Aftermarket Bi-Xenons ?
07-06-2003, 12:37 PM
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Aftermarket Bi-Xenons ?
Has anyone seen any aftermarket bi-xenons as yet for the Cayenne? Performance Products did big business offering the 2002+ Bi-Xenons for the Mercedes ML (I bought some for the predecessor to my Cayenne). These were Hella factory originals and worked very well. Yes, I know that performing an aftermarket install precludes having the headlight washer system as well as the auto-leveling feature. I guess that just means that I need to keep the headlights clean and not load down the car so that I blind those in front of me with xenon lights!
So, the question still stands...... anyone seen aftermarket bi-xenons for a Cayenne yet?
Also, did anyne notice the sudden appearance of Cayenne ads in this month's Excellence? There may be hope yet (beyond simple wheel upgrades!).
So, the question still stands...... anyone seen aftermarket bi-xenons for a Cayenne yet?
Also, did anyne notice the sudden appearance of Cayenne ads in this month's Excellence? There may be hope yet (beyond simple wheel upgrades!).
07-06-2003, 01:48 PM
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Toby...If history is any proof, it's only a matter of time that there will be tons of aftermarket goodies for the Cayenne. The Bi-Xenons might be available now directly from a P Dealer. My S came with them, they are pretty cool! Just bought it last week in Dallas at Park Place. A great bunch of people there.
07-06-2003, 03:38 PM
#3
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My dealer told me not pos. not pre wired for center install. After market is the way we will have to go.
I just changed my main and high bulbs for high outputs and it makes all the difference
I just changed my main and high bulbs for high outputs and it makes all the difference
07-06-2003, 09:05 PM
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Michael,
It was interesting with my ML350 (MY 03). The PPI Bi-Xenon projector headlight assemblies were bone stock Hella units. They literally slipped into place and had the auto-leveling feature as well as the necessary ballast to fire the Xenon bulbs - all mounted directly onto the assembly. The biggest trick was re-doing the pigtail wiring harness so that the lights received the proper feed. THEN I had to get the dealer to re-program the ECU that controlled the headlights. Apparently, MB figured that the voltage and/or amperage (I was never able to put a meter on it to figure out which one was being governed) needed to be metered on the primary headlight circuit. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Once full juice was restored, I had factory Bi-Xenons as if I had ordered the car that way. I wonder if Porsche is managing power via ECU's in much the same way?
Also, the wiring and other sensing peripherals for auto-leveling were astronomical, so I left the auto-level feature disabled.
To this day, I am amazed that DaimlerChrysler would install different wiring harnesses based on whether the car had certain options or not. The marginal cost of wiring (no sensors) would seem to be far less than the labor variations required each time a vehicle passes in front of an assembly line person. <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />
And BTW, the dealership wants an arm and two legs for the Bi-Xenon assemblies.
PPI offered them at a better price for ML's, and I bet they can beat a dealer price on these as well.
It was interesting with my ML350 (MY 03). The PPI Bi-Xenon projector headlight assemblies were bone stock Hella units. They literally slipped into place and had the auto-leveling feature as well as the necessary ballast to fire the Xenon bulbs - all mounted directly onto the assembly. The biggest trick was re-doing the pigtail wiring harness so that the lights received the proper feed. THEN I had to get the dealer to re-program the ECU that controlled the headlights. Apparently, MB figured that the voltage and/or amperage (I was never able to put a meter on it to figure out which one was being governed) needed to be metered on the primary headlight circuit. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Once full juice was restored, I had factory Bi-Xenons as if I had ordered the car that way. I wonder if Porsche is managing power via ECU's in much the same way?
Also, the wiring and other sensing peripherals for auto-leveling were astronomical, so I left the auto-level feature disabled.To this day, I am amazed that DaimlerChrysler would install different wiring harnesses based on whether the car had certain options or not. The marginal cost of wiring (no sensors) would seem to be far less than the labor variations required each time a vehicle passes in front of an assembly line person. <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />
And BTW, the dealership wants an arm and two legs for the Bi-Xenon assemblies.
PPI offered them at a better price for ML's, and I bet they can beat a dealer price on these as well.
07-06-2003, 09:13 PM
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Robert,
Glad you had a good experience with Park Place. They have done me right so far. Cindy Gatlin was my salesperson and she is absolutely GREAT! Aron Menom is my service guy and he has been very responsive for me (see my earlier posting back in April on my CD Changer installation adventure!).
I hope you are correct on future aftermarket parts as there are some things (like the Bi-Xenons) that I would like to install post haste. I'm also looking for a windshield sunshade. Apparently the P folks in Leipzig have yet to "appreciate" entering a car that has been cooking/sizzling in the Texas summer sun!
Glad you had a good experience with Park Place. They have done me right so far. Cindy Gatlin was my salesperson and she is absolutely GREAT! Aron Menom is my service guy and he has been very responsive for me (see my earlier posting back in April on my CD Changer installation adventure!).
I hope you are correct on future aftermarket parts as there are some things (like the Bi-Xenons) that I would like to install post haste. I'm also looking for a windshield sunshade. Apparently the P folks in Leipzig have yet to "appreciate" entering a car that has been cooking/sizzling in the Texas summer sun!
07-06-2003, 11:49 PM
#6
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I agree it doesn't make much sense.
Actually I did more research and noticed that european market peppers have a lot of options we do not see. e.g. preparation for towed package, which makes adding the tow hitch affordable, later.
I understand that there are other unpublished ordering options we do not see here. They obviously have a very flexible manufacturing facility to handle this, bit of a waste imho, but it does give the dealers high profit potential.
I nearly went for the PPI lights for my ML430, but could not justify them for my driving. They looked very well thought through.
I await third party pricing.
Actually I did more research and noticed that european market peppers have a lot of options we do not see. e.g. preparation for towed package, which makes adding the tow hitch affordable, later.
I understand that there are other unpublished ordering options we do not see here. They obviously have a very flexible manufacturing facility to handle this, bit of a waste imho, but it does give the dealers high profit potential.
I nearly went for the PPI lights for my ML430, but could not justify them for my driving. They looked very well thought through.
I await third party pricing.
