Ebay Headlights on c43
12-17-2010, 12:41 PM
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e63 amg x 2
Ebay Headlights on c43
Hey guys, I have been lurking around this forum for a while and finally decided to post with a question.
The question is, I am looking to replace my headlights with the "crystal clear" headlights off of eBay found here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/94-00...ht_5167wt_1165
the headlights should be fine, however, since my car (99 c43) has HID headlights, will I run into issues with connecting these onto my car's harness? If the OEM HID light bulbs do not fit, can I just connect an after-market HID kit?
I really like the crystal look, i think it really freshens up the look of these cars
The question is, I am looking to replace my headlights with the "crystal clear" headlights off of eBay found here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/94-00...ht_5167wt_1165
the headlights should be fine, however, since my car (99 c43) has HID headlights, will I run into issues with connecting these onto my car's harness? If the OEM HID light bulbs do not fit, can I just connect an after-market HID kit?
I really like the crystal look, i think it really freshens up the look of these cars
12-17-2010, 12:50 PM
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
Hi and welcome to the Community 
I personally would NOT change my OEM headlights particularly if you already have the HID version, for a cheap made in Ch*** or f**k knows where model
Just my opinion though 
I personally would NOT change my OEM headlights particularly if you already have the HID version, for a cheap made in Ch*** or f**k knows where model
Just my opinion though
12-17-2010, 01:09 PM
#3
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I agree with DRB - the OE HIDs are quite nice.
I also don't think it would be an easy swap because your car has HIDs already. I'm fairly certain those eBay headlights are made for the halogen bulbs (H4 or H7 or whatever is used). If your car didn't have HIDs, then it should be plug and play. But with HIDs, you have to consider the different bulb size (D2S) plus mounting the HID ballasts. Typically on OE applications, the ballasts are nicely integrated into the entire headlight assembly. I'm pretty certain these eBay units won't have that integration.
The aftermarket HID conversion kits are meant to convert normal halogen bulbs to HID. Those kits basically use a generic HID bulb with a base shaped like one of the halogen bulbs, so that it will fit into the original headlight assembly. You have to figure out mounting the ballasts on your own.
I also don't think it would be an easy swap because your car has HIDs already. I'm fairly certain those eBay headlights are made for the halogen bulbs (H4 or H7 or whatever is used). If your car didn't have HIDs, then it should be plug and play. But with HIDs, you have to consider the different bulb size (D2S) plus mounting the HID ballasts. Typically on OE applications, the ballasts are nicely integrated into the entire headlight assembly. I'm pretty certain these eBay units won't have that integration.
The aftermarket HID conversion kits are meant to convert normal halogen bulbs to HID. Those kits basically use a generic HID bulb with a base shaped like one of the halogen bulbs, so that it will fit into the original headlight assembly. You have to figure out mounting the ballasts on your own.
12-17-2010, 01:10 PM
#4
clear lenses looks awful on a c43 with the rest lenses in fogged design style.
12-17-2010, 03:02 PM
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so it is pretty much a matter of personal taste and figuring out where to mount the ballast?.. is there something else that would make this difficult, like wiring harness?
the reason i am considering doing this is because the lens and a couple tabs are broken on my right headlight due to someone backing up with their truck in the mall parking lot and running off. I was thinking it would be a cheaper alternative and gives me the opportunity to change the look of my car a little bit.
the reason i am considering doing this is because the lens and a couple tabs are broken on my right headlight due to someone backing up with their truck in the mall parking lot and running off. I was thinking it would be a cheaper alternative and gives me the opportunity to change the look of my car a little bit.
12-17-2010, 03:50 PM
#6
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You would need to muck around with the wiring a bit if you were going to install an aftermarket HID kit.
Here's what I did to retrofit an HID kit onto my fogs:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...n-paint-2.html
I would still keep the OE HIDs though, they are generally more reliable and better fit than the aftermarket stuff. That said, I've had pretty good success with the aftermarket stuff.
Thing is, in my view it's kind of bass-ackwards putting the aftermarket HID kit onto a car that has OE HIDs. The aftermarket kits typically only have a couple connections - power and ground that you hook up to the existing halogen wiring. Sometimes they just give you spade connectors and you plug into the halogen wiring off the car, one positive one negative. But the plug on the D2S HID bulb doesn't have those, it clips on and locks when you turn it. I think you'd have to hack that connector off and then tap into the harness there. And I think you'd have to sort out which are positive and ground, as there may be more than a couple wires there, not like a halogen set up. It'd be a pity doing all that.
OE HID stuff isn't cheap. I just ordered a single lens for about C$250. I imagine the entire assembly is near on a grand. In your case, it would suck to make an insurance claim, depending on your deductible.
Here's what I did to retrofit an HID kit onto my fogs:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...n-paint-2.html
I would still keep the OE HIDs though, they are generally more reliable and better fit than the aftermarket stuff. That said, I've had pretty good success with the aftermarket stuff.
Thing is, in my view it's kind of bass-ackwards putting the aftermarket HID kit onto a car that has OE HIDs. The aftermarket kits typically only have a couple connections - power and ground that you hook up to the existing halogen wiring. Sometimes they just give you spade connectors and you plug into the halogen wiring off the car, one positive one negative. But the plug on the D2S HID bulb doesn't have those, it clips on and locks when you turn it. I think you'd have to hack that connector off and then tap into the harness there. And I think you'd have to sort out which are positive and ground, as there may be more than a couple wires there, not like a halogen set up. It'd be a pity doing all that.
OE HID stuff isn't cheap. I just ordered a single lens for about C$250. I imagine the entire assembly is near on a grand. In your case, it would suck to make an insurance claim, depending on your deductible.
12-17-2010, 04:07 PM
#7
You would need to muck around with the wiring a bit if you were going to install an aftermarket HID kit.
Here's what I did to retrofit an HID kit onto my fogs:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...n-paint-2.html
I would still keep the OE HIDs though, they are generally more reliable and better fit than the aftermarket stuff. That said, I've had pretty good success with the aftermarket stuff.
Thing is, in my view it's kind of bass-ackwards putting the aftermarket HID kit onto a car that has OE HIDs. The aftermarket kits typically only have a couple connections - power and ground that you hook up to the existing halogen wiring. Sometimes they just give you spade connectors and you plug into the halogen wiring off the car, one positive one negative. But the plug on the D2S HID bulb doesn't have those, it clips on and locks when you turn it. I think you'd have to hack that connector off and then tap into the harness there. And I think you'd have to sort out which are positive and ground, as there may be more than a couple wires there, not like a halogen set up. It'd be a pity doing all that.
OE HID stuff isn't cheap. I just ordered a single lens for about C$250. I imagine the entire assembly is near on a grand. In your case, it would suck to make an insurance claim, depending on your deductible.
Here's what I did to retrofit an HID kit onto my fogs:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...n-paint-2.html
I would still keep the OE HIDs though, they are generally more reliable and better fit than the aftermarket stuff. That said, I've had pretty good success with the aftermarket stuff.
Thing is, in my view it's kind of bass-ackwards putting the aftermarket HID kit onto a car that has OE HIDs. The aftermarket kits typically only have a couple connections - power and ground that you hook up to the existing halogen wiring. Sometimes they just give you spade connectors and you plug into the halogen wiring off the car, one positive one negative. But the plug on the D2S HID bulb doesn't have those, it clips on and locks when you turn it. I think you'd have to hack that connector off and then tap into the harness there. And I think you'd have to sort out which are positive and ground, as there may be more than a couple wires there, not like a halogen set up. It'd be a pity doing all that.
OE HID stuff isn't cheap. I just ordered a single lens for about C$250. I imagine the entire assembly is near on a grand. In your case, it would suck to make an insurance claim, depending on your deductible.
noo it's D2R socket!
not R2D2
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12-17-2010, 04:08 PM
#8
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I keep forgetting! But if I remember right, the D2S will still fit - it's a sort of 'universal' bulb that will work on D2R and D2C fitments. The only difference is the placement of a couple of small nibs on the base of the bulb.
12-17-2010, 04:10 PM
#9
but correct socket is D2R
12-17-2010, 05:08 PM
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HPS C43 AMG, E36 M3, MK3 GTi VR6, 66 FORD F100, 85 FORD F250, 04 GSXR
I agree with everyone here...just got threw messing around with converting the fogs to 55w and was going to change from the stock 35w headlight ballast to another 55w but the wiring down to the ballast is hard to trace to disconnect and remove to integrate the new ballast. 
(or at least I couldn't really wrap my head around it...didn't spend a whole lot of time on it either tho.)
Plus OP, your stock HID headlights should have the self leveling which the Ebay ones would lack obviously.
(or at least I couldn't really wrap my head around it...didn't spend a whole lot of time on it either tho.)Plus OP, your stock HID headlights should have the self leveling which the Ebay ones would lack obviously.
12-17-2010, 05:14 PM
#11
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I agree with everyone here...just got threw messing around with converting the fogs to 55w and was going to change from the stock 35w headlight ballast to another 55w but the wiring down to the ballast is hard to trace to disconnect and remove to integrate the new ballast. (or at least I couldn't really wrap my head around it...didn't spend a whole lot of time on it either tho.)
Plus OP, your stock HID headlights should have the self leveling which the Ebay ones would lack obviously.
(or at least I couldn't really wrap my head around it...didn't spend a whole lot of time on it either tho.)Plus OP, your stock HID headlights should have the self leveling which the Ebay ones would lack obviously.
12-17-2010, 06:55 PM
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12-17-2010, 07:40 PM
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HPS C43 AMG, E36 M3, MK3 GTi VR6, 66 FORD F100, 85 FORD F250, 04 GSXR
This is my first one as well... not sure if the other years do the same but I have a 99 C43 with the stock HID's..maybe other owners can chime in and let us know if they have them as well. I'm curious to know now.
12-18-2010, 04:15 PM
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e63 amg x 2
lol damn... i guess stock replacement for me it is :p
does anyone know of the best place to get replacement headlights for a good price?
does anyone know of the best place to get replacement headlights for a good price?
01-04-2011, 07:08 PM
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I managed to find a used OEM xenon headlight. It was $450 Canadian, but beats going to the dealer haha
i think i will just end up putting some clear corner lights to brighten up the look of my car and make it more modern. any recommendations?
i think i will just end up putting some clear corner lights to brighten up the look of my car and make it more modern. any recommendations?
01-04-2011, 08:24 PM
#22
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Not a bad price for the HID light. I have clear corners and they came from a random ebay seller IIRC. Fit perfect and most def add a cleaner look to the car. Get the s600 style grill too. Helps a lot.
01-06-2011, 07:07 PM
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01-06-2011, 08:25 PM
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