Anyone Tried the Depo Bi-Xenon Euro Headlights? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Sev · #1 07-25-2018, 01:09 AM

So I cracked the lens on my Bosch Euros, both of them. Not severely, they're being held together with some clear tape and it works fine until it gets wet

Okay, so I know anything other than Bosch and Hella isn't that great a choice for many on here, but I'm comfortable with the quality of Depo

I was on eBay the other day and I saw Bi-Xenon headlights by Depo for the w123, the title of the listing was 1977-1985 Mercedes W123 Bi-Xenon HID Euro Glass Headlight+ Corner + Wire Adapter

I uploaded some pics on here

Wondering if anyone on here tried these out, and how much better were they than standard Euro headlights in terms of brightness? IIRC, you max out at around 100W bulbs for Euro headlights, maybe the Xenons will be/appear a bit brighter, while remaining cooler?

Thanks,

Sev

Madmax55 · #2 07-25-2018, 08:19 AM

Im pretty sure Mercedes-Benz still has those lenses in stock, just find the P# and call the dealer. I don't think they are that expensive either.

Frank Reiner · #3 07-25-2018, 03:08 PM

We might note that Depo is taking liberties with the term "Bi-Xenon". Xenon headlamps have come to mean those whose light source is an electric arc, rather than an incandescent filament. Electric arc lamps are also known as High Intensity Discharge (HID).
The Depo package in this thread contains filament lamps, aka "Halogen".
For the lamps to be "Xenon"/HID there would need to be ballasts and igniters present in the package.

vwnate1 · #4 07-25-2018, 08:10 PM

I bought a pair of these crappo lamps, they have NO ADJUSTMENTS WHATSOEVER making them a maybe thing if you car's body isn't perfect .

They come with halogen bulbs, very nice and bright for the few months they work before blowing .

As mentioned, the Classic Center has the lenses in stock, I bought a pair and they're nice .

Your call, even with tarnished reflectors I'd go with new lenses over these cheapo lamps .

Squiggle Dog · #5 07-25-2018, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madmax55

Im pretty sure Mercedes-Benz still has those lenses in stock, just find the P# and call the dealer. I don't think they are that expensive either.

Not if you have a W116 or a W126.

$200 each lens for W126 and $300 each for a W116.

w123fanman · #6 07-25-2018, 10:25 PM

The knockoff lights themselves aren't too bad, but don't pay extra for the "Bi-Xenon" ones, they're just halogen bulbs with a colored coating. HIDs usually don't do well in halogen headlights anyway, the filaments are usually the wrong orientation and cause worse beam with tons of glare for oncoming drivers. High quality LED bulbs are the best option if you want an upgrade over halogen, the higher wattage halogens are another option but need to be used with thicker wires and their own relays and can sometimes melt the headlight housing.

Frank Reiner · #7 07-26-2018, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w123fanman

HIDs usually don't do well in halogen headlights anyway, the filaments are usually the wrong orientation

There are no filaments in HID light sources. HIDs are arc lights.

vwnate1 · #8 07-26-2018, 01:51 AM

Here you go, both types :

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-w123-Headlight-Lamp-Lens-Fits-MERCEDES-E-Class-W123-1976-1985-NEW-PAIR/152997822250?hash=item239f617f2a:g:jNoAAOSwBRFaSYYM

And

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-123-EURO-HEADLIGHT-GLASSES-NEW-PAIR-1976-1984-models-300D-240D/162750702113?hash=item25e4b2a221:g:SMoAAOSwf-VWVPyK

? Need new reflectors ? :

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-w123-EURO-HEADLIGHTS-REFLECTORS-NEW-PAIR-230-250/162696331477?hash=item25e17500d5:g:2KYAAOSwDwtUpcH~

w123fanman · #9 07-26-2018, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Reiner

There are no filaments in HID light sources. HIDs are arc lights.

You're right, but either way, the orientation is wrong.

Sev · #10 07-26-2018, 01:05 PM

Gents, thanks for the replies

My reflectors aren't that bad, they only have dust on them

I was thinking of going with the Bosch or Hella replacement lenses
But the ones linked-to from Turkey aren't actually Bosch, they are aftermarket

I would venture to bet they aren't as good as Bosch/Hella glass, which is probably 'hardened' somehow, but probably as good as, say, Depo

The Depo 'xenons' I posted pics of are out for me based on the info provided above. I wish I had some skill, I would try to retrofit r129 Xenon headlights into my car with the ballasts and wiring harness--too much work for the benefit, given I only drive the car on the weekends

For the price of the aftermarket lenses (Adsitco on eBay sells an authentic Hella lens for about $100), or $90 for the pair of fake Bosch ones linked-to above, I could go with complete Depo headlights and sell my Bosch housings without lenses to help pay for them

One final thought: are the Depo internals the same (same mounting points for hardware) as the Bosch? If so, maybe I can buy the Depo lights and swap the Bosch hardware into them. Although that might be a waste of time, too

Thanks,

Sev

DeliveryValve · #11 07-26-2018, 02:11 PM

I bought a pair of aftermarket lenses directly from Turkey before. One lens was seemed good, but the other lens seemed that when it was formed, the glass mold was already worn out. So the light pattern was not as pronounced. That is a quality control issue there and would not buy those again.

In the past, I found Depot Lenses to be good and consistent. The reflectors are an exact copy of the Bosch lights. The only quality difference between Depot and Bosch is I found the plastic housings to be very flimsy. I wouldn't hesitate to rebuild old Bosch housings with Depot internals and Lenses. Not a waste of time for me to do so.

.

Bengoshi2000 · #12 07-26-2018, 04:21 PM

Keep the stockers and simply replace your glass. I have some depo headlights on my mkiv golf (retrofitted with a hid projectors). It's better than stock (as far as the light output) but the quality of the depo housings leaves MUCH to be desired. The plastic is brittle, thin and just not as robust as stock. Same is true for the internal components.