Hella Ecode headlight beam pattern pics on my daughters 240D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JWJ · #1 12-26-2006, 09:30 PM

dmorrison,

How easy was the install? Did you need to upgrade the wiring?

dmorrison · #2 12-26-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWJ

dmorrison,

How easy was the install? Did you need to upgrade the wiring?

My daughters and the 300TD are standard 60/55 watt bulbs. So no wire harness change. My son's lamps will be 100/80 watt. So a larger alternator, wires and relays will be required.

Installation takes 5 minutes. Install the bulbs into the lamps. Install the rubber backing boot over the lamp/bulb opening. Remove the headlight surround by removing the 3 large plastic nuts and pulling off the surround. Loosen the 3 bolts ( Phillips screwdriver) holding the headlight retaining ring. Swap out the lamps. Plug the existing harness into the new bulbs. Reinstall the lamps and surrounds and you done. Our headlights did not require any adjustment.

One minor little item I forgot about. To use Ecode lights you have to cut out the back of the inner headlight assembly. I had already done this on my daughters and sons car but not the 300TD. A jig saw and a file will do the job fine. Your cutting off just the rear flat section of the alluminum. I had done this for other lights that were cheap and I thought had a terrible light pattern. Doing the 300TD I may just use a hole saw that is large enough for the connector to fit through. 1 1/2 inches may do the trick. See the attached pictures the left one is the 300TD. The right one the 240D. A little out of focus.

Dave

JimmyL · #3 12-26-2006, 10:42 PM

I enjoy the documented projects that you do from time to time. Very nice pictorial difference in the two lighting choices. Seems kind of dumb for the rest of us to not do it. Cost isn't prohibitive either......
Thanks!

MBeige · #4 12-27-2006, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorrison

One minor little item I forgot about. To use Ecode lights you have to cut out the back of the inner headlight assembly. I had already done this on my daughters and sons car but not the 300TD. A jig saw and a file will do the job fine. Your cutting off just the rear flat section of the alluminum. I had done this for other lights that were cheap and I thought had a terrible light pattern. Doing the 300TD I may just use a hole saw that is large enough for the connector to fit through. 1 1/2 inches may do the trick. See the attached pictures the left one is the 300TD. The right one the 240D. A little out of focus.

Dave

I never had to cut the back part of the headlights when I switched to E-code lights. Won't doing this allow water to get in the engine compartment through that hole?

While we're on the topic of E-codes, does anybody have a good suggestion for headlight lens protectors? I lost my right headlight because of road debris, knocked a good pin-sized hole through the glass. A new set of Hellas from the same site Dave got his are on its way.

dmorrison · #5 12-27-2006, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

I never had to cut the back part of the headlights when I switched to E-code lights. Won't doing this allow water to get in the engine compartment through that hole?

While we're on the topic of E-codes, does anybody have a good suggestion for headlight lens protectors? I lost my right headlight because of road debris, knocked a good pin-sized hole through the glass. A new set of Hellas from the same site Dave got his are on its way.

Reviewing the photos, I would agree. Cutting the inner headlight assembly is not necessary for the Hella Ecodes. It was necessary for the other lights we had. Thanks for pointing that out. I would not worry about water getting in the engine compartment. Plenty already does from below and through the radiator area.

I know you can get a plastic film that helps protect the glass lens. I need to find a source.

Dave

Shorebilly · #6 12-27-2006, 06:57 AM

Just wanted to say Thanx........I have been considering switching to E-Codes......living out here in the boonies keeps you interested in the furry critters who lurk out there in the night.....as well as the occasional boulder or tree......

......but being a tad frugal, I am waiting for one of my headlights to quit first.....

SB

Ara T. · #7 12-27-2006, 08:43 AM

Considering how cheap these are, how easy they are to install, and how much more satisfaction they add to driving your car there is no reason EVERYONE should not install these. You don't have to buy the 50 dollar Silverstar bulbs either to see the improvement.

TheDon · #8 12-27-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

I never had to cut the back part of the headlights when I switched to E-code lights. Won't doing this allow water to get in the engine compartment through that hole?

While we're on the topic of E-codes, does anybody have a good suggestion for headlight lens protectors? I lost my right headlight because of road debris, knocked a good pin-sized hole through the glass. A new set of Hellas from the same site Dave got his are on its way.

3M makes a type of thin vinyl like cover that goes right over the glass..

Stevo · #9 12-27-2006, 11:59 AM

Its one of the best upgrades you can do especially for those of us with "older eyes". I use Phlips Plus 30s they seem to do about as good a job as the 100/80s I ran till finding out about the hazards of running over wattage bulbs.

dmorrison · #10 12-27-2006, 12:49 PM

My Father-in-law was here for Xmas. 83 years old and he drove down from New York with my son (23 years old). Should of had an adult with them

. Son called, "boy the fog is really bad here". Are you driving? young, good eyes etc. No grandpa is.

He still is very alert and a good driver. But after knowing him since I was 16, I have seen him age.
I digress. His lights on his 2003 Mercury Marquis were not good. I had to polish the lenses and installed Sylvania Silverstar bulbs. He did not want me to "bother" since, " As long as I have a white line I'm OK". Dad, not all the roads have good white lines!!!!!!!. So I fixed his lights. Even with polishing them and the Silverstar bulbs, that car just does not have very good lights for a 2003.

He just left at 4:30 this morning to go to Florida, the New Yorkers southern home.

Dave

dmorrison · #11 12-27-2006, 01:28 PM

Well I've been looking at protective film. Here are some suppliers. Notice it comes in various thicknesses. 8 mil to 40 mil.

Best price per square inch. 40 mil thick AND the manufacture. You can buy it by whatever measurement you want. I'll probably buy from them.

http://www.xpel.com/products/bulk.asp

Auto sport has a generic size. 2 sheets of 19" X 8" at 40 mil thick for 44.95 + 9.50 S&H. Xpel for the same thing is $33.50

http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=332&sc=7542

Griots has some good quality stuff but a little expensive. And only 23 mil thick.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/search.jsp?searchtext=headlight

Clear Guard is not quite as thick

http://www.clear-guard.com/bulkmaterial.asp

Dave

europower · #12 08-28-2007, 01:32 AM

Where do i get some ecode lights?
I need serious improvements in my lightning,i live in the country and my lights currently suck very bad.
w124 and w123 needed.