Xenon lights for C class

[DazF]

Hi all,

Well, I picked up my C320 CDI on Friday and I'm really happy. It's an Avantgarde sport.

On my previous two cars I've had xenon lights so the standard ones on the Merc are woefully dim to me.

What's the answer? Is retro fitting of xenons expensive? Or is there an alternative (special bulbs or some sort of modification kit)?

Anyone with experience who can advise?

Thanks

Daz

 

[television]

Many people fit better bulbs with quite good results, you can retro fit them

 

[whitenemesis]

Retrofitting OEM Xenons is expensive. IIRC about £650 a side! Some say you must also fit auto levelling and washers, so the cost mounts....

As Malcolm says superbright halogen bulbs are available ~£20 a pair, forum members have posted favourable reviews

 

[star]

Try these, pro plus. very good and bright.

http://www.hids4u.co.uk

 

[DazF]

Thanks guys. I thought that'd be the case. I'll do some searching.

 

[philharve]

Try these, pro plus. very good and bright.

http://www.hids4u.co.uk

Hi star

Are these super bright halogen bulbs direct replacements? I visited your link and there was mention made of 'conversion kits' and ballast resistors and high performance LEDs. My 2000 C-class use low tech' filament & halogen bulbs all round. Nothing fancy, but quite adequate. The GBP650 mentioned above refers to a full conversion kit, I assume?

REGARDS

Phil

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
full conversion kit would have to provide headlamp wash and have to make the headlamps self adjusting to make them legal in uk.

 

[star]

Hi,
full conversion kit would have to provide headlamp wash and have to make the headlamps self adjusting to make them legal in uk.

Dont know if this is true, but fitting higher wattage bulbs is illegal as well, all i can say that the improvement on my 360 was astonishing and i never get flashed by on coming traffic. why does it need h/lamp w/w? my lights never get that dirty. Brilliant lights. these are proper kits with ballasts and only took 20 mins to fit.

 

[whitenemesis]

Hi star

The GBP650 mentioned above refers to a full conversion kit, I assume?

REGARDS

Phil

Erm, No! Just checked on Inchcape, Bi-xenon headlamp unit (single) £773.98 (for a W203)

Level sensor adds £677.39...

New bumper for headlamp washer system adds £652.24....

 

[bigasotonuk]

Dont know if this is true, but fitting higher wattage bulbs is illegal as well, all i can say that the improvement on my 360 was astonishing and i never get flashed by on coming traffic. why does it need h/lamp w/w? my lights never get that dirty. Brilliant lights. these are proper kits with ballasts and only took 20 mins to fit.

Try looking at this thread some very interesting quotes regarding upgrading to xenons headlights also the upgrade kits fitting xenons to headlights specifically designed for halogens.
I will say that the MOT tester when testing my C43 wanted to know why i had xenons and no headlight wash this was before he tested the headlights.
He had thought that all C43's had them as standard equipment. So as an MOT tester he was aware of the requirements of headlight wash at least. But make up your own mind.



http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=23314&highlight=headlight

 

[verytalldave]

So it seems the only LEGAL way to retrofit xenon headlamps to a car is to replace the whole headlamp unit for the proper xenon units complete with washers and self leveling. Just retrofitting xenon bulbs with a ballast to your cars existing headlamp units (designed for normal filament bulbs) is illegal and could well fail the MOT.
That is my understanding despite what may or maynot be claimed by certain retailers.
Am I correct?

 

[whitenemesis]

That would be my understanding as well....... Expensive!

 

[verytalldave]

Yes........very.............

So what happens come MOT time to all those Halford modders with the Saxos/Clios and Corsas with retrofitted xenons? I presume they all fail - or do they put back the halogens for the MOT and then switch back to the xenons after the MOT?

 

[whitenemesis]

I would imagine that's just what they do.....

 

[star]

Not sure if its an MOT failable item, if the beam is correct?

 

[verytalldave]

Not sure if its an MOT failable item, if the beam is correct?

Apparently, it seems that all cars that have xenon headlamps must also have washer systems and be self levelling. Just swopping the halogen headlamp bulbs for xenons without the washers/leveling makes the car illegal to drive on UK roads and therefore subject to MOT failure - regardless of beam allignment.
That seems to be the general concencus of opinion.
The other point raised it also seems that by simply swopping the headlamp bulbs which makes the car illegal to drive in the UK - would therefore invalidate your insurance.
I dont think I would risk that scenario..........

 

[television]

The law is spelled out here

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=24384&highlight=Xenon+lights