NLRL

Question:
For a 2008 ML 350
Could the high and low beam bulbs(presently H7 Halogen) be replaced with H.I. D. (Xenon) bulbs without any other modification then replacing the bulbs? If yes what bulbs would you recommend?
Thanks

lkchris

Not a chance.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html

NLRL

Thank you so much.
Excellent article

NLRL

Based on all the available literature it seems that there are some halogens H7 a lot better than the original installed by MB.
ML350 is uing H7 for hi and lo beam and fog lights
I ancountered statements that PIAA Extreme white and Phillips Xtreme.. as being great even you should expect a shorter life expectancy.
Is anyone using them? Opinions?
Thanks

lkchris

PIAA isn't good, but Phillips and Osram are.

See http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product...of_winter.html

and http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/for...osts=6&start=4

vinceching

if you want xenons, you are going to need to purchase the ballast that will power the light blubs

NLRL

I will try a better halogen bulb as the HID require the change of the whole reflector assembly if you want to do it right. I am curious if somebody used better H7 and what is their experience.
Thanks

MJ50

changing halogen bulbs won't do much...
u'd end up selling those bulbs and get HID kit or bi-xenons...

AWFAXIS

I purchased a pair of OSRAM Night-Breakers (not approved in the US) from ebay. These are supposed to be brighter than the SilverStar (Sylvania) bulbs. (It was an overseas (European) seller).

There is a bit of an improvement over the stock H7's. The color is a little whiter (by comparing the HIGHS (which I left stock)) as projected on the drywall in my garage. However, it by no means looks like a real HID/XENON color.

On the topic of putting in HID lighting in the stock headlights, I have some experience doing this on a 2005 Denali.

The Denali had the same style lens as the ML; which has halogen installed. I bought an HID kit (bulb designed to fit the 9005 socket), with ballast and ignitors ($400 back then).

It worked quite well as far as the light output. I think the round lens design is less prone to focus problems as described in the link above (by LKCHRIS). A standard reflector would be more troublesome because the light source is smaller.

However, the fish lens style utilizes an inner scatter reflector that is re-focused. Most HID's utilize this lens is because there is an electrode that runs across the beam. This creates a shadow, that can be exagerated by a normal reflector as a dark spot on the road.

The only drawback I had was when switching to high beam, the HID/XENON got turned off. When I'd go back to low, there was a warm-up (low to full light strength) noticed on the HID's.

I've since got a new Escalade, which uses some kind of shutter to alternate the low/high beams, without extinguishing the beams, so no "warm-up" issue.

In any event, there is a HID/XENON kit (MTEC) available specifically for the W164 which doesn't cause any computer warnings. I've thought of getting it, but went for the OSRAMS for now. ($50 vs about $340).

Dave

NLRL

Thanks.
It seems that the Phillips extra vision H7 are better than the OSRAM and approved for street use.
They have a supplier " bulb. com" which does not charge shipping and I guess a pair is $44.
Did you change the fog lights too?

AWFAXIS

Couldn't find anything called Extra Vision, but I believe you mean Xtreme Power bulbs. Both brands claim 80% to 90% extra output. Most of the blogs and comparison's I've seen however give the nod to OSRAM. THe bulb is a bit bluer because of a multi-stage coating.

.. and I have not messed with the fogs.... yet.

Dave

NLRL

You are right as far as the name.
But did you try any of them? I would like to hear a first hand experience not only tests and advise.
Thanks

MJ50

i have aftermarket HID kits on stock projector headlamps and fogs...
prolly the best mod i did to my ML... super bright with both of them turned on at nite... all running 6000K....

NLRL

What kit did you buy?
After the installation did you have to realign the headlamps and the fog ones?
It seems that nobody tried the better halogen bulbs on the ML.
I do not see any comments.

MJ50

i bought the kits from k1...
since i was using stock head/foglamp, i didn't adjust anything...
putting better halogens will improve a bit...
PIAA halogens cost close to 90 bux...
spending extra 150 bux and gettin' true HID kit well worth the money...

diemon

where can I get 'k1' kit you got? Is it on ebay? And last question- is it same kit for the fog lights? Thanks in advance.

MJ50

www.k1motorsport.com
i have regular kit for low-beam and slim kit for the fogs...
both same except for the size of the ballast...

diemon

A big thanks!

diemon

did you put 6000 or 8000? And if you can post some pictures of your ml?

MJ50

i'm running 6k...
my server's been down...
i'll u/l to photobucket when i get home...

diemon

HID bulb is twice bigger as halogen one, will it fit there? Or you had to make some adjustments to headlights? I'm afraid it will not fit there or will be too close to lenses. Also what makes this HID kit error free? I tried to ask a seller but still didn't get an answer...

diemon

I'm just trying not to kill my baby (electrical part) with this mod

MJ50

i have HID low and HID fog.... would i have them on if it didn't fit???
HID kits that are designed to work with BMW/MB tricks the computer that u r running 55W... thus, no error no flicker no nothing...
most kits (besides MTEC) sold on eBay are for JDM, not designed for MBs...

diemon

thanks

diemon

just installed HID and LED TAIL LIGHTS. Looks awsome