SL-Class (R129) 1990-2002: SL 280, SL 300, SL 320, SL 500, SL 600, SL 60 AMG

SL/R129: halogens to xenons

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 02-14-2004, 09:36 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
bc2602's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Scranton, Pa
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2001 MB SL500
Lightbulb halogens to xenons

I love my '01 SL500, it's in great shape, silver, 12k mi. and I save it for fair weather only. I'm 50 and the halogens don't cut it at night especially when you've become used to xenons that I have with other vehicles in the family. Is there any help out there that knows how to thoroughly tackle the project of converting the vehicle to xenons (bi-'s would be nice too)? The car deserves much better than a $80 Pepboy bulb approach and I know the electrical would be affected but the job seems to be uninteresting to a couple MB dealers I've contacted. Thank you, Bob in NE Penna. bc2602@aol.com
Old 02-16-2004, 05:04 AM
  #2  
Former Vendor of MBWorld
 
MBenzNL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: global traveller
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
some slow@$$diesels
Mercedes sells a complete xenon upgrade package for the R129 and those uninterested dealer people can look up the whole process of what is involved in their WIS...

If you don't care about auto headlight levelling and headlight washers - it is just a plug and play modification that you can do yourself as well...

greetingz,
Old 02-17-2004, 02:09 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
firstkill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi I just checked on this....

dealer sells the assembly for 1500 per side...
some other places online have them for about 2000.

Some place in europe have them for 1300 + shipping. I am not sure where else to look.



~fk
Old 02-18-2004, 04:42 AM
  #4  
Former Vendor of MBWorld
 
MBenzNL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: global traveller
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
some slow@$$diesels
Do not ask your dealer to look up the price of the headlights seperately but ask him to look up the price for the complete xenon upgrade package which is sold with a B6 partnumber...these packages include 2 xenon headlights and all needed parts for the auto levelling system of the headlights at a lower price then just the 2 xenon headlights.

greetingz,
Old 02-18-2004, 04:43 AM
  #5  
Former Vendor of MBWorld
 
MBenzNL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: global traveller
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
some slow@$$diesels
Originally posted by firstkill
Some place in europe have them for 1300 + shipping. I am not sure where else to look.
1300 euro equals 1625USD btw...

greetingz,
Old 02-19-2004, 10:54 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
firstkill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
hrmm i wonder how expensive the dealer will be this time around if I ask for the upgrade package instead....

seems like cheapest is 1600usd from uk....



~fk
Old 02-21-2004, 01:50 AM
  #7  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
ChrisB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Posts: 1,181
Received 72 Likes on 50 Posts
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
I am a bit confused about the advancement you are asking about.

When did Halogens cone into play? Does my 1999 have halogen?

What is this auto headlight levelling people are writing about?

Regarding the new lights on recent models ... I find Zenons (? blue and intence) very annoying in the rear view mirrors.

Does anyone agree?

I would think that Zenons would only be required where there is not city lighing or danger of wildlife crossing the road.

Last edited by ChrisB; 02-21-2004 at 01:59 AM.
Old 02-21-2004, 05:06 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
firstkill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ChrisB

the head lights look different.. and if you get use to HID/Xenon lighting its hard to go back to regular halogen lights. The halogens are just not as bright.. and cover very little road.


I am not sure if your 99 has halogens.. but they were an options during hte later years of the SL production.


~fk
Old 02-21-2004, 12:13 PM
  #9  
Member
 
rellik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
mercedes
is it possible to use this upgrade kit on my '93 500sl?
Old 02-21-2004, 01:29 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
firstkill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yes.. the oem xenon upgrade is for all the r129 SLs...
but finding them for a good price is the hard part.



~fk
Old 02-21-2004, 06:05 PM
  #11  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
bc2602's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Scranton, Pa
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2001 MB SL500
thank you all for your input, does anyone have the complete part number from MB (or a good MB person's name to contact) for the xenon upgarde kit? Our local MB dealer seems to have a concern with the SL electrical system (dash lights going off, other funny things, etc.) if xenons were installed but if there is a kit then MB must have considered all facets before offering it. The price isn't as important as having the job done correctly and maybe I need to ask a couple more MB dealers once I have a part number. Thanks again, my direct email is bc2602@aol.com.
Old 02-22-2004, 11:14 AM
  #12  
Former Vendor of MBWorld
 
MBenzNL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: global traveller
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
some slow@$$diesels
Originally posted by ChrisB
When did Halogens cone into play? Does my 1999 have halogen?
Regarding the new lights on recent models ... I find Zenons (? blue and intence) very annoying in the rear view mirrors.
1996 - that is what auto dimming rearview mirrors are for
Originally posted by firstkill
seems like cheapest is 1600usd from uk....
Be aware of the fact that people in the UK drive on the other side of the road and have a mirrored lightpattern which will blind your US uncoming traffic.
Originally posted by rellik
is it possible to use this upgrade kit on my '93 500sl?
I have retrofitted factory xenons (with auto levelling gear) in my 1990 SL as well...

greetingz,
Old 02-22-2004, 02:35 PM
  #13  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
ChrisB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Posts: 1,181
Received 72 Likes on 50 Posts
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
The auto dimming rear view and driver side mirror does not cut out the annoying blue intecity of the Xenon lights.

My other question was what is the auto headlight levelling?
Old 02-22-2004, 03:32 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
firstkill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Steve...


Through email they claim they are Euro spec.. not uk spec..but i doubt i will order from them.. seems more trouble than its worth..
I guess these lights are more of a copy of OEM than the real OEM...

http://www.xenonvalot.com/


Dustin

Last edited by firstkill; 02-22-2004 at 03:34 PM.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: SL/R129: halogens to xenons



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:24 PM.