Bi-X: W203/CL203 OEM Bi-XENON Upgrade, Auto-Levelling & Programming thread
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2001 C320
Re: wow! you guys are awesome!
Originally posted by K9ff
if only the benz dealerships in norcal were so helpful and fast....
by the way, does anyone know of any dealerships in norcal, preferrably in the bay area that would do this setting change without any hassle?
thanks again for helping a newbie to the forum out! have a great weekend!
if only the benz dealerships in norcal were so helpful and fast....
by the way, does anyone know of any dealerships in norcal, preferrably in the bay area that would do this setting change without any hassle?
thanks again for helping a newbie to the forum out! have a great weekend!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,924
Likes: 1
From: Sitting behind thing freakin desk of mine. Dreaming I was playing my Taylors, and driving my Benz. Long Live The VRAA!!!!!!
C230 Sports Coupe
These are the setting menu's you go through to set them on a 2002. i would assume a 2003 would be the samer also
1 EIS- Electronic ignition switch
2 Control Unit adaptations
3 Read coding and change if necassary
4 All Codes
5 Xenon Headlamp - Change to present.
I hope that helps
Tim
1 EIS- Electronic ignition switch
2 Control Unit adaptations
3 Read coding and change if necassary
4 All Codes
5 Xenon Headlamp - Change to present.
I hope that helps
Tim
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
01 C200 Kompressor, 02 C32 AMG
It should work
I think it should work, happened to me once. I have to un-install the bi-xenons and replaced them with the normal stock headlights again when I found out one of the bi-xenon inside housing is broken. When I replaced the bi-xenons with stock halogen headlights, I've still had the "Xenon present" setting.
I left it in "auto" and the stock halogen headlights are still working perfectly even with ""Xenon present".
I've got 2 versions of bi-xenons, the USA version and the Euro version. The Euro Bi-xenons version are currently installed in my C200K and in the next couple of days I'll be installing the USA version in the C32. I'll post pictures and see the differences in brightness if some of you guys want.
Hope that helps
I left it in "auto" and the stock halogen headlights are still working perfectly even with ""Xenon present".
I've got 2 versions of bi-xenons, the USA version and the Euro version. The Euro Bi-xenons version are currently installed in my C200K and in the next couple of days I'll be installing the USA version in the C32. I'll post pictures and see the differences in brightness if some of you guys want.
Hope that helps
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: CA
08 E63
beshoff motorcars in san jose
i took it to beshoff, took the guy 10 min very nice, i think because the dealership is new they are so friendly and so eager to help...try there. if not, i heard autobahn mercedes off the 101 in san mateo sells brabus and aftermarket stuff, im sure theywill help out.
i dont know about smythe...im hesitant to go there...most of the ppl there are pretty snobby, but that is just my opinion..
just print that 5 page screen shot instruction form on this thread and give it to the tech, it helps them alot and prevents any deniability from completing this simple task...
by the way, my euro bixenons look and function great,no problems after a week, and not too many ppl have this option yet...question is that the lights seem a bit yellowish and not as baby blue as i would like it....i read the color will slightly change after so many hours of operation...anyone know what temperature these bulbs are? i am wanting to achieve a baby blue color, not too blue or purple like those 7000k bulbs for audis...u guys suggest 6000k for the color off the lense with decent light output to the street? i looked at several hid lighting faqs but the color off digital cameras are not too acurate...thanks and happy new yr!
i dont know about smythe...im hesitant to go there...most of the ppl there are pretty snobby, but that is just my opinion..
just print that 5 page screen shot instruction form on this thread and give it to the tech, it helps them alot and prevents any deniability from completing this simple task...
by the way, my euro bixenons look and function great,no problems after a week, and not too many ppl have this option yet...question is that the lights seem a bit yellowish and not as baby blue as i would like it....i read the color will slightly change after so many hours of operation...anyone know what temperature these bulbs are? i am wanting to achieve a baby blue color, not too blue or purple like those 7000k bulbs for audis...u guys suggest 6000k for the color off the lense with decent light output to the street? i looked at several hid lighting faqs but the color off digital cameras are not too acurate...thanks and happy new yr!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
C320
I know some people in autobahn, belmont and that new mercedes dealership in san jose.
they told me that they would change the settings of my computer to "xenon present" with no prblems.
Let me know if you guys need their names.
they told me that they would change the settings of my computer to "xenon present" with no prblems.
Let me know if you guys need their names.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
2002 C230K
If you think about what's occurring when the system checks the headlights the answer is logical.
Xenon present = X voltage draw which is >= X
Halogen (non Xenon) present = X voltage draw which is <= to X
Okay... that was over simplified.
Given the fact that Xenon's take a greater amount of voltage to start, but less voltage to run than Halogens, the above "system check", or any voltage check, seems to make sense.
Regardless of what the system check is actually "looking" for, my experience is the "Xenon Present" setting is actually less of a check than the "Halogen Present" (default) setting. This of course presents other issues from a draw on the system standpoint, but that needs further consideration.
For example, you can still get the Xenon lights to start and receive a constant currant from the system (without faulting) by tricking it. The procedure goes something like "start lights", "start ignition", "start car" (ignition to position 2), or some variation thereof (I've made it work, so I know it's possible).
The point being, the fact that the draw on the system, or "system check" (regardless of bulbs) seems to be the voltage. Point proven by, the ability to start the Xenon's from the power in the battery before the system checks the draw.
Of course I could be completely full of "bullpucky" on this, but my "electrical logicalness" seems sound (in my mind) based on my experience.
Xenon present = X voltage draw which is >= X
Halogen (non Xenon) present = X voltage draw which is <= to X
Okay... that was over simplified.
Given the fact that Xenon's take a greater amount of voltage to start, but less voltage to run than Halogens, the above "system check", or any voltage check, seems to make sense.
Regardless of what the system check is actually "looking" for, my experience is the "Xenon Present" setting is actually less of a check than the "Halogen Present" (default) setting. This of course presents other issues from a draw on the system standpoint, but that needs further consideration.
For example, you can still get the Xenon lights to start and receive a constant currant from the system (without faulting) by tricking it. The procedure goes something like "start lights", "start ignition", "start car" (ignition to position 2), or some variation thereof (I've made it work, so I know it's possible).
The point being, the fact that the draw on the system, or "system check" (regardless of bulbs) seems to be the voltage. Point proven by, the ability to start the Xenon's from the power in the battery before the system checks the draw.
Of course I could be completely full of "bullpucky" on this, but my "electrical logicalness" seems sound (in my mind) based on my experience.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,990
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From: Houston,TX-moving to The Woodlands,TX SOON!!!
Toyota Tacoma & Lexus IS250
that's correct...if you click the xenon's on for about 10 secs BEFORE inserting the key and starting the car, they will work......and won't flicker off (again, this is before the DAS is set to XENON PRESENT).
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2001 C320
TimmyC230boy: Thanks for the summary. I printed out the screens to show the dealers.
bajaiman: Thanks for the info. Actually, I got the dealer (Oakland Mercedes) to agree to program my computer for me, but the foreman insisted that I have the lights installed first. So, I found a cheaper shop (Taiwanese owned) and asked them to install the lights for me. I got the Euro one, I think.
K9ff: Do you still remember who you worked with at beshoff? I will give it a try tomorrow. I heard before that Audi looked blue because of the lens, it shows as blue from certain angle, due to optics, but the light on the street is still white.
SROC4: Can you let me know who to look for at the new dealership (beshoff)? Thanks!
Bos and bagwell: thanks for the analysis! Let me try again.
Thanks all and happy new year!
bajaiman: Thanks for the info. Actually, I got the dealer (Oakland Mercedes) to agree to program my computer for me, but the foreman insisted that I have the lights installed first. So, I found a cheaper shop (Taiwanese owned) and asked them to install the lights for me. I got the Euro one, I think.
K9ff: Do you still remember who you worked with at beshoff? I will give it a try tomorrow. I heard before that Audi looked blue because of the lens, it shows as blue from certain angle, due to optics, but the light on the street is still white.
SROC4: Can you let me know who to look for at the new dealership (beshoff)? Thanks!
Bos and bagwell: thanks for the analysis! Let me try again.
Thanks all and happy new year!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,990
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From: Houston,TX-moving to The Woodlands,TX SOON!!!
Toyota Tacoma & Lexus IS250
yes bought the whole lite assy....
the computer will throw a code-you need to have the dealer set the computer to "XENON PRESENT"
I have the screen shots on how to do this - to give to the dealer.
My dealer charged me $0 to do it...altho the car was in for other fixes as well.
before you have the settings changed, just can just switch the lites on for 10 secs before ever putting in the key, this works fine as a temp fix...otherwise the lites supposedly will flicker off.
the computer will throw a code-you need to have the dealer set the computer to "XENON PRESENT"
I have the screen shots on how to do this - to give to the dealer.
My dealer charged me $0 to do it...altho the car was in for other fixes as well.
before you have the settings changed, just can just switch the lites on for 10 secs before ever putting in the key, this works fine as a temp fix...otherwise the lites supposedly will flicker off.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Redmond, WA
1998 S500
Do you mind to share where did u get the light? I got a set of stage II HID from Hids4less last month and went back to the dealer twice and still having problem with Xenon light. It will turned on for 20 seconds or so and turned off by its self for few seconds and on again. This is driving me crazy. I'm thinking about returning the kit and get the one like your. That euro light looks very sharp. Good Job
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Looks very nice Bagwell!
BTW, why is it called bi-xenon?
Are there 2 HID bulbs in each assy? From the photo it looks like the low beam is a projector HID, what about the high beam?
BTW, why is it called bi-xenon?
Are there 2 HID bulbs in each assy? From the photo it looks like the low beam is a projector HID, what about the high beam?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,145
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From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by VoyagerDude
Looks very nice Bagwell!
BTW, why is it called bi-xenon?
Are there 2 HID bulbs in each assy? From the photo it looks like the low beam is a projector HID, what about the high beam?
Looks very nice Bagwell!
BTW, why is it called bi-xenon?
Are there 2 HID bulbs in each assy? From the photo it looks like the low beam is a projector HID, what about the high beam?
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 3
From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
Originally posted by Chuckeee
That euro light looks very sharp. Good Job
That euro light looks very sharp. Good Job
Aftermarket xenon kits are not the best possible upgrade you can perform with the current MB light control units/systems...it is pretty complex (hence the reason to have the settings changed to xenons present).
greetingz,
Is this way how Bi-Xenon Work?
Banned
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 275
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From: Lower Mainland, British Columbia, Canada
'00 ML320 Elegance/'03 C320 4-matic
Re: Is this way how Bi-Xenon Work?
No, that's not the Bi-Xenons work. The Bi-Xenons use a constantly positioned bulb and there is a shutter or a lens that is lifted or flipped to uncover the high beam portion of the projector's reflector.
The retrofit kit that you displayed has several serious drawbacks. Firstly, it's for cars with halogen bulbs which are dual intensity (same bulb for high and low beams). None of MB's cars have been that way for decades now due to the compromise of the design.
The problem with this design of this kit is that you are now relying on a low beam reflector to project the high beams as well. By raising the bulb upwards, it is similar to playing around with the alignment, except that the low beam pattern is completely different from the high beam pattern! All of this aside from the fact that retrofit kits product more glare and an incorrect beam pattern compared to true HID Xenon headlamps
The retrofit kit that you displayed has several serious drawbacks. Firstly, it's for cars with halogen bulbs which are dual intensity (same bulb for high and low beams). None of MB's cars have been that way for decades now due to the compromise of the design.
The problem with this design of this kit is that you are now relying on a low beam reflector to project the high beams as well. By raising the bulb upwards, it is similar to playing around with the alignment, except that the low beam pattern is completely different from the high beam pattern! All of this aside from the fact that retrofit kits product more glare and an incorrect beam pattern compared to true HID Xenon headlamps
