Having the lighting ability of the HID is nice I am sure when driving but how far/well do you REALLY need to see in a w123/w126 at normal speeds?
My upgraded to euro lights was PLENTY of a upgrade for my tastes in the w126 and it no longer feels like I am "driving blind" (outdriving the headlights)
With my 55/100w conversions (H4) and proper aiming I see no additional need for lighting becuase it seems like much more would start to get a bit to agressive in other drivers mirrors.
I am all for high power high beams or whatever when you are out on that lone stretch of road, a deer prone area, or zipping along by your lonesome and need all the light you can get...
However as stated, the HID are only low beam...around town, other drivers, other lights...
There are just too many halogen bulb lit setups out there that work SO well to jump on the HID wagon.
I liked them too....until they were in my face

Just my thoughts...

I was wondering about what you anti-HID peolpe were blabbing about.

But is it not better to have a head light that takes less power to consume?

Does this not take off stress on the rest of the car's electrical system?

I am considering HID's on my 126. They seem brighter and look very nice. Like someone ells mentioned early, these HID's are just fine if not better when installed correctly.

How much power does an HID system consume? If it needs a ballast like a florescent, you will have inefficiencies boosting the voltage for the discharge. Unless the HID bulbs are more than 20% more efficient than H4s, you will need more power to run the HIDs.

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'83 240D with 617.952 and 2.88
'01 VW Beetle TDI
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD
'89 Toyota 4x4, needs 2L-T
'78 280Z with L28ET - 12.86@110
Oil Burner Kartel #35

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...oD/bioclip.jpg

"The HID Xenon system will also consume 35% less power from your vehicles electrical system and generate much less heat during operation. Advantages Halogen Light Pattern HID Light Pattern 3X Brigther & more consistent illumination of the road, and increases comfort & reduces fatigue when driving at night Produces blue-white light that is safer because it is closer to natural daylight 10X Longer Lasting"

Hello BenzBoy8
The HID Xenon system does consume 35% less power from the electrical system.
One of the dangers is less heat generation during operation = ice and snow buildup in severe north weather.
Another danger to me, HID is blinding for many drivers and 50% darker to some like me.
I can not see a HID vehicle at night beyond 1/2 mile, and it is hard to see closer because it blinds me.
The light pattern is darker and increases pain & fatigue when driving at night.
Blue light is intensely painful and irritating, the OEM's do not listen or care, it uses less power and that is all that matters.
If you do not feel the pain, you may believe the OEM propaganda about how great it is.

I would like to testify to the exceptional lighting of the euro H4 lights I just installed on my 240D. On low beam, everything directly in front and slightly to the side of me is illuminated uniformly with no shadows. The light beam does not shine as high as anyone's windshield. On high beams, I can see for miles.
Standard 55/60W bulbs, These lights frickin' ROCK!

__________________
'83 240D with 617.952 and 2.88
'01 VW Beetle TDI
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD
'89 Toyota 4x4, needs 2L-T
'78 280Z with L28ET - 12.86@110
Oil Burner Kartel #35

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...oD/bioclip.jpg

Agreed...
http://www.brandon.importtransmissionexchange.com/benz_files/lights.htm

Hid's are nice if you are using them, my Aunts Acura has them and they do light up the street like you wouldn't beleive. However they are expensive to replace and piss off everyone else. I hate them, I have never driven past a car that had them where they didn't mess up my eyes. I don't care whether they are in an S600 or aftermarket custom job on a W123 I hate those stupid things.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks for the input.

HID generates 42W as opposed to 55W, but during startup of the HID bulbs, it would require lots and lots of power, but within a few second, it will settle down to 42W.

I do agree that they are good for the person on the wheels of that particular car, but hurts other driver as they are blinding. But they do look good when they don't blind other people.

It's such a hard decision.

Ok I agree with most of what you pointed out. I have also incountered this "blinding" on the road. I was wating in the turning lane to turn onto another street, and so was another car on the other side. This car had such bright white light it "blinded" me. I then bagan to flicker my brights to warn them, btu no good came out of it. So what I am saying is , yes they bother other drivers but not the driver itself. Just my opinon.

I personally haven't had any problems with oncoming HID's, Is it possible you guys are like me when the oncoming car has their brights on?? I can't look away!

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

I intend to adapt some of these 90mm or 120mm
modules to fit in to the headlight(high and low beams)
openings of my 84 wagon.

http://www.rallylights.com/hella/headlamps.asp

I guess the projector lights aren't as blinding
as the HID's.
But I hope they are as bright as HID's.
In any case they should be a 100 times better
than the stock headlights.

Louis.

I have Euro headlamps on both W123's I own and they generate ample lighting while driving on the country back roads I use. If I need more light, I turn on the fog lamps which give plenty of side illumination.
My 230 coupe also has a hight adjustment. I use it with my brights to bring the beam down slightly to use only against those HID's. If they bright me then the level goes up and the fogs go on as well. Fight fire with fire.
DAMN HID's.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012