Adding OEM Xenon Headlights to a car without the lighting package?

Tummy · 03-10-2008

Hi,

In my searches for the right used SLK, I sometimes come across cars without the lighting package. How much would it cost to add the OEM Xenon headlamps?

I'm not interested in aftermarket kits.

Is it as simple as buying one of the headlight assemblies from eBay and putting them in? Like this auction? It says it includes the computer, ballast, and bulb, is there anything else I would need to get?

Thanks.

**DansSlk** · 03-10-2008

Yeah this has been done before.

I did notice some wiring differences at the SAM when i looked into it for someone a while back but that does not seem to cause any problems.

Everything you need is attached to the headlamp assy, i don't know about the US so it might be worth checking this but in the EU they must auto level and that requires more wiring and sensors (The US lights auto level from the factory but as i say i don't know if thats good sense on MB's part or a requirement)

Once you fit them you will need the computer coded to show Xenon present.

Tummy · 03-10-2008

Dan, thanks...that's good to know it won't be too costly to retrofit. I imagine MB charges a lot more than $300 for each headlamp assembly. For some reason a lot of people didn't order the lighting package it appears. I find it odd that they are not standard.

**Duo-Art** · 03-10-2008

Tummy, After I ordered my Slk 350 in 2004, a Launch Edition became available. It had everything that I wanted except the Bi-xenon headlights. I decided to take a pass and wait the extra months to get what I wanted.

Tummy · 03-10-2008

Duo-Art, I'm just trying to keep my options open in case I find a car I otherwise really like, but it is missing a feature on my "must have" list.

**-1-** · 03-10-2008

I agree, factory xenons should be standard on the SLK. Other brands have them. Nissan equips the Maxima and 350Z with xenons as standard. I would assume less than half the SLKs produced have the bi-xenons. I agree, either factory or OEM retrofit for me. My wife's SLK 350 has the haolgens and I wanted the factory xenons. The dealer charges $1200 per assembly new. That was almost two years ago. I found a used set that was stated as a "matched set, like new". I paid $1200 plus shipping. What I received was not as stated, so I returned them for a refund. I went with 5000k H7 bulbs in her car and I like the look. I did the same with our VW NewBeetle and my Mazda6. Be aware that "most" SLK xenon assemblies for sale online have broken mounting tabs. Some are sold broken, other claim to have been repaired (glued). There was a german vendor who advertised "new" SLK xenon assemblies on eBay for $1200 per pair, plus shipping. That would be my recommendation if he's still around. I read of several who have swapped their halogen assemblies with the factory xenon assemblies with no problems other than not having the auto leveling feature and having to code the xenon=on function through the dealer.

**Dolebludger** · 03-10-2008

For what is is worth, I bought a new '07 SLK280 last November from an MB dealer at a "too-good-to-walk-away-from" price. It had most of the equipment I wanted, but not xenon lights. I checked around and was getting prices like $2700 USD for parts alone. Don't know if I could have eventually beat that. Hope so. But then I heard of Philips X-treme "plug and play" halogen replacements. They came in two models -- 55 watt road approved and 100 watt off road only. Price about $50 USD per pair. I heard that they give almost a xenon beam of light. I bought the 55 watt bulbs and installed them. They are VERY close to the xenons on my C 320 and Honda S 2000. Well worth the $50, and acceptable to me. I find the reflector halogen high beams to "pass muster." If I had to do this again, I would have installed the 100 Watt Philips X-treme bulbs in my low beams. Even though technically illegal, I do not think any cop is going to take my car apart to the extent needed to check this out.

In your case, you could install the 100 watt Philips X-treme bubs in your low beams for about $60 in parts. Based on what the lower wattage versions have done for me, I would think these would equal xenons. Heck, I may move the 55 watt bulbs to my fog lights and get the 100 watt versions for the low beams myself.

I agree that the SLKs and all Mercedes should come standard with xenon headlights. Daimler AG's savings from not having two lines of headlamp units per model should absorb the cost.

**-1-** · 03-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolebludger

For what is is worth, I bought a new '07 SLK280 last November from an MB dealer at a "too-good-to-walk-away-from" price. It had most of the equipment I wanted, but not xenon lights. I checked around and was getting prices like $2700 USD for parts alone. Don't know if I could have eventually beat that. Hope so. But then I heard of Philips X-treme "plug and play" halogen replacements. They came in two models -- 55 watt road approved and 100 watt off road only. Price about $50 USD per pair. I heard that they give almost a xenon beam of light. I bought the 55 watt bulbs and installed them. They are VERY close to the xenons on my C 320 and Honda S 2000. Well worth the $50, and acceptable to me. I find the reflector halogen high beams to "pass muster." If I had to do this again, I would have installed the 100 Watt Philips X-treme bulbs in my low beams. Even though technically illegal, I do not think any cop is going to take my car apart to the extent needed to check this out.

In your case, you could install the 100 watt Philips X-treme bubs in your low beams for about $60 in parts. Based on what the lower wattage versions have done for me, I would think these would equal xenons. Heck, I may move the 55 watt bulbs to my fog lights and get the 100 watt versions for the low beams myself.

I agree that the SLKs and all Mercedes should come standard with xenon headlights. Daimler AG's savings from not having two lines of headlamp units per model should absorb the cost.

I agree here. The factory xenons are a $900-1200 option. Expensive but worth it for the best lights available. Super expensive to retrofit and almost cost prohibitive. There are some good "xenon looking" halogen bulbs available. I've always heard, go with the 55w bulbs and not the 100w. I've read the 100w bulbs can cause wiring problems (melting). I don't have any first hand knowledge, just reading posts. Has anyone here had problems with 100w rated halogen bulbs? As I stated, I went with 5000k H7 bulbs in my wife's SLK. They look good until I see the xenons in my SLK 55. No comparison. Oh well, for the price, the higher temp (5000k) halogen bulbs are an acceptable, low cost alternative. One issue, from my experience, most of these bulbs tend to burn out within a year. Even the more expensive Philips SilverStar bulbs.

slk350ncls63 · 03-10-2008

when we bought my wife's 06 slk350 in aug05, it had every possible option on it, nav,airscarf,hk,etc, except the lighting... i thought we could live with it, but after about 6 months, I couldn't... (i drive it sometimes)...

I did a lot of research, including the problems with certain aftermarket-plug-n-play kits ,etc etc, and the MTEC kit turned out to be rock solid, did the install myself, came out to 300 or so... Here's the write-up I did.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r171...lots-pics.html

**Dolebludger** · 03-11-2008

Actually, I mounted 80 watt replacement bulbs (Silverstar) on the low beams and fog lights on my '92 Eagle Talon TSI (turbo) in '93 and they were working fine in '98 when I sold the car (can't say the same for the rest of the car). I merely suggested the Philips X-treme bulbs as a "mid-range solution" to the problem of not having xenons. (remember to get the "X-treme" brand). They are not as good as xenons, no doubt about it. Their acceptability depends on the driver's night vision (and mine is not good). Yet, I do well with the 55 watt X-teme bulbs in the SLK. They are, IMO a good "cheap fix." There are, of course, better solutions involving more money for parts and labor. There was a test of after-market bulbs reported on another Mercedes Board, from which I learned about these "X-treme" bulbs. Basically, I think they will work for some drivers, but perhaps not for others, for whom a more involved and costly fix may be needed.

Again, I totally fail to understand why xenon headlights are not standard equipment on all SLKs sold in the US. They are all pretty much $50K MSRP cars, and at that price point, they deserve xenons.

alx · 03-11-2008

100w bulb will push twice the amperage through the stock wiring and most importantly - relays. design philosophy is overbuild by at least 50% so i am thinking the stock relays are build to control a 75watt headlights max.

also a 100w bulb might melt the reflector or god knows what else in that enclosed space.

i would not risk it because god forbid in an event of a fire the insurance claim will most likely by rejected due to "bad equipment".

alex
few cars

**DansSlk** · 03-11-2008

Thats true.

The wiring is normally protected by the fuse but the reflector can melt before that (very messy)

HwoALanG · 03-11-2008

that's what i said ~~ first time i got the SLK 280~~ No Xeon???!

but ~! least it's bi-xeon... xeon flashes... ^^;;;

anyway~~ i was looking around to get xeon kit or bulb but i think i'm going for the bulb cause cheap and plug and play~

but i guess i will have to get 55watts....

question?!

how many watts stock halogen light can output?

**Dolebludger** · 03-11-2008

The stock low beam bulbs are also 55 watts. But the upgrade bulbs put out more light of a whiter color that gives more visability.

HwoALanG · 05-21-2008

Dealer won't install aftermarket parts!!!!

i got it from one of my friend... he was selling his car and luckly he gave his hid kit to me and it was the H7 which is right size......

so i brought it to dealer and they called me next day that they couldn't do it....

i'm gona try tuner shop and see if they can install it....

so hard to install headlight...
( i will do it for myself but i do not have space or time to do this....)

gosh ~ anyone knows good ship around Maryland or Virginia?

**DansSlk** · 05-21-2008

To be fair they can't really be expected to can they

They could get into a lot of trouble.

**ghostdunks** · 05-21-2008

Yeah I wouldn't think theres any way that a dealer would install an aftermarket HID kit onto the SLK. Way too many issues for them to deal with

Any tuner shop/workshop should be able to do it, assuming that the HID kit fits. If I can do it in my garage with not much working knowledge, the professionals should be able to do it easily.

HwoALanG · 05-23-2008

well ~ i found tune shop that will do it for $80 per hour ~
i will be installing H.I.D by hopely tuesday so ~ i will post some pictures ! stay tune !

kit is o-nex and i think bulb is 4300K same as BMW ~ ( my friend gave to me -_- )

**ghostdunks** · 05-26-2008

good luck on that, let use know how it goes.

Remember, you might need to bring it to the dealer to get them to program the diagnostics/computer that you now have xenons, so it doesn't think that the lights are blown(because of the lower current draw of the HIDs).

03-10-2008	#1 (permalink)
Tummy Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: EWR / CLE Vehicle: 2005 SLK350, 2004 Infiniti FX45 Posts: 284 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 42 Times in 24 Posts	Adding OEM Xenon Headlights to a car without the lighting package? Hi, In my searches for the right used SLK, I sometimes come across cars without the lighting package. How much would it cost to add the OEM Xenon headlamps? I'm not interested in aftermarket kits. Is it as simple as buying one of the headlight assemblies from eBay and putting them in? Like this auction? It says it includes the computer, ballast, and bulb, is there anything else I would need to get? Thanks.

03-10-2008	#2 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,794 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 225 Times in 177 Posts	Yeah this has been done before. I did notice some wiring differences at the SAM when i looked into it for someone a while back but that does not seem to cause any problems. Everything you need is attached to the headlamp assy, i don't know about the US so it might be worth checking this but in the EU they must auto level and that requires more wiring and sensors (The US lights auto level from the factory but as i say i don't know if thats good sense on MB's part or a requirement) Once you fit them you will need the computer coded to show Xenon present. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

03-10-2008	#6 (permalink)
-1- Don Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia USA Vehicle: SLK 55 ///AMG The MON55TER on the block Posts: 2,231 Country: Thanks: 54 Thanked 57 Times in 41 Posts	I agree, factory xenons should be standard on the SLK. Other brands have them. Nissan equips the Maxima and 350Z with xenons as standard. I would assume less than half the SLKs produced have the bi-xenons. I agree, either factory or OEM retrofit for me. My wife's SLK 350 has the haolgens and I wanted the factory xenons. The dealer charges $1200 per assembly new. That was almost two years ago. I found a used set that was stated as a "matched set, like new". I paid $1200 plus shipping. What I received was not as stated, so I returned them for a refund. I went with 5000k H7 bulbs in her car and I like the look. I did the same with our VW NewBeetle and my Mazda6. Be aware that "most" SLK xenon assemblies for sale online have broken mounting tabs. Some are sold broken, other claim to have been repaired (glued). There was a german vendor who advertised "new" SLK xenon assemblies on eBay for $1200 per pair, plus shipping. That would be my recommendation if he's still around. I read of several who have swapped their halogen assemblies with the factory xenon assemblies with no problems other than not having the auto leveling feature and having to code the xenon=on function through the dealer. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *----------------1-----------------* --------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

03-11-2008	#12 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,794 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 225 Times in 177 Posts	Thats true. The wiring is normally protected by the fuse but the reflector can melt before that (very messy) __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

05-21-2008	#16 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,794 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 225 Times in 177 Posts	To be fair they can't really be expected to can they They could get into a lot of trouble. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

03-10-2008	#3 (permalink)
Tummy Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: EWR / CLE Vehicle: 2005 SLK350, 2004 Infiniti FX45 Posts: 284 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 42 Times in 24 Posts	Dan, thanks...that's good to know it won't be too costly to retrofit. I imagine MB charges a lot more than $300 for each headlamp assembly. For some reason a lot of people didn't order the lighting package it appears. I find it odd that they are not standard.

03-10-2008	#4 (permalink)
Duo-Art Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 546 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts	Tummy, After I ordered my Slk 350 in 2004, a Launch Edition became available. It had everything that I wanted except the Bi-xenon headlights. I decided to take a pass and wait the extra months to get what I wanted.

03-10-2008	#5 (permalink)
Tummy Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: EWR / CLE Vehicle: 2005 SLK350, 2004 Infiniti FX45 Posts: 284 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 42 Times in 24 Posts	Duo-Art, I'm just trying to keep my options open in case I find a car I otherwise really like, but it is missing a feature on my "must have" list.

03-10-2008	#7 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 569 Country: Thanks: 40 Thanked 77 Times in 52 Posts	For what is is worth, I bought a new '07 SLK280 last November from an MB dealer at a "too-good-to-walk-away-from" price. It had most of the equipment I wanted, but not xenon lights. I checked around and was getting prices like $2700 USD for parts alone. Don't know if I could have eventually beat that. Hope so. But then I heard of Philips X-treme "plug and play" halogen replacements. They came in two models -- 55 watt road approved and 100 watt off road only. Price about $50 USD per pair. I heard that they give almost a xenon beam of light. I bought the 55 watt bulbs and installed them. They are VERY close to the xenons on my C 320 and Honda S 2000. Well worth the $50, and acceptable to me. I find the reflector halogen high beams to "pass muster." If I had to do this again, I would have installed the 100 Watt Philips X-treme bulbs in my low beams. Even though technically illegal, I do not think any cop is going to take my car apart to the extent needed to check this out. In your case, you could install the 100 watt Philips X-treme bubs in your low beams for about $60 in parts. Based on what the lower wattage versions have done for me, I would think these would equal xenons. Heck, I may move the 55 watt bulbs to my fog lights and get the 100 watt versions for the low beams myself. I agree that the SLKs and all Mercedes should come standard with xenon headlights. Daimler AG's savings from not having two lines of headlamp units per model should absorb the cost.

03-10-2008	#9 (permalink)
slk350ncls63 SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Iridium Silver \| 2007 CLS 63 AMG Posts: 63 Country: Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	when we bought my wife's 06 slk350 in aug05, it had every possible option on it, nav,airscarf,hk,etc, except the lighting... i thought we could live with it, but after about 6 months, I couldn't... (i drive it sometimes)... I did a lot of research, including the problems with certain aftermarket-plug-n-play kits ,etc etc, and the MTEC kit turned out to be rock solid, did the install myself, came out to 300 or so... Here's the write-up I did. http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r171...lots-pics.html

03-11-2008	#10 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 569 Country: Thanks: 40 Thanked 77 Times in 52 Posts	Actually, I mounted 80 watt replacement bulbs (Silverstar) on the low beams and fog lights on my '92 Eagle Talon TSI (turbo) in '93 and they were working fine in '98 when I sold the car (can't say the same for the rest of the car). I merely suggested the Philips X-treme bulbs as a "mid-range solution" to the problem of not having xenons. (remember to get the "X-treme" brand). They are not as good as xenons, no doubt about it. Their acceptability depends on the driver's night vision (and mine is not good). Yet, I do well with the 55 watt X-teme bulbs in the SLK. They are, IMO a good "cheap fix." There are, of course, better solutions involving more money for parts and labor. There was a test of after-market bulbs reported on another Mercedes Board, from which I learned about these "X-treme" bulbs. Basically, I think they will work for some drivers, but perhaps not for others, for whom a more involved and costly fix may be needed. Again, I totally fail to understand why xenon headlights are not standard equipment on all SLKs sold in the US. They are all pretty much $50K MSRP cars, and at that price point, they deserve xenons.

03-11-2008	#11 (permalink)
alx SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	100w bulb will push twice the amperage through the stock wiring and most importantly - relays. design philosophy is overbuild by at least 50% so i am thinking the stock relays are build to control a 75watt headlights max. also a 100w bulb might melt the reflector or god knows what else in that enclosed space. i would not risk it because god forbid in an event of a fire the insurance claim will most likely by rejected due to "bad equipment". alex few cars

03-11-2008	#13 (permalink)
HwoALanG Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellicott City & Salisbury, MD Vehicle: 2007 SLK 280 Other Toys: COMPUTER? And1 and on Posts: 306 Country: Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	that's what i said ~~ first time i got the SLK 280~~ No Xeon???! but ~! least it's bi-xeon... xeon flashes... ^^;;; anyway~~ i was looking around to get xeon kit or bulb but i think i'm going for the bulb cause cheap and plug and play~ but i guess i will have to get 55watts.... question?! how many watts stock halogen light can output?

03-11-2008	#14 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 569 Country: Thanks: 40 Thanked 77 Times in 52 Posts	The stock low beam bulbs are also 55 watts. But the upgrade bulbs put out more light of a whiter color that gives more visability.

05-21-2008	#15 (permalink)
HwoALanG Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellicott City & Salisbury, MD Vehicle: 2007 SLK 280 Other Toys: COMPUTER? And1 and on Posts: 306 Country: Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Dealer won't install aftermarket parts!!!! i got it from one of my friend... he was selling his car and luckly he gave his hid kit to me and it was the H7 which is right size...... so i brought it to dealer and they called me next day that they couldn't do it.... i'm gona try tuner shop and see if they can install it.... so hard to install headlight... ( i will do it for myself but i do not have space or time to do this....) gosh ~ anyone knows good ship around Maryland or Virginia?

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05-21-2008	#17 (permalink)
ghostdunks Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Vehicle: SLK280 Posts: 211 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Yeah I wouldn't think theres any way that a dealer would install an aftermarket HID kit onto the SLK. Way too many issues for them to deal with Any tuner shop/workshop should be able to do it, assuming that the HID kit fits. If I can do it in my garage with not much working knowledge, the professionals should be able to do it easily.

05-23-2008	#18 (permalink)
HwoALanG Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellicott City & Salisbury, MD Vehicle: 2007 SLK 280 Other Toys: COMPUTER? And1 and on Posts: 306 Country: Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	well ~ i found tune shop that will do it for $80 per hour ~ i will be installing H.I.D by hopely tuesday so ~ i will post some pictures ! stay tune ! kit is o-nex and i think bulb is 4300K same as BMW ~ ( my friend gave to me -_- )

05-26-2008	#19 (permalink)
ghostdunks Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Vehicle: SLK280 Posts: 211 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	good luck on that, let use know how it goes. Remember, you might need to bring it to the dealer to get them to program the diagnostics/computer that you now have xenons, so it doesn't think that the lights are blown(because of the lower current draw of the HIDs).