Bi-X: W203/CL203 OEM Bi-XENON Upgrade, Auto-Levelling & Programming thread
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
i agree, that you should order the car the way you want, dont settle if what your looking for isnt out there. i ordered mine, the wait was agony, but well worth it! 
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From: Australia
Originally Posted by jlm003
f00b4r,
There's a very important feature that you left out of buying the factor BIX...
THE WARRANTY If you buy aftermarket you're basically on your own. If you buy the originals, you're looking at $1,200-$1,500 installed and programmed vs. a $790 factory option that had the levelers, washers, no dismantling and a WARRANTY.
There's a very important feature that you left out of buying the factor BIX...
THE WARRANTY If you buy aftermarket you're basically on your own. If you buy the originals, you're looking at $1,200-$1,500 installed and programmed vs. a $790 factory option that had the levelers, washers, no dismantling and a WARRANTY.
As for dismantling ..... I guess you never heard that Mercedes is made for that - the main reason why it all goes back together.
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From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
as per law, it is required to have auto levelling with xenons. but how many people care to follow this law? The auto levelling feature can be retrofitted if needed but it is a extensive and lengthy project.
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From: Puerto Rico
2009 Porsche 911 Carrera S
Originally Posted by miroj
That only applies if the dealer doesnt install it. Interestingly enough the FDOK system allows the change to be added to the specifications of the car and will be shown on all future service records.
As for dismantling ..... I guess you never heard that Mercedes is made for that - the main reason why it all goes back together.
As for dismantling ..... I guess you never heard that Mercedes is made for that - the main reason why it all goes back together.
Don't quite understand your statement above but if its in regard to my comment about the warranty, then yes you are right. If the dealer installs it, then you are covered by the factory warranty. However, why would you want to pay the dealer $1,200-$1,500 afterwards when you could have ordered it with the car for $790?
Also, someone mentioned the load levelers for proper alignment so as not to "blind" on-coming traffic. My take on this is that America has become a litigious society. There will come a day when some smart lawyer trying to make his case might look at the maintenance records of a MB involved in an accident. He'll then get some expert to say that the lack of load levelers blinded his client or someone that in turn caused the accident. Hence, the dealer who installed and/or programmed them and/or MB (for selling the lights without the levelers) are at fault and must pay up.
If dealers out there, who have programmed the "Xenon Present" option for those clients that have purchased the factory BIX, were to ask their lawyers about this last point I'm sure that they would stop doing it due to the liability.
My apologies for pontificating...
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From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
Originally Posted by jlm003
miroj,
Don't quite understand your statement above but if its in regard to my comment about the warranty, then yes you are right. If the dealer installs it, then you are covered by the factory warranty. However, why would you want to pay the dealer $1,200-$1,500 afterwards when you could have ordered it with the car for $790?
Also, someone mentioned the load levelers for proper alignment so as not to "blind" on-coming traffic. My take on this is that America has become a litigious society. There will come a day when some smart lawyer trying to make his case might look at the maintenance records of a MB involved in an accident. He'll then get some expert to say that the lack of load levelers blinded his client or someone that in turn caused the accident. Hence, the dealer who installed and/or programmed them and/or MB (for selling the lights without the levelers) are at fault and must pay up.
If dealers out there, who have programmed the "Xenon Present" option for those clients that have purchased the factory BIX, were to ask their lawyers about this last point I'm sure that they would stop doing it due to the liability.
My apologies for pontificating...
Don't quite understand your statement above but if its in regard to my comment about the warranty, then yes you are right. If the dealer installs it, then you are covered by the factory warranty. However, why would you want to pay the dealer $1,200-$1,500 afterwards when you could have ordered it with the car for $790?
Also, someone mentioned the load levelers for proper alignment so as not to "blind" on-coming traffic. My take on this is that America has become a litigious society. There will come a day when some smart lawyer trying to make his case might look at the maintenance records of a MB involved in an accident. He'll then get some expert to say that the lack of load levelers blinded his client or someone that in turn caused the accident. Hence, the dealer who installed and/or programmed them and/or MB (for selling the lights without the levelers) are at fault and must pay up.
If dealers out there, who have programmed the "Xenon Present" option for those clients that have purchased the factory BIX, were to ask their lawyers about this last point I'm sure that they would stop doing it due to the liability.
My apologies for pontificating...
Well, I never thought of it that way. If there are indeed laws that require self leveling hid's, then a lawyer would have a great case IF the brightness in any way caused the accident. In an ordinary civil litigation for negligence, not having a the self levelers, would amount to negligence per se and it would make the lawyer's case a whole lot easier...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
why wouldnt there be. i get flashed hiigh beams at me alot. more than i thought i ever would with factory Bi-Xenon with auto-leveling. either way, when they flash their brights, i flash my BIX right back and they shut theirs off. but i could see a law suit working its way down the pike. people can sue as easily as get an acquittal.
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From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
Originally Posted by CitronC230K_03
why wouldnt there be. i get flashed hiigh beams at me alot. more than i thought i ever would with factory Bi-Xenon with auto-leveling. either way, when they flash their brights, i flash my BIX right back and they shut theirs off. but i could see a law suit working its way down the pike. people can sue as easily as get an acquittal.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
if you have a sedan you can put a higher wattage bulb in there. coupe owners havea dual filament bulb. not much we can do about it! why do you wanna make the rear fog brighter?
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
Originally Posted by CitronC230K_03
if you have a sedan you can put a higher wattage bulb in there. coupe owners havea dual filament bulb. not much we can do about it! why do you wanna make the rear fog brighter?
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Australia
Originally Posted by jlm003
miroj,
Don't quite understand your statement above but if its in regard to my comment about the warranty, then yes you are right. If the dealer installs it, then you are covered by the factory warranty. However, why would you want to pay the dealer $1,200-$1,500 afterwards when you could have ordered it with the car for $790?
Also, someone mentioned the load levelers for proper alignment so as not to "blind" on-coming traffic. My take on this is that America has become a litigious society. There will come a day when some smart lawyer trying to make his case might look at the maintenance records of a MB involved in an accident. He'll then get some expert to say that the lack of load levelers blinded his client or someone that in turn caused the accident. Hence, the dealer who installed and/or programmed them and/or MB (for selling the lights without the levelers) are at fault and must pay up.
If dealers out there, who have programmed the "Xenon Present" option for those clients that have purchased the factory BIX, were to ask their lawyers about this last point I'm sure that they would stop doing it due to the liability.
My apologies for pontificating...
Don't quite understand your statement above but if its in regard to my comment about the warranty, then yes you are right. If the dealer installs it, then you are covered by the factory warranty. However, why would you want to pay the dealer $1,200-$1,500 afterwards when you could have ordered it with the car for $790?
Also, someone mentioned the load levelers for proper alignment so as not to "blind" on-coming traffic. My take on this is that America has become a litigious society. There will come a day when some smart lawyer trying to make his case might look at the maintenance records of a MB involved in an accident. He'll then get some expert to say that the lack of load levelers blinded his client or someone that in turn caused the accident. Hence, the dealer who installed and/or programmed them and/or MB (for selling the lights without the levelers) are at fault and must pay up.
If dealers out there, who have programmed the "Xenon Present" option for those clients that have purchased the factory BIX, were to ask their lawyers about this last point I'm sure that they would stop doing it due to the liability.
My apologies for pontificating...
As for the cost ....... pointless stance. People buy cars because of the ready supply and consider options as their own personal choice.
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From: Australia
Originally Posted by nlpamg
Dammit, those ****ing lawyers!
Well, I never thought of it that way. If there are indeed laws that require self leveling hid's, then a lawyer would have a great case IF the brightness in any way caused the accident. In an ordinary civil litigation for negligence, not having a the self levelers, would amount to negligence per se and it would make the lawyer's case a whole lot easier...
Well, I never thought of it that way. If there are indeed laws that require self leveling hid's, then a lawyer would have a great case IF the brightness in any way caused the accident. In an ordinary civil litigation for negligence, not having a the self levelers, would amount to negligence per se and it would make the lawyer's case a whole lot easier...
Cant say about the USA but I know for a fact that the FULL INSTALL covers all the bases.
I have published the links many times to the FULL install procedure from DC.
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally Posted by CitronC230K_03
why wouldnt there be. i get flashed hiigh beams at me alot. more than i thought i ever would with factory Bi-Xenon with auto-leveling. either way, when they flash their brights, i flash my BIX right back and they shut theirs off. but i could see a law suit working its way down the pike. people can sue as easily as get an acquittal.
I have only been flashed twice and only once was I quick enough to blind the other guy to show him his own stupidity.
As for law suits, they tried that when the Dodge Intrepids first came out because there lights were one of the first clear and bright *** one that I ever saw. But they lost since they were DOT Approved and tested!
As for getting them from the factory. That is the way I went. I was ready to order and wait, but they found one of the two color cars we liked with everything we wanted at Port in Baltimore awaiting delivery to a dealer for stock. Who would have thought a Dealer would have ordered a C230K SC with 6 speed, heated seats, cd changer, Bose(leather, roof, all that stuff), 17's, and Bi-Xenons?
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From: Puerto Rico
2009 Porsche 911 Carrera S
Originally Posted by miroj
In Australia if you load Bix into your car without leveling and you have some type of serious accident then you lose by default for not having a street legal car. Now the real pain comes when they cancel the insurance too.
Cant say about the USA but I know for a fact that the FULL INSTALL covers all the bases.
I have published the links many times to the FULL install procedure from DC.
Cant say about the USA but I know for a fact that the FULL INSTALL covers all the bases.
I have published the links many times to the FULL install procedure from DC.
My previous comments were more for those in the US who are buying BIX from Steve, eBay, etc., then either install them themselves or go to an independent garage and then to the dealer to program the "Xenon Present" on the DAS. In Steve's case he does the install and programs the DAS.
My point is that very seldom do any of these folks ALSO install load levelers along with the BIX due the added cost and/or complexity. Hence, the potential liability that I mentioned.
By the way I'm going to law school at night and believe me that there are a lot of lawyers out there that are also car buffs and week-end mechanics. Trust me, in a civil suit, they'll go after this because I sure as hell would or will someday!
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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Originally Posted by Max77
Hi
I have the halogen headlighth on my C clas, I can replace them with bi-xenon?
Thanks
I have the halogen headlighth on my C clas, I can replace them with bi-xenon?
Thanks
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It's a plug and play process, but you won't have the autoleveling feature (not that you really need it). Of course, you won't have headlight washers either, but I heard that they only cover your hood with soap anyway. There's a good amount of installation tips for bi-xenons on this forum. Not as many instructions for retrofit HID's. I'll help you with that though if you decide to go retrofit rather than bi-xenon.
SoluS
SoluS
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my favorite line:
Originally Posted by Posting & You
Looks like you've got some more learning to do first...
... you dumb@$$ !
... you dumb@$$ !
