Bi-X: W203/CL203 OEM Bi-XENON Upgrade, Auto-Levelling & Programming thread

Subscribe
May 2, 2003 | 02:58 PM
  #501  
Carlsbad Bi-xenon Activation experience...
My friend went to Carlsbad Hoehn Mercedes in San Diego and tried to have his bi-xenon activated. I just got my other friends done at a different dealership and to my dismay, they wounldn't do it for him! They said that they didn't want the responsibility of activating illegal headlamps due to the auto-leveling feautre that isn't installed in the car. That's BS! Has anyone else had experience with this kind of problem?
Reply 0
May 2, 2003 | 03:45 PM
  #502  
Re: Carlsbad Bi-xenon Activation experience...
Quote:
Originally posted by .elijah.
My friend went to Carlsbad Hoehn Mercedes in San Diego and tried to have his bi-xenon activated. I just got my other friends done at a different dealership and to my dismay, they wounldn't do it for him! They said that they didn't want the responsibility of activating illegal headlamps due to the auto-leveling feautre that isn't installed in the car. That's BS! Has anyone else had experience with this kind of problem?
Unfortunately, it make sense, they DONT have to do it for you. They're not required by law nor by MB. Its the same thing with fiber loop reset, the fuel stage setting change, etc. Some ppl. live by cool dealers and others (such as myself and others) live by @n@l dealers In Houston the Audi dealers are much nicer in regards to mods, so I think i will go back to them on my next car (oh and in my last visit my MB dealer scratched my car and didnt fix 2 of 3 requests i asked after keeping my car for 6 days)
Reply 0
May 2, 2003 | 04:11 PM
  #503  
yeah it happen to me the same I end up calling all the dealer around S ca and finally one dealer will do it but they charge 50$...
Reply 0
May 2, 2003 | 04:17 PM
  #504  
Which dealer ?
Which dealer activates your Bi-Xenon setting? Thanks,
Reply 0
May 2, 2003 | 04:30 PM
  #505  
house of import in S Ca
Reply 0
May 2, 2003 | 06:08 PM
  #506  
Unfortunately you gotta do some dirty work to get these dealers to be cooperative w/you. Bring them breakfast, gift certificates for places etc. After having problems w/Keyes European about the loaners, my advisor and I have got along pretty kewl. We talk about our A4's and cars in general. Well to make a long story short he has fixed a few things that weren't under warranty(ex Brabus door pins broke into door panel etc etc) and just 2 days ago they activated my lights to xenon present and fixed the audio pilot on my EURO comand. So just schmooze the advisors and a few bucks here and there wouldn't hurt. Good Luck.
Reply 0
May 2, 2003 | 07:32 PM
  #507  
Cool...
Enri007, if I get both Xenon and Comand from Steve this time, I might need ur help to set up with this service advisor at Keyes Eurp.
I will let u know...thanks Guys.
Reply 0
May 2, 2003 | 08:02 PM
  #508  
No problem DL_AMG! But I don't guarantee miracles! Just PM me when U get your stuff. Btw, I read Steve got leftover w/a set of bixenons.
Reply 0

MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

Explore
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
May 2, 2003 | 08:15 PM
  #509  
Yeah...
That's the set I try to get from Steve and so is the Comand (left overs too) but haven't heard from Steve yet. Hopefully I get his reply soon.
Reply 0
May 2, 2003 | 08:38 PM
  #510  
Yeah good thing U jumped on it! Last time my lame *** had second thoughts about the lights so I lost them. Had to wait 2-3 months to get them again.
Reply 0
May 3, 2003 | 12:27 AM
  #511  
LOL.
Me too...I miss out the first 2 installation and Bi-Xenon too....Lame *** Me. :p
Reply 0
May 3, 2003 | 04:11 AM
  #512  
Re: Yeah...
Quote:
Originally posted by DL_AMG
That's the set I try to get from Steve and so is the Comand (left overs too) but haven't heard from Steve yet. Hopefully I get his reply soon.
erm...did I see your mail in my mailbox or did you try to pm my full mbworld box?

Enrique...I mailed you...get in contact please...I have some leftover parts .

greetingz,
Reply 0
May 3, 2003 | 01:27 PM
  #513  
San Fernando Valley Dealers
DL_AMG & enri007: Just a note, if you end up having problems with Keyes, try out Auto Stiegler in Encino. Recently switched over from Calabasas to them after I had it in twice for 5 problems and only 2 of them were fixed. Was just chatting yesterday with my service advisor about possible mods, he's pretty cool with it. True, being female, I substitute a bright smile, some jokes, and a little general automotive knowledge for the, er, "appreciation gifts" and that gets me just as far, but unless you have the ability to change chromosomes, you might not have the same experience.

Just figured I'd give them a plug since I'd had several bad experiences with Calabasas, and so far I'm quite pleased with Stiegler, enough to drive 35 minutes out of my way to take it in. Just gives me a little more windshield time to enjoy my baby, I figure.
Reply 0
May 3, 2003 | 02:03 PM
  #514  
Thanks for Advise.
Actually I purchase my car thru Auto Stiegler and have there Gold Prefer sticker on my car. :p
I will PM you (Jade) once I got everything done by Steve....just got the email from him and I will get both Bi-Xenon & Comand from him pretty soon.
Cheers,
Reply 0
May 3, 2003 | 02:37 PM
  #515  
Hey DL_AMG congrats! When R U going there? I am going Mon. Cant wait
Reply 0
May 4, 2003 | 02:42 AM
  #516  
I got them.
Contact Steve this afternoon, appointment with him between 5-6pm. Got loss on the way there and didn't get to the installation place until 7pm. Got both install by 8:30pm!! Steve and Jay are both very professional and done great job with both installation. They even know the trick to avoid the Xenon flicking problem without having to set to Xenon-Present so I am able to drive home at night. :P
Thank to Steve and Jay for the excellent installation, a job well done!!
By the way, who is the service advisor at Keyes that I can talk to to get the system activated? Thanks
Reply 0
May 7, 2003 | 12:08 AM
  #517  
Bi-Xenon replacement bulbs?
I find that the bi-xenon lights emit a bit of a yellowish colored light and I, although vainly so, must admit I miss the bluish color of my old HIDs.

Does anyone have a good lead on getting just the bulbs to replace what's in the car to up the color temp?

Oddly enough I forget about this and then an X5 or an Audi will go by and I'll start stewing on it.

Thanks
Peet
Reply 0
May 7, 2003 | 12:29 AM
  #518  
Get the phillips 6000k d2s bulbs as a replacement, it should be more bluish.

In my observation, the reason why the X5's and the Audi lights appear more bluish or more light pattern is because the size of the projectors, they are smaller than ours, thus creating more light spectrum because of the shape.

If you look at our projector in different angles you'll get that purplish/bluish color aswell. With a smaller projector, your angles become smaller.

From what I was told you actually lose some light getting the 6000k because of the bluish tint.

Jay
Reply 0
May 7, 2003 | 01:55 AM
  #519  
I was thinking about getting the Phillips D2S 6000K bulbs too but they're expensive at $220/pair....how about the 6000K bulbs that misterjung.com sells...anybody tried those yet?
Reply 0
May 7, 2003 | 12:16 PM
  #520  
Bi-Xenon Install
Jay,

I read in another thread somewhere that you will do installations of the bi-xenons. Are you still doing installs? Do you set the computer for xenons as well or do I stilll need to go to the dealer for that? Let me know. Thanks.

Al
Reply 0
May 7, 2003 | 02:37 PM
  #521  
I have a set of the euro bixenons and swapped the bulbs with the Phillips 6000K. They look great, more blue emits off the projectors and onto the ground.
My buddy has an Audi TT, did a side by side comparison after my bulbs were swapped to the 6000K...light off the projectors have almost the same blue tint, but the light output against the driveway door was no contest as my lights were alot brighter!

Hope that helps. I would definately stay away from the cheaper quality bulbs as some may tend to fail quicker than quality ones...
Reply 0
May 7, 2003 | 03:36 PM
  #522  
That does help - but I don't think the 6000k bulbs are tinted - I have a set of H7 retrofits that came out of my coupe (now have sedan and bixenon) and they are the 6k^2 bulbs but are clear glass. I think the 4600's which is what is on the car are yellow tinted. I remember this when BMW switched to the yellow glass a year after they released xenons.

Any good sources - I agree with the above post, would love the new color but at around $250 a set (ouch).

Peet
Reply 0
May 7, 2003 | 04:02 PM
  #523  
I bought a set of Philips D2S 6000K from this guy: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=36476 He claims he is a Philips distibutor in Taiwan. I have them on my car for a few weeks now, so far, it is very good. He doesnt use standard Philips packaging though.
Reply 0
May 7, 2003 | 04:36 PM
  #524  
Harris, thanks. I ran across that one before I posted - I think I'll give misterjung a try - he's $65/ea for replacements - cross fingers.

Peet
Reply 0
May 7, 2003 | 05:52 PM
  #525  
Jay intalled mine.
You guys can get the Bi-Xenon shipped (from Steve) and Jay can do the intallation for you guys.
Reply 0
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE