Scott in H-town

Do the non-bixenons have xenon low beams but halogen high beams or are the non-bixenons fully non-xenon?

I found a decent car missing the bi-xenon lights but had pretty much every other option and need to know so I can decide.

Thanks!

Kev04C320

No, the regular ones are just halogens. You definitely want to get a car that has the lighting package (319) coz it comes with Bixenon, headlight washers, as well as auto leveling. If you retrofit, you'll only get the bi-xenon

jangy

I would check with Steve @ MBenzNl about the details on what can actually be retrofitted. I have heard conflicting stories. The key (I think) is having access to the car's programming and then labor.

But, as Kevin said, you can add bi-xenons if that all you are concerned with.

Kev04C320

Steve can do the Bi-Xenon retrofit no problem, but the leveling system and washers are hard to do without enough time, space, and tools.

I've also came across a left over '05 E55 in Metallic Grey and Black Nubuck at MB Manhattan with a good discount, but it lacked the lighting package and I gave up on it.

Scott in H-town

thanks guys. how much is the typical retro fit? (ballpark figure)

maybe this car is one I'll consider now.

jangy

Hehe!! I've got access to the tools and a shop and I have all the time in the world!! Oh, wait...I already have em. My '04 E500 didn't have them and I do like washers and the active part more than anything.

Kev04C320

E-mail Steve@mbenznl.com for a quote

Kev04C320

I've found the W203 retrofit guide and it looks pretty labor intensive to me. Probably looking at 15 hours labor plus parts.....

jangy

I think you are dead on. From what i remeber, it was price prohibitive, but hey I paid $1200 for the rear door sunshades so who knows.

Kev04C320

that's with the whole door panel AND the shades, rights?

J 2OOI

I wouldn't buy an E55 without factory Bi-xenons. That was a MUST HAVE option for me. I wouldn't mess with the aftermarket stuff myself but thats just my $0.02.

Kev04C320

No one is suggesting him to mess with the aftermarket stuff. Steve uses 100% OEM Bi-Xenon headlights (you get to pick US or Euro spec) to retrofit for a 100% factory look except for the auto-leveler and the washers.

J 2OOI

My bad, let me re-phrase... I wouldn't buy an E55 without the bi-xenons installed by the factory as an original option on the car. I have nothing against steve, im sure he is great, but i like the washers and the works "319 lighting package" but thats just me, no disrespect to steve. I am just stating my opinion.

I was agreeing with your earlier post:

Yacht Master

Scott,
The BiXenon are the way to go, if you have the time, find a 55 with them. Look carefully as I was misled by a MB sticker on the radiator support above both the headlamp assembly that stated "CAUTION 25,000 VOLTS". After seeing that and the fact that when you turn on the headlamps (halogen) they have a slight delay like Xenons do. At that time I though all AMGs had xenon, wrong . Now the real ones as Kev states have washers (triangular pop up in the bumper between the high and low beam lamps) and self leveling that should cycle up and down when turned on. The term bixenon refers to the arrangement of the HID bulb, reflector, and a shutter/shade that moves around the bulb, this shade obscures light in the low beam. The high beam lamp (H7) are all halogen in all Es. When you turn on the high beams you will see the high beam lamp come on and you will hear a click in the low beam lamp, that click is the shutter/shade moving to allow the focus of the xenon to change to a pattern more conducive to forward illumination. So in a round about way the low beam lamp is on all the time but the shutter/shade changes it to high beam pattern hence hi lo=BIXenon.

Yes you can do a refit, used parts $2K plus install and still no hight adjust or wash. And for new parts from dealer over $7K. That leaves the E-bay deal $400. that has mixed reviews on these forms.

I have a problem, My high beams are worthless, the hot spot is 30 feet high at 100 yards. The worst headlights I have ever had, yes the low beams are correct. On my housing I see a white knob that when turned and disengaged moves the low beam, if I could get .25" adjustment here the alignment would be perfect. I plan to install the 65W oshram in the highs. So at that time I'll fix the alignment. Not sure if the Bixenon have this problem cause the white knob is replaced by the hight adjustment motor. This drives me crazy at night the road I live on is heavily wooded and to have the trees over head brighter than the road ahead SUCKS.

Scott in H-town

Yacht,


Awesome info.

now it's solid. I will not get a non-xenon car.

thanks for all the great posts!

Kev04C320

Good choice, keep looking, you'll find the perfect match eventually

enzom

Ditto for me. I actually walked away from a deal on an 04 because it didn't have bi-xenons. I had assumed that they were standard. I signed the agreement at my dealer expecting the car to arrive in a matter of days. I read the brochure carefully and realized that I bought a car with halogens. Cancelled the next day.

Once you go bi-xenon, you never go back.

jm55

Scott, I used to see you post over on 6 Speed when you had the Turbo. Saw you sell it and move to the M5 and now the E55. Man you go through the cars worse than me. I went from the Turbo to the SL55. I'm really liking my decision. The E55 is a really great car too. Boy, this forum is way more busy then the SL forum. Great information.

zoink

Scott, is this the one in Park Place?

Keep your eyes open... couple days ago there are couple E55's sold in TX. One of them was '05, 18.5K, fully loaded, flint grey.... sold for ...

PM me... my cousin in TX may be able to help you.

Scott in H-town

Hehe... yeah. I have car A.D.D.

I somewhat wish I never would have sold the turbo and gone to the M5. But... since then, I decided I wanted a track car so I got the Lotus Elise... and now this E55. I swear... scouts honor, that I'm keeping the E for at least 2 years!

glad you like the Sl55. I'd get it too if I didn't need the back seats.

jangy

Yes, and mine in exchange.

jangy

I would not go aftermarket either. You can get OEM parts installed. That is what costs so much to do right. Any crap shop can throw in xenons.

jangy

Hoehn in San Diego has two used e55s. One silver on black and one black on black. I did not look at configuration, I just like to browse.

Kev04C320

You know those are actually rare items in the US. It's well worth the dough

Icandr55

Steve retrofitted my o3 with bi-xenons. Had a special going for 1200. That was 3 yrs ago and still working great....