Experiences with Retrofit Halogen (only) projector lights
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From: USA - CT
2002 S430
Experiences with Retrofit Halogen (only) projector lights
I am startig this thread to only discuss good or bad experiences (performance) that people have installing and using HALOGEN projector lights bought off Ebay. This is not a thread to discuss xzenon projector lights.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 301
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From: USA - CT
2002 S430
Anyone install these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-06...mZ110072655451
or these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCE...QQcmdZViewItem
or these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-05...QQcmdZViewItem
or these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-03...QQcmdZViewItem
or these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-05...QQcmdZViewItem
or these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-05...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-06...mZ110072655451
or these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCE...QQcmdZViewItem
or these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-05...QQcmdZViewItem
or these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-03...QQcmdZViewItem
or these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-05...QQcmdZViewItem
or these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-05...QQcmdZViewItem
Last edited by Mark_K; Dec 31, 2006 at 09:07 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: USA - CT
2002 S430
So no one on this fourm has installed Halogen projector beam lights on this forum?
I found one person on another form that had and he took them off becuse he had problems with them. Anyone else?
I found one person on another form that had and he took them off becuse he had problems with them. Anyone else?
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From: Seattle, WA
S430
they are all pretty much the same. and you get what you pay for... i got them from expressauto the first link you have on there and the beam on the projector lights suck they go like 10 ft in front of the car but i dont know anyone else with that problem. good luck
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2002 S430
Did you remove them and go back with the original lights?
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S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
You won't even need to have xenon reprograming with the way I wire the ballast.
Here's my car with the xenon retrofit, it was like flash light before the job. I'm sure those with the aftermarket W220 know what I mean
Another angle
And another
My headlight look
Last edited by zam2000; Jan 3, 2007 at 11:32 AM.
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From: USA - CT
2002 S430
Are these legal?
THis thread is really only about changing the Halogen lights to projector halegon lights for under one thousand dollars. However, if tyou think you can get OEM HID parts to work as a conversion for under one thousand dollars that would be great!
THis thread is really only about changing the Halogen lights to projector halegon lights for under one thousand dollars. However, if tyou think you can get OEM HID parts to work as a conversion for under one thousand dollars that would be great!
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S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
). Lot of othear headlight are as bright & sharp, just that Lexus projector design produce the widest beam. We're talking about Acura, Honda S2000, Porches, Audi ....In the HID retrofit world, guess which OEM part (most importantly, projector) rank near, or at bottom ? OEM Mercedes !!!
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From: USA - CT
2002 S430
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
i have 99 E320 with the factory fluted/beveled lens halogens. wanted the clear
lens look and bought Depo manufactured units off Ebay. the light output
sucked. the lens/projector bowl design was mediocre. i put in Sylvania
Silverstars but that improved lighting by the barest of margins. the beam still
exhibited pie sliced, segments projected ahead of the vehicle. foreground light
was pitiful.
Zam indicated that the mount was spec-ed for near perfect, no-mod drop in using a bixenon from an E55. so I spent $200 to acquire these off Ebay and
slipped them in, bought Hella ballasts and D2S bulbs. It is now very decent
and a 3-fold improvement. Total cost was $850.
I have no firsthand experience with the units you've linked. their descriptions
are pretty sparse insofar as manuf, bulb size. projector size would help give
you an idea whether HID projectors could be retrofitted inside but you really
need to find someone who has a set which you can look inside and measure
spacing, opening, etc.
lens look and bought Depo manufactured units off Ebay. the light output
sucked. the lens/projector bowl design was mediocre. i put in Sylvania
Silverstars but that improved lighting by the barest of margins. the beam still
exhibited pie sliced, segments projected ahead of the vehicle. foreground light
was pitiful.
Zam indicated that the mount was spec-ed for near perfect, no-mod drop in using a bixenon from an E55. so I spent $200 to acquire these off Ebay and
slipped them in, bought Hella ballasts and D2S bulbs. It is now very decent
and a 3-fold improvement. Total cost was $850.
I have no firsthand experience with the units you've linked. their descriptions
are pretty sparse insofar as manuf, bulb size. projector size would help give
you an idea whether HID projectors could be retrofitted inside but you really
need to find someone who has a set which you can look inside and measure
spacing, opening, etc.
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
ironcheflam- if you mean you picked up HID bulb/kit that should be pretty
straight forward. but if you purchased HID projectors, and need help with your
project, am happy to try and help or look over your shoulder.
straight forward. but if you purchased HID projectors, and need help with your
project, am happy to try and help or look over your shoulder.
Thread Starter
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From: USA - CT
2002 S430
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
Basically, it's an HID bulb grafted onto the base of the bulb mount which adapts
to your halogen base. i hold an extremely distasteful view of these one-size-
fits-all bulbs because they never calibrate them to the halogen light housing.
as such, their light output is poorly controlled and possesses glare which prove
unsafe to opposing drivers. If halogen bulbs display glare, their lower light
output is sometimes shrugged off by other drivers. But when the HID bulb
output is 3x brighter, it can be blindingly unsafe.
Most Ebay HIDs are HID kits for drop-in use with halogen designed light
fixtures...avg $250-500.
examples of typical HID kit output
http://i7.tinypic.com/2gx09l2.jpg
http://i15.tinypic.com/2ppeptx.jpg
http://i9.tinypic.com/4boasuo.jpg
HID kits fit a very profitable niche in the market, as it allows folks to go cheap
and get an HID lumen output into their car with few minutes of work. Most of
the time, as long as it looks bright, folks are satisfied. We drive classy rides.
Keep them classy with quality beam, I opine. HID retrofit only costs avg $800
The better answer is to take an HID projector (designed and has specs for HID
bulb, instead of halogen) and fit that into your headlight housing. That way,
you'll nearly always guarantee a precision beam instead of poorly focused.
HID projector into Depo light housing by Zam2000
to your halogen base. i hold an extremely distasteful view of these one-size-
fits-all bulbs because they never calibrate them to the halogen light housing.
as such, their light output is poorly controlled and possesses glare which prove
unsafe to opposing drivers. If halogen bulbs display glare, their lower light
output is sometimes shrugged off by other drivers. But when the HID bulb
output is 3x brighter, it can be blindingly unsafe.
Most Ebay HIDs are HID kits for drop-in use with halogen designed light
fixtures...avg $250-500.
examples of typical HID kit output
http://i7.tinypic.com/2gx09l2.jpg
http://i15.tinypic.com/2ppeptx.jpg
http://i9.tinypic.com/4boasuo.jpg
HID kits fit a very profitable niche in the market, as it allows folks to go cheap
and get an HID lumen output into their car with few minutes of work. Most of
the time, as long as it looks bright, folks are satisfied. We drive classy rides.
Keep them classy with quality beam, I opine. HID retrofit only costs avg $800
The better answer is to take an HID projector (designed and has specs for HID
bulb, instead of halogen) and fit that into your headlight housing. That way,
you'll nearly always guarantee a precision beam instead of poorly focused.
HID projector into Depo light housing by Zam2000
Thread Starter
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From: USA - CT
2002 S430
WOW!
Thanks Raymond G,
Now this is the information I was looking for.
After reading all this information in this focused discussion thread I have come to the conclusion that there is no substitute for the real (HID) thing.
I hope others will read this thread and stay clear of Projector conversion kits. Stay with the OEM projector lights that come with your car and wait until you get a new/used car with OEM HIDs.
Mark
Thanks Raymond G,
Now this is the information I was looking for.
After reading all this information in this focused discussion thread I have come to the conclusion that there is no substitute for the real (HID) thing.
I hope others will read this thread and stay clear of Projector conversion kits. Stay with the OEM projector lights that come with your car and wait until you get a new/used car with OEM HIDs.
Mark
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From: USA - CT
2002 S430
My sales person at my MB dealer said I should be able to get used for MY 2000-2004 (scrap yard) Halogen OEM Porjecotor head light assemblyes with clear lenses.
I called my dealers parts and they could not tell if these were even an option or that there are OEM Halogen H7 type Projector clear lense head lights.
Does anyone know if these exist?
I called my dealers parts and they could not tell if these were even an option or that there are OEM Halogen H7 type Projector clear lense head lights.
Does anyone know if these exist?
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From: in the car :)
02' brabus modified ML500,05' Lambor Gallardo, 02' CLK
Those OEM Xenon H7 that you guys are talking about cost about 1500 in dealer, available in 06' model, but you can put those on 00'+ models, those H7 D2S rated 6000K give you a white color. My sugestion ? Buy a pair of clear projector headlight ( if you don't have those cost about $300) a buy a H7 HID kit rated 8500K to 10000K ( blueiiisss white to rainbow white cost about $180 ) and have them installed, In that option you can have a better set than the OEM part with half the cost. I did it and total cost for my 04 S430 is 300 to have a pair of H7 HID driving light installed. I will post the pictures soon after i get my foglight ( lowbeam ?? ) installed, too. Good luck
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From: So. Cal
S430
On that headlight, I use the OEM projectors, ballast, and bulbs from the 2005 Lexus LS430, and retro it to my headlight. That's how good the Lexus LS430 headlight is (well, unless we say that Lexus headlight is illegal ).
Lot of othear headlight are as bright & sharp, just that Lexus projector design produce the widest beam. We're talking about Acura, Honda S2000, Porches, Audi ....
). Lot of othear headlight are as bright & sharp, just that Lexus projector design produce the widest beam. We're talking about Acura, Honda S2000, Porches, Audi ....
Last edited by tgood; Jan 21, 2007 at 03:39 AM.
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Those OEM Xenon H7 that you guys are talking about cost about 1500 in dealer, available in 06' model, but you can put those on 00'+ models, those H7 D2S rated 6000K give you a white color. My sugestion ? Buy a pair of clear projector headlight ( if you don't have those cost about $300) a buy a H7 HID kit rated 8500K to 10000K ( blueiiisss white to rainbow white cost about $180 ) and have them installed, In that option you can have a better set than the OEM part with half the cost. I did it and total cost for my 04 S430 is 300 to have a pair of H7 HID driving light installed. I will post the pictures soon after i get my foglight ( lowbeam ?? ) installed, too. Good luck
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From: USA - CT
2002 S430
KENNETH04S and benznodubz,
Thanks for the info. However, wont this combination create very bad light. Atleast that is what others have said when using the 300 ebay specials. I know you are say to get the HID kit for them but wont they still throw off bad lighting?
KENNETH04S, I would realy like to see you pictures and links to where you bought your lights anf HID retor kit.
Thanks
Mark
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
Those OEM Xenon H7 that you guys are talking about cost about 1500 in dealer, available in 06' model, but you can put those on 00'+ models, those H7 D2S rated 6000K give you a white color. My sugestion ? Buy a pair of clear projector headlight ( if you don't have those cost about $300) a buy a H7 HID kit rated 8500K to 10000K ( blueiiisss white to rainbow white cost about $180 ) and have them installed, In that option you can have a better set than the OEM part with half the cost. I did it and total cost for my 04 S430 is 300 to have a pair of H7 HID driving light installed. I will post the pictures soon after i get my foglight ( lowbeam ?? ) installed, too. Good luck
this out and eat it, then send you new lotto ticket from WA state.
again,99% of HID kits dropped into halogen projectors (and reflectors) produce
uncontrolled glare. penny wise, pound foolish. you may have Jessica Simpson
on your arm at a party, but just dont let her speak.
Last edited by raymond g-; Jan 20, 2007 at 05:48 PM.
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From: in the car :)
02' brabus modified ML500,05' Lambor Gallardo, 02' CLK
sure raymond, i will give u the part number when i get back to work on monday, just a head up for u is the OEM part come together with xenon, and i work in part&accesiories dept. have a good weekend guys
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From: in the car :)
02' brabus modified ML500,05' Lambor Gallardo, 02' CLK
oh Mark, my w220 is an 04' so it come with projector lense , about H7 HID i bought from my friend's audio sound system shop but i'm sure u can find one in ebay for 160 ( 10000K or Blue )
kenneth
kenneth
