Bi-X: W203/CL203 OEM Bi-XENON Upgrade, Auto-Levelling & Programming thread
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 731
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From: Markham, Canada
C320 Coupe
Help! Bi-xenon Passenger side went bad, Mercedes not fixing it
My passenger side headlight went dead 2 days ago, i bring it to my local mercedes and they claim they won't repair it cuz:
1) warranty has expired
2) it's not factory installed item
3) my car should not have bi-xenon, that's why they aren't touching my car
I know that it's not the bulb's problem, now i suspect it might be the igniter problem, but this local mercedes (pretty useless) claim they don't know anything about the parts and they won't repair it. I am screwed now and stuck, can anyone give me a solution? Anyone know any shop that do repair for mercedes headlight in Toronto area? any solution might help, thx
1) warranty has expired
2) it's not factory installed item
3) my car should not have bi-xenon, that's why they aren't touching my car
I know that it's not the bulb's problem, now i suspect it might be the igniter problem, but this local mercedes (pretty useless) claim they don't know anything about the parts and they won't repair it. I am screwed now and stuck, can anyone give me a solution? Anyone know any shop that do repair for mercedes headlight in Toronto area? any solution might help, thx
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From: Montreal
2006 C230SS Blue/Black, 2003 SL500 Silver/Black
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
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From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
If you have genuine Mercedes bix parts on your car, the dealer should service them. The factory workshop manual has instruction for installation of bix headlight after delivery of the car. At least in the United States they do not need to be installed by a dealer.
Your problem might be just a bad lamp capsule. Their life is specified at 2,000 hours. Is there a chance you are near that mark? The number of starts also affects life. If you turn the lights on and off several times a night that can shorten life as much as 50%.
The ballast is an active electronic component, and they do fail, but not as often as the lamp. Your problem can be as simple as a poor connection to the ballast or lamp.
The lamp assemblies are made in Czech republic by Automotive Lighting. The lamps are most likely made by Phillips in Germany, and the ballast is made in France by a company I can't remember right now.
Your problem might be just a bad lamp capsule. Their life is specified at 2,000 hours. Is there a chance you are near that mark? The number of starts also affects life. If you turn the lights on and off several times a night that can shorten life as much as 50%.
The ballast is an active electronic component, and they do fail, but not as often as the lamp. Your problem can be as simple as a poor connection to the ballast or lamp.
The lamp assemblies are made in Czech republic by Automotive Lighting. The lamps are most likely made by Phillips in Germany, and the ballast is made in France by a company I can't remember right now.
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
C230 sport coupe
I had the same problem with my passenger side Xenon.
it has to be either a defective ignitor or ballast. If your bulb is fine.
It depends on how much do you want to spend to fix it.
If you buy the OEM ballast/ignitor from MB, it cost you a lot, ebay sell the same ballast for 1/2 the price.
I went to a local auto accessory shop and bought an after market ballast including the ignitor for $80.
this is all one piece hardware.
disconnect the existing Xenon ballast/ignitor, took the wiring and connect to my new ballast, works right the way.
cheap and simply, save money.
I don't care about OEM MB BS.....as long as it works I am happy.
it has to be either a defective ignitor or ballast. If your bulb is fine.
It depends on how much do you want to spend to fix it.
If you buy the OEM ballast/ignitor from MB, it cost you a lot, ebay sell the same ballast for 1/2 the price.
I went to a local auto accessory shop and bought an after market ballast including the ignitor for $80.
this is all one piece hardware.
disconnect the existing Xenon ballast/ignitor, took the wiring and connect to my new ballast, works right the way.
cheap and simply, save money.
I don't care about OEM MB BS.....as long as it works I am happy.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Markham, Canada
C320 Coupe
I had the same problem with my passenger side Xenon.
it has to be either a defective ignitor or ballast. If your bulb is fine.
It depends on how much do you want to spend to fix it.
If you buy the OEM ballast/ignitor from MB, it cost you a lot, ebay sell the same ballast for 1/2 the price.
I went to a local auto accessory shop and bought an after market ballast including the ignitor for $80.
this is all one piece hardware.
disconnect the existing Xenon ballast/ignitor, took the wiring and connect to my new ballast, works right the way.
cheap and simply, save money.
I don't care about OEM MB BS.....as long as it works I am happy.
it has to be either a defective ignitor or ballast. If your bulb is fine.
It depends on how much do you want to spend to fix it.
If you buy the OEM ballast/ignitor from MB, it cost you a lot, ebay sell the same ballast for 1/2 the price.
I went to a local auto accessory shop and bought an after market ballast including the ignitor for $80.
this is all one piece hardware.
disconnect the existing Xenon ballast/ignitor, took the wiring and connect to my new ballast, works right the way.
cheap and simply, save money.
I don't care about OEM MB BS.....as long as it works I am happy.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Markham, Canada
C320 Coupe
Light Output: BMW vs Mercedes Bi-xenon
What i've noticed, BMW bi-xenon are very bright, whereas the Mercedes Bi-xenon is kinda weak. Did someone try swaping out the bi-xenon ballast from mercedes bi-xenon to other brand for better light output? is it possible to do so?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,175
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From: Socal
EVE
Why not just change bulbs? To my understanding, the reflective characteristics of a BMW headlight makes it look like a "star" twinkling.. etc. whereas MBs are straight on.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
The light output from a 35 watt lamp from BMW or Mercedes is the same. Changing the ballast would have no effect.
The difference you see is the design of the projector and reflector. Dirt on the face of the lamp housing can cause the light to look "brighter" also.
If you measure the light striking an object in front of the car, you will find the two almost identical.
As you have observed, the BMW lamps are more dazzling than the Mercedes.
From a safety standpoint, it is better to illuminate your side of the road, with a minimum of spill light to dazzle the oncoming traffic. It appears that Mercedes does a better job of it.
The difference you see is the design of the projector and reflector. Dirt on the face of the lamp housing can cause the light to look "brighter" also.
If you measure the light striking an object in front of the car, you will find the two almost identical.
As you have observed, the BMW lamps are more dazzling than the Mercedes.
From a safety standpoint, it is better to illuminate your side of the road, with a minimum of spill light to dazzle the oncoming traffic. It appears that Mercedes does a better job of it.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
it's funny, I was talking to some other bmw owners about this just this weekend...
they think that the MB bix is better than the BMW bix. I've been too lazy to line them up to compare, but I'll try to do it tonight. I've noticed that with the BMW, you can see it leveling more than the MB, but it could just be my imagination.
either way, it just sounds to be a case of "the grass is greener on the other side..."
they think that the MB bix is better than the BMW bix. I've been too lazy to line them up to compare, but I'll try to do it tonight. I've noticed that with the BMW, you can see it leveling more than the MB, but it could just be my imagination.
either way, it just sounds to be a case of "the grass is greener on the other side..."
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 18,677
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From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
it all depends on the model of the BMW and MB being compared. Both BMW and MB buy their projectors from a limited amount of suppliers. For example, the BIX in the W203 uses the same Bosch projector as the E46 BMW 3-Series so the light output, beam pattern are the same for those cars.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Markham, Canada
C320 Coupe
For example, my sister drives a 330ci, the light that shines on the ground with her headlight is very bright, whereas for mine, it's a lot dimmer. I am not comparing to my 8000k bulb cuz i know it's dimmer, but im comparing my 4300k stock bulb D2S.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 18,677
Likes: 9
From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
the C-Coupe BIX may use a different type of projector than the sedans. I'm not sure
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 731
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From: Markham, Canada
C320 Coupe
The reason i say this is because last time me and my sister went for night ski, we went on the highway with her BMW in PURE DARKNESS and the headlight was very bright. Although I think my car will do just as good in the same situation IF consider i turn on my HID fog light, without it i don't think my mercedes bixenon can do as good as her car. Whereas her headlight alone already as good as my headlight bi-xenon + HID fog light =/
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 731
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From: Markham, Canada
C320 Coupe
First, I did think of what ur thinking, if my light really aim correctly. I've even point the light down, the light output improves tiny bit, but not comparable to the BMW, so i might as well just shoot it further, whereas close range i use my HID foglight.
my HID foglight has been adjusted higher, since it's relfector housing, i can tell you it's quiet bright, and it shoots quiet far (at least u can see the glare like 4 cars away in front of ur car's distance, which is where the BMW cut off bix point cut off at.
So what my setup now is, bi-xenon point far, HID foglight for close range, find this work well, but that's because my headlight is weak.
Oh one more thing, my previous light housing, the reflector headlight with frosty lens? it's much brighter than this bi-xenon, talk about disappointment to mercedes part man, my aftermarket HID pwn them.
Also, mercedes produce high quality part? don't give me BS. Ballast burnt in 2 years, even a cheap ballast won't burn as easy, if it's high quality and reliable, why my aftermarket HID being more reliable?
my HID foglight has been adjusted higher, since it's relfector housing, i can tell you it's quiet bright, and it shoots quiet far (at least u can see the glare like 4 cars away in front of ur car's distance, which is where the BMW cut off bix point cut off at.
So what my setup now is, bi-xenon point far, HID foglight for close range, find this work well, but that's because my headlight is weak.
Oh one more thing, my previous light housing, the reflector headlight with frosty lens? it's much brighter than this bi-xenon, talk about disappointment to mercedes part man, my aftermarket HID pwn them.
Also, mercedes produce high quality part? don't give me BS. Ballast burnt in 2 years, even a cheap ballast won't burn as easy, if it's high quality and reliable, why my aftermarket HID being more reliable?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Markham, Canada
C320 Coupe
if ur talking about head on, because projector's edge tends to be purpleish, that's why u see it have purple effect, mercedes actually have a thicker edge so the MB bi-xenon from head on u'll see more purpleish.
In fact, factory bi-xenon for BMW is actually more white yellowish
In fact, factory bi-xenon for BMW is actually more white yellowish
