MULTI PART QUESTION
1-I am looking to buy an hid conversion kit(headlights h7) for my 2000
mercedes c280. I wanted to get some info about these hid lights like
colors, brightness, etc., and what company offers the best kit (most
reliable, best reviews, ease of installation, brightness etc.)
2-I live in New York and I think there is a limit for these HID lights
in terms of their being street legal, i.e. 4500k, 6000k, 8000k. Please
find out what the street legal limit is for New York.
3-After putting the above info together please find me some online
sources to buy the "street legal, reliable hid conversion kits" with
the specifications mentioned in the previous 2 questions. If you could
do some shopping around for me and find the lowest prices i would
greatly appreciate it.
ps please write me back if you need clarification, THANX RESEARCHERS

Hi jerry7777777-ga -
  
After talking to both the NYS DMV and the National Highway Tranffic
Safety Administration, it appears as though these lights are legal if
compliant, although I couldn't get a real straight answer from the NYS
DOT. According to section 375 of the Vehicle and Traffic law, so long
as the light is within 32 candle power limit or less, it should be
"OK."  The state law follows the federal in this regard, and according
to Taylor Vinson at the NHTSA, you can read the following link:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/interps/files/deetz.ztv.html and
"take your chances."  You can call him at (202) 366-2992 to discuss
the legality of these things further.
 
Talking with a representative for Hella, he says you need to really
find out if your C280 had the original option to do HID.  If so, then
a kit would be possibly installable.  However, the problem with kits
is in their interfacing with the reflectivity of the optics in the
bulb housing.  If you installed an HID bulb into your H7 Halogen
housing, the optics are not configured to direct the light properly,
which is a legal no-no.  Hella actually recommends taking out the
entire headlight assembly and doing a full-on headlight upgrade, which
the rep says would actually be easier than doing installing a
conversion kit.
 
The other option is a fog-light kit. Sylvania makes an HID fog-light
kit, BMW blue, available at 
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/headlights.htm... price is $389
for the set and comes with lights ballast, remote control, wiring,
etc....this company says they will beat any price, so these are the
people to buy from.  You will have to mount these somehow on your 280.
 Talk to Bruce for more info on that at 704-523-3548.  He also sells
additional off-road-only kits.  They're presumably because of their
reflectivity issues.
 
You might also consider Silverstars.  Not as bright as HID, but may be
an alternative worth investigating.
   
Additional links:
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/hid_lights_faq.htm
 
Search strategy:
HID 
HID information
HID mercedes
 
If you need additional information/clarification, please ask before
rating this answer.  Thank you.
 
jbf777-ga
GA Researcher

---

Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 30 Dec 2002 15:08 PST

Those Sylvanias are called Xenarc X1010's.  See:
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/sylvania-xenarc-x1010.htm

Hi -
  
I'm getting mixed answers from various sources as to the legality of
these lights in NY.  In order to get the official word, I'll have to
contact NYS DOT on Monday [they were closed by the time I started
answering this question.  Thank you for your patience.
 
jbf777-ga
Google Answers

THANX FOR THE QUICK ANSWER BUT I NEED THIS INFO BY TOMORROW IF
POSSIBLE-->IF YOU HAVE TO SKIP THE LEGALITY PART OF THE LIGHTS FOR A
LATER DATE THATS FINE BUT I REALLY NEED THE REST OF THE QUESTIONS
ANSWERED, IT WOULD ALSO HELP IF YOU COULD TELL ME WHAT YOUR UNOFFICIAL
SOURCES SAID REGARDING LEGALITY. THANX

Hi -
 
Sorry, I didn't look at this question again until just now, because I
was actually going to wait until tomorrow to finish it.  Am I too late
to give you your answer?
 
As far as legality is considered, a rep from a retail auto store tell
me the laws differ from county-by-county.  I've had others tell me
they're illegal for anything but off-road use, unless specifically DOT
approved.
 
jbf777-ga

hey jbf i was going to purchase the hid's on saturday but i held off
so yes you can still answer the question. thanx

Thanks for the rating + tip!