sylus

swmbo prefers brighter lights in her car and so the inevitable hid pops into the frame

on my motorcycle I have a 35w 6000k and it works peachy

But, after reading through the multitude of hid threads( I did read before posting honest) I now realise some of the kits can set off an error code and so you should look for can bus? hids

Also I read a lot about 50w are so much brighter that you can drop down to a 4300-4500k..I only want to fit it into the dipped/low beam

One last observation, some of the installs look like a dogs dinner and quite messy has anyone done a video on a C300 4matic 2009 in a way that looks quite professional?

So I suppose what I'm asking is ...is it better to get the 50/55w 4300/4500k and if so which ones to avoid any error codes and does someone have a tutorial?

many thanks guys for any replies

Knightmare69

Do not get over 35watt HID's, its possible for them to melt your harness or possibly start a fire in your engine bay, 35w is more than enough.

Youtube w204 HID install

Yes you need Can bus compatible HID kits

Cleanbenz

55w DDM tuning kit will work just fine, will not melt anything. Get the error cancellers for $15 to be safe because some cars need em and some don't. I run 6000k and with 55w ballasts they perfectly match all my 5000k LEDs in the eyebrows, fender markers, etc.

W204Man

I have 2 sets of DDM 35 Watt 8000k for sale.

sylus

Thanks for the replies

W204..thanks for the offer but 6000k is my top with 4-4500 my bottom range

Knightmare...I did wonder if the 50 plus would be too hot but did read quite a lot and feel most say it's easily within range

Clean....I am leaning more towards 50/55 and 6000k but it's always worth getting peoples experiences of their installs

aMsupp

I've got DDMs 35W 6000K kit and it's more than adequate. The only thing I'm irritated about is the cutoff. It's notbad, and it doesn't scatter into other driver's eyes. But, it is not clean and straight across, there's 1 area in the middle that the light dips sharply down and back up (like a shark tooth) and i lose visibility right in front of my face. There are a couple "dim" spots up close, as well. Color is great and overall I believe the light output is better than the stock halogens in the projector housing.

finger360

I would say for sure go with a 35w kit in lows if you are going to make the move to HID, 55w is too much for lows. I did however have a 55w kit in my high beams in my previous car and it was fantastic; but when you have your high beams on there arent other cars around to worry about blinding so it isn't as big of a deal.

Also, yea I notice the dip in the cutoff along with a few up close dim spots. I usually keep my fogs on at night and it really gives the lights a good balance and fills any up close dim areas well. My fogs are stock halogens.

Knightmare69

Yea, I also noticed the weird cutoff even with the projectors and I wondered if this has to do with our use of "cheap" HID kits. In the sense that most "cheap" hid kits are not made the same as a proper HID in regards to the position of the gas capsule and length of bulb etc etc. I remember reading an article once comparing not only real HID's to kits but also between "cheap" kits.

finger360

No, the cutoff is not because of the bulb or the kit. It is the design of the projector. The same dip is there with a halogen but is not as noticeable as there is not as much light thus the line is not as distinct. If you have a projector or reflector housing designed for an HID kit they usually offer a different kind of cutoff.

Knightmare69

Well that's part of the formula but the article I read did note difference in the build of the kit bulbs that affected the light output not just in brightness but also in position.

RLE

The cutoff has a purpose which all Euro beam patterns use to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.

You want it.

Knightmare69

I'm aware of that, just noting that the cut off isn't as sharp and there seem to be some weird blotched areas.

sylus

Okay so

two more questions if I can for those who have actually fitted hid to their c300

did you need the error connectors for the kit and has anyone got pictures of the install in particular where you positioned the ballasts because as you look at it..the right one in particular seems to have limited space

Knightmare69

Depends on the kits, some kits are compatible without labeling it, you're safest bet is to get error cancelers just in case.

As for where to mount the ballasts, it's up to you. You can be OCD and mount them cleanly behind the bumper cover on in the fender or what not or you can say f it and just bolt or ziptie the suckers down in the engine bay.

sylus

Thanks again for the input guys

I contacted ddm with some info needed just before I placed an order and a week later... no reply what so ever

Any other suppliers reccomended?