Projector headlamps upgrade -help !

[Chas]

Will these headlamps fit my S320 (2001)?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=130069980140&rd=1,1

Thanks

 

[M6AJJ]

I have heared that the ones sold on E Bay UK are a direct plug and play fit, but I would not be sure of these.

How easy is it to change the beam for RHD?

I am sure someone with a lot more knowledge than me will give you some advice, but there are too many wiring differences Xenon v Halogen etc. I wouldn't touch them.

 

[television]

My veiw as well,dont think that i would buy them, are they switchable,complete with ballast, and how about the self leveling.

I have had some good buys from the States, but this guy selling has been selling them for months,so his story is not quite true.

Malcolm

 

[Chas]

Thanks Malcolm,

I appreciate your reply sir.
Is it possible to upgrade to 2003+ clear lamps?
I asked the MB dealer but they never seem keen to offer assistance on retrofits, and muttered something about wiring changes, despite all the business I have given them

cheers

Chas

 

[television]

Thanks Malcolm,

I appreciate your reply sir.
Is it possible to upgrade to 2003+ clear lamps?
I asked the MB dealer but they never seem keen to offer assistance on retrofits, and muttered something about wiring changes, despite all the business I have given them

cheers

Chas

I cant promise to find anything,but I will look, the reason dealers will not order or check on these things is that they have burnt the fingers on ordering spares without a VIN number. I am trying to order an 06 grill,but the dealer will not do it without a VIN, so where do I find a new AMG SL that I can take the VIN from.

Malcolm

 

[television]

looking at some info for another thread it says that you can change over but would need a leveling kit, your car is listed with all 3 types.

malcolm

 

[Timechaser]

hi malcolm. how does one get a levelling kit? I am looking at these...

http://www.hids4u.co.uk/product_details.asp?id=282

 

[Chas]

looking at some info for another thread it says that you can change over but would need a leveling kit, your car is listed with all 3 types.

malcolm

Do you actually need a levelling kit for these standard halogen clear lights? I thought you could just adjust the beam manually with a screwdriver ?

thanks

Chas

 

[television]

Do you actually need a levelling kit for these standard halogen clear lights? I thought you could just adjust the beam manually with a screwdriver ?

thanks

Chas

No leveling kit needed for halogens only Xenon.

There is an important change comming that may forbid the conversions if not OE. I will put it up later in the day on a seperate thread.

Malcolm

 

[Chas]

No leveling kit needed for halogens only Xenon.

There is an important change comming that may forbid the conversions if not OE. I will put it up later in the day on a seperate thread.

Malcolm

Is it anything to do with my previous post, below......

This is the reply I got from the DOT



------------------FACT SHEET--------------
December 2006

Aftermarket HID headlamps


In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.

The following is the legal rationale:

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.

However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).

For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.
In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.


If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below:

Transport Technology and Standards 6
Department for Transport
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street Telephone: 020 7944 2078
London Fax: 020 7944 2196
SW1P 4DR Email: TTS.enquiries@dft.gsi.gov.uk
__________________

 

[television]

Hi Chaz, you have it all there in a nutshell, the bit that I put up is really the effects of not complying with the regs as published in the trade press.

Malcolm

 

[Chas]

Hi Chaz, you have it all there in a nutshell, the bit that I put up is really the effects of not complying with the regs as published in the trade press.

Malcolm

Cheers Malcolm,

I did my research on headlight stuff a while ago, and I am trying to do a legal upgrade on my headlamps, but I am finding it very difficult with no help from MB.

Thanks sir

 

[television]

Chas,I have coppied you excelent post over to the posting that I put up to keep them together for ref.

Malcolm