Bif powell

I picked up these headlamps:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...QQcmdZViewItem

And they seem packaged well and look very nice, but the internals are so completely different from my existing headlamps that I just can't see how they will work. I'm assuming I've ordered the wrong headlamp, but other members have gotten this exact headlamp AFAIK and gotten them in (loosing autoleveling I guess, which I'm fine with). My current headlamps are as seen in my sig - single xenon (I think) and frosted.

Basically the power connectors just look very different. Can I retrofit in some way, or should I just sell them in classifieds and start over?

Any guidance here appreciated!

splinter

The Depos do not have a stellar reputation. Okay, they are deplorable. Their build quality and light pattern might suffice in a Daewoo, but not in your MB. This comes from the knowledgeable lighting mod fanatics on the W203 forum. I was also tempted by the updated appearance achieved by the clear lenses.

If you want to improve night vision, and take a few years off the countenance, go with the Euro Bi-Xenons from MBenzNL. Installed mine yesterday. I could not be more pleased. Not inexpensive, but they are the “right” parts for the car.

sales@eurocharged.com

I'll sell you my OEM Euro Bi-Xenons.

I have both... but I love the black on black look, so I'm not installing them.

Bif powell

splinter - thanks for the feedback, probably shoulda posted here first, but as I said, other seemed to be pleased with the results, if not the quality in gereral.

Yeah, as much as anything I'm after the black on black - what did you do there Jerry?

sales@eurocharged.com

Like you, I purchased black depos. I got my housings and HID's from HERE. I installed them and after the fact thought I would like the Bi-Xenons better. I purchased the Bi-Xenons, only to find out there isn't much of a difference between the two. Don't get me wrong, the OEM parts have a light pattern that is much better, but I didn't get auto-leveling because I had halogens from factory. So, for me it was better light pattern or black on black. I chose black on black because of the compliments I get on the car. Not to mention, they are much cheaper.

Now, all you have to do is paint the chrome trim around the car black.

Bif powell

Forgive my ignorance here, but what do I need then to put into these Depo housings to make them work?...just a more generic HID setup?...an exact link would be idea, but a nudge would be appreciated - thanks!

I like a LITTLE bit of chrome

rlee02135

there should be a main connector for the headlamp. the other ones are for auto leveling which you don't need.

sales@eurocharged.com

Did you buy an HID kit with the lights? If so, the wiring will be weird.

I wish I had a link for you....maybe I can take some pics if you want.

Bif powell

I did not buy and HID kit with the lights. Will any HID kit fit into these housings?

https://mbworld.org/forums/classifieds/196346-fs-w203-h7-hid-kit-practically-new.html

Pics would be cool - I'll take a pic of the back of the lights.

sales@eurocharged.com

If you did not buy an HID kit, then it will be plug and play. You will not use the leveling plug any longer, only the one on each side for the housing and the one for the blinker.

I'll post a pic in a few minutes.....let me go take one for you.

sales@eurocharged.com

OK, here are a few quick pics I took. Hopefully, these will make sense. The more I think about it, you must have something way different than the rest of us....Let me know if you need any others.

The green circles on the first pic show the connectors on the bi-xenons.

The green circles on the second pic show the two connectors you will use on the depos. The ground wire and the leveling connector will not be used.

Bif powell

I think you have one more plug than me?...

I started with this thread here: https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ght=headlights

Can I just buy an HID kit that is more plug and play rather than mess with modding my stocks?...

In any case.

I can't see how it will be plug and play. Unfortunately my current headlamps are with my car getting some body work done, but here are the Depos. My stock blinker bulb wouldn't fit BUT my blinker bulb-holder (?) fit in the same hole.

Shot of the entire rear of the driver's side headlamp



Left Side rear of the lens and the left plug



Left side plugged in (no light in it, just showing how it fits) - the lamp from my stock ones has a contact in the middle and a very different looking plug.



Right plugs - problem here is that the light I pull from the same location on my stock lamp doesn't really fit quite right - it's close, but it sure won't go securely into the socket.




There is also this really small plug down in the lower right



A couple bars that came with the system



Front shot

rlee02135

than whats with the silver grille?

Bif powell

Youthful indiscretion

Actually I like that grille, but I wish it was maybe dark gray, maybe not quite as black as some I've seen.

Ryanr317

For the blinker bulb, you have to get rid of the one that the Depos come with and snap in the OEM ones. As for the bars, i think they're just in there for shipping purposes, i just threw them away.

FrankW

you are just showing the connectors for the bulbs, not the housing. the headlight plugs does not plug directly behind the bulbs. your stock xenon headlight uses different bulbs of course the connector will be different.

go look at the picture rlee posted and you'll see.

sales@eurocharged.com

Throw the bars away as previously stated. The little plug you mentioned is for the city lights.

You have two options at this point if you still want to use the Depos.

1. Buy an HID kit and complicate the install even more.
2. Buy halogens and make the kit plug and play.

Your xenons bulbs will not work with those housings.

Personally, I would buy the HID kit and take your time getting it installed and make sure that no wires are exposed and the holes you will need to create in the housings are sealed. This will make sense once you have all of the pieces in front of you.

Bif powell

Do you mean AMG-Jerry?...I do see pictures that jerry posted...in any case my first picture shows the rear plugs - as I mention, seems like he has one more plug in the rear of the assembly than I have.

However, your last sentence gets closer to what what I was looking for and why I posted the other thread where I asked if I can just use the guts from my stocks in the Depos - someone there indicated that I could, but you're saying in fact I cannot. So I just need to buy bulbs that fit into this housing?...

Bif powell

K, now this is the post I wanted Thanks.

So for instance, will this work?
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=196346

In it he says it's w203 hid kit, but seems like your indication is that I need a more or less generic HID kit?...

Also, many thanks for the help - headlamps are something I've never paid attention to in cars, so this has been a learning process

turbo16lbs

Just thought I'd point out where you made your mistake since that's the same thing I did. This thread is a lot more informative than the one I've made in the past. Good luck on your modification.

I love reading your posts.

itsmeek

the wiring of the hid kit was a joke, it took 5 mins.

sales@eurocharged.com

Yeah, that HID kit seems to be as generic as mine. The power harness for the HID kit (at least on mine) plugs into the Depo housing. You then take the plug that is for the H7 halogen bulb and stick the HID spades into there. The HID wires then run out of the Depo housing (because there isn't enough room for the ballast and ignitor inside) to the ballast. You will mount the ballast and ignitor (unless your's is combined, then you only mount one box) somewhere close, then those wires go back inside the Depo's, where they mate with the HID bulb.

itsmeek

i have posted about this before...i drew a really elementary diagram. you can search for it if you like..i couldn't find it.

Bif powell

K, finding time for this again. If I order this kit, will I be able to make it work with these housings?

http://www.xtralights.com/index.asp?...ATS&Category=5

Many thanks for any guidance on this!

FrankW

d2s, NO. I think the DEPO housing still uses the H7 bulbs. you'll need to find a H7 spec HID kit.

my suggestion is to get the DEPO housing first and make sure what bulb is used for the low beam and decide which HID kit you want to purchase.