C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

conversion from afer-market bixenons to factory non-xenon headlights

Old Apr 7, 2013 | 09:15 AM
  #1  
andy T's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
c32 amg
conversion from afer-market bixenons to factory non-xenon headlights

After my 2002 C32 AMG was involved in an accident I replaced both HID xenon headlights with after-market DEPO Bixenon replacements. This has been the worst decision ever! Every month or so something goes wrong with DEPO headlights, and to get it right the bumper has to come off and more money spent. I want to go back to using factory headlights. I found used factory regular headlights (non-Xenon ones) much cheaper than used factory xenon ones. What is involved in converting back to regular, non-xenon OEM headlights? I know the ballast and some other changes have to be made. Programming would be involved? does anyone have first hand experience with this issue? Thanks,
Andy T
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 11:12 AM
  #2  
Gramma_Benz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 20
From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
I think there's a couple people in the classifieds selling their used frosty Xenon's. Better light output than regular.

Which seller on eBay did you get your aftermarket depo's from?
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 02:46 PM
  #3  
andy T's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
c32 amg
I bought the Depo lights from 1A auto. They are absolutely junk. I don't recommend them to anyone. To convert back to non-xenon headlights will certainly reduce brightness of headlights but the car has over 120K on it and I don't drive it much at night anyways. I am trying not to throw more money at it than I have to. It has a host of other issues that take priority including brake rotors and pads, non-working driver-widow, and no CD, just to mention a few.
back to the question: what is involved in converting back to non-xenon headlights if I can get them cheap on the market?
Thanks
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 03:18 PM
  #4  
Gramma_Benz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 20
From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
Thx for the info.

These are only $100?
https://mbworld.org/forums/mobile-electronics-lighting/470601-w203-frosty-04-headlights-f-s.html

But good luck if you still go back to regular, I have no idea what it entails, sorry.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2013 | 02:20 PM
  #5  
JonMBZ's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 2
From: California
06 C55, 09 E350
I don't think it will be too complicated as upgrading them only needs the headlight swap and version coding. I am guessing the aftermarket ones don't even require coding. Did you have to cut any wires or anything like that installing? I would guess you can just swap them out.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 05:07 PM
  #6  
Enigma94's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: AZ
C32, C55, 08 E63
The only thing I'm not sure is if you have to set the computer back to non xenon, as I know when going from a factory halogen set up to xenons you have to have a shop go into the star system to set it to xenon. Not sure if its the same case in reverse when going back.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2013 | 01:35 PM
  #7  
60n5pt1's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 510
Likes: 3
From: san jose, ca
2002 C32 1987 190E 2.3 334K miles and going
I have a pair off used C32 2003 xenon frosties I bought 5 years ago but never installed. I originally had non
Xenons and I decided not to install. Interested?
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2013 | 11:06 AM
  #8  
WaveyKat's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
OEM Bix All the way. Ebay has some OEM from like 225 each.. :-)
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:54 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE