yup, those were the answers I was looking for.

It stinks now that I have to decide whether to plop down $500+ on the headlights.

By the way as to the aftermarket HID stuff, it's illegal to sell not to buy. As of August or something. It just means that' it's harder to get. The good thing about H4 is that you can use almost all the parts from a generic D2S system. ANd just a little modification. So no need for imported illegal kits.

THe good thing about H4 conversions is that you can just use a stock D2S setup and just by adapter rings that fit it into the H4. Also if you buy the Caspers Electronics adapters, it also incorporates a glare shield. It prevents the light from hitting the bottom of the refector and keep the light from going up into peoples eyes. Plus everyone says you need to aim the lights a little lower than average. It'll be fine. Even the SUV's have levelers, but have you ever been behind one in traffic? You feel like you've been pulled over and they are shining the floodlight into your car. This is because the lights are so high up that they are pointed right at your head at close distance.

The reason everyone gets mad about HID aftermarket setups is that most people don't shield the bottom of the bulb. YEs that creates unecessary glare, it's not even useful light. Even H4 halogens have a shield under the low beam filament for the same reason. I intend to do the same thing. Plus, with the euro beam pattern that helps alot, plus even if I lose some of the light due to efficiency issues, HID still is brighter than a halogen would be.

I have read Daniel Sterns page in the past. He's very technical about all of this which is good, I've learned alot from it, I also like to incorporate experience. As I said in the original post, my friend with the same car, same Hella reflectors with HID, is way brighter than my relay and ballast halogen setup.
But thanks for all your input and for answering my questions.

Is the install any different in the 500E euro conversion? I'm assuming no, but if there is a difference let me know.


Thanks again for all your help. Thanks for answering my specific questions too.

I'll try to take a picture of headlights from behind the drivers seat with stock lighting and after euro conversion and HID. It'll take some time though.

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1991 W124 300e 4-MATIC