JON913D

Can the bi-xenon lights be installed (or retrofitted if you like) to a 03 E55 that did not come equipped with them?

Has anyone done, or attempted to do this before?

Thanks,
Jon

E55 KEV

Adding the OEM HID lamps is possible. They are made by Hella. Would cost a lot from a dealer until some aftermarket source gets them.

Is that an error in our 'signature' stating '"1998 E55 AMG"? Should that be 1999 E55?

JON913D

You know I did that with the 996 TTs in my sig also.

He got those cars so early on in the run, I mistake the year he took delivery for the model year of the car. You are correct it was a 99, the first year the E55 came out. Thanks.

On topic:

My dad told me that the Mercedes dealership parts guy told him that modification could not be done - so I guess I was thinking what does he, the parts guy, know that we don't?

MBenzNL

Nothing at all...retrofitting bi xenons in a W211 can be done and has been done...I already sold several OEM MB bi xenon sets to the states that have been succesfully installed...

greetingz,

E55 KEV

Some dealers will install them and some won't. The reason - it is against DOT law to convert or retrofit headlamps (even if using OEM parts from a dealer). DOT and state laws state that HID must be factory installed.

However, the dealer can not stop you from buying them - they just will not install them.

JON913D

I see.

That's good to know. Thanks.

Any ideas what we would be looking at to buy the OEM bi-xenon lights to install on the W211 E55?

scorchie

I don't believe that to be true (about DOT regulations). State laws may be different. If you have the appropriate chapter/section information, I can look it up as I have the complete DOT regulations regarding headlights. Let me know.

(You do know that Sylvania sells DOT-approved HID retrofit kits for some cars... would be kind of hard to get DOT approval on something that is inherently against regulations?)

thanks,

-s-

E55 KEV

You just proved my point about the DOT regulations. The Sylvanias had to get "DOT" approval and not any state approval for their headlamp retrofits. If you have to get DOT approval than that means it is illegal otherwise.

Why do you think there are so many bulbs/kits out there and 'all' HID kits and upgrades are "for off road use only"? - because they are not DOT approved and most states just mirror the Federal DOT standards concerning headlights. I don't know the DOT regulation numbers.

DOT is about to ban the sale of all HID retrofit kits I read.