HID Kits
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From: SoCal
1999 Mercedes CLK430
HID Kits
Does anyone know anything about HID kits that are out there? Has anyone gotten one before, if you have, how did it look? Any good values out there? Any good brands? Or most of them similiar?
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From: Chicago
While it's not as bright or as cool as xenons, I bought a set of PIAA's Spark Blue H7 bulbs. They're pretty xenonish. They replaced a 1 year old pair of (still functional) PIAA Xtreme Whites H7s. Both looks pretty good and are cheaper than Xenons. My dad has Xenons on his S500 and it doesn't look much differently than my car with the PIAAs.
I remember being tempted by a set of OEM CLK 430 xenons (brand new) for about $1200. I can't remember where I saw them (it was online somewhere), but at the time, $1200 was a good price for xenons. For $100, I went the cheapo route with the PIAAs instead, and I'm still pleased with them.
I remember being tempted by a set of OEM CLK 430 xenons (brand new) for about $1200. I can't remember where I saw them (it was online somewhere), but at the time, $1200 was a good price for xenons. For $100, I went the cheapo route with the PIAAs instead, and I'm still pleased with them.
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Originally posted by braincuttermd
While it's not as bright or as cool as xenons, I bought a set of PIAA's Spark Blue H7 bulbs. They're pretty xenonish. They replaced a 1 year old pair of (still functional) PIAA Xtreme Whites H7s. Both looks pretty good and are cheaper than Xenons. My dad has Xenons on his S500 and it doesn't look much differently than my car with the PIAAs.
I remember being tempted by a set of OEM CLK 430 xenons (brand new) for about $1200. I can't remember where I saw them (it was online somewhere), but at the time, $1200 was a good price for xenons. For $100, I went the cheapo route with the PIAAs instead, and I'm still pleased with them.
While it's not as bright or as cool as xenons, I bought a set of PIAA's Spark Blue H7 bulbs. They're pretty xenonish. They replaced a 1 year old pair of (still functional) PIAA Xtreme Whites H7s. Both looks pretty good and are cheaper than Xenons. My dad has Xenons on his S500 and it doesn't look much differently than my car with the PIAAs.
I remember being tempted by a set of OEM CLK 430 xenons (brand new) for about $1200. I can't remember where I saw them (it was online somewhere), but at the time, $1200 was a good price for xenons. For $100, I went the cheapo route with the PIAAs instead, and I'm still pleased with them.
-Bruce
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From: Chicago
My PIAA spark blues are very blue, more so than the OEM xenons (which are just white with almost no blue), but it's about 25% the brightness of xenons and about 75% the brightness of OEM halogens. Not very bright at all. But they look cool, although they're a bit flashy for me. I might swap them out and put back in Xtreme White H7s soon.
I've not been too impressed by the older MB OEM xenons. The audi and bmw xenons are really bright and distinctive. I think the new MB bi-xenons are pretty nice too.
The Phillips 6000K sounds awesome.
I've not been too impressed by the older MB OEM xenons. The audi and bmw xenons are really bright and distinctive. I think the new MB bi-xenons are pretty nice too.
The Phillips 6000K sounds awesome.
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From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
Not to post a sale ad on a non-classified forum, but I have a set of CLK Factory Xenons for sale, all bulbs and ballasts included of course.
If interested, send me a email or PM me.
If interested, send me a email or PM me.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 47
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From: Southern Ca
2006 CLS 55 AMG
HID for clk
I am also interested in a full xenon light assembly set. Steve what is your price and what exactly is included. Also since you are doning my comand install is it too late to have this installed as well. If not what would be the cost installed?
Thx in advance
Thx in advance
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From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally posted by braincuttermd
My PIAA spark blues are very blue, more so than the OEM xenons (which are just white with almost no blue), but it's about 25% the brightness of xenons and about 75% the brightness of OEM halogens. Not very bright at all. But they look cool, although they're a bit flashy for me. I might swap them out and put back in Xtreme White H7s soon.
I've not been too impressed by the older MB OEM xenons. The audi and bmw xenons are really bright and distinctive. I think the new MB bi-xenons are pretty nice too.
The Phillips 6000K sounds awesome.
My PIAA spark blues are very blue, more so than the OEM xenons (which are just white with almost no blue), but it's about 25% the brightness of xenons and about 75% the brightness of OEM halogens. Not very bright at all. But they look cool, although they're a bit flashy for me. I might swap them out and put back in Xtreme White H7s soon.
I've not been too impressed by the older MB OEM xenons. The audi and bmw xenons are really bright and distinctive. I think the new MB bi-xenons are pretty nice too.
The Phillips 6000K sounds awesome.
For me, there are a lot of cosmetic upgrades to the car, but the headlights are something that affects my driving.
That's why I recommend that people looking for HIDs and that are looking for performance, they should only get OEM (when available).
When OEM is not available, try a new housing that is intended for HID bulbs.
Failing that, a properly masked bulb in an e-code housing is the last resort!
-s-
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From: Chicago
The PIAA Blue Sparks are not as bright as my OEM halogens (but they are still bright as heck) and certainly not as bright as my PIAA Xtreme Whites, which is I'v put the Xtreme Whites back on (which, by the way, are brighter than OEM halogens).
If I were to recommend any H7 upgrades, I'd recommend the Xtreme Whites. They look cool and are an improvement over OEM halogens.
The Blue Sparks are cooler looking, but again, they're not as bright as either the Xtreme Whites or the OEM. When I made the change to PIAAs from OEM, I did it for safety rather than style (Icy Ohio roads makes one very safety oriented). When I bought the Blue Sparks, it was because my Xtreme Whites were over 1 year old (and I was told the life span was about 1-2 yrs), so I was preparing for the day they burnt out. Of course, the Blue Sparks were just different enough that it'll make the bulb change fun too....unfortunately, I've been disappointed with the Blue Sparks because they're just not bright enough.
If I were to recommend any H7 upgrades, I'd recommend the Xtreme Whites. They look cool and are an improvement over OEM halogens.
The Blue Sparks are cooler looking, but again, they're not as bright as either the Xtreme Whites or the OEM. When I made the change to PIAAs from OEM, I did it for safety rather than style (Icy Ohio roads makes one very safety oriented). When I bought the Blue Sparks, it was because my Xtreme Whites were over 1 year old (and I was told the life span was about 1-2 yrs), so I was preparing for the day they burnt out. Of course, the Blue Sparks were just different enough that it'll make the bulb change fun too....unfortunately, I've been disappointed with the Blue Sparks because they're just not bright enough.
Last edited by braincuttermd; Jan 24, 2003 at 11:48 PM.
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From: homE
1999 CLk320
i have a 6000k HID system in my car....if someone can tell me how i can upload a video...i would show u how it heats up....looks nice when i turns on blue and it heats up to super super white....let me know how i can upload it here ............
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From: SoCal
1999 Mercedes CLK430
Hey Boost, you happen to have a pix of the lights? How much did ya end up paying for it? Have you tried or seen the PIAA compared to yours? How bout even the cheapy $10 ones? Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: West Covina, CA
S60R, ML320, W211/E350
HID kit prices have drop a lot, you can get a Korean made 5K kit for around $300, but i can't tell you how long that's gonna last.
Your best bet is to go with German stuff, I have HELLA 7K on my car. I've also heard phillips are good.
Install took about 30 min, nothing too serious.
A Hella or Phillips kit starting at 6K will cost about $450 and works it's way up depending on what light spectrum you want.
For me, I think my 7000 is a bit too blue, I think i would be happier with 6000, although alot of people likes my 7000. I would not recommand going over 7000, I've seen 8000 and it actually seems like it is dimmer... it feels like you are actually loosing coverage at night.
Your best bet is to go with German stuff, I have HELLA 7K on my car. I've also heard phillips are good.
Install took about 30 min, nothing too serious.
A Hella or Phillips kit starting at 6K will cost about $450 and works it's way up depending on what light spectrum you want.
For me, I think my 7000 is a bit too blue, I think i would be happier with 6000, although alot of people likes my 7000. I would not recommand going over 7000, I've seen 8000 and it actually seems like it is dimmer... it feels like you are actually loosing coverage at night.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 612
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From: Asheville, NC
13 S550 4Matic
Yeah the 7000 and 8000 kits aren't "real" all they do is place a liquid film/filter over the bulb to filter all light except the blue. Works great for coloring, but horrible for lighting up the road.
The german kits are much much better than the japanese kits. I have a huge list of differences on them. I'm getting a set of 4300k for my ML and a set of 6000k for my CLK. I can get the kits for $475 and $650 respectively. The only problem is that the 6000k kits are on a 2 week backorder from germany. I think they are trying to keep the value up on them by reducing the supply. The kits are total plug and play no wire splicing at all.
I'm going to create a online website/company just to sell xenon kits, I'll let you guys know when it is up and running. Just email me in the mean time. m3jeremy@hotmail.com
The german kits are much much better than the japanese kits. I have a huge list of differences on them. I'm getting a set of 4300k for my ML and a set of 6000k for my CLK. I can get the kits for $475 and $650 respectively. The only problem is that the 6000k kits are on a 2 week backorder from germany. I think they are trying to keep the value up on them by reducing the supply. The kits are total plug and play no wire splicing at all.
I'm going to create a online website/company just to sell xenon kits, I'll let you guys know when it is up and running. Just email me in the mean time. m3jeremy@hotmail.com
Last edited by CiLKY; Feb 5, 2003 at 08:31 AM.
