I've been doing researches about HID for our cars for awhile and seen some members installed them on their cars. Of course, a retrofit will be the ideal way, but with the Euros and proper shielding, it will minimize the glares to oncoming traffics.

I was wondering if anyone installed it before, and would like your input on it.

I have been thinking about HID myself. But first I have to do an SOC, ABFC, and CSF. Plus it is about time for a W/W, plus an IV. Then I will have an SATR coming up.

Since you haven't gotten a REAL reply yet...

I don't have a HID (High intensity discharge) system in my 123, but I'd caution you that while H4 HID conversions are cheap and popular, they usually aren't very good. The problem is that H4 reflectors are designed with a particular brightness and 'light emanation point' in mind. The H4 HID lamps don't put the light emanation point at the exact same spot as an H4 bulb, so the beam pattern typically gets all screwed up.

That screwed up pattern is typically what people find to be incredibly annoying. Ever been blinded by a car with that ultra bluish white HID light? If so, that car probably has aftermarket HIDs, which weren't meant for the reflectors and lenses in the car. Cars that come standard with HIDs aren't too bad. So just keep in mind that unless you don't mind being dangerous and universally disliked, it takes some work to properly fit a HID system to a car that it wasn't intended for.

The best way is to take a whole headlight cluster from a HID car, and use the polyelipsoidal lenses in it with. Fabricate (or highly modify) a headlight door to go over them, and custom mount them in the headlight position, or even in the foglight position. Its not easy, but I've seen it done very well.

Also keep in mind that HID lamps are low-beam only, so you'll either lose your highbeam, or need to do additional modifications to add a second set of lights for a high beam. One option on US spec headlights is to install Hella high beams in the 5 3/4" holes (it only takes minor modification of the housing), and then use the regular 7" spot for the low beams.

Anyway, not trying to convince you not to do it, just letting you know that it can be a lot more expensive than just the cost of the lamps and ballasts.

peace,
sam

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"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

Here's my opinion of HID's and I've going to vent.
I hate those things. I hate getting blinded by them on the country roads I have to drive at night. Never mind that they're installed aftermarket or OEM.I wish they'd outlaw those things. They should have never been allowed in the first place.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Too much alphabet soup.
Please define the mass of letters for the real world.

As for HID, I am praying for criminal prosecution of OEM for murder 1.

Hey Hunter, you been sniffing the muffler bearing grease again?

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Do you mean in relation to criminal charges?
Blue light hurts my eyes = causes PAIN, and reduces my night vision by 50%.
Hmmm, wonder why I expect criminal charges against OEM's?

Nope no wondering there. I lose nearly all night vision after getting an eyefull of that painfull blue HID. I'd kinda hate to run head on and put out someones HID's for good.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Proper HID systems are perfectly safe, its all the improperly aimed and focused ones that cause problems. You don't need HID to blind people, I mean there are people on this forum running 90/100W headlights, which, improperly aimed, can be just as bad if not worse. I don't think there is anything wrong with well done HID systems, its just that most of the systems out there are not well done.

peace,
sam

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"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

The blue light itself is harder on the eyes, aimed properly or not. Also on bouncy roads they will shine up in your mirror. They're almost as bad as drivng in front of pick-ups and SUVs.

Replacement cost on any OEM car is about $1k a piece for the fixture (can't buy a single bulb). I will do without.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

With all the options available out there for w123/w126 headlights, why on earth would you go to the trouble trying to install something that will cost more, give you more problems and not give you any better lighting than systems that are already out there? The whole point of the w123/w126 is that they are NOT full of extra stuff you really dont need. I dont need the doors to automatically lock when I put it in drive and all the other "advances" that come with cars that have HID. My two cents.

Amen, you said it.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

We have got a set of xenon bulbs, ballast and igniters for $40 from a stolen and recovered G-wagen who's owner didn't want them. They're in the midst of being adapted and installed in a 190E with euro's. We'll have to see how well it comes out. The car should be on the road in a few weeks.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

These HID (the one that are well done) seems to shine the roads that night, you know? If it does provide better lightling, and not worst than Halogen, then it would be great, I think.

It'll be great to see some pictures Johnhef, when you get a chance.

I hate those damn xenon lit sonsa*****es

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi