2001 S430 Headlights
12-11-2006, 10:27 AM
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2001 S430 Headlights
My mom has a 2001 S430 with halogen bulbs and I want to upgrade her car to HIDs as a christmas present. From what I've read on the forum, some module has to be modified so that the computer detects xenon bulbs ? Is there a certain reasoning for this? What problems would I encounter if I only installed the HID kit without having it reprogrammed to detect HID lights? Another question I have is since the cars headlight housing are designed for halogen bulbs, should I just purchase some PIAA or Sylvania halogen bulbs?
12-12-2006, 06:40 AM
#2
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Depends how much your mother is worth to you. The conversion to Bi-Xenon will cost $ 2,500 plus. The conversion to regular Xenon is not as costly, but technically not very simple to do, beause you need the automatic levelling of the lights. In both case you need the complete assembly, since your lenses are made for Halogen, for Xenon or Bi-Xenon they are different (2 options). Either way you won't be done by X-mas with neither options.
Just fitting so called "Halogen bulbs" with Xenon looks, is not quite close to Xenons.
Just fitting so called "Halogen bulbs" with Xenon looks, is not quite close to Xenons.
Last edited by bamberger_1; 12-12-2006 at 06:44 AM.
12-12-2006, 07:56 AM
#3
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Depends how much your mother is worth to you. The conversion to Bi-Xenon will cost $ 2,500 plus. The conversion to regular Xenon is not as costly, but technically not very simple to do, beause you need the automatic levelling of the lights. In both case you need the complete assembly, since your lenses are made for Halogen, for Xenon or Bi-Xenon they are different (2 options). Either way you won't be done by X-mas with neither options.
Just fitting so called "Halogen bulbs" with Xenon looks, is not quite close to Xenons.
Just fitting so called "Halogen bulbs" with Xenon looks, is not quite close to Xenons.
Good advise bamberger_1!
Search this site there is a lot of info on this. For example:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...41#post1880841
I will be doing this ear;y next year.
Good luck
Mark
12-12-2006, 10:20 AM
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If I was to purchase xenon headlight assemblies, how much work is required for automatic leveling? It seems like xenons aren't really worth upgrading to, since it seems stupidly complicated and expensive ($~1700?) for this car. I realize the halogen bulbs won't look as nice as xenon bulbs, but the main reason why I was considering HIDs is so it's easier for my mom to see at night.
If I were to convert the headlights from halogen to xenon, my main concern is that her car is still under warranty and even though a headlight assembly and some HID bulbs / ballasts won't cause any problems in the car, the dealerships here might use that as a reason to deny warranty claims.
If I were to convert the headlights from halogen to xenon, my main concern is that her car is still under warranty and even though a headlight assembly and some HID bulbs / ballasts won't cause any problems in the car, the dealerships here might use that as a reason to deny warranty claims.
12-12-2006, 10:37 AM
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Check this out: https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/173177-up-smoke.html
Looks like an improper conversion from Halogen to Xenon/BiXenon.
If you have warranty on the car, dont DIY. If you want to improve night vision for your mother, have the dealership to convert it to Bi-Xenon, but$$$$$$$$$$.
Any other option is no improvement.
Looks like an improper conversion from Halogen to Xenon/BiXenon.
If you have warranty on the car, dont DIY. If you want to improve night vision for your mother, have the dealership to convert it to Bi-Xenon, but$$$$$$$$$$.
Any other option is no improvement.
