Samsimon

Hey guys, I have a 2002 clk 320 convertible and I'm wanting to change it up a bit. I've already put a new double din in it to make it look newer. What can I do to the outside to make it look a bit newer and sexier? I'm thinking about buying some halo headlights for about 300 bucks, however I'm clueless when it comes to this stuff and scared it won't be an easy install and I'd have to buy more for the installation. Are these headlights a just plug in or does it require a lot more?

aqeelr

I was looking into myself, theres a lot of threads in this forum pertaining to that exact question. I opted against doing it for the time being, but definitely refreshed the car

averageclk320

New headlights and LED taillights are must. The rest all depends on what type of style you want to go with.

Samsimon

What do you guys think of these:

1998-2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class W208 CCFL Halo Projector Headlights with 6.25" White LED DRL Lights + 6000K HID Conversion Kit - Chrome
Comes with new projectors and daytime running lights. Can someone tell me what exactly the HID conversion kit does cause I have no idea

etownbala

The HID kit will give you an actual High Intensity Discharge lighting as the lights come equipped with Halogen H7 bulbs instead of D2R/D2S bulbs. Some re-wiring and splicing is required if you have the stock Xenon system. Some people recommend getting an adapter to convert the D2R/D2S to H7 bulbs however when I tried this I ran into issues with bulb fitment and it would have required some "creative" wire splicing. I just took out the old headlights and Xenon setup and replaced it with a new one. The new ones are much better quality. Keep in mind the original Xenon kit was built back in 2002 when HID technology was really just beginning. I noticed the increase in light output and brightness right away. I never use my high beams anymore, just no need for it.

KRis

Samsimon

I have a 2002 clk 320 so I don't think I have the xenons. I'm mainly looking for a nicer looking front end, I'm sick of the old foggy lights. I've looked online and have found all the halo projector lights they have on eBay. Those look nice. What do you think of these: http://m.ebay.com/itm/151165140944?nav=SEARCH for 400 dollars it comes with HIDs? Is this all I will need? Can I just hand it over to my body shop guy and tell him to install these?

MagmaRed55

You don't have xenons. I would just spend the $20 and buy the 3M headlight restore kit. It makes the headlights look new and it doesn't cost $400.

MarcusF

Here's a how's to. I used the Sylvania kit, but the results are probably the same.

Samsimon

I have restored my lights and they look good for the factory lights. However, new projector lights give the vehicle such a newer look from the pictures I've seen. The vehicle looks years newer. Included a picture I want my car to look like (already bought the grille)

etownbala

Your's would be a plug and play install in that case. Couple screws here bolts here. I took my front bumper off to install then even though some people on the forum say it can be done with the bumper left on. IMHO the bulbs that come with the Ebay CCFL lights are decent quality and actually put out some good lights. If you wanted to upgrade to HID you would have to perform some simple wiring to fit them up.

KRis

averageclk320

Don't get that grill man. You'll hate it. Been there and done that.

Samsimon

Why do you hate them? From the pictures and threads I've seen they seem to add a much newer look

averageclk320

They're cheaply made. They break easy and in my opinion, looks FAKE. That's just me though. To each his own...

D.ORiGiNAL

Wow the front end with the updated headlights looks really good!!!

scottster77

headlights cool, not too crazy bout grill

aqeelr

I agree, the grille looks obnoxious on our cars, the stock one looks really classy and nice, I just painted the fins on the inside black to make it look a bit different from the e classes out there. Left the outside and dividing line silver though

jonUF02

Mine looks similar to this pic with custom front bumper. It looks many years newer. I love the grill and the hood ornament delete. The bumper needs to come off to get to the lights easily. It would be pretty easy if you don't have the headlight washers, they can be a pain. I have seen a write-up with some pics on the front bumper disassembly. The biggest trick is two nuts holding it through the main bumper support. They can be seen near each side wall of the radiator.

My car had the factory HID system, and I am using the original ballasts and bulbs fitted into the Halo lights. Light output is excellent to slightly intense. I just had to mod (dremel) the housing a little to get the thick main bulb wire in there, and custom-fit the ballasts to the under side of the light assembly with some small screws after test fitting and drilling small pilot holes. There is a harness available as plug-and-play upgrade from non-HID to standard aftermarket HID ballast and bulb system. You could probably also upgrade the fogs to match.

The Halo lights have a few extra wires to splice into the parking lights to power the halo rings. I would also recommend the "CCFL" type halos, as they are brighter than the standard ones.

I really prefer the LED tails too. They are a direct fit.

MagmaRed55

I always kind of wondered about retrofitting those halos for factory HID. Do you loose the rear fog with LED tails?

jonUF02

I don't know anything about rear fogs, but the little marker lights for parking on one side or the other work. The tails came on it when I bought it. I don't think we have rear fog lights in US?

MagmaRed55

I'm in the US. Hmmm maybe only the 55's?

etownbala

Both rear left and right fogs work with my HID lights (aftermarket HID kit)

MagmaRed55

Mine only has one rear fog light. Just like the w210's.

Gundo

I've got led tails and the rear fog (right side only) works.

Gundo

Jon, can you snap a pic of the mod you did to the housing and post it up for me and others to see? It would be very helpful as the stock HID with new projectors question comes up frequently on these boards, thanks!

jonUF02

Taking a pic would require total dis-assembly of my front end, so sorry. The stock ballast is mounted to the bottom of the headlight assemblies with some small screws. I assume they were mounted similarly on the original setup. I just cut out a slot on the edge of the housing under the rubber rear seal to allow the fat HID bulb wire to pass through and keep the rubber cap on. The stock HID bulbs were able to fit into the new housings and lock down, but I think there is a small adapter ring that should really be used.