quick question - headlamps - MBWorld.org Forums

Jul 16, 2003 | 03:32 AM

midget fidger

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From: Orlando

E550 Coupe

quick question - headlamps

I've read through help me find bulbs thread and i'm still a bit confused. I have a 98 CLK with the regular, non-xenon bulbs. The smaller one on the right is gone and I wanted to change them all to xenon. What kind of bulbs will I need for my car? I wont bother changing the fog lamps because most of the time they're off. The powerbulbs.com bulb finder said that for the low beam and main beam I need H7. Are the low beams the two small center lights and the main beam the bigger outer lights? I was looking at getting this - anyone know if these are good or what kind should I get?

Jul 16, 2003 | 03:37 AM

Josh K

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From: The Heights, CA

Tesla Model S

Both the high and low beams are all H7, however you can't change them to Xenon just by switching bulbs. You either need to get the OEM HID lights, or add an aftermarket HID kit.

If all you want is a Xenon-ish color, you can get the SuperWhite bulbs (lots of different companies make them) in H7

Jul 17, 2003 | 03:45 AM

midget fidger

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From: Orlando

E550 Coupe

thanks a lot man, good thing i didnt buy them.

Jul 17, 2003 | 05:51 PM

cscordo

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From: Washington, DC

2001 CLK 320

I've been pretty interested in getting some Xenons myself and came across this:

http://www.bekkers.com/Merchant2/mer...ode=mhlightclk

Is this all I need?

Does the price seem reasonable?

Thanks,
Chris

Jul 17, 2003 | 06:01 PM

mmgrad

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From: So Cal

W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more

Quote:

Originally posted by cscordo
I've been pretty interested in getting some Xenons myself and came across this:

http://www.bekkers.com/Merchant2/mer...ode=mhlightclk

Is this all I need?

Does the price seem reasonable?

Thanks,
Chris

yep... that is technically all you would need to do...

buy that, take out the old one, put in the new one... its that easy... you MIGHT have to go to the dealer to set the XENON PRESENT option, although, when I did the conversion, I didn't have any errors nor did I have to go to the dealer to have the settings changed.

Ben (Mach430) and I both had a set of those up for sale a short while back.... I decided to install mine onto my car, Ben might still have his for sale... FYI, I was selling my SET (both units) for HALF the price of 1 on the site you linked.

also, check with Steve (MBenzNL), he always has lots of MB goodies for sale, including Xenon Headlights

Jul 17, 2003 | 06:01 PM

mmgrad

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From: So Cal

W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more

this was the thread a short while back:

OEM Mercedes Benz Xenon Kit for sale

Jul 17, 2003 | 06:05 PM

cscordo

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From: Washington, DC

2001 CLK 320

Great-

I also noticed that the Bekkers Xenons are not "DOT" approved (euro version).

Thanks,
Chris

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Jul 17, 2003 | 06:21 PM

mmgrad

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From: So Cal

W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more

Quote:

Originally posted by cscordo
Great-

I also noticed that the Bekkers Xenons are not "DOT" approved (euro version).

Thanks,
Chris

Uh... technically, yes, Bekkers & Steve both sell the Euro version, which are not DOT approved because they have a different spread pattern.

If you can find one that is of US Spec (i think Ben's is a US Spec), then it will be DOT approved.

Put it this way, if you get the Euro Spec (not DOT approved), it is still by far much more to DOT standards then Xenon Conversion kits where you just plug in a xenon ballast & bulb inside the Halogen headlight assembly. The Halogen headlights don't control the aim too much, and cause too much spread, this will technically create a blinding light source from the retrofitted xenon since it is so much brighter...

In the REAL OEM Xenon headlights, you will notice a very distinct cut-off line of the light, which prevent the light to aim too high, blinding traffic in front of you.

Jul 18, 2003 | 01:42 AM

#10

cscordo

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From: Washington, DC

2001 CLK 320

Ok-

I think I got a bit confused on the DOT trip-

by using the Bekkers (or any other euro lights) does it mean the car doesn't meet some type of U.S. spec?

Are they 'street-legal' to use in the U.S.? (pardon the noobness)

chris

Jul 18, 2003 | 01:48 AM

#11

Josh K

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From: The Heights, CA

Tesla Model S

While they're not technically street legal in the US, the fact that they're OEM pretty much assures you that you're not going to get in any kind of trouble for them.

Jul 18, 2003 | 01:49 AM

#12

mmgrad

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From: So Cal

W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more

Quote:

Originally posted by cscordo
Ok-

I think I got a bit confused on the DOT trip-

by using the Bekkers (or any other euro lights) does it mean the car doesn't meet some type of U.S. spec?

Are they 'street-legal' to use in the U.S.? (pardon the noobness)

chris

DOT means Department of Transportation... DOT Approved means, they approve of the use of these lights on U.S. streets.

Euro spec CLK xenon headlights are not DOT approved because their xenon lights have a different spread pattern than the U.S. version.

Aftermarket Xenon conversion kits, where you just add a xenon ballast & bulb to the factory halogen housing is also NOT DOT approved.

Are they street legal? Technically, NO.... Realistically, no one will really know the difference. You will more likely get pulled over for clear turn signal bulbs & tinted front windows instead of non-DOT approved Xenon lights.

Hope that clears things up a little???

Jul 18, 2003 | 12:24 PM

#13

cscordo

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From: Washington, DC

2001 CLK 320

Yah-

I'm also thinking more along the lines of inspections and the like. Would this be noticeable?

Wouldn't really matter I guess, as it sounds like there are people in this community who have access to similar products at a less expensive price.

Thanks-
Chris