Those with E-Code Lights...Picts? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

AtlBenz · #1 02-17-2004, 01:13 AM

Hey everybody, I know a million of you have e-code headlights but I haven’t seen any picts of the output. More to the point, I am interested in the beam pattern. Here is a random pict I stole from the other forum I attend (hidforum.com) - -

Does anybody have pictures of their e-code lights shining on a wall/garage door or similar surface? lows, highs, fogs all separate.

And if ANYBODY has a pict of their e-codes with HID, I'd really really REALLY like to see them.

BTW the pict above is from an HID retrofit in a 1997 Cavalier - but you get the idea.

Norseman · #2 02-23-2004, 06:57 PM

Hi.
I don't know how that is going to look on the road, but it is definitely not the assymetric Euro style beam. I will try and see if I can get a picture from my car.

The Euro lights is kind of like a shallow v form where part of the beam is horizontal, and it pitches up on the right side to illuminate the roadside, so you can see pedestrians better.

Sorry for the bad explanation, but as you know a picture tells .................words

gsxr · #3 03-03-2004, 12:18 PM

There was an extensive discussion on this about a year ago. Summary: Putting an HID burner into a headlamp which has reflector & lens designed for a halogen bulbs is a BAD idea. Period. Don't waste your money on HID. Get Euro lights, install relays & large wiring, and use overwattage halogen bulbs. The lumens output will be similar ot HID but the beam pattern will be correct. The HID "retrofit" kits can't put the light down on the pavement correctly because the headlamp is all wrong. See http://www.danielsternlighting.com/ for more details, or contact Dan directly.

BTW - it helps if you have a signature with the year & model of your car, you can add that in your profile... ditto for your name...

ZorroAMG · #4 03-03-2004, 06:15 PM

I just installed a 6000K aftermarket HID kit in my E-code 300E headlamps and the results were great. They outperform my friends factory A6 HID's and do NOT blind people. I have driven with friends in front of me and going in opposite direction and they say the lights are fantastically bright but not an annoying bright...

Pics don't do it justice, but I'll see what I can do...

Good luck

speedy300Dturbo · #5 03-03-2004, 07:07 PM

How's the beam pattern in the rain?

gsxr · #6 03-03-2004, 07:47 PM

The whole problem is the light output is subjective. Just because it "seems" better to one person's eyes doesn't mean it actually is. Special light measuring equipment is required. At a minimum, putting HID burners into halogen lamps requires fabricating a shield to help correct the light output. But it still doesn't spread the light properly. Not blinding oncoming drivers is good, of course, but STILL doesn't make it "better" than overwatt halogen bulbs. The only thing you gain with HID compared to overwatt halogens with relays is less current draw on the alternator, no need for large wires & relays, and a different light "color" (which you could get with those stupid coated bulbs anyway). I guess it depends if you actually want to SEE at night, or just look too sexy for your car. :p

Again, from Dan Stern's web page, I *highly* recommend reading this entire article:

Quote:

Can I convert my halogen headlamps to HID?

So you've read about HID headlamps and have it in mind to convert your car. A few mouse clicks on the web, and you've found a couple of outfits offering to sell you a "conversion" that will fit any car with a given type of halogen bulb, for between $900 and $1300. STOP! Put away that credit card. Trying to "convert" halogen headlamps to HID is an unsafe thing to do. There are *NO* legitimate or safe HID retrofits for the headlamps of any car which didn't have HID lamps as a factory option. Here's why: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

ZorroAMG · #7 03-03-2004, 09:04 PM

Sarcasm noted and brushed aside. The color of light, while much nicer than standard style halogen bulbs, are also MUCH better than the ricer bulbs you are referring to. I know this because I still have them in my fog lights. The beam pattern from a projection headlamp with HID should of course be better than my setup, but for lack of a projector solution and lack of the desire to spend 2000$ and hack a custom set to put into my 300E, this setup works BETTER than standard H4's, BETTER than higher wattage H4's and looks MUCH BETTER than all the above mentioned setups INCLUDING the daniel stern setup. After all, modding is also about looking different...

That is what I wished to achieve, that is what I DID achieve and I am sure many others are looking for the same solution, hence why I posted my experiences. I did not, however, post with hopes of fooling some techno-geeks (not directed to anyone in general of course) that my lighting setup was equal to that of proper HID setups.

Have a nice day

PS I haven't driven in the rain yet, but the setup works great in heavy fog.