What direction for Headlights Upgrade
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4
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From: Kew Gardens, Queens, New York
2008 e350 4Matic White, Sports Pkg, Pano Roof, P1 Pkg, Wood Steering Wheel, Split Folding Rear Seats
What direction for Headlights Upgrade
After reading numerous post, YachMaster and others...I summarize the following:
I have a 08 E350 W211.
1. Go ALL OE from dealer: headlight, ballast, ignitor, bulbs, etc <- too much $$$.
2. Get Bi-Xenon headlights, all parts, from bekkers.com
3. Get OE Bi-Xenon Headlight assembly and put aftermarket HID kit.
4. Get OE Bi-Xenon headlight assembly and retrofit better projectors kit
5. Use hologen headlight assembly and put aftermarket HID kit
6. Use hologen headlight assembly or a spare set and retrofit type E55 projector kit
Am I missing a combination?
What am i considering (most important to lease); time, work involved, looks, $1200 budget.
I have a 08 E350 W211.
1. Go ALL OE from dealer: headlight, ballast, ignitor, bulbs, etc <- too much $$$.
2. Get Bi-Xenon headlights, all parts, from bekkers.com
3. Get OE Bi-Xenon Headlight assembly and put aftermarket HID kit.
4. Get OE Bi-Xenon headlight assembly and retrofit better projectors kit
5. Use hologen headlight assembly and put aftermarket HID kit
6. Use hologen headlight assembly or a spare set and retrofit type E55 projector kit
Am I missing a combination?
What am i considering (most important to lease); time, work involved, looks, $1200 budget.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Exit 16E
07 E350 4Matic / Sport with P1
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Kew Gardens, Queens, New York
2008 e350 4Matic White, Sports Pkg, Pano Roof, P1 Pkg, Wood Steering Wheel, Split Folding Rear Seats
If I get a aftermarket kit, I am looking into 55w slim 5k-6k temps. But What is a good seller of quality kits? I have seen mtec and ddm, but they are 35watters.
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From: Long Island, NY
2004 E320
you go DOWN in light output (lumens).
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
I only found this thread cuz my NBF SPNJHockey nicely reached out, as I bought the same 211 as his, so my $0.02 are really worth about $0.02! I never understood what the big deal about headlights was, but now that I have OEM Bi-xenons, I'm not sure anything less is worth it. Live with it, go OEM, or get a new car with OEM!
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Kirkland (seattle) washington
1981 300D euro manual, looking for a 94-95 E320 kombi
To the op go with number 5 and buy 4300-4500k from DDM.
I've had nothing but great experience with them.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Long Island, NY
A few toys & 07' E350 4matic w/AMG sport packg.
And agree with DDm, they're great!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Exit 16E
07 E350 4Matic / Sport with P1
My halogens were blinding to oncoming traffic at hillcrests, so there's no increase when using the HIDs. And, the headlights were right-on-the-money as far as where they were supposed to be aimed.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Northern California
09' E350 AMG Sport, 09' C300, 03' Honda S2K
From what I understand regular halogen projectors "capsules" headlights uses a totally different headlight housing and lenses. If one was to retrofit hid into a non hid housing, the glare is extremely blinding to oncoming drivers especailly when it is aim incorrectly. Also many times there would be hot spots on the ground.
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 519
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From: Vancouver British Columbia
09 E320 Bluetec
From what I understand regular halogen projectors "capsules" headlights uses a totally different headlight housing and lenses. If one was to retrofit hid into a non hid housing, the glare is extremely blinding to oncoming drivers especailly when it is aim incorrectly. Also many times there would be hot spots on the ground.
i would go with number 3
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 18
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From: Kirkland (seattle) washington
1981 300D euro manual, looking for a 94-95 E320 kombi
Number 3 is still bad because after market HID bulb's are based to the type of housing and spread light in hot spots. Technically the only proper way to do it is option number one. So any other way and its hello glare and improper focusing.
The op could always look for factory BIX setups with broken clips (tabs) and take the parts and transfer them into his housings, Or he could call junkyards...
The op could always look for factory BIX setups with broken clips (tabs) and take the parts and transfer them into his housings, Or he could call junkyards...
