[BIGTUNA]

I am buying a 300C it has the options I want most except for the HID..
I have the salesman asking the service manager but I have heard because f the washer system it won't be the same...
ant advice?
Thanks...

 

[Doc G]

I have the same problem, but I heard the dealer cant put them on. Xenondepot sells aftermarket HID for the car though.

 

[BIGTUNA]

Alright...aftermarket, but I want factory

Did you get a quote for factory HID setup installed at dealer?
This is a factory option at $650...what would it cost to have the factory HID installed at the dealer prior to delivery, or is it worth it...should I just go with after market?
Any one done this after market upgrade and are you satisfied???

 

[NYCARAUDIO]

I was told by my dealer it could be retrofitted for a small sum of 2000 dollars. I guess if I want nice blue lights I'm going aftermarket.

 

[Doc G]

Aftermarket cost $470 for 4300k and $540 for 6000k at xenondepot.com. I just inquired for my car

 

[aspendog]

Talked to A Chrysler engineer and they are not offered as a dealer installed option. I *think* the wiring harness is different. I would not go aftermarket because it WILL void the warranty on the headlamps.

 

[Doc G]

What do you recommend then. I am still debating on what to do. For the mean time Ijjust put silvania silver star on my hi and low beams and H10 NOkya arctic white for my fogs

 

[aspendog]

A car was available to me w/o the HID's but I ended up ordering my car. Got lucky because someone passed up on one they ordered and I jumped on it. I love the HID's, I have had them on a lexus and my wife's Navigator has them. Great option to get at $650. As far as aftermarket I don't know what you could do. I guess you could jsut install a kit and concede the warranty coverage on the lamps. Talk to your dealer, mabey they WILL warranty them if they install the kit?

 

[E55 KEV]

HID may be a $650 option but I bet each headlamp will cost about $800 each side for the parts. My E55 HID lamps are $1k each side. Most HID systems require "auto-leveling" in the US. Washing systems is required in Europe.

Anyone know if the 300C has auto leveling?

If you want an aftermarket retrofit kit you better grab it quick - DOT has outlaw the retrofit kits and the fine is $5k per day to any business selling aftermarket kits.

 

[1932highboy]

The 300C manual talks about a self leveling feature. It states the rear shocks have a hydraulic pump to raise the rear end when carrying a load. I never heard it mentioned anywhere else, or if its even offered.

 

[kampsvilleboy]

An excerpt from the 300 service manual:

"This vehicle is available with either standard gascharged
shock absorbers or Nivomat™ load-leveling
shock absorbers for the rear suspension. Depending
on options, the load-leveling shock absorbers may
either be standard or optional equipment.
On the exterior, the load-leveling shock absorbers (1)
are larger in diameter than the standard shock absorbers.
Each load-leveling shock absorber is a self-leveling,
self-contained vehicle leveling system and shock
absorber combined. It does not require any external
compressor, hoses, or height leveling sensors. When
cargo or passengers are added, the load-leveling
shock absorbers use normal ride motions during driving,
even on smooth roads, to raise the rear of the
vehicle automatically to the unloaded (or curb) height.
When the load is removed, the vehicle maintains this
rear ride height."

 

[E55 KEV]

I am not talking about Rear Shocks with Load-Leveling!

HID headlights in the US require "auto-leveling". This is built into the headlamp unit itself. Nothing to do with shocks. This is the feature that is used to adjust the HID lamp based on load to prevent glare for oncoming traffic.

My point is, if the 300C OEM HID headlamp unit do not have auto-leveling it may be an easy upgrade, albeit still costly, if you forgo the Headlamp washer and the Auto-Leveling.

See the gadget between the two round covers? That is the auto-leveling control on the back of a Mercedes CLK HID unit. It has a plug that connects to some sensor on the chassis:

 

[E55 KEV]

This is what is listed on the BMW website for the 3-Series HID option:

"Xenon low-beam and high-beam headlights with auto-leveling

Xenon headlights with auto-leveling"

 

[LWOOD]

All of you thinking about H.I.D.'s should read this months Car and Driver where they report hundreds being stolen by the Fast and furious" crowd. I was thinking about HID's, but my home state N.J. is the worst in the country for what is now coined "blinding" cars.

 

[E55 KEV]

I read that the State of New Jersey is sueing Nissan because they did not notify Maxima owners that their cars were being targeted. Talk about frivilous litigation.

 

[kampsvilleboy]

The headlamp leveling module and leveling sensors that you are talking about are only on the EXPORT 300's. Unfortunately, domestic models have to make due with a cruder way of making sure the lights don't blind on-coming traffic (shocks and load-leveling system).

See service manual starting page 8L-108.

 

[MightyMax]

See service manual starting page 8L-108.

Sigh.... I wish I had one of those.......

 

[joeykunz]

HID headlights in the US require "auto-leveling". This is built into the headlamp unit itself. Nothing to do with shocks. This is the feature that is used to adjust the HID lamp based on load to prevent glare for oncoming traffic.

Right but it is not requiered, lots of cars have hid's that dont have auto-leveling.

You should get the hid option from the factory. 600 is a good deal.

Here is how you make your 300 stand out. I did this with my Hemi Ram.
You put an hid kit in your foglights as well. Talk about bright! What size are the 300's fogs? 9006?

I havent seen anyone in my town with hid head AND fogs. I get asked about it all the time.

 

[Doc G]

Right but it is not requiered, lots of cars have hid's that dont have auto-leveling.

You should get the hid option form the factor. 600 is a good deal.

Here is how you make your 300 stand out. I did this with my Hemi Ram.
You put an hid kit in your foglights as well. Talk about bright! What size are the 300's fogs? 9006?

I havent seen anyone in my town with hid head AND fogs. I get asked about it all the time.

Fogs are H10 bulbs. What if you did not get the option? What would you do?

 

[joeykunz]

Fogs are H10 bulbs. What if you did not get the option? What would you do?

If you didnt get the option what size are the bulbs for your headlights?

Just go buy a "hid kit" for that size bulb. Each kit (2 hid bulbs and ballasts) cost around 350-550 depending on the color and brand (quality) you want.