Considering aftermarket projector headlights, any advice?
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From: Atlanta
03 C32 AMG
Considering aftermarket projector headlights, any advice?
So i have standard headlights which, over time, have become yellowed and hazy. Considering switching for depo/projectors. Anyone have an experience worth sharing here? Looked on eBay, are those lights any good or are they pieces of crap that will just leak and not provide enough light with halogen bulbs? Not currently planning on adding an HID kit. Considering the following:
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,905
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From: Atlanta
03 C32 AMG
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Before downgrading to what are likely “pieces of crap,” why not try Meguiar’s ‘Headlight Restoration Kit’ first? Less than $20 from the local McParts. It has worked remarkably well on my and friends’ vehicles.
TemjinX2 has successfully swapped upgraded projectors into Depo housings, although the labor and fiddlefuching around required to do so makes OE bi-xenons all the more appealing and cost-effective. His threads are worth a search.
http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G1900
TemjinX2 has successfully swapped upgraded projectors into Depo housings, although the labor and fiddlefuching around required to do so makes OE bi-xenons all the more appealing and cost-effective. His threads are worth a search.
http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G1900
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
i understand some of us do not leave the c32 sub forum, since we have our own close knit group here.
Basically i helped mugenx retrofit FX Hid projectors into the depo head lights. Honestly the depo lighting stock is a POS even with a HID kit. Everyone that saids it gives off decent output don't really know what there talking about or never really experienced true HID light output.
When i rode in mugenx's ride with hid depo's stock, i was afraid for his life. I told him driving with his lighting is dangerous. The guy could barely see further then 15ft in the dark.
When he rode in my car with the s2k's he understood what i was talking about. But anyways in terms of performance, your better off with a hid retro, oem-bixenons or even oem halogens with a hid kit.
If you live in a well lit city, then you can probably get away with hids and depos since the street lights will do most of the lighting for you.
Here's the link to my retro to give you an idea.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ro-thread.html
Basically i helped mugenx retrofit FX Hid projectors into the depo head lights. Honestly the depo lighting stock is a POS even with a HID kit. Everyone that saids it gives off decent output don't really know what there talking about or never really experienced true HID light output.
When i rode in mugenx's ride with hid depo's stock, i was afraid for his life. I told him driving with his lighting is dangerous. The guy could barely see further then 15ft in the dark.
When he rode in my car with the s2k's he understood what i was talking about. But anyways in terms of performance, your better off with a hid retro, oem-bixenons or even oem halogens with a hid kit.
If you live in a well lit city, then you can probably get away with hids and depos since the street lights will do most of the lighting for you.
Here's the link to my retro to give you an idea.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ro-thread.html
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From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
honestly, its all about HOW you re-aim the projectors after you have them installed. I can see fine perfectly with my Depos, i live in a very very dark community ranch equistrian estate, and these lights make me feel confident driving at night. I HAVE seen the difference between my light output at night compared to my buddies E55 Bix and they are similar in light output, only main diff is his BiX's are auto-level, and the Depos arent.
like said, you just have to adjust the aim after installation which is the hardest part. it took a whole week, each night keep re-adjusting the aim, and FINALLY got the right aim for my projectors.
and NO they dont blind the oncoming traffic, and NO they arent un-even from far away(where one projector emits an intese beam of light, compared to the other.)
had my buddy drive my car at night and see if he sees a difference between his E55s light output and such compared to mine, and the only main diff he noticed which is the obvious, auto-level and hes an MB tech
Yes, we know DEPOs are replicas of the real BiXs but they are not POS products at all. seriously, they are well built, and performs well taken that it is an inspired product of the OEM BiXs.
like said, you just have to adjust the aim after installation which is the hardest part. it took a whole week, each night keep re-adjusting the aim, and FINALLY got the right aim for my projectors.
and NO they dont blind the oncoming traffic, and NO they arent un-even from far away(where one projector emits an intese beam of light, compared to the other.)
had my buddy drive my car at night and see if he sees a difference between his E55s light output and such compared to mine, and the only main diff he noticed which is the obvious, auto-level and hes an MB tech
Yes, we know DEPOs are replicas of the real BiXs but they are not POS products at all. seriously, they are well built, and performs well taken that it is an inspired product of the OEM BiXs.
Last edited by SGTzAMG; Apr 26, 2010 at 03:06 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 358
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From: Snellville, GA
'03 C32, '08 ML63
I installed a set of Depo's that I modded to house a set of FX projectors. Edges of the lenses were ground to put a bit more of a blue flare along the cutoff line. I'm really, really happy with them. Took several hours to do it but I got it to work and look good.
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ML
After reading about people getting their headlights and being broken upon arrival.. i'd make sure to at least order from a reputable place in case you have to return them.
and some people said the Eagle Eyes/Sonar versions don't have the hot spots like the Depo's(poor design). And are of better quality.
As for me, i'd say go for it. Lighting may not be as good as it could be, but you can retrofit if you really wanted to.
If your use to old vehicles like me with standard headlights, i would think you'd be fine with it.
and some people said the Eagle Eyes/Sonar versions don't have the hot spots like the Depo's(poor design). And are of better quality.
As for me, i'd say go for it. Lighting may not be as good as it could be, but you can retrofit if you really wanted to.
If your use to old vehicles like me with standard headlights, i would think you'd be fine with it.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 369
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From: SO CAL
AMG
i understand some of us do not leave the c32 sub forum, since we have our own close knit group here.
Basically i helped mugenx retrofit FX Hid projectors into the depo head lights. Honestly the depo lighting stock is a POS even with a HID kit. Everyone that saids it gives off decent output don't really know what there talking about or never really experienced true HID light output.
When i rode in mugenx's ride with hid depo's stock, i was afraid for his life. I told him driving with his lighting is dangerous. The guy could barely see further then 15ft in the dark.
When he rode in my car with the s2k's he understood what i was talking about. But anyways in terms of performance, your better off with a hid retro, oem-bixenons or even oem halogens with a hid kit.
If you live in a well lit city, then you can probably get away with hids and depos since the street lights will do most of the lighting for you.
Here's the link to my retro to give you an idea.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ro-thread.html
Basically i helped mugenx retrofit FX Hid projectors into the depo head lights. Honestly the depo lighting stock is a POS even with a HID kit. Everyone that saids it gives off decent output don't really know what there talking about or never really experienced true HID light output.
When i rode in mugenx's ride with hid depo's stock, i was afraid for his life. I told him driving with his lighting is dangerous. The guy could barely see further then 15ft in the dark.
When he rode in my car with the s2k's he understood what i was talking about. But anyways in terms of performance, your better off with a hid retro, oem-bixenons or even oem halogens with a hid kit.
If you live in a well lit city, then you can probably get away with hids and depos since the street lights will do most of the lighting for you.
Here's the link to my retro to give you an idea.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ro-thread.html
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 510
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From: san jose, ca
2002 C32 1987 190E 2.3 334K miles and going
I have the Eagle eyes Euro Black projectors. One of the assemblies was damaged
because when you shake it, there seems to be a piece flying all over inside.
I didn't bother to do an exchange and go thru all the trouble of packing and shipping them back.
Long story short, to this day, the left side is off (slightly too high and aims directly into the rear view of the car ahead). The adjustment screws in my case
also broke ( stripped the threads) because on constant adjusting.
You can actually stick your hand inside the assembly and move the assembly piece that holds both bulbs (projector and high beam). You'd probably think this is crazy but I actaully stuck half a tennis ball to hold them in place. lol
BTW, I've replaced the halogens that came with it with 10k HIDs. Last month after almost four years, I replaced the ballasts with DDMs and have the code eliminators, too. That seems to take care of CELs and flickering. H7 10Ks bulbs are still good but I'm thinking of dropping them to 8Ks.
I've also buffed the lenses with Mother's.
Now these projectors are practically 4 years old and are holding up and no leaks or anything.
because when you shake it, there seems to be a piece flying all over inside.
I didn't bother to do an exchange and go thru all the trouble of packing and shipping them back.
Long story short, to this day, the left side is off (slightly too high and aims directly into the rear view of the car ahead). The adjustment screws in my case
also broke ( stripped the threads) because on constant adjusting.
You can actually stick your hand inside the assembly and move the assembly piece that holds both bulbs (projector and high beam). You'd probably think this is crazy but I actaully stuck half a tennis ball to hold them in place. lol
BTW, I've replaced the halogens that came with it with 10k HIDs. Last month after almost four years, I replaced the ballasts with DDMs and have the code eliminators, too. That seems to take care of CELs and flickering. H7 10Ks bulbs are still good but I'm thinking of dropping them to 8Ks.
I've also buffed the lenses with Mother's.
Now these projectors are practically 4 years old and are holding up and no leaks or anything.
10k, aftermarket, aiming, depo, difference, headlight, headlights, hid, hids, no, oem, projector, projectors, s2k, spots, stock
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