PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - w201 euro headlight question

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w201 euro headlight question

I have been offered a pair of glass Bosch Euro headlights for $300.00. The headlights look new and are 6 months old, the sellers car was rear ended and totaled (makes me glad I did the brake lamp upgrade). Is this a reasonable deal?

The DOT approved units are pathetic and I was considering Depo's and a couple of other brands. With fall coming I will be doing alot more driving in the dark. Thanks in advance.

Well the Depos are about $300 on ebay, so genuine Bosch for same price is fair. Any euro light will be much better than the stock USA junk.

I just purchased a pair of new Bi-xenon headlamps with glass lenses and corner lights on ebay for $389 with free shipping. Seller is fishcake321(I think). He is emphatic that they are plug and play. I went to the Ca. Highway patrol re legality. I was told they are legal. This seller has an extensive store of MB lighting

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennish (Post 2291973)

I went to the Ca. Highway patrol re legality. I was told they are legal.

There's a saying in science "If it isn't written down, it never happened." ;)

just ordered-haven't received yet. I'll report how the installation goes and give my findings on these lights

I installed the above HID Bi-Xenon and they are as described by the seller. They are awesome and the install went relativey well. Only problem is my car has striped headlight wires on the passenger side vs solid color headlight wires on the drivers side. A little confusing at first. Also the new corner lights have a 2 prong vs. my car's 3 prong, but simple to change with new amber bulbs (less than $3) to accomodate the new clear lens and the old 3 prong from my old corner light. I recommend these HID Bi-Xenon with glass lenses for $389

i do not belive those retrofits are legal.

Prior to purchasing, I went to the Ca. Highway Patrol office and talked to an officer. According to him, they are legal and that he replaced his headlights in his personal vehicle with HID. So.. I went with that. Other states may have differant regs.

The CHP officer is incorrect, it is not legal to modify the headlamps, not for highway use in any of the US states.

I'd like a rock for every HID retrofit I see coming the other way, poor light-pattern and all.

The CHP did say to use 6000K or less, not 8000K or 10000K

I would be looking at the written regulations rather than just asking the nearest law enforcement officer. There will be written rules in the states codes. Look them up or enquire at your roads authority.

Generally the heat limit is 4800K.

HID's generally require self leveling and washers to be legal.

Higher Kelvin range enables you to see better in the range of the headlights. The tradeoff is that you are blinder to objects outside the headlight range.

Ever wondered why infra red is a cool heat range and lets you see in the dark?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivanerrol (Post 2298940)

As long as the low beam is controlled and not in anyone's eyes, nobody cares.

I've used Euro lights since 1962 and have never been questioned. When I had my 201s, the Euro lights had 100/160W H4 bulbs with relays and no one ever noticed. My Porsche has Cibie Z-Beams, also with 100/160W bulbs and it's almost 26 years young.

My 203 (gone) and 204, both with OEM Bi-Xenons have good low beam visibility.

Don't worry about it.

Thanks all..I bought the headlights and have installed them. The difference is night and day,the car is now fun to drive at night.