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BiX: Replaced Bulb---Look Sucks!!! Need Answer Please

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Old Apr 26, 2006 | 11:40 AM
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'03-ML350 'inspiration'
BiX: Replaced Bulb---Look Sucks!!! Need Answer Please

Hi,

My '03-ML comes w/ Bi-Xenon....Under warranty--I brought it to my car dealer and replaced the bulbs about a month ago. I'm not getting that crystalish--tint-of-blue anymore!! None! Can anyone...Anyone who has replaced the bulbs(O.E.M.) and/or has knowledge about this...please help me understand. The lights, now, are NOT EVEN CLOSE to the way they once were--when I first drove it out of the showroom!

Thank-you!

Kind regards,
Reynaldo
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Old Apr 26, 2006 | 12:07 PM
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they prolly used a MUCH cheaper bulb or a bulb that burns at a different color tempature...

purchase a set of Philips 6000k ultinons and you will be more then happy
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Old Apr 26, 2006 | 12:21 PM
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'03-ML350 'inspiration'
Thank-you for taking the time to respond, 55fanatic!
But...what I had(straight fr the showroom--an OEM)...which I assume they'd (my car dealer) replace the same kind of bulbs(OEM--no dif than the existing ones)...which, in turn, shouldn't the lights result in the same as they were then? I don't think they replaced the "cheaper" ones--for 2 reasons; (1) it's still under warranty (they should replace w/ the identical ones--OEM)...(2) it's "not right" to replace the "cheaper" ones....that's, like, cheating me out---isn't it? Please let me know. Thank-you!
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Old Apr 26, 2006 | 12:36 PM
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Lifespan of HID bulbs usually is about 3000 hours...pratically the life of your vehicle. Why did you have them changed under warranty?

I guess the only way to find out if they substituted a "cheaper" HID bulb is to take a look yourself. I assume it should say "Made in Germany" on the base of the bulb.

Another reason could be they used a bulb from a different manufacturer (not necessarily cheaper). If this is the case, you wont get the exact same color temp. as new.

Good luck...let us know what you find.

Pete

Last edited by PHML; Apr 26, 2006 at 12:45 PM.
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Old Apr 26, 2006 | 12:49 PM
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Hi Pete,

Logically, one can safely assume that--they would replace the identical ones...yes?...Whichever they were before.
I can't imagine that they would replace them w/ something else completely dif. I find it difficult and irrational if they decided--on their own--to replace something else--completely dif than the exisitng ones. I can understand if the car was old / very old--that the same part / part number is no longer in production--hence the replacing of the new and compatible ones.

Please let me know what you think. Thank-you!
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Old Apr 26, 2006 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Reynaldo
Hi Pete,

Logically, one can safely assume that--they would replace the identical ones...yes?...Whichever they were before.
I can't imagine that they would replace them w/ something else completely dif. I find it difficult and irrational if they decided--on their own--to replace something else--completely dif than the exisitng ones. I can understand if the car was old / very old--that the same part / part number is no longer in production--hence the replacing of the new and compatible ones.

Please let me know what you think. Thank-you!
Reynaldo,

Just a thought....even if they used the same manufacturer HID bulb.....it may NOT have the same aspects as your original ones. Take into consideration of quality control. Things can change in a few years.

For example, I have Philips Ultinon 6000K HID bulb in my Lexus GS300.....my buddy also has the same bulb on his GS300 a couple years later I got mines....and the color is NOT exactly the same. Mines is white with a hint of light purple....his is white with a hint of light blue.

Another reason could be that your headlight cover needs to be cleaned up. I suggest doing a 2000 grit wet/sand...then apply 3M rubbing compound....the remove any light scratches.

Good luck.

Pete
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Old Apr 26, 2006 | 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by PHML2K2ML320
Reynaldo,

Just a thought....even if they used the same manufacturer HID bulb.....it may NOT have the same aspects as your original ones. Take into consideration of quality control. Things can change in a few years.

For example, I have Philips Ultinon 6000K HID bulb in my Lexus GS300.....my buddy also has the same bulb on his GS300 a couple years later I got mines....and the color is NOT exactly the same. Mines is white with a hint of light purple....his is white with a hint of light blue.

Another reason could be that your headlight cover needs to be cleaned up. I suggest doing a 2000 grit wet/sand...then apply 3M rubbing compound....the remove any light scratches.

Good luck.

Pete
Pete,

An interesting thought w/ regards to the headlight covers. Mine are, still, appear to be in a very good condition.

By the way, I'm sorry I missed your question fr the previous message...'why did I have them changed'?....One of them, apparently, wasn't working. So, I brought the car in--they decided to change both for me. I am NOT happy at all w/ the lights right now. You're right, Pete!...The salesperson told me somewhat the same as you've just said...about the life span of the lights...that I would never have to worry about it--ever. And--now this happened...and just frustrating when I KNOW for a fact that they don't look the same anymore.
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Old Apr 26, 2006 | 09:58 PM
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Read in the middle of the page, "What is color shift?"

http://faqlight.carpassion.info/hl-hid-bulbs.htm
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Old Apr 27, 2006 | 09:46 AM
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'03-ML350 'inspiration'
Originally Posted by cyeung65
Read in the middle of the page, "What is color shift?"

http://faqlight.carpassion.info/hl-hid-bulbs.htm

Thank-you for the information, cyeung65! I will wait for another 2 wks or so to see if the color will shift. And, definitely will find out if those bulbs are "Made in China"...I will blow a gasket at my car dealer!

Cheers mate!


Reynaldo
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Old Apr 27, 2006 | 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Reynaldo
Thank-you for the information, cyeung65! I will wait for another 2 wks or so to see if the color will shift. And, definitely will find out if those bulbs are "Made in China"...I will blow a gasket at my car dealer!

Cheers mate!


Reynaldo
To expedite the color shift, drive with headlights on all the time.
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Old Apr 27, 2006 | 03:03 PM
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'03-ML350 'inspiration'
Originally Posted by cyeung65
To expedite the color shift, drive with headlights on all the time.
I always leave mine on "Auto". It shouldn't make any dif...does it?...I mean, it is the same "On"...isn't it?...In fact, I don't know why they even have the switch "On" for....Or, I'm missing something here?....Or, perhaps I should activate/switch it to "On"--to expedite result of "shifting"?
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Old Apr 27, 2006 | 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Reynaldo
I always leave mine on "Auto". It shouldn't make any dif...does it?...I mean, it is the same "On"...isn't it?...In fact, I don't know why they even have the switch "On" for....Or, I'm missing something here?....Or, perhaps I should activate/switch it to "On"--to expedite result of "shifting"?
I dont have this feature on my ML. But on my other cars, AUTO is the night sensing position. So in daylight, the lights do NOT come on. There is a separate "ON" position that leaves the lights on all the time. Just remember to turn them OFF or back to AUTO, when you park.
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Old Apr 27, 2006 | 03:20 PM
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'03-ML350 'inspiration'
Originally Posted by cyeung65
I dont have this feature on my ML. But on my other cars, AUTO is the night sensing position. So in daylight, the lights do NOT come on. There is a separate "ON" position that leaves the lights on all the time. Just remember to turn them OFF or back to AUTO, when you park.
w/ regards to the "Auto"(night sensing position)--that function is related to the interior lights display only isn't it?..Meanwhile the headlights still on as--always--regardless....I notice...I am sure....yes?
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Old Apr 27, 2006 | 04:55 PM
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My Bad!

You are in the Great White North. So the DRL keeps your xenons on? Then yes, you are right. So, you will burn them in quickly!
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Old Apr 27, 2006 | 05:20 PM
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'03-ML350 'inspiration'
Originally Posted by cyeung65
My Bad!

You are in the Great White North. So the DRL keeps your xenons on? Then yes, you are right. So, you will burn them in quickly!
By the way, I called my car dealer to inquire about the bulb replacement--they said that it was Philips (Made in Germany), D2S, #85122....I did the research on internet--and it's a 4300K....is this correct?
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Old Apr 27, 2006 | 11:04 PM
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Those are the right bulbs. Some of the best OEM bulbs on the market.
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 10:07 AM
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'03-ML350 'inspiration'
Originally Posted by cyeung65
Those are the right bulbs. Some of the best OEM bulbs on the market.
Thank-you, cyeung65! Especially, the info/link you provided!

Cheers mate!

Reynaldo
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 12:22 PM
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Yep...4300K......but personally, Im thinking of putting 6000K in mines.

Pete
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 01:29 PM
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BiX: Replaced Bulb---Look Sucks!!! Need Answer Please

A couple of weeks ago or so, I replaced one of my ByXenon bulbs since it began to flicker on and off after years of use.

I had that BiXenon headlamp on my former 2001 ML 320 and installed it again on my 2005 ML 500, so it had have around 2,000+ hours of usage. They are suppose to last around 2,000 to 3,000 hours..

I bought the exact Xenon bulb replacement from a BMW dealer ($195.00), which uses the same OSRAM Xenon bulbs as Mercedes. They were exactly the same type and model. The light color output of the new bulb is a little yellowish/whitish compared to the old one, but it will turn more blueish with time as they did on my original BiXenon headlamps.

Though, it seems that your BiXenon headlamps came with the Phillip's bulbs while mine came OEM with the Osram Sylvania XENARC D2S bulbs.

AC

Last edited by AC_ML; Apr 28, 2006 at 01:44 PM.
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 02:38 PM
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'03-ML350 'inspiration'
Originally Posted by AC_ML
A couple of weeks ago or so, I replaced one of my ByXenon bulbs since it began to flicker on and off after years of use.

I had that BiXenon headlamp on my former 2001 ML 320 and installed it again on my 2005 ML 500, so it had have around 2,000+ hours of usage. They are suppose to last around 2,000 to 3,000 hours..

I bought the exact Xenon bulb replacement from a BMW dealer ($195.00), which uses the same OSRAM Xenon bulbs as Mercedes. They were exactly the same type and model. The light color output of the new bulb is a little yellowish/whitish compared to the old one, but it will turn more blueish with time as they did on my original BiXenon headlamps.

Though, it seems that your BiXenon headlamps came with the Phillip's bulbs while mine came OEM with the Osram Sylvania XENARC D2S bulbs.

AC

If you go to the link that "cyeung65" provided to me--specific detail info--I hope it'll be a help to you.
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