HID Kit question
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Connecticut
2013 C300 4MATIC Sport with P1, Bi-Xenon headlights, Navigation with backup camera, Sport Plus
HID Kit question
Guys,
I am looking to replace my OEM Halogen bulbs with HID on my 2010 C300. I read through most of the threads here and other sites that recommend between DDM and Philips. I am leaning towards DDM just because they are cheaper and they seem to be decent quality. Philips seems to be 4 times more expensive and no sure if they are any better.
Since most of the info in the forums is 2 to 3 years old on this subject. I wanted to confirm if DDM is still a good choice?
I also got the impression that 2010 doesn't need the extra error cancelorers or the extra harness. I am pretty sure I want to get the 55W 5000K with digital ballast.
Let me know if I should reconsider or need to get any other parts.
thanks,
Ken
I am looking to replace my OEM Halogen bulbs with HID on my 2010 C300. I read through most of the threads here and other sites that recommend between DDM and Philips. I am leaning towards DDM just because they are cheaper and they seem to be decent quality. Philips seems to be 4 times more expensive and no sure if they are any better.
Since most of the info in the forums is 2 to 3 years old on this subject. I wanted to confirm if DDM is still a good choice?
I also got the impression that 2010 doesn't need the extra error cancelorers or the extra harness. I am pretty sure I want to get the 55W 5000K with digital ballast.
Let me know if I should reconsider or need to get any other parts.
thanks,
Ken
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 71
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2008 Mercedes C300 4Matic Sport Sedan
I recommend Morimoto HIDs over DDM. I've used both and Morimotos still seem to give the best results/reliability.
That being said, I don't recommend using HID "conversion" kits at all. They're borderline unsafe in the projectors you have that we're designed for halogens. They glare quite a bit to oncoming drivers. Not the worst you could do, but a true HID projector retrofit is what I recommend doing, and the parts for good ones can be sourced for $270 for bi-xenon Morimoto projectors.
+1 for the 5000K color bulbs too.
That being said, I don't recommend using HID "conversion" kits at all. They're borderline unsafe in the projectors you have that we're designed for halogens. They glare quite a bit to oncoming drivers. Not the worst you could do, but a true HID projector retrofit is what I recommend doing, and the parts for good ones can be sourced for $270 for bi-xenon Morimoto projectors.
+1 for the 5000K color bulbs too.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Connecticut
2013 C300 4MATIC Sport with P1, Bi-Xenon headlights, Navigation with backup camera, Sport Plus
Thanks guys. I looked into Morimoto HIDS and I will go for those over DDM. I always did feel DDM were a little too cheap for all that gear but a lot of people seem to be happy with it. Then again most people are happy with Autozone brakes which I am not 
I would definitely consider HID Projector retrofit but I am not sure how to pursue that. It sounds complicated and I don't really trust someone to remove them, disassemble them and rebuild. I haven't heard of anyone doing it either...if you got experience with it can you share?
thanks for all the help and advice!
I would definitely consider HID Projector retrofit but I am not sure how to pursue that. It sounds complicated and I don't really trust someone to remove them, disassemble them and rebuild. I haven't heard of anyone doing it either...if you got experience with it can you share?
thanks for all the help and advice!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Connecticut
2013 C300 4MATIC Sport with P1, Bi-Xenon headlights, Navigation with backup camera, Sport Plus
Located in Stamford, CT but close to NYC. Use to live in Queens, NY so pretty familiar with area and shops. Let me know....
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Connecticut
2013 C300 4MATIC Sport with P1, Bi-Xenon headlights, Navigation with backup camera, Sport Plus
Thanks thats what I am thinking. Any recommendation on 35W vs 55W? And 4300K vs 5000K? I want white light but dont want blue at all. also there is a option for H7 XB35 or H7 bulbs. What do you guys recommend?
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Joined: Nov 2012
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2008 Mercedes C300 4Matic Sport Sedan
LightWerkz
40 Edison Avenue, Suite C
Oakland, NJ 07436
201-644-0337
http://www.lightwerkz.net
LightModz
16 E. Railway Ave.
Paterson, NJ 07503
973-400-9017
http://www.lightmodz.com
HID Illusionz
Brooklyn, NY
Phone / SMS
212-300-5906
http://www.hidillusionz.com
I switched my bulbs from the factory 4300K to 5000K because I like the pure white color without the hint of yellow.
I've never used their XB35 bulbs, but if their descriptions are any indication, they're tempting for me to switch.
If you end up doing a projector retrofit instead of swapping bulbs, then you would no longer use the H7s anyway, so you'll want to make that decision first. I hope that's helpful.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Connecticut
2013 C300 4MATIC Sport with P1, Bi-Xenon headlights, Navigation with backup camera, Sport Plus
Thanks for that info. I will contact these guys and get a quote. I have heard of lightwerkz so i will start with them. To be honest though I looked on their site and didnt see any Mercedes conversions. They had a lot of cars listed. I also think its gonna be pretty expensive. enough so that I can just buy the OEM HID headlights but lets see i'll find out.
Thanks for the detailed info!
Thanks for the detailed info!
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
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2016 C300 4Matic Sport
I have the Morimoto 35W/5000K from The Retrofit Source in my 2010 C300 and generally like them. I have not yet redone the projectors but will at some point. The only problem that I have is that I get a bulb out error and the light goes out. If I turn the lights off and then back on it clears and the lights come back up. I'm guessing if there's a voltage variance the car kills the system to prevent damage.
The 5000K color is perfect. Not too blue nor yellow.
Hope this helps.
K
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Connecticut
2013 C300 4MATIC Sport with P1, Bi-Xenon headlights, Navigation with backup camera, Sport Plus
Thanks that's good to know. I am thinking about getting the same kit. 35W 5000K morimoto elite. They are out of stock until 1/10/2014 and will be shipping with the latest hardware which has a digital ballast. I am going to get the can bust to prevent errors.
Do you have the can bust model or the other harness? Just wondering why you are getting errors.
Ken
Do you have the can bust model or the other harness? Just wondering why you are getting errors.
Ken
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
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2016 C300 4Matic Sport
Thanks that's good to know. I am thinking about getting the same kit. 35W 5000K morimoto elite. They are out of stock until 1/10/2014 and will be shipping with the latest hardware which has a digital ballast. I am going to get the can bust to prevent errors.
Do you have the can bust model or the other harness? Just wondering why you are getting errors.
Ken
Do you have the can bust model or the other harness? Just wondering why you are getting errors.
Ken
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
2008 Mercedes C300 4Matic Sport Sedan
Did you find out what the issue was?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Connecticut
2013 C300 4MATIC Sport with P1, Bi-Xenon headlights, Navigation with backup camera, Sport Plus
I called the retrofit source today to get an estimate on what it would cost to do a projector update to HID. They told me they don't do that but the kit is around 300 plus labor. He didn't know which one would fit the C300 stock headlights. He also told me that most people just upgrade to HID bulbs and it works out fine.
On a seprqte note I am wondering which is better 35W or 50W ballast? Is that later too bright and blinding to on coming traffic?
On a seprqte note I am wondering which is better 35W or 50W ballast? Is that later too bright and blinding to on coming traffic?
Super Member
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From: NYC
2017 C63S coupe '09 C63, '15 Durango RT, '14 Jeep SRT8
Check out lightwerkz in NJ. They do retrofits and theyve done one on a c300 and it looks amazing. Look them up! Ive had them do some work on my c63 and Ceasar is a great guy! If you look into them, tell him the guy with the red c63 recommended you!
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 71
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2008 Mercedes C300 4Matic Sport Sedan
I called the retrofit source today to get an estimate on what it would cost to do a projector update to HID. They told me they don't do that but the kit is around 300 plus labor. He didn't know which one would fit the C300 stock headlights. He also told me that most people just upgrade to HID bulbs and it works out fine.
On a seprqte note I am wondering which is better 35W or 50W ballast? Is that later too bright and blinding to on coming traffic?
On a seprqte note I am wondering which is better 35W or 50W ballast? Is that later too bright and blinding to on coming traffic?
+1 for the full TRS retrofit. My R6 and the Boxster's lights both outperform my OEM C and ML lights. The optics are just better, I think.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: So Cal
W204
Pretty much what everyone else said. TheRetrofitSource dot com and their Morimoto HID sets with a canbus harness. TRS just updated their ballasts to a new version few days ago too.
Please do not purchase from DDM.
I bought another set of their 55w kit, and 2 extra pairs of H7 bulbs couple months back. Their quality has gone way down. Bulbs from both of the sets I bought were flickering severely. I did not even bother contacting them for warranty, because I will have to mail in the bulbs to San Diego for them to test, then wait another 2 weeks for the warranty parts to arrive from China.
DDM's quality was pretty good 3 years ago, but that's not the case anymore.
Please do not purchase from DDM.
I bought another set of their 55w kit, and 2 extra pairs of H7 bulbs couple months back. Their quality has gone way down. Bulbs from both of the sets I bought were flickering severely. I did not even bother contacting them for warranty, because I will have to mail in the bulbs to San Diego for them to test, then wait another 2 weeks for the warranty parts to arrive from China.
DDM's quality was pretty good 3 years ago, but that's not the case anymore.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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C300 4Matic
Would you (or anyone) be able to recommend a reliable/knowledgeable retrofitter in the Washington DC/Northern Virginia area?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Reputable shops in your area for The Retrofit Source (and TRS gives a discount for using their recommended shops) are LightWerkz, LightModz, and HID Illusionz:
LightWerkz
40 Edison Avenue, Suite C
Oakland, NJ 07436
201-644-0337
http://www.lightwerkz.net
LightModz
16 E. Railway Ave.
Paterson, NJ 07503
973-400-9017
http://www.lightmodz.com
HID Illusionz
Brooklyn, NY
Phone / SMS
212-300-5906
http://www.hidillusionz.com
I have done both 55W and 35W kits, and I honestly can't tell a difference. I would save the money on the 35W kit, personally, and spend the savings on the CANBUS harness so you don't get errors or flickering.
I switched my bulbs from the factory 4300K to 5000K because I like the pure white color without the hint of yellow.
I've never used their XB35 bulbs, but if their descriptions are any indication, they're tempting for me to switch.
If you end up doing a projector retrofit instead of swapping bulbs, then you would no longer use the H7s anyway, so you'll want to make that decision first. I hope that's helpful.
LightWerkz
40 Edison Avenue, Suite C
Oakland, NJ 07436
201-644-0337
http://www.lightwerkz.net
LightModz
16 E. Railway Ave.
Paterson, NJ 07503
973-400-9017
http://www.lightmodz.com
HID Illusionz
Brooklyn, NY
Phone / SMS
212-300-5906
http://www.hidillusionz.com
I have done both 55W and 35W kits, and I honestly can't tell a difference. I would save the money on the 35W kit, personally, and spend the savings on the CANBUS harness so you don't get errors or flickering.
I switched my bulbs from the factory 4300K to 5000K because I like the pure white color without the hint of yellow.
I've never used their XB35 bulbs, but if their descriptions are any indication, they're tempting for me to switch.
If you end up doing a projector retrofit instead of swapping bulbs, then you would no longer use the H7s anyway, so you'll want to make that decision first. I hope that's helpful.
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MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
We're authorized dealers on MBWORLD for Morimoto HID kits so feel free to contact us for any Morimoto HID requirements as well as any other aftermarket LED upgrades. Our products are plug and play.
SPONSOR/MBworld Guru
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MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
