my next mod: Bi-Xenon HID headlamp upgrade - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ke6dcj · #61 06-10-2003, 06:18 PM

Scott- itemize everything in the "kit" and I'll sign-up for at least two (2) kits covering low, high, and pencil beams, for a total of six (6) relays per kit.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

run.exe · #62 06-10-2003, 06:24 PM

Neil,

I am awaiting your requested data, myself, as of this writing.

My total price (I added almost every other bulb on the car) was around $228.00 USD.

gsxr · #63 06-10-2003, 06:25 PM

Don't forget to add the BergWerks bulb-out module to your shopping list. I tried to get a direct URL but their website appears to be locked up right now, times out without connecting (d'oh!). This is the only item Dan can't supply (AFAIK).

run.exe · #64 06-10-2003, 06:27 PM

Please clarify:

Can I perform the BergWerks mod, myself?

If not, what do I need to remove and send to Carl?

RSVP

gsxr · #65 06-10-2003, 06:41 PM

Funny how there's never an easy answer.

There are several versions of the bulb-out module. I got a newer one from BergWerks in exchange for my early version. They have toally different PCA's. I took photos of the mod on the newer version and posted them here (scroll down to "bulbout...") :

http://www.meimann.com/images/mercedes/W124_headlights/

If your module PCA's look EXACTLY like those photos, and you feel comfy making the cuts, you can attempt the mod yourself. If you mess up you'll need a fresh one from the boneyard to replace it. If your module is different than above, you'll need to get it from BergWerks. If they have one on the shelf, they'll send it to you and credit you when they get your old one back. If not, you'll need to send yours in (yuck).

I have been wanting to experiment on the older style module, and bought one off eBay to play with, but haven't done so yet. They are totally different and I'm not quite sure what traces to cut on the old module. A 500E is a pretty new generation W124 so yours may be the new type as in my photos above.

The bulb-out (N7) module is located in the rear half of the fuse box with the other relays. There are several Phillips screws to remove to access it. The N7 module is the biggest thing in there, you can't miss it.

run.exe · #66 06-10-2003, 06:46 PM

Thanks, Dave!

run.exe · #67 06-10-2003, 07:44 PM

-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Stern Lighting [mailto:dastern@vrx.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2003 4:37 PM
To: Scott M. Shell

- QTY = 1 / description: relay package for high beams + low-beams + driving lights: $77.00/each

- QTY = 2 / description: Narva 130/100W H4 bulbs @ $19.00 each

- QTY = 2 / description: Narva 796 bulbs for reverse lamps @ $7.70/each

- QTY = 2 / description: silver when off, amber when on front corner turn-signal bulbs @ $7.80/each

- QTY = 6 / description: C5W Xenon replacements for puddle-lights @ $5.70/each

- QTY = 2 / description: 3497 bulbs for brake lamps @ $4.90/each

TO ORDER, E-MAIL DANIEL STERN AT: dastern@vrx.net

run.exe · #68 06-11-2003, 01:55 PM

-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Stern Lighting [mailto:dastern@vrx.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 10:32 AM
To: Scott M. Shell

Of course, if you want to be able to run hotter pencil beams...

http://www.morette.com/htm/124.htm

ke6dcj · #69 06-11-2003, 02:11 PM

Too bad their links don't work. IMHO, they don't work well with the lines of the car.

However, if you're going to do an HID conversion, perhaps the housing can take an engineered from the beginning HID lamp assembly.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

speedy300Dturbo · #70 06-11-2003, 02:22 PM

Haha, it makes the front look like an old W123!

run.exe · #71 06-16-2003, 01:36 PM

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=67726

mike690003 · #72 06-16-2003, 02:31 PM

run, why did you throw in the towel on your xenon project?? Install the xenon in your headlights and fog lights. That'll light up a stadium.

run.exe · #73 06-16-2003, 02:34 PM

Per this entire thread (see above), I am opting to upgrade my lighting wiring and existing halogen setup.

2phast · #74 06-16-2003, 04:42 PM

Looks like I am getting in on this thread a little late. Some of you may already have read my experiences with lighting on my W201. Here are the conclusions I have come to.

A upgrade to euro lights is a must. Upgrading the wattage/kelvin rating of the halogen bulbs increases light output and changes color (depending upon what type of bulb and kelvin rating). I tested both Piaa Superwhites and Sylvania Silverstars. For the money the Sylvania Silverstars were the better choice.

Now onto HID's. This is a doable project but not a plug and play install. My project consisted of using factory BMW Hella ballasts and Philips D2R burners (4100k). I found the Philips burners to have a yellow hue to them and replaced these with a Osram D2S 4100k burner, light blue on initial start and then bright white after a couple of minutes. Conclusion, Osram has better light output no yellow hue. No noticeable difference between the D2s and D2R, although the D2S is a bit more tricky to modify to fit the H4 socket. Now, on the topic of modifing the burners, the H4 mounting ring needs to be epoxied onto the burner, not superglue or other junk glues, a good two part epoxy is the only thing that is going to work.

Light output is incredible, although like mentioned in other posts, light output is all over the place, way too much light for the reflector of the euro headlights. This is where you need to get innovative at controlling the light output. On my euro headlights, there is a metal bulb protector that looks sort of like a tower with no top on it. I capped off the end of this tower and wrapped the top half of the tower with foil, this cut down on the amount of light being reflected up into the air (and blinding on coming traffic). Light distribution to the sides of the road are still powerfull and there are only some minor strands of light that seem not to be focused (small price to pay for HID's in reflector housings).

The end result is very positive, light output is greatly increased, on coming traffic is not blinding and my vision at night is great improved. I would do this again (assuming a factory HID option is not available, otherwise I would go witht he factory HID assembly)

Total cost for all my parts was about $250, not including the 2nd set of burners I picked up.

I say do, you won't be happy with a upgraded halogen update, I know.

mike690003 · #75 06-16-2003, 05:00 PM

2Phast, I had the same problem with my philips bulbs being too yellowish. The way to "fix" it was to have my lights on all the time,even during the day. The philips(4100K) bulbs have a "burn in" period of about 50-100 hours. After that time, the bulbs shine a whitish blue(4300-4350K). But hey, sell them on ebay or keep them as a spare set. Not likely seeing that they last approx. 2000 hours!

Run needs to get on ebay and get some Xenon in that 500E.