Headlight headache - After-market Xenon?

[Jan]

Hi there, quite some time since my last post on this board...nevertheless - the headlights on one of our rides (2003 Mercedes ML) have really faded due to the sun since the cover is plastic and not glass.

Now there's an option to have them polished from a company called "Gulffoil" in Al Quoz who charge 400 Dhs for the job. I'm however not convinced it will do the trick since it appears to be from the inside as well, all the way through the plastic, not just the surface. Besides, the light has never been that brilliant and bright.

So I'm thinking about upgrading to Xenon instead...I'm sure you have seen those super-bright lights on some of the "local" Land Cruisers or Patrols. Does anyone have an idea where one can get this done at a good rate and what the price might be - before I statrt wandering the streets of Sharjah?

Much appreciated!
Jan

[T.N.T]

So you want to keep the old headlight but change the bulbs to Xenon? Damascus Road in Al Qusais, many shops there.

[Brembo]

i suggest buying new headlights for your car off ebay or somewhere online where you can get cheaper OEM lights other than the merc stealership.
adding xenons is not the solution for your problem IMO.
plus on a merc with complicated eletricals, adding xenons might also pose a fire hazard

[T.N.T]

Or you could sand and polish the headlight yourself, if its not too deep.
+1 Brembo, search eBay.

[Brembo]

yup if you can, do try to polish them. you might have to polish them from the inside too which will require you to bake the headlight in an oven in order to separate the plastic from the housing.

[root]

yeah, but cleaning won't match the xenon effect and clarity!

Online, ebay sounds like a good choice, but then you need to find someone who can install it properly as well. I would check the prices on ebay, and if you get them for upto 25% higher here, go for it. It aint worth the hassle to import something to save a little.

[Jan]

Thanks for all suggestions, I have in the meantime brought the car to a workshop in Al Quoz (Gulffoil) that advertised "headlight restoration". They basically brought them back to new condition, quite impressive. It's much better now.

Regarding Xenon, I found out that Yellow Hat offers an HID conversion kit from Philips from the original H7 bulb to a Xenon light. They charge AED 2,700 for the kit including installation. That might be the most economic and safe option since Xenon off the dealer costs more than AED 10k and even used eBay parts are more expensive.

[root]

how much did the restoration cost?

[Brembo]

2700 dhs for a xenon kit??????????????
thats daylight robbery my friend as it comes to more than $700 USD!!! crazy prices only in the UAE lol

i got mine almost 2yrs ago for around 900dhs shipped to my door, prices for hid kits have only gone down since then. check out sites like xenondepot, ddmtuning, retrosolutions (google them all).
i think for merc, bmw, audi you need another part which makes sure the aftermarket xenon kit does not throw any codes but im not sure about this.

[T.N.T]

You can get original Philips for 900 AED with installation.

[Jan]

The headlight restoration was AED 400 and included also fixing a minor electronic issue.

T.N.T. - many hanks for the advice, it would be great to learn where I can get the original Philips xenon kit / installation for 900 Dhs as I would for sure do it, not only on the ML but also on the G model we drive.

Best
Jan

[root]

400 is a pretty good deal!

[T.N.T]

Delta Plus on Damascus Road in Qusais, opposite Dubai Grand Hotel.

[navadv]

Hi,

Just a word of caution. Recently, I've heard that RTA/Police is not passing cars that have aftermarket HID's or Xenons installed. I have no idea if this is true, but has anyone else heard similar?

TNT - Philips? 900? Sure its original? (sorry, just used to asking everyone if its original if the price is not over 2k )

[root]

yeah, I heard the same, but then whenever I went to pass my vehicles, these guys never look at the lights that closely. I think you fail if you have excessive body-kits or extra xenons or flood lights.