Does anyone have information about this?
I had the system coded to recognize the xenon headlights today. I haven’t driven in the dark yet, but I went out and tested the lights. They met my expectations. For my Boxster, Porsche made a retrofit kit that added the xenon light rotation feature. (The xenon bulb swivels up when you turn on the high beams.). Did Mercedes make a similar kit for the W203? I did a search and found a hint about a kit that was available in Europe, but no part number or details. Does anyone have information about this?
06-07-2018, 04:06 PM
Nice.
