Bi-Xenon to Bi-LED Projector Retrofit?
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E200 CDI w211 and ML320 CDI w164
Bi-Xenon to Bi-LED Projector Retrofit?
Hey everyone,
I’m planning to refresh the lighting on my 2003 W211 E-Class. It currently has the factory Bi-Xenon setup, but as we all know, these 20-year-old bowls are likely toasted and the output is subpar. I want to move away from HID and install Bi-LED projectors instead.
I have a few specific questions for those who have opened up these Hella units before:
1. Projector & Bracket Choice: I’ve been looking at the EvoX-R 2.0 as a common swap, but since I’m going Bi-LED, which specific 3.0" Bi-LED projectors are the "bolt-in" choice for our headlights? Do I need a specific Hella-to-Bi-LED adapter bracket to keep the factory mounting points and auto-leveling functional?
2. Wiring & Ballasts: Since Bi-LEDs have integrated drivers, I assume I’m deleting the factory ballasts/igniters.
I’m planning to refresh the lighting on my 2003 W211 E-Class. It currently has the factory Bi-Xenon setup, but as we all know, these 20-year-old bowls are likely toasted and the output is subpar. I want to move away from HID and install Bi-LED projectors instead.
I have a few specific questions for those who have opened up these Hella units before:
1. Projector & Bracket Choice: I’ve been looking at the EvoX-R 2.0 as a common swap, but since I’m going Bi-LED, which specific 3.0" Bi-LED projectors are the "bolt-in" choice for our headlights? Do I need a specific Hella-to-Bi-LED adapter bracket to keep the factory mounting points and auto-leveling functional?
2. Wiring & Ballasts: Since Bi-LEDs have integrated drivers, I assume I’m deleting the factory ballasts/igniters.
- How are you guys jumping the power from the factory 3-pin or 4-pin input directly to the LED driver?
- For the high-beam solenoid on the new projector, can I just tap into the existing factory high-beam shutter wires?
- Can I simply code the Headlamp setting from "Xenon" to "Halogen" in CGW to stop the flickering/errors?
- Or would it require me to run load resistors to simulate the 35W draw of the old ballasts? If so, what resistors and where to wire them.
