Zoich

I am planning on converting my 2000 e320 halogen to xenon, I have inquired about it from Hella (which they gave me a distributer's number $595/lamp) and autoclass.com has it for $499/lamp. So if brand new I am looking at a $1,000 at least. Then I was told there's a big difference between the US version of xenon and European version that I should get the European kind. So can someone tell me what the difference is?
I have a 98 BMW 528i as well and I converted those halogens to angel-eye xenon for about 1,400 bucks and I did ordered the 'europen' version which the only difference is that the side blinker is clear instead of amber colored.

Josh K

The european lights are brighter than the US ones and have a more focused beam pattern. I just bought a set of OEM euro lights for my CLK. Those prices seem to be quite high, however. I would recommend that you get in touch with Steve (MBenzNL) as he can get you the lights at a much better price. You can reach him at s_krabbenborg@hotmail.com

Zoich

Is it because Euro version uses a 6000k bulb vs the stock 4700k xenon bulb? Therefore it's brighter? (that's what came with my bmw xenon lights). There's a guy posted 3 different pics showing you the difference of the standard 4700k bulb vs 6000k bulb and 7000k bulb on the bmw board (bimmer.roadfly.org) e39. You can tell 6000k was brighter, and a lot of people have changed out their 4700k to 6000k as evident in the newer bi-xenon technolgy from Hella (maker for MB, BMW, AUDI, and VW) where they are using 6000k bulbs as their stock xenon bulb now. The 7000k was brighter than the 6000k but not by much. However the light started to diffuse, so it was not recommended. May I ask how much you paid for your euro xenon lamp upgrade?

HiDefDave

The 4700K vs. 6000K refers to "color temperature" in degrees Kelvin (that's what the "K" stands for.) The higher the color temperature, the bluer the light is. If you have two identical lighting elements and operate them at different voltages the one with the higher voltage will glow brighter and bluer than the other.

In this case the 6000K bulb will be bluer than the 4700K bulb, if not also brighter.

FYI the color temperature of sunlight on a cloudless day near the equator is 6500-degrees Kelvin. That's the official definition of true "white" light.

jimmydagreek

Wow, great explanation! I learn something new everyday...

MARK CUMMINS

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Zoich
[B]I am planning on converting my 2000 e320 halogen to xenon, Then I was told there's a big difference between the US version of xenon and European version that I should get the European kind. So can someone tell me what the difference is?

The Difference Between The USA and EURO Xeon Headlites are Besides NOT Usa Legal. Not E Coded .Not Dot approved... the Reflector and the Lens..The Bulbs are the same as Usa Lites
I Have them on my W210 and There is a BIG Difference between the USA and EURO Headlites I had another W210 With USA xeon headlites next to mine side by side. You can see the Difference!
And Yes the Lites were adjusted correctly



If You are Interested in a set contact Steve@www.mbenz.nl
Great prices and Service!

HiDefDave

My understanding is that the 4100K units are for The Americas and the 5000K units are for Europe. I don't know about the legality of 5000K lights in the U. S. The 6000K units are for Asian markets only and are illegal in the U. S. and Europe. (They're closer to true sunlight color temperature [6500K] and are therefore less red/more blue than the 4100K lights and the 5000K units and are also illegally bright outside of Asia in comparison.)

This is an instructive HID forum on the Philips website:

http://www.lighting.philips.com/foru...6/wwwforum.cgi

3wqm217

To whom it may concern,

I have a set of H7 xenon conversion kit 4500K for the E class. I am planning to sell if for $400 with free installation if you live around San Francisco, CA, USA. Please kindly drop me a note at winwin668@hotmail.com

Thanks,Andy

hpilot

Correct me if I am wrong, but don't you have to replace the whole unit including ballast, not just the bulb. And to install it on a '2000 you must remove the bumper.

3wqm217

Hi,
The $400 XENON CONVERSION KIT is made by POLARIS of Japan. This kit consist of 2 individual anti-glare xenon light bulbs, 2 individual ballast systems, 2 individual relay and fuse boxes and a warranty certificate. This is the same manufacturer who produce lights for Lexus and Acura. As a result, this kit will give a purple-white ( more to white) than the OEM one on the Mercedes and BMW.

Please note that by 2004 according to US DOT law, the maximum you can put in your car is up to 5000K. Even at CA, those whose got 6000K of temperature HID often got pulled over by CHP (California Highway Patrol).

Yes, I know this will be the best bargain ever.

Thanks,
Andy