Headlight upgrades :)
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 381
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From: Houston, TX
2006 E55
Headlight upgrades :)
Not satisfied with the output of my OEM bi-xenon headlamps and the slight opacity of the old original lenses, I have decided to make some updates.
First, I started with wet sanding and clear coating the lights with a very high quality clear to remove the outer haze and provide UV protection to keep them from yellowing again which only led to the discovery that there is still haze inside the lenses itself. While I was in there, I tossed in a pair of 5k D2S bulbs to replace the old tired OEMs. Both of these steps combined made a great improvement but I'm still not happy.
Having active xenon lights doesn't give me an affordable option to just replace the whole assembly with the E63 units so I have sourced a set of DEPO aftermarket housings which I will gut for the lenses and reflectors to get the newer "facelift" look. I'm also going to replace the projector lens for a clear lens to clean up the cut off line and also modify the cut off shield to enhance cut off color. To finish it off I'll put in a set of Osram CBI bulbs to make sure I'm getting the most of my set up.
The only possible cons to doing this is losing some of the light dispersed above the cut off line that the original non clear lenses provide(which my 5K HID fogs will make up for) and the down time to do the work. Ideally, I will have this all done in one day provided all parts are correct. I need to verify stock projector lens size so I can order my new ones. Anyone ever tackle this on the 211?
First, I started with wet sanding and clear coating the lights with a very high quality clear to remove the outer haze and provide UV protection to keep them from yellowing again which only led to the discovery that there is still haze inside the lenses itself. While I was in there, I tossed in a pair of 5k D2S bulbs to replace the old tired OEMs. Both of these steps combined made a great improvement but I'm still not happy.
Having active xenon lights doesn't give me an affordable option to just replace the whole assembly with the E63 units so I have sourced a set of DEPO aftermarket housings which I will gut for the lenses and reflectors to get the newer "facelift" look. I'm also going to replace the projector lens for a clear lens to clean up the cut off line and also modify the cut off shield to enhance cut off color. To finish it off I'll put in a set of Osram CBI bulbs to make sure I'm getting the most of my set up.
The only possible cons to doing this is losing some of the light dispersed above the cut off line that the original non clear lenses provide(which my 5K HID fogs will make up for) and the down time to do the work. Ideally, I will have this all done in one day provided all parts are correct. I need to verify stock projector lens size so I can order my new ones. Anyone ever tackle this on the 211?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 381
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From: Houston, TX
2006 E55
I would definitely retro in something nicer, but I'm not sure I would be able to keep the active cornering and leveling feature intact. Any one have some insight on this?
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From: Usa
mgLipGD
Not satisfied with the output of my OEM bi-xenon headlamps and the slight opacity of the old original lenses, I have decided to make some updates.
First, I started with wet sanding and clear coating the lights with a very high quality clear to remove the outer haze and provide UV protection to keep them from yellowing again which only led to the discovery that there is still haze inside the lenses itself. While I was in there, I tossed in a pair of 5k D2S bulbs to replace the old tired OEMs. Both of these steps combined made a great improvement but I'm still not happy.
Having active xenon lights doesn't give me an affordable option to just replace the whole assembly with the E63 units so I have sourced a set of DEPO aftermarket housings which I will gut for the lenses and reflectors to get the newer "facelift" look. I'm also going to replace the projector lens for a clear lens to clean up the cut off line and also modify the cut off shield to enhance cut off color. To finish it off I'll put in a set of Osram CBI bulbs to make sure I'm getting the most of my set up.
The only possible cons to doing this is losing some of the light dispersed above the cut off line that the original non clear lenses provide(which my 5K HID fogs will make up for) and the down time to do the work. Ideally, I will have this all done in one day provided all parts are correct. I need to verify stock projector lens size so I can order my new ones. Anyone ever tackle this on the 211?
First, I started with wet sanding and clear coating the lights with a very high quality clear to remove the outer haze and provide UV protection to keep them from yellowing again which only led to the discovery that there is still haze inside the lenses itself. While I was in there, I tossed in a pair of 5k D2S bulbs to replace the old tired OEMs. Both of these steps combined made a great improvement but I'm still not happy.
Having active xenon lights doesn't give me an affordable option to just replace the whole assembly with the E63 units so I have sourced a set of DEPO aftermarket housings which I will gut for the lenses and reflectors to get the newer "facelift" look. I'm also going to replace the projector lens for a clear lens to clean up the cut off line and also modify the cut off shield to enhance cut off color. To finish it off I'll put in a set of Osram CBI bulbs to make sure I'm getting the most of my set up.
The only possible cons to doing this is losing some of the light dispersed above the cut off line that the original non clear lenses provide(which my 5K HID fogs will make up for) and the down time to do the work. Ideally, I will have this all done in one day provided all parts are correct. I need to verify stock projector lens size so I can order my new ones. Anyone ever tackle this on the 211?
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
I did this on my E500 and CLS but kept the OEM headlights as DEPO sucks
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...lly-seeee.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...lly-seeee.html
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 381
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From: Houston, TX
2006 E55
Have any pics? Also, are they just 3" lenses? I'd like to order everything all at once before I crack them open.
Last edited by 3BNick; Dec 24, 2012 at 11:25 AM.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Houston, TX
2006 E55
I just looked through Djrabbi's thread and found a link to the lenses. The output on your e500 is killer! Exactly what I'm looking for. It almost seems like the OEM HIDs perform like halogens compared to all the Lexus and Acura cars out there.
I only want the DEPO housings for the new outer lens covers and the inside bits to convert my E55 housings to E63 look housings.
I only want the DEPO housings for the new outer lens covers and the inside bits to convert my E55 housings to E63 look housings.
Last edited by 3BNick; Dec 24, 2012 at 08:19 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Houston, TX
2006 E55, 2012 Jeep SRT, 2008 G37s 6MT (The Mrs.), 2005 Explorer
If yours work out well I may see if you want to make some money and do mine... I'd love to meet up and see the output when you're done. I just upgraded the raptor with the 2013 headlights with Evo-R projectors and some led work. I guess it's not too difficult. It's the projector lens swap on the active lights that scares me.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
Damn, someone do a write up on this, I kind of want to paint my housings so I would replace the lens the same time. I did a 55Watt conversion on my M3 xenons and then did the fx-r conversion but really was hoping to leave these headlights alone
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2006 E55
Sterling, once I get these done I'll be more than happy to let you check them out. Since you are local I'd be willing to help you out. From what I see, changing the lenses appears to be as straight forward as any other non active/dynamic projector. The raptor looks good btw.
I'll be sure to document the process here for you guys. So far, estimated cost of parts will be around $300 for the DEPO housing I'm going to butcher, $185 for the CBI bulbs, and $40 for the ZKW-R lenses.
I'll be sure to document the process here for you guys. So far, estimated cost of parts will be around $300 for the DEPO housing I'm going to butcher, $185 for the CBI bulbs, and $40 for the ZKW-R lenses.
