Xenon Lights, For Euro's..? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

truckinik · #1 06-14-2007, 12:51 PM

1.) Does anyone know of any companies producing Xenon lights, that will fit into the Euro headlight housings either with, or without modifications to the actual headlight housings..?

2.) Is this even something that is possible to do..?

3.) Is the lighting really even that much better that it would be worth it to begin with..?

Whether the lighting is better or not, I think the car would look pretty cool from the outside with those lights in there..

Oppinions, etc...?

John Doe · #2 06-14-2007, 12:59 PM

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TheDon · #3 06-14-2007, 01:03 PM

I have Sylvania Silver Stars in my euros... Which are pure white.. Xenon bulbs If I rember correctly require a different lense.

It is illegal to run HID's in a car that did not come factory with them since the lense construction is that for halogen bulbs and the HID's in the wrong light cause a glare that is harmful to the other drivers on the road.

I need to get a pic of my lights at night (and aim them a little better). But they came (from katmac) with some weird ass blue tinted bulbs.. lame.. The silver stars have a slight blue tint to them but I do not really notice it. I need to get better fog lights as well

Zeus · #4 06-14-2007, 01:07 PM

True xenon lights require a lot of mods. Xenon lights use HID technology - High Intensity Discharge, which refers to the electrical discharge arc that makes the light. They require ballasts to regulate the voltage to the lights. They also require proper focusing lenses to ensure the output light is properly dispersed and they require external cleansers (wipers, or the high pressure wash system on Mercedes).

The factory xenon system on Mercedes also comes with a sophisticated levelling system to ensure the lights stay focused when the car hits bumps, or has a heavy load. Motor on the lights are linked to sensors that pull or push the lights up or down to keep them level.

So...is it worth it? I'd say yes, the light output of xenons is pretty incredible.

But to retrofit them properly? This would be quite expensive.

Most of the aftermarket 'xenons' are simply halogens with blue coatings on them. If you installed true xenons, projector lenses and ballasts, you could get a true xenon system going, but by law - I think - you would require a washing system as well. Not sure about the levelling system, in terms or requirements.

TheDon · #5 06-14-2007, 01:08 PM

I did not know that they had to have washing systems... interesting

Zeus · #6 06-14-2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

I did not know that they had to have washing systems... interesting

Sorry, I should have been clearer - I think this only applies to European vehicles (or vehicles made in Europe), where this requirement is law. It is why Mercedes and BMW, etc. all have those washer systems where xenon lights are present.

#7 06-14-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckinik

1.) Does anyone know of any companies producing Xenon lights, that will fit into the Euro headlight housings either with, or without modifications to the actual headlight housings..?

2.) Is this even something that is possible to do..?

3.) Is the lighting really even that much better that it would be worth it to begin with..?

Whether the lighting is better or not, I think the car would look pretty cool from the outside with those lights in there..

Oppinions, etc...?

It is possible but is a H#LL of a lot of work. You basically will have to custom fabricate your own glass lenses in order to make the HIDs project properly. I know someone who has done this but I would not even know where to start.

Like I said. Is it possible? Sure. Feasible? Probably about as feasible as taking your Lambo around the block for a spin.

truckinik · #8 06-14-2007, 01:30 PM

But with the clear lenses, and the fact that the car has wiper/washers already, is that not good enough..?

I mean, I know they require a ballast, or breaker, along with wiring/leveling and all of that.
Couldn't I just buy the kit a buddy of mine bought for Xenon lights, into his 2001 Camaro, and install it in my SEC..?

They also make kits for a lot of other cars, or I could even use original Mercedes parts, from a new car..

I guess though, that it's more complicated than all of that, according to what you all are telling me so far though.

My next question is:
If the system is being sold aftermarket, but not necessarily, for the 560SEC, how would the system even know it if it was installed in a different car ?

Apparently it is a closed loop system after all..

Hatterasguy · #9 06-14-2007, 01:38 PM

I don't know Xenon lights in an old Lambo...

#10 06-14-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckinik

But with the clear lenses, and the fact that the car has wiper/washers already, is that not good enough..?
I mean, I know they require a ballast, or breaker, along with wiring/leveling and all of that.
Couldn't I just buy the kit a buddy of mine bought for Xenon lights, into his 2001 Camaro, and install it in my SEC..?

No.

The clear lenses are not enough. You must fabricate a lens within the lens that will focus the projected beam, almost like a magnifying glass.

It is many dozens if not hundreds of hours of grinding and polishing!

Then, what happens when a stone breaks your one-of-a-kind lens that you have so much time invested in? Not smart. This egg is not worth the strain on the chicken.

If you are SERIOUS about doing this, be prepared. It will be harder than keeping that magically disappearing Lambo running properly.

If you're just BS-ing

about it, I say it basically can't be done for any reasonable time/effort/money investment.

Johnhef · #11 06-14-2007, 09:36 PM

I tried it out and bought a bi-xenon set from www.yadaintl.com and put them in my 124 with euros a few weeks ago. they came out pretty good but yes, a projector style housing would probably do better. I do plan on hooking up the vacuum adjust next to be sure I'm not blinding anyone when the car is loaded down.

do you want me to get pictures?

truckinik · #12 06-14-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrhills0146

No.

The clear lenses are not enough. You must fabricate a lens within the lens that will focus the projected beam, almost like a magnifying glass.

It is many dozens if not hundreds of hours of grinding and polishing!

Then, what happens when a stone breaks your one-of-a-kind lens that you have so much time invested in? Not smart. This egg is not worth the strain on the chicken.

If you are SERIOUS about doing this, be prepared. It will be harder than keeping that magically disappearing Lambo running properly.

If you're just BS-ing

about it, I say it basically can't be done for any reasonable time/effort/money investment.

Well,
I was inquiring, because it seemed like a novel idea at first. Like something that could be done with a little work, and basically a good reward.

I see now though, that it would just be more trouble than it's even worth.

I don't have the time, or very likely, the skills to actually make it happen though.

It just sounds as if it does not pay for itself, in enough of a way, to make the effort worth even the time.

Guess I'll just keep the Euro lights in the car, and hope that someday, someone will actually make the Xenon light kit, for the car..

Thanks for all of your info guys. I was very serious about it, but I was sorta talked out of the whole idea, with what you all told me.

I'm not really all that familiar with the Xenons, to begin with, and the whole thing would have been a very frustrating job, that I really don't even want to be bothered with anymore.

So, I guess it's back to the old drawing board.

Anyone else got a cool, custom idea, to change something drastic, yet still subtle on the car, while still doing something noone else has before....?

By the way, where do some of you guys get those really cool blacked out tail lights, and stuff like that...?

Some guy here has them on 126 I think, but I can't remember who, what, when, or where exactly they came from.

Johnhef · #13 06-14-2007, 11:14 PM

here's the ones from my CD, made that way. I have similar ones on my 124 but they're more faded.

My friend just did the ones on his 116 with some special lens tiniting paint and they came out almost the same as mine.

truckinik · #14 06-14-2007, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

here's the ones from my CD, made that way. I have similar ones on my 124 but they're more faded.

My friend just did the ones on his 116 with some special lens tiniting paint and they came out almost the same as mine.

Those are awesome!! Will you sell me those..? If not, where can I even find an original set..? I don't want to get involved in the paint/tint thing, I want originals.

What is the name brand, and/or who do I buy a real set from, for 126, and 123 cars..?

Any info, is really appreciated.

aklim · #15 06-14-2007, 11:30 PM

I put projector lenses in my W210 and Xenon lights in them. No problems and the lights are very good. 8000K ones, IIRC.