ptirado961

I have OEM HID headlights in my 2002 C32, and I purchased the Depo Bi-Xenon (look) headlights from ebay (without knowing they worldn't work), and need to install them somehow. The connectors don't look the same. I saw a posting that stated I CAN use the Depo headlights with my car, but need to buy an H7 HID kit. Does anyone have installation instructions? How involved is it? I ddin't find out that the headlights wouyld not be plug and play until it was past teh return date. Does anyone have a way/process of making these headlights work? I read somewhere that some poeple put the depo headlights in teh oven and take them apart to convert the internals? Any info is much apreciated. I am willing to do whatever it takes to make these work in my car!

Will H7 HID conversion kit work with my Mercedes w203 C32 (with OEM HID)? What are the installation details for this? I only see info regarding Halogen to HID, not (OEM) HID to HID (kit).

PS - Does anyone know what that round beige actuator plugs into? It has a vacume connection, and if vacume is applied, it actually moves the projector! (I tested it). The question is, where would this connect to on my car? It is obviosly there for a reason. When I inspected the OEM HID housing, I noticed the actuator missing, but wires going into what appear as an electrical version of the vacume actautor on the Depos.

ptirado961

I only have until Tuesday to get the headlights right to be instaled. I have been searching and searching over and over on the message boards, and don't have a clear answer yet. There is only one plug on the side of the Depo headlights, and my OEM HID headlights have three with a ballast on the bottom. The one plug on the side of the Depo's looks like it will fit the OEM plug, but don't know if it will supply ALL of the necessary controls and juice to the low, hig, and driving lights. ALso, do i need to have the dealer change any codes? Xenon=Not Present (temporarily? until I get an aftermarket kit?).

I am on my knees! If anyone knows of a thread that has the answer, please send it to me.

Regards,

Biscuit

You'll have to purchase a set of projectors and then custom mount them into the DEPO housing. I'm in the process of doing it myself. Actually I'm 'done' but I messed up one of the lenses and you can't buy a replacement lens. Sucks to have to buy another set of headlights just for one lens. >

Anyways... You need projectors, bulbs, and the compatible ballast. Then you have to mount the projectors in the DEPO housing. You'll have to do some cutting on the backside of the housing as well to get the power wire from the ballast to the projector.

It can be done but it's time consuming. :-)

Good luck!

ptirado961

Couldn't I just buy an H7 HID Kit and plug them in? What about installing theheadlights AS-IS (for now), and try to use the H7 Halogens while I wait for a kit? Will the car's computer not like tha since it originally had OEM HIDt? Any codes need to be changed?

Biscuit

You will definitely want to use the correct projectors and lenses. Just taking an H7 style HID bulb and plugging into the existing DEPO housing would make it a nightmare on the road. It'd be fantastic for you but you'd blind everybody else coming towards you.

Not sure how the computer would handle it if you put in halogens to be honest. Maybe somebody else on the board could answer that piece?

ptirado961

Thanks for the input. I spoke to a guy at LightWerkz and he reccomended the HID H7 kit. I had to order them today in hope to get them by Saturday. There won't be any glare as long as I aim them correctly. I can't imagine there is no one out there that hasn't done this...

greasybenz

It shouldnt be a problem. H7 halogen bulbs have a very similar arc to an HID bulb. And in the depo projector (which is a copy of MB's projector) it wont blind anyone as long as you have the projector aimed correctly.

TemjinX2

which hid projectors did you use? e55 projectors or were they e46 projectors?

Biscuit

Actually they're infiniti fx projectors (bi-xenon ones). I'm going to try sanding and polishing them to see if I can repair the damage to that main lens. Not sure how well that'll work on clear plastic but might as well try before I just buy new ones. Besides, maybe I can sand out those annoying vertical lines in the lens, hehe.

TemjinX2

nice post pics when your done.

ptirado961

The H7s are actually from an HID kit. H7 stands for just the HID bulb interface so that it will mount properly in a H7 housing (same as the Depo housings use for the low beam and high beam), but are TRUE HID. I purchased the 6000k HID bulbs. Should look much better than stock frosty's and 4300k OEM bulbs (IMO). The proof will be when I get everything installed this week. Should have the car back next Thursday.

greasybenz

Yeah i understood what you were asking. Yes, buy an H7 HID kit in whatever kelvin rating youd like and connect it to the depo headlights. It should work and shouldnt blind anyone as long as you aim the projectors correctly.

As far as the wiring though im not to sure how different the wiring is on oem HID frosted headlights and Halogen.

ptirado961

Well, I recieved the HID H7 kit, and it was easier than I thought. I like doing DIY stuff, but don't have the free time I would like to perform "complete projector replacements". I did connect the pos and neg of the ballast actuator leads to my Wife's car battery to test the ballasts, bulbs and light pattern. I was very curious what you all seem to think is a bad projector from the Depo headlights. I quickly realized that what you all identify as hotspots/deadspots is actually the bi-xenon shield that is present in the depo projector, but doesn't have an actuator to lower it for high beam (as far as I can tell). It does not have the best reflector coating back upon initial inspection. I would guess that if I took it apart and fabricated a better reflector back, it would please even the most serious critics on this board. However I find the performance and pleasing aesthetics more than adequate. Anyway, here are some pics of the conversion. Hope it is helpful to someone...

ptirado961

#1 Tip - Need H7 HID conversion Kit and Depo Headlights. You CAN'T use the OEM HID ballasts integrated into your headlights without major, major surgery on the OEM and Depo headlights. Not what I was looking for. Work smarter... NOT Harder...

TemjinX2

hey biscuit,

were you able to sand off the vertical lines? i want to do the same. I didn't realize how much brightness the lines kill until i did a retrofit on my gf rsx and her's were so much brighter then mine.

Biscuit

I'm going to work on it this weekend so I'll let you know how it goes.

ptirado961

I should have some pictures of the light pattern after it gets dark. Overall , I am very pleased. Took the car out for a spin around Philly, and it was cool how the purples show up on the outer edges of the beam pattern. BTW - for those that are curious, my blinker bulbs are OSRAM DIADEM P21Y. Only mod needed to get them to fit is to file off one of the metal tabs on the base of the bulb to get it to fit in the socket.

TemjinX2

any updates on how the sanding went? i want to eventually do this but don't feel like opening them up if its a lost cause.

saer1one

great job, lights look nice.. im going to finally put on my fogs 6000k hid's tomorow morning, finally i have time..

ptirado961

Update: Two Months now, and love them!!! Great updated look with 6000k. No motorists flashing back, so must be aimed right...

c32used

Yes you can use an H7 kit...I had to change the code in computer to read xenon present but don't think you have to change it for a temporary H7 use. Our cars are picky so I wouldn't be surprised if a warning shows up.

edtv82

has anyone had any luck with these DEPO's from ebay?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts...1%7C240%3A1318


i'm debating if i should go with these or spend the cash for OEM's

c32used

Those look like the ones I got off Ebay...if they are they work extremely well.

edtv82

nice... i might go for it... do you have any pic of them at night? and was it just a simple plug and play set up?

c32used

I know the ones I had were uploaded on the Newbie search I believe..if you can't find it let me know and I'll take new ones for you.