I see many threads, but being a newbie, I thought I'd ask. Is there a replacement for a '99 CLK 430 XENON headlamps to upgrade them to the cooler (and clearer) XENON headlamps available in current Benz models? I have the newer ones on my BMW and hey kill these OEM Benz headlights, not to mention, looking much better.

Thanks.

 

Wait... so... are you saying you want to...

a.) upgrade your halogen headlight assembly to the stock xenon assembly? cause the stock xenon assembly looks 10Xs better aesthetically & performance wise

or

b.) upgrade the xenon bulbs from the 4300K to maybe 6000K???

If your answer is....
A: get in touch with Steve and he can get you stock xenons for about $750
B: check ebay for Philips Ultinon(spelling) bulbs... or you can get them at www.hids4less.com... you can get them cheaper on ebay though...

 

BTW, when I say Steve, I was refferring to the forum member "MBenzNL".

He is from the Netherlands, and can get you practically any Euro MB Parts at great prices... you can reach him through s_krabbenborg@hotmail.com

You can also check out his site at
www.MBenz.NL

Hope this helps...

sidenote: Josh & Brian, I'm on the track to recovery...

 

THANKS. Yes, I want to replace the entire assembly, if possible. Is it hard? I don't like the "cloudy" appearence of the regular Xenon (4300) b/c of the cover. I would like the clear cover, so $750 a piece is the price?

 

So... if I am understanding correctly... you now have aftermarket xenons in your stock halogen housing?

Yeah, it would be a great upgrade for the money to get the stock xenon assembly. Steve will sell it to you for about $750 for both sides...

You'll have to get down and dirty a little to put the new headlights in, but it is pretty easy once you learn how to remove the front bumper cover...

I like learning about my car, so I tend to try everything as a DIY project... until I screw up something, then I sit in the closet and cry...

I'll send you a link on how to do the Project...

 

Here it is bro... hope the stuff below helps... You can check the entire thread about removing the bumper HERE

**********************************

Ok... i can give you a little advice on this as I recently pulled it off to put in Xenon headlights... so the procedure is still fresh in my memory...

OK... first off, be patient, don't use force, everything comes off easily... plus, make sure you have a set of Metric wrenches & a Socket wrench...

Steps:
1.) Remove the screw that is at the fenderwell, at the edge of the bumper, near the tire....
2.) Remove the clip below that to detach the bumper from the fenderwell cover
3.) Remove the plastic grill in front of the Radiator
4.) Remove the 2 screws at the headlight
5.) Instead of removing the fog lights, look underneath the bumper, where the fog lights are located, there are 4 screws holding a plastic flap.
6.) From this opening, you can access the bolt that holds the bumper to the body... use your hand to feel for it, it sits a little high up
7.) In front of the Radiator, there are 2 big nuts (1 on each side) that holds the bumper cover to the the metal bumper. This is a big nut on a big, long screw.... space is VERY tight, so you probably won't be able to use a socket wrench. I used a regular wrench, be patient, its hard to remove since space is sooooo limited there...
8.) Pull gently on the bumper... and there she goes...
9.) There are a few wires connected to the bumper that you may need to disconnect: side markers, temp probe, fog lights....

As I was only changing my headlights, I didn't have to disconnect any of the lights except those for the actual headlights.

Have a mat handy to lay the bumper as not to scratch it.
I'll post some pictures of what I'm talking about later tonight...

Hope this helps....

-Danny

 

Oh... and if you want, I can finally get around to posting the pics...

I can't seem to upload to imagestation from home... so, i'll either make multiple posts tonight, or 1 continuous post tomorrow... let me know...

-Danny
aka - Picture Post *****

 

 

hmm.... You're Welcome???

what does n/m mean? I'm not very good with my online ebonics/abbreviations

n/m=nevermind???

 

BTW = By the way, do you recommend doing this? Obviously, it sounds like you have, but is it worth it after-the fact? Also, could you include a photo of the final assembly?

 

It is definitely worth the upgrade...

yeah, I have some pics of the install, and of the before & after comparison... it really is a night & day difference...

I'll post some pics tonight or tomorrow...

 

Can you clarify if you currently have the OEM halogens or if you have the OEM xenons?

From what I read it looks like you have the OEM xenons but are still not happy with them. I think the ones that Steve has to offer are the same ones you have now. I know what you're talking about, the BMW's have a completely transparent lens whereas ours are more transluscent.

Can you confirm which ones you have first, tho?

 

after reading his original post(s), it does sound like he already has xenon... so, I don't think my instructions would be of much help... but... oh well, I shall continue to post the pics of the removal & installation just in case others inquire about it in the future..

 

ok... i've given up on trying to upload to imagestation from home... so I'll just make multiple posts... These pictures correspond to the steps listed above... I don't have all the steps illustrated though, but it should be efficient....

Here is step 1:

 

Step 3:

 

Step 4:

 

Step 5:

 

Step 7:

 

Before Pic: Stock Halogen Headlights

 

After Pic: Stock Xenon Headlights

 

Final Pic: Final Reassembly with the OEM Xenon Headlights

 

Wow, that was great Danny. Did you actually do the upgrade yourself or did you take it in to a shop but just document the steps?

 

Lastly, IF what you really wanted to see was a COMPLETELY clear housing like the 3 Series... or for that matter, W209 Xenons, there is no option for that for our W208 CLKs.

I was tinkering with the idea of custom making a xenon headlight using Projector lens... something that emulates the look of the CL headlight assembly...

I already bought the Projector Lens, but I just don't have the bA!!s to cut up my own assembly... so until I can find a broken/damaged headlight from a junkyard, that project is on the backburner...

 

Nah, I did it myself, in my garage... I like the idea of working on my own car if I can... You just get so much more pleasure knowing that YOU did it yourself... I ain't gonna install no Kleemann S/C myself... but something as simple as this, I'd give it the good old American try...

 

Just what I needed...however, I see from another post, is it possible to get completely translucent coverings over the XENON bulbs?