SL/R129: Economical Bi-Xenon Headlight Replacement..?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa, CA
1990 White/Tan 500 SL
Economical Bi-Xenon Headlight Replacement..?
Hi again,
This time I am searching for an economical solution to get better lighting from the stock headlights... I have looked at going the way of Bi-Xenon replacements but the cheapest I found was around $1500.00 for the left, right and ballast kits... Eekkk!!.. I also tried replacing the regular lights with HID bulbs only to find out that the system reads it as excessive power being generated and kicks the Blue High-Beam light on permanently regardless if you go into low beam or high... Blinded me on a night drive so I took them out....
Please submit any other ideas or kits you have come across that won't mess up the electrical system.. My car is a 1990 model.. Better fog lights to match would not hurt either.. (;-)
This time I am searching for an economical solution to get better lighting from the stock headlights... I have looked at going the way of Bi-Xenon replacements but the cheapest I found was around $1500.00 for the left, right and ballast kits... Eekkk!!.. I also tried replacing the regular lights with HID bulbs only to find out that the system reads it as excessive power being generated and kicks the Blue High-Beam light on permanently regardless if you go into low beam or high... Blinded me on a night drive so I took them out....
Please submit any other ideas or kits you have come across that won't mess up the electrical system.. My car is a 1990 model.. Better fog lights to match would not hurt either.. (;-)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa, CA
1990 White/Tan 500 SL
Wow, no ideas on this..? Someone has had to have upgraded their headlights in some capcity as we all know they are not that good or else no one drives at night..
Anyways, I am open to all ideas not just the Bi-xenons... Their has to be some combination lighting out there that either works with a ballast or not - that is better than the OEM.... Have a great week...
Anyways, I am open to all ideas not just the Bi-xenons... Their has to be some combination lighting out there that either works with a ballast or not - that is better than the OEM.... Have a great week...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa, CA
1990 White/Tan 500 SL
BUMP!!
Just checking in to see if anyone has come across a resolution for this challenge...? I know enough to stay away form the cheap imports kits but someone out there must have successfully upgraded their headlights so please share what info you have.. Thanks in advance...
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 159
Likes: 11
From: B.C. Canada
SL500, GLC300
well you could always buy a halogen kit and get those installed. i never did it myself but i know someone that did. the way they were hooked up though the regular bulbs were the high beams so it was kind of weird.
i believe there was 3 sets of lights though for the R129. there is a halogen set i believe. i have seen them on a car at a dealership once. you should try looking them up.
i believe there was 3 sets of lights though for the R129. there is a halogen set i believe. i have seen them on a car at a dealership once. you should try looking them up.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
i was in search of similar for my 210. I was very fortunate as some asian,
aftermarket clear lens, projector headlight was sold. quality was horrible but
that was of no concern. I pulled out the cheap projector and in its place, fitted
a bixenon from an E55.
I don't know if you're fortunate enough to have an aftermarket clear lens
headlight being sold for your model. if you do, you have a great foundation
for a similar creation.
in my case, sourcing used factory parts (bixenon projector, HID bulbs, ballast)
plus the aftermarket headlight housing, my project was about $600
aftermarket clear lens, projector headlight was sold. quality was horrible but
that was of no concern. I pulled out the cheap projector and in its place, fitted
a bixenon from an E55.
I don't know if you're fortunate enough to have an aftermarket clear lens
headlight being sold for your model. if you do, you have a great foundation
for a similar creation.
in my case, sourcing used factory parts (bixenon projector, HID bulbs, ballast)
plus the aftermarket headlight housing, my project was about $600
