Jun 15, 2015, 01:31 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class: How to Replace headlights with HID
Guide to diagnose trouble and recommended solutions
HID retrofit - 2009 e350 - advice / tips
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 297
Likes: 2
2009 E350 Sport
HID retrofit - 2009 e350 - advice / tips
Hi all
I was too cheap to fork out for P2 but still want a high-quality xenon headlight solution. I am looking for advice / tips from people who've done HID installs or know about lighting / electricals
I've search the forum and read the DIY stickies.
Two options I am considering:
1) getting used OEM MB HID headlights.
Pros - Clean install, plug and play (sort of)
Cons - expensive, hard to find, don't need two sets of headlights
Questions - any issues doing this with an 09 as compared with the DIY writeup?
2) the projector retrofit (per the DIY on this site)
Pros - OEM components, cheaper
Cons - not as clean an install, have to pull apart the headlight assembly
Questions - Are Hella projectors as good as Philips or vice versa? Does the w211 headlight unit need the slim ballast or can I use the normal-sized ones?
Anything else I need to know?
Thanks in advance
I was too cheap to fork out for P2 but still want a high-quality xenon headlight solution. I am looking for advice / tips from people who've done HID installs or know about lighting / electricals
I've search the forum and read the DIY stickies.
Two options I am considering:
1) getting used OEM MB HID headlights.
Pros - Clean install, plug and play (sort of)
Cons - expensive, hard to find, don't need two sets of headlights
Questions - any issues doing this with an 09 as compared with the DIY writeup?
2) the projector retrofit (per the DIY on this site)
Pros - OEM components, cheaper
Cons - not as clean an install, have to pull apart the headlight assembly
Questions - Are Hella projectors as good as Philips or vice versa? Does the w211 headlight unit need the slim ballast or can I use the normal-sized ones?
Anything else I need to know?
Thanks in advance
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lee, NJ
2014 E63-S, 1987 190E 2.3-16, 1985 325E
go with mtec's 100%, quick and ez install! they have an ebay store, but trust me the money is WELL worth the quality is outstanding i have a set of 6000k HID's i decided to go cheap the first time and go get the local shop's version they were just SH*T! they flicker dont turn on have of the time give u non-stop error messages, and there is the way of adding a capacitor tried that too, but nothing beats the mtec's trust me i have them in my head light's and my fogs never once got a flicker from them
http://stores.ebay.com/mtecpower
that's their ebay store ONLY buy from ebay user mtecpower only b.c. there are MANY fakes that user is the real authentic seller
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MTEC-...ht_6239wt_1167
that's the item it's 280, but if you were to ask most of the users on here they are probably the best quality [pay 100 get crap hid's that break after a few months and then pay 280 after learning ure lesson = total of 380... so instead of going through that mistake just buy mtec one shot through i will take a video tonight to show the kit turning on and on 6oook]
then for your city lights [the smaller bubbles] just get 2 white led bulbs and add resistors to them, i have a walkthrough thread on how to wire led's to our car ill find it and post the link later
http://stores.ebay.com/mtecpower
that's their ebay store ONLY buy from ebay user mtecpower only b.c. there are MANY fakes that user is the real authentic seller
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MTEC-...ht_6239wt_1167
that's the item it's 280, but if you were to ask most of the users on here they are probably the best quality [pay 100 get crap hid's that break after a few months and then pay 280 after learning ure lesson = total of 380... so instead of going through that mistake just buy mtec one shot through i will take a video tonight to show the kit turning on and on 6oook]
then for your city lights [the smaller bubbles] just get 2 white led bulbs and add resistors to them, i have a walkthrough thread on how to wire led's to our car ill find it and post the link later
Last edited by skokkosis; Feb 4, 2010 at 09:00 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lee, NJ
2014 E63-S, 1987 190E 2.3-16, 1985 325E
gaazmon! how u been man, im back on the forum ive been really busy spending my money elsewhere aside of my car :p
so wait u guys have the xenon system on the car already? and just want bulbs? [mtec sells bulbs only too and for xenon systems as well] or you guys want an HID system? [bulbs and ballasts]
so wait u guys have the xenon system on the car already? and just want bulbs? [mtec sells bulbs only too and for xenon systems as well] or you guys want an HID system? [bulbs and ballasts]
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
gaazmon! how u been man, im back on the forum ive been really busy spending my money elsewhere aside of my car :p
so wait u guys have the xenon system on the car already? and just want bulbs? [mtec sells bulbs only too and for xenon systems as well] or you guys want an HID system? [bulbs and ballasts]
so wait u guys have the xenon system on the car already? and just want bulbs? [mtec sells bulbs only too and for xenon systems as well] or you guys want an HID system? [bulbs and ballasts]
i have BiXenon's, but werewolf wants to add them on his car (which doesn't have them). He has the regular H7 halogens with projector lenses.
its a tough decision: go with new headlights or retrofit with the ones you already have. idk exactly what i would do either. i wouldn't want to fork over the extra money for headlights then have to sell the old ones. however, if you swap out the headlights, the new ones will have the bluish-white LED daytime running lights along with the BiXenons (since the 07+ BiXenon headlights come with a blue LED daytime light vs the 03-06 still came with a yellowish one). also with the headlight swap, you get the autoleveling and cornering headlights.
like skokkosis said, you could go with an aftermarket kit. a disadvantage would be it would only be low beam HID, and non for the high beam. i've heard good things about mtec.
ya, a kit that costs a $100 on ebay with free shipping... you don't want to know how much the guy paid for it in china. i bought a kit in hong kong once from a company. the sample cost for me was $100. lol, i've seen kits for like $30 with $30 shipping and handling on ebay. can't be good for you.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lee, NJ
2014 E63-S, 1987 190E 2.3-16, 1985 325E
NOW i get it lol ok well on that i still stand by my job... its way cheaper and for the most part... just as nice... so ure high's are yellow big deal... no one sees that... i got some white blah blah blah (ill look into it later) from sylvania which is a bulb that releases 4100K (if im not mistaken) color and they arent as yellow as the stock's are and so my high's look yellowish compared to the low's, but not near as yellow as they were when the stock high's were in... its up to you and how much u want to spend i stick by my idea, mtec ftw and then led your city light, and get the sylvania hyper white bulb for ure high's in the nyc area people rarely use high beam's (for driving use) drive slow on the left lane and you shall see flashing lights dear god lol (mainly why i got the sylvania one's b.c. i didnt like the yellow, now i cant complain about the yellow i have)
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lee, NJ
2014 E63-S, 1987 190E 2.3-16, 1985 325E
i'm not sure if i got the silverstar ultra or the regular, but it has a very good color temperature 4.1 or 4k is amazing from a standard bulb... which ever one i got its = to stock xenon temp. it's up to you, giving you as much help as i can :]
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
2007 e550
i've been good skokkosis. just working and playing
i have BiXenon's, but werewolf wants to add them on his car (which doesn't have them). He has the regular H7 halogens with projector lenses.
its a tough decision: go with new headlights or retrofit with the ones you already have. idk exactly what i would do either. i wouldn't want to fork over the extra money for headlights then have to sell the old ones. however, if you swap out the headlights, the new ones will have the bluish-white LED daytime running lights along with the BiXenons (since the 07+ BiXenon headlights come with a blue LED daytime light vs the 03-06 still came with a yellowish one). also with the headlight swap, you get the autoleveling and cornering headlights.
like skokkosis said, you could go with an aftermarket kit. a disadvantage would be it would only be low beam HID, and non for the high beam. i've heard good things about mtec.
ya, a kit that costs a $100 on ebay with free shipping... you don't want to know how much the guy paid for it in china. i bought a kit in hong kong once from a company. the sample cost for me was $100. lol, i've seen kits for like $30 with $30 shipping and handling on ebay. can't be good for you.
i have BiXenon's, but werewolf wants to add them on his car (which doesn't have them). He has the regular H7 halogens with projector lenses.
its a tough decision: go with new headlights or retrofit with the ones you already have. idk exactly what i would do either. i wouldn't want to fork over the extra money for headlights then have to sell the old ones. however, if you swap out the headlights, the new ones will have the bluish-white LED daytime running lights along with the BiXenons (since the 07+ BiXenon headlights come with a blue LED daytime light vs the 03-06 still came with a yellowish one). also with the headlight swap, you get the autoleveling and cornering headlights.
like skokkosis said, you could go with an aftermarket kit. a disadvantage would be it would only be low beam HID, and non for the high beam. i've heard good things about mtec.
ya, a kit that costs a $100 on ebay with free shipping... you don't want to know how much the guy paid for it in china. i bought a kit in hong kong once from a company. the sample cost for me was $100. lol, i've seen kits for like $30 with $30 shipping and handling on ebay. can't be good for you.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2004 Mercedes Benz E500
I'm going to install after market HID Lights 8K for both low beam and fog lights with the new slim ballasts. I will post before and after pictures upon complete installation.
COLOR TEMPERATURES
Color temperature is a measurement in Kelvin (K) that indicates the hue of the light source. All HIDs are so bright they are gauged to sunlight and the color that the sun will be at that temperature. As the color temperature increases, the light output of the HID is reduced.
• 10,000K = Deep blue (less visible light more color)
• 8,000K = Aqua blue
• 6,000K = Bright-white
• 5,000K = white (peak light output)
• 3,000K = gold-yellow (JDM yellow)
Note: - Cars 2003 and Newer as well as some cars with an on-board display system which provides a notification will require a special filter if you do not wish for this error to be displayed. This message has no affect on the performance of the lights, however is an added annoyance.
COLOR TEMPERATURES
Color temperature is a measurement in Kelvin (K) that indicates the hue of the light source. All HIDs are so bright they are gauged to sunlight and the color that the sun will be at that temperature. As the color temperature increases, the light output of the HID is reduced.
• 10,000K = Deep blue (less visible light more color)
• 8,000K = Aqua blue
• 6,000K = Bright-white
• 5,000K = white (peak light output)
• 3,000K = gold-yellow (JDM yellow)
Note: - Cars 2003 and Newer as well as some cars with an on-board display system which provides a notification will require a special filter if you do not wish for this error to be displayed. This message has no affect on the performance of the lights, however is an added annoyance.If you don't know your bulb type, please refer to the following link
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/LampReplacementGuide
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/LampReplacementGuide
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
I'm going to install after market HID Lights 8K for both low beam and fog lights with the new slim ballasts. I will post before and after pictures upon complete installation.
COLOR TEMPERATURES
Color temperature is a measurement in Kelvin (K) that indicates the hue of the light source. All HIDs are so bright they are gauged to sunlight and the color that the sun will be at that temperature. As the color temperature increases, the light output of the HID is reduced.
• 10,000K = Deep blue (less visible light more color)
• 8,000K = Aqua blue
• 6,000K = Bright-white
• 5,000K = white (peak light output)
• 3,000K = gold-yellow (JDM yellow)
Note: - Cars 2003 and Newer as well as some cars with an on-board display system which provides a notification will require a special filter if you do not wish for this error to be displayed. This message has no affect on the performance of the lights, however is an added annoyance.
COLOR TEMPERATURES
Color temperature is a measurement in Kelvin (K) that indicates the hue of the light source. All HIDs are so bright they are gauged to sunlight and the color that the sun will be at that temperature. As the color temperature increases, the light output of the HID is reduced.
• 10,000K = Deep blue (less visible light more color)
• 8,000K = Aqua blue
• 6,000K = Bright-white
• 5,000K = white (peak light output)
• 3,000K = gold-yellow (JDM yellow)
Note: - Cars 2003 and Newer as well as some cars with an on-board display system which provides a notification will require a special filter if you do not wish for this error to be displayed. This message has no affect on the performance of the lights, however is an added annoyance.If you don't know your bulb type, please refer to the following link
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/LampReplacementGuide
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/LampReplacementGuide
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
the cornerning and autoleveling is run by a motor, so the halogen ones don't have this feature. if you have an OEM headlight unit for BiXenon, i think through the on board programming you can get it working.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
2009 E350
Is this mtec kit easy for me to do on my own? I don't work on cars but if there are good instructions, I'm able to get most things done on my own. Do instructions show where to unscrews, how to take out original housing, etc? Or does it say things such as remove screws, remove existing housing, insert new lights and you're done?
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
2009 E350 Arctic White AMG Sport package W/ P2 option, 2002 C230 kompressor Coupe
Is this MTEC kit easy for me to do on my own? I don't work on cars but if there are good instructions, I'm able to get most things done on my own. Do instructions show where to unscrews, how to take out original housing, etc? Or does it say things such as remove screws, remove existing housing, insert new lights and you're done?
You can review the installation on the HID sticky https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-models-6.html.
I purchased the MTEC kit and it was not too hard to install. If you have the bayonet still light, you may want to have Steve attach the bayonet adapter.
Since there are a few sellers on Ebay selling MTEC, PM me if you want the point of contact's email address. Steve was very helpful with the purchase and support afterwords.
Additionally, the lights will work if you leave the light switch in auto mode. This was a concern I had when making my purchase.
Last edited by rsmith7; Feb 24, 2010 at 09:44 PM. Reason: additional comments.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 422
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette, LA
2011 E550
I have installed the MTec kit from ebay. It's extremely easy all plug and play and until this day i haven't had any problem. i've gotten the 4300 kit because i wanted the highest light output. it looks exactly like OEM from factory. if you go any higher, it will look blue and it just looks fake.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E-350
I have installed the MTec kit from ebay. It's extremely easy all plug and play and until this day i haven't had any problem. i've gotten the 4300 kit because i wanted the highest light output. it looks exactly like OEM from factory. if you go any higher, it will look blue and it just looks fake.
Thinking of doing the same install on my recently purchased '07, I'd love to see some photos of your HID's at night. I'd love to see the light pattern against a garage door and the look head-on.
Boiler81
