Halogen HID-Like Alternative?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 6
From: New York, NY & Baldwin, Long Island, NY
14' C300, '07 G500 & '02 C240
Halogen HID-Like Alternative?
Hello Everyone,
I've been enjoying my New 2013 C300 so far and its such an awesome car, I truly regret not getting the lighting package because the Halogen H7s just look terrible and disgusting even. I mean for a $40K car to have horrible looking Halogen lights like this is beyond me but thats Mercedes for you, lol.
Anyway, I was looking to update my Halogen Headlamps which are a terrible yellow color to something a bit more brigher and more elegant. I was looking to upgrade the lights to something a bit more brighter and a little better in color temperature, to match the LEDs which are beautiful I must add lol. Many seem to point to the Philips Diamond Vision H7, however they are hard to get.
Anyone know of a reliable source to get them, or alternatively if there is something that I can walk into a store and buy that is similar to them? It seems like those Philips H7s are one of a kind though and no other light available in the stores will be able to match the output. It seems like the Philips H7 Diamond Visions, give that subtle Blue tint to it, making it that much closer to the HIDs.
I could put HIDs but the car is leased, and still under warranty so I don't want to void any warranty or damage any electrical components, by putting aftermarket parts in such a new car like this.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Vlad
I've been enjoying my New 2013 C300 so far and its such an awesome car, I truly regret not getting the lighting package because the Halogen H7s just look terrible and disgusting even. I mean for a $40K car to have horrible looking Halogen lights like this is beyond me but thats Mercedes for you, lol.
Anyway, I was looking to update my Halogen Headlamps which are a terrible yellow color to something a bit more brigher and more elegant. I was looking to upgrade the lights to something a bit more brighter and a little better in color temperature, to match the LEDs which are beautiful I must add lol. Many seem to point to the Philips Diamond Vision H7, however they are hard to get.
Anyone know of a reliable source to get them, or alternatively if there is something that I can walk into a store and buy that is similar to them? It seems like those Philips H7s are one of a kind though and no other light available in the stores will be able to match the output. It seems like the Philips H7 Diamond Visions, give that subtle Blue tint to it, making it that much closer to the HIDs.
I could put HIDs but the car is leased, and still under warranty so I don't want to void any warranty or damage any electrical components, by putting aftermarket parts in such a new car like this.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Vlad
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 420
Likes: 38
From: NC
W204
I would recommend the Sylvania SilverStar zXe. They sell them at O'ReillyAuto.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31066_7...the-tuner-set/
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1576&ppt=C0010
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31066_7...the-tuner-set/
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1576&ppt=C0010
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 344
Likes: 2
From: Berkley, MI
'09 C350
I would recommend the Sylvania SilverStar zXe. They sell them at O'ReillyAuto.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31066_7...the-tuner-set/
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1576&ppt=C0010
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31066_7...the-tuner-set/
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1576&ppt=C0010
I personally would go with a good reputable set of HIDs like a Morimoto. If you're worried about warranty issues, putting 70W bulbs is more of a concern than a 35W/55W HID kit.
Last edited by vipsa; Oct 28, 2013 at 01:06 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 420
Likes: 38
From: NC
W204
Wow 70W bulbs, I would make sure the wiring doesn't melt. I personally wouldn't do anything over 55W.
I personally would go with a good reputable set of HIDs like a Morimoto. If you're worried about warranty issues, putting 70W bulbs is more of a concern than a 35W/55W HID kit.
I personally would go with a good reputable set of HIDs like a Morimoto. If you're worried about warranty issues, putting 70W bulbs is more of a concern than a 35W/55W HID kit.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 6
From: New York, NY & Baldwin, Long Island, NY
14' C300, '07 G500 & '02 C240
Now that I ordered the replacement DRL that expense certainly set me back unfortunately. So i'm back on here investigating what I can put on here without really voiding the warranty. The car is leased so I wanted to put something that is not as invasive that requires little to no manipulation of the wiring. And from what I've been reading these wires have to be stripped and holes have to be drilled through the dust covers which I really do not want to do because all of this can raise suspision especially during the regularly scheduled service that I have coming up this June.
And I think that video is a bit exaggerated because a lot of reviews say that the Sylvania ZXEs have a lot of yellow to them. I know AZN Optics has some pretty cool lights. But my big concern is the glaring that is going to occur. Putting HIDs without proper reflection is illegal my W203's lights are blinding good thing I don't drive it as much but its terrible and I want to avoid that with my C300.
Any Thoughts?
And I think that video is a bit exaggerated because a lot of reviews say that the Sylvania ZXEs have a lot of yellow to them. I know AZN Optics has some pretty cool lights. But my big concern is the glaring that is going to occur. Putting HIDs without proper reflection is illegal my W203's lights are blinding good thing I don't drive it as much but its terrible and I want to avoid that with my C300.
Any Thoughts?
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 140
Likes: 2
From: Maryland, USA
2013 C300 sport 4matic
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
2009 Mercedes C350
Does anyone know if a GOOD RELIABLE source online to get the Philip Diamond Vision bulbs in the US? I really want HID's, but not bad enough to spend the $$$ on a retrofit and I don't want some ghetto aftermarket HID kit in my C350 
Plus, Im moving to Germany in June and don't think aftermarket HIDs would pass inspection. Seems like the Diamond Vision bulbs would be a good alternative to me.
Are they more readily available (and maybe cheaper?) in Germany since they are made there. IE, should I wait until I get overseas?
Plus, Im moving to Germany in June and don't think aftermarket HIDs would pass inspection. Seems like the Diamond Vision bulbs would be a good alternative to me.Are they more readily available (and maybe cheaper?) in Germany since they are made there. IE, should I wait until I get overseas?
Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 197
Likes: 17
From: Connecticut
C300 4matic
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 6
From: New York, NY & Baldwin, Long Island, NY
14' C300, '07 G500 & '02 C240
Nelson,
That is a link to the Xtreme Vision Bulbs they are not Diamond Visions. The Xtreme Vision produces a whiter light that is more yellow than the Diamond Vision. A lot of people are saying the "Morimotos" from the Retrofit source are ideal and are safe enough to not be as glaring. Any thoughts. I would try the Sylvania zXe's but I will not be able to return them once they are open especially if I don't like the light output.
I'm really not sure what Mercedes' thought process was by putting such absurdly looking, almost disgusting looking lights in such a premium car. It's really is a turn off for me especially when you look at the other premium cars out there like BMW and Lexus which comes with these lights standard. This is a Mercedes! Not some Toyota or Honda lol put some damn good lights in!
Hell, even Hondas and Toyotas have nicer HID like lights available now for their vehicles.
I'm still torn whether to go HID or get the Philips Diamond Vision. Since the car is lease I'm more leaning towards just ordering the Diamond Visions..
Vlad
That is a link to the Xtreme Vision Bulbs they are not Diamond Visions. The Xtreme Vision produces a whiter light that is more yellow than the Diamond Vision. A lot of people are saying the "Morimotos" from the Retrofit source are ideal and are safe enough to not be as glaring. Any thoughts. I would try the Sylvania zXe's but I will not be able to return them once they are open especially if I don't like the light output.
I'm really not sure what Mercedes' thought process was by putting such absurdly looking, almost disgusting looking lights in such a premium car. It's really is a turn off for me especially when you look at the other premium cars out there like BMW and Lexus which comes with these lights standard. This is a Mercedes! Not some Toyota or Honda lol put some damn good lights in!
Hell, even Hondas and Toyotas have nicer HID like lights available now for their vehicles.
I'm still torn whether to go HID or get the Philips Diamond Vision. Since the car is lease I'm more leaning towards just ordering the Diamond Visions..
Vlad
Last edited by Vlad-II; Jan 15, 2014 at 05:00 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte, NC
2015 BMW M235i 6MT
Go with HIDs. There's absolutely no comparison between halogens and HIDs. My kit from AZN_Optics has been going strong for two years. You'll have to drill into the dust caps, but they're only $13 a piece online when the time comes to buy replacements.
Philips DiamondVisions, while whiter, will give off less light output than your stock bulbs since it's covered with a blue coating that makes it look white.
Philips DiamondVisions, while whiter, will give off less light output than your stock bulbs since it's covered with a blue coating that makes it look white.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 6
From: New York, NY & Baldwin, Long Island, NY
14' C300, '07 G500 & '02 C240
Yeah the W204 Facelift has reflector housings. Not projector lamps. That can cause excessive glare as experienced with the W203. That's what I'm worried about. I'll try the Diamond Vision first. And then if that is not satisfying enough for me then I'll succumb to the HIDs.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 15
From: SF bay area
C300 sport
Yeah the W204 Facelift has reflector housings. Not projector lamps. That can cause excessive glare as experienced with the W203. That's what I'm worried about. I'll try the Diamond Vision first. And then if that is not satisfying enough for me then I'll succumb to the HIDs.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
2010 Arctic White C300 4matic Sport
One of my gripes with the US market W204's is that Xenons are not standard and incredibly hard to find. I think it's crazy that you have to pay over a grand to get a lighting package that most dealers do not even stock on their lots to begin with. A $17K 2014 Toyota Corolla comes with LED low beam headlights STANDARD. Hopefully, as advanced lighting technology becomes more common among mainstream cars, companies like MB and BMW will be forced to offer Xenons or LEDs as standard equipment on their lower end models.
Anyway, back to the HID-like alternative topic. I'm glad you are searching for this. My W204 has a projector halogen set up (pre-facelift) and after installing an HID kit, I am not impressed. On the positive side, the projector helps focus the beam so that there is no significant glare but to the keen observer it still does not look 100% OEM. On the downside, despite being a projector, the optics are clearly designed for halogen bulbs because there is decreased light output laterally compared to the OEM halogen bulbs. The OEM xenons do a much better job at lighting up the road.
Since you have the newer, reflector setup, I can't imagine the light optics would be any better than the older projector setup. If you are looking for an HID "look" and are willing to give up some light output, the Diamond Visions would make a great option. However, if you want the HID look and gains in overall light output, I would advise doing a retrofit (but I see that your car is leased) or looking for a used set of 2012+ OEM Xenon housings and do it right.
Anyway, back to the HID-like alternative topic. I'm glad you are searching for this. My W204 has a projector halogen set up (pre-facelift) and after installing an HID kit, I am not impressed. On the positive side, the projector helps focus the beam so that there is no significant glare but to the keen observer it still does not look 100% OEM. On the downside, despite being a projector, the optics are clearly designed for halogen bulbs because there is decreased light output laterally compared to the OEM halogen bulbs. The OEM xenons do a much better job at lighting up the road.
Since you have the newer, reflector setup, I can't imagine the light optics would be any better than the older projector setup. If you are looking for an HID "look" and are willing to give up some light output, the Diamond Visions would make a great option. However, if you want the HID look and gains in overall light output, I would advise doing a retrofit (but I see that your car is leased) or looking for a used set of 2012+ OEM Xenon housings and do it right.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 6
From: New York, NY & Baldwin, Long Island, NY
14' C300, '07 G500 & '02 C240
OEM Xenon Housings are not a simple plug and play anymore like before because they require advanced coding wiring, and programming for the auto leveling not to mention a camera from what I read, all of which isn't worth it for a leased car lol. So ultimately I'll get the Diamond Visions and if they aren't satisfying then perhaps the AZN Morimotos? 
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 6
From: New York, NY & Baldwin, Long Island, NY
14' C300, '07 G500 & '02 C240
They are effectively illegal because of their low light output. They don't output as much light as the stock halogens. They are ideal for use during the Summer a Time when daylight hours are longer. These lights are more geared for styling.
