DriveABenz

What's your preference, HID headlights or Halogen?

Of course HIDs have that "cool" factor, but beyond that, which ones really cast the better light?

vadim

HIDs throw up to 300% more light on the road compared to halogens. Judge yourself.

DriveABenz

I know that HIDs cast light in a spectrum closer to what the eye can see best. But HIDs also tend to have an abrupt cut off to prevent the glare to oncoming drivers. Rental cars I've driven with HIDs have very poor lighting characteristics compared to most cars I've driven with halogens. But I haven't experienced HIDs in the C230K (none of the cars at the local dealers have the lighting package) and was curious if they cast better light compared to their halogen counterparts and if they are worth the cost.

vadim

Sharp cut-off is not a bad thing, as more light gets on the goad instead of in the eyes of the oncoming cars' drivers.

I can't make any comment on the stock MB HID lights, as I use a conversion system, but one thing I do know for sure - I will never have a car without HID lights.

Properly aimed, they just can't be inferior to halogens. They can be perceived this way, though, as a human eye adapts to lighting conditions very easily, possibly sending you a wrong signal about ambient luminosity. There have been many discussions on this subject in this forum, I don't want to reopen this can of worms.

CitronC230K_03

i have the BIX and i love them. not only do they provide a hell of a lot more light than halogens, but they look sooo much better as well. the $750 (atleast thats how much it cost as an 03 option) it is well worth the money. you get bi-xenons, headlight washers and auto leveling. a great deal!

HITMAN

bi xenon with automatic turning and leveling are the best

CitronC230K_03

i thought those are only on the C320 though! can they be retrofitted to ealier models?

HITMAN

beets me....

I just know they kick a$$ on BMW's

CitronC230K_03

yeah they are pretty cool. ive seen them on an E500. i wish i could get them for my car.

vadim

C class does not offer turning headlights.

CitronC230K_03

damn them. eventually it will work it way down the line, i hope. like distronic, parktronic and aero wipers. slowly but surely.

HITMAN

aero wipers???

CitronC230K_03

the CL's and S's had them, then the E's and C's. they worked their way down

CitronC230K_03

someone on here said they did on the C320's. damn, false advertisement.

HITMAN

but what are they????? IM curious now i have never heard of them

IluvS500

i know what they look like, but what are so great about the aeros, could somebody explain the whole system to us

CitronC230K_03

i dunno whats better about them, if they wipe better or what. i like the way they look. doesnt rain enough in so cal for me to really know how well they work or whats better about them. plus i just had them put on last week.

if your talking about the cornering headlights, they basically turn up to 15 degrees or something like that in the direction you turn your steering wheel.

CitronC230K_03

heres another of the blade

HITMAN

huh those are wierd......What are they justa piece or ruber?? do they look funny going or look the same?

CitronC230K_03

yeah the blades themselves are like a thick piece of rubber with a stong support which then clips to the arm. as for usi9ng them, i havent used them yet. im not sure. i dont know if they wipe any better or what. i like the look. they worked their way down the mercedes line and my brother has a GTI and bought the aero wipers which are on the R32 for his GTI.

FrankW

HID all the way.

Jkw

It's been raining for weeks here in the North East, the new wipers seem to work well enough, but some times they squeak on the return swipe, I don't know why.
Jkw

IluvS500

the aeros on the S are known for that, I am sure its the same case for the CL and E also. On some its terrible.