Xenon headlights

[REDCAPPER]

Can you do a straight swap of the bulbs on a 2010 c class to change them to Xenon?

 

[DSM10000]

No

 

[Deleted member 159894]

There are legal issues to be aware of, halogen to Xenon conversions are rarely done properly due to cost.

From memory the units need to be self levelling and have a washing system fitted.

Hope that’s a bit more informative.

 

[DSM10000]

The OP's original question was fully answered, they did not ask about how to do it or any legal issues.

However, for clarity, they would need to change both headlamp unit as the lenses are incompatible, add ballasts, the high voltage generators, new looms, and have the whole lot coded to the car as well as the issue of headlamp washing systems, etc to be legal under Construction and Use regulations

I hope that is more informative.

 

[markjay]

This is often asked.... the answer is as per DSM1000's post above. This covers both Halogen to HID (Xenon) conversions, and Halogen to LED conversions.

All low-cost conversions sold in the UK (eBay etc) are technically 'for off-road use only'.

The only practical and legal upgrade to H7 Halogens is Osram Nightbreaker or Philips eXtreme (other makes also available).

As for the chances of an illegal conversion not failing an MOT... no one knows for fact and we probably won't discuss it either.

 

[W1ghty]

This often asked.... the answer is as per DSM1000's post above. That covers both HID (Xenon) conversion and LED conversion.

The only practical and legal upgrade to H7 Halogens is Osram Nightbreaker of Philips eXtreme (other makes also available).

At £30 that’s the option I went with on the CLK (can’t remember if I have Phillips or Osram though )

 

[markjay]

At £30 that’s the option I went with on the CLK (can’t remember if I have Phillips or Osram though )

Same here, Osram Nightbreaker in my case.

 

[Deleted member 159894]

I tried some 100w (off road use only) Halogens from my local motor factor a few times but they would blow within weeks.

 

[Smiley]

May have been lucky for you that they did blow; I doubt the wiring or connectors were designed to support the higher current . You may have faced melted wiring, connectors or worse.

 

[REDCAPPER]

Looks like I won't be changing them, thanks All for the advice.

 

[markjay]

I tried some 100w (off road use only) Halogens from my local motor factor a few times but they would blow within weeks.

Back in the eighties.... I fitted H4 bulbs rated 55W/100W, the idea was that the higher light output will only come into play when using the high beam, which typically only happens for short periods of time, and there's no issue with dazzling oncoming traffic (because in these circumstances you wouldn't use the high beam anyway). There were no electrical issues with this setup, though I obviously didn't realise at the time that it might be illegal. And I am not sure that the high beam is being tested at MOT time (other than to see that it was coming on)?

I wouldn't do it today, though.

 

[davymead]

Looks like I won't be changing them, thanks All for the advice.

Osram Nightbreakers will make a difference and are well worth the trouble.
Been using them for years on any car owned without Xenons, and are making the missus’s Smart headlights a great deal better at the moment.

 

[Gollom]

Looks like I won't be changing them, thanks All for the advice.

Certainly worth putting Osram nighbreakers in - make a big difference IMHO

 

[Gazwould]

Ozzies are now an obsolete answer !!!