W211 Xenon Projectors - Replacement/Upgrade

[ama singh]

Has anyone replaced/upgraded their Xenon Projectors to restore/improve dipped headlight beam?

Would appreciate feed back on experience and results.

 

[S500 Pete]

I always found the Xenon projectors on my old 211 to be pretty good. I now have LED which are a bit better but I wouldn't get involved with the cost and trouble of upgrading to them from the Xenons.
Are your lenses clear? because even a slight misting can make a big difference much cheaper to polish them than change lights.

 

[ama singh]

I've polished the lens, improvement is marginal. I'm wondering if the Xenon projector reflectors are past their best.

 

[ama singh]

This is the upgrade I had in mind from Retrofitlab.com, would welcome any thoughts:

"Setting new standards in safety and handling dynamics, the Mercedes E-class W211 was a huge success. Over 1,5 million vehicles were built over the years, and the model remained in production between 2002 and 2009. The lighting technology used in this car is however more than 20 years old today.

Factory-fitted options included H7/H7 halogen, D2S bi-xenon (D1S on facelift) and D1S adaptive bi-xenon headlights, all manufactured by Hella.

The halogen version features a 3-inch H7 projector that produces an average light beam even when new. In many cases, its light output has been further compromised as bulb heat and general ageing cause the reflective layer to peel off.

The bi-xenon setup features a 3.0-inch projector, designed in the late 90s. These projectors are known to lose their reflective layer right to the point where they become black inside, causing dangerously low light output.

Needless to say, buying new or used original headlights for your Mercedes E W211 is not recommended. But there is fortunately no need for that. Whether your car was factory-fitted with H7/H7 halogen, D2S bi-xenon (D1S on facelift) or D1S adaptive bi-xenon headlights, there are upgrade kits that will fit inside your existing headlights.

These complete retrofit kits not only provide you with superior brightness and durability; they are also more affordable than average Mercedes E W211 xenon headlights with bulbs and ballasts, and since all components are brand new, they come with a 2-year warranty. Additional benefits over OEM headlights include Canbus-proof designs and effortless halogen-to-xenon conversions. What’s more, the levelling systems will work without any adjustments to the headlight connectors, and you can use any ballasts that you might already own to save further on xenon upgrades.

No matter which retrofit upgrade kit you pick, you will improve the light output considerably, making for safer and more enjoyable driving. And, of course, your Mercedes E W211 will look awesome with the luxurious bright light of the latest xenon technology."

 

[LostKiwi]

You have a link?

 

[Blobcat]

You have a link?

Found it for you

 

[LostKiwi]

Found it for you

Yeah I found it too.
Looks like you have to hack the housing to fit.

Questionable legality too.
The outer lens will have an approval that won't match the internals.

 

[Blobcat]

Yeah I found it too.
Looks like you have to hack the housing to fit.

It’s like fishing with TNT...

 

[Mr Hatt]

It’s like fishing with TNT...

Never tried it Blobcat, is that, like, "a thing" in Grange moor? sounds brilliant

 

[Blobcat]

Never tried it Blobcat, is that, like, "a thing" in Grange moor? sounds brilliant

TNT is the bait that fish always rise to...

 

[ama singh]

From what I can understand my car has bi-xenons, the kit includes the complete projector, the front lens come off and the projector and lens assembly is replaced by the kit.

Not sure what you mean by "hack the housing".

I will get in touch with this company and see what they think of your concerns.

 

[LostKiwi]

From what I can understand my car has bi-xenons, the kit includes the complete projector, the front lens come off and the projector and lens assembly is replaced by the kit.

Not sure what you mean by "hack the housing".

I will get in touch with this company and see what they think of your concerns.

While you're at it ask them if they are UNECE approved.

 

[ama singh]

I will ask them what certifications their retro fit kits have/meet for their application as per their descriptions, specifically for W211 bi-xenon retrofit.

 

[V6Matty]

When was the last time you changed the bulb? HID bulbs loose the output over time so even if it’s not blown it may only be producing 50% of its original output

 

[mioba]

In all honesty seems more hassle than its worth.
Either clean up what you have, live with it or buy like for like new and replace (expensive). I doubt a new set would give much improvement over the cost (unless your present are totally inside) which I would doubt.
just my tuppence

 

[ama singh]

Plan was to only replace the internal projector and keep all the electronics OEM.

Car is off the road at the moment, hope to get it back on the road in the next couple of days.

I will try new DS2 lamps just top make sure the light is good to start with.

I have also been in touch with the replacement projector supplier, I'm waiting on their feed back regarding approvals for installing their projectors in Hella head lamps.

Thank you for all your feed back!

 

[Botus]

my father's car (E280cdi W211) looks like it has xenon's (even had headlamp wash) - but in reality they are projector units with yellow dim as hell, dangerously hopeless halogens in there. They are so bad, the appalling xenon's in my S class (which are the dimmest xenon's I've ever suffered) is like suddenly driving in a continuous moment at the height of an electrical storm...

I haven't got round to trying, but as the w211 has projector units which tend to produce less light scatter and a better beam pattern (and the MOT man won't see), I expect a set of good (illegal) LED H7 type bulbs will sort things out quite nicely

 

[ama singh]

Feed back from retrofitlab:

"H type xenon and LED lamps are not ECE approved / have no E mark and should therefore not be used on public roads in the EU. Within the EU, these are only intended for use on, for example, circuit, own terrain, off-road, tuning / car shows."

They have also stated that their are no issues if I only swap out the projectors and keep the bulbs and all electronics OEM, as I was originally planning to do.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Feed back from retrofitlab:

"H type xenon and LED lamps are not ECE approved / have no E mark and should therefore not be used on public roads in the EU. Within the EU, these are only intended for use on, for example, circuit, own terrain, off-road, tuning / car shows."

They have also stated that their are no issues if I only swap out the projectors and keep the bulbs and all electronics OEM, as I was originally planning to do.

That's all right then, we're not in the EU anymore

 

[ama singh]

True, but definitely NOT worth taking the risk!

New bulbs first stop, then projectors to restore light performance if necessary.