View Poll Results: Happy with your W212 aftermarket HID upgrade?
Yes, very happy
4
36.36%
Mixed, its just ok
5
45.45%
Hate it, wish I stayed with the Halogens
2
18.18%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll
Are you happy with your aftermarket HID upgrade (from halogens) on your W212?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 56
From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
Are you happy with your aftermarket HID upgrade (from halogens) on your W212?
Been doing a lot of searching on this topic, and am on the fence on whether or not to pull the trigger. Thx
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Lots of cars
I'm very happy with mine, which I bought from ijdmtoy.com. The entire ballast fit nicely into the stock headlight assembly too, so there was no drilling or extra wires in the engine bay. Granted I wish I had OEM, this is the next best solution. Make sure you get the canbus kit so you don't have any warning lights or flickering.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 56
From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
I'm very happy with mine, which I bought from ijdmtoy.com. The entire ballast fit nicely into the stock headlight assembly too, so there was no drilling or extra wires in the engine bay. Granted I wish I had OEM, this is the next best solution. Make sure you get the canbus kit so you don't have any warning lights or flickering.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
2020 S560 Coupe & 2018 GLS63 AMG
I bought the Morimoto kit from AZN Optics recently for my W212 (2011). It's been so cold here that I haven't gotten around to installing them yet. Hoping to do it this weekend. But I read through a ton of threads on here before purchasing and didn't see many complaints.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 573
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
'19 MBZ E450 Wagon, '19 BMW 530e
It is brighter for sure but the light pattern will be all over the place.
Research on the light cut off with H7 retrofit.
I had it on my MY12 P1 package and now much happier with the MY14 LEDs
Research on the light cut off with H7 retrofit.
I had it on my MY12 P1 package and now much happier with the MY14 LEDs
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh
2020 C43 AMG
And also, been reading a lot of conflicting information. When I've installed HID kits in other cars previously, I've had to drill holes to mount the ballasts. I'd like to just install them with the canbus and go on my way. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 112
Likes: 7
2011 E350 Sport
Im extremely happy with mine when we are comparing to halogens. Its close to having the P2, and much better than having halogens. I noticed the difference when driving through an area of up and down hills. The lights dont self level. So you dont get the full advantage liek P2 but again, im seeing better than if I had halogens.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 971
Likes: 182
From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
Putting xenon bulbs in halogen projectors or reflector housings not made for it will produce inferior results, it is well documented everywhere you look. The placebo effect is usually high with those kits but so is glare.
Either way, due to reasons above I just simply went with getting some SilverStar ULTRA halogen bulbs and I'm very happy with how much extra light they have and how bright they are. Only halogen bulb I'd buy. They are expensive and don't last as long as the less brighter counterparts but they're well worth it.
Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 112
Likes: 7
2011 E350 Sport
Greg, i wont argue the point about the placebo effect. I believe it exists. But seriously, i would like for the person who said the wish they had stayed to share. I wonder if you could see one compared to the other and and install was easy what your decision would be.
All pics I have seen from distance shots comparing HID to halogen and even my own personal experience show that HID wins out. But i may be drunk off o'douls! LOL
All pics I have seen from distance shots comparing HID to halogen and even my own personal experience show that HID wins out. But i may be drunk off o'douls! LOL
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Lots of cars
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Lots of cars
As you can see, I'm happy with both the cutoff and light output. This is the first car I've owned in quite some time that didn't come with HID's from the factory, but I don't regret it one bit.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh
2020 C43 AMG
Can you let me know which kit you got from IJDM? I love the light cutoff and color.
Thanks!
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Lots of cars
Sure thing, they were these ones:
HID-Kit-4300K OEM 4300K Ultra Slim Digital Ballasts Xenon HID Conversion Kit For Headlights or Fog Lights
[size:H7]
[Kelvin (K):OEM 4300K]
[Optional:Error Free CAN-bus decoders] 1 $94.98
And like I mentioned previously, the ballast and CAN-bus decoders all fit inside the bottom of the headlight housing, no need for drilling or modding. Simple plug and play.
HID-Kit-4300K OEM 4300K Ultra Slim Digital Ballasts Xenon HID Conversion Kit For Headlights or Fog Lights
[size:H7]
[Kelvin (K):OEM 4300K]
[Optional:Error Free CAN-bus decoders] 1 $94.98
And like I mentioned previously, the ballast and CAN-bus decoders all fit inside the bottom of the headlight housing, no need for drilling or modding. Simple plug and play.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Lots of cars
I did not, I have a set of yellow PIAA wedge bulbs as my city lights to match my fog lights, which are also yellow bulbs with yellow Lamin-X film over them.
But I did order my license plate LED's from them and they are bright as ****. I highly recommend them, besides the pain in the *** install which requires you to go through the inside of the trunk.
But I did order my license plate LED's from them and they are bright as ****. I highly recommend them, besides the pain in the *** install which requires you to go through the inside of the trunk.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh
2020 C43 AMG
I did not, I have a set of yellow PIAA wedge bulbs as my city lights to match my fog lights, which are also yellow bulbs with yellow Lamin-X film over them.
But I did order my license plate LED's from them and they are bright as ****. I highly recommend them, besides the pain in the *** install which requires you to go through the inside of the trunk.
But I did order my license plate LED's from them and they are bright as ****. I highly recommend them, besides the pain in the *** install which requires you to go through the inside of the trunk.
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2013 E350
Sure thing, they were these ones:
HID-Kit-4300K OEM 4300K Ultra Slim Digital Ballasts Xenon HID Conversion Kit For Headlights or Fog Lights
[size:H7]
[Kelvin (K):OEM 4300K]
[Optional:Error Free CAN-bus decoders] 1 $94.98
And like I mentioned previously, the ballast and CAN-bus decoders all fit inside the bottom of the headlight housing, no need for drilling or modding. Simple plug and play.
HID-Kit-4300K OEM 4300K Ultra Slim Digital Ballasts Xenon HID Conversion Kit For Headlights or Fog Lights
[size:H7]
[Kelvin (K):OEM 4300K]
[Optional:Error Free CAN-bus decoders] 1 $94.98
And like I mentioned previously, the ballast and CAN-bus decoders all fit inside the bottom of the headlight housing, no need for drilling or modding. Simple plug and play.
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2013 E350
Can anyone reference kits used for 5300K with ultra slim ballast that fit inside the housing?
** nevermind! just purchased a set
** nevermind! just purchased a set
Last edited by eNNCity; Apr 17, 2014 at 03:25 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2013 E350
I did not, I have a set of yellow PIAA wedge bulbs as my city lights to match my fog lights, which are also yellow bulbs with yellow Lamin-X film over them.
But I did order my license plate LED's from them and they are bright as ****. I highly recommend them, besides the pain in the *** install which requires you to go through the inside of the trunk.
But I did order my license plate LED's from them and they are bright as ****. I highly recommend them, besides the pain in the *** install which requires you to go through the inside of the trunk.
What's the bulb type for the inner lights between the headlights? I'm trying to find a white/blue set and don't want to go LED. I like the PIAA brand too
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 2
2010 E350 4Matic
I am the person who voted "Mixed - Its just ok" most recently.
The reason I say so is this: I bought the Morimoto H7 Kit in 5000K temp. It's great and all, looks wise, and when I first installed it, I thought to myself why would anyone wanna spend the extra thousands for the P2 kit. But the devil is in the details, the retrofit Morimoto Kit looks very good when you first light it up.. but after time.. youll see that the light isnt as bright as the OEM's which may be due to the projector inside the housing.
It definitely emits more light than a regular halogen, and gives that cool sexy blueish hue that we all desire, but in terms of functionality, i feel like it doesn't light up the road enough. sometimes, during rainy days, its somewhat difficult to see the road even 30 yards in front.
that is my only quip with the Morimotos. However, I would never revert back to the stock halogens. just wish the Morimoto's were brighter. But nonetheless, best $150 spent on this car ever.
The reason I say so is this: I bought the Morimoto H7 Kit in 5000K temp. It's great and all, looks wise, and when I first installed it, I thought to myself why would anyone wanna spend the extra thousands for the P2 kit. But the devil is in the details, the retrofit Morimoto Kit looks very good when you first light it up.. but after time.. youll see that the light isnt as bright as the OEM's which may be due to the projector inside the housing.
It definitely emits more light than a regular halogen, and gives that cool sexy blueish hue that we all desire, but in terms of functionality, i feel like it doesn't light up the road enough. sometimes, during rainy days, its somewhat difficult to see the road even 30 yards in front.
that is my only quip with the Morimotos. However, I would never revert back to the stock halogens. just wish the Morimoto's were brighter. But nonetheless, best $150 spent on this car ever.
