MB Mondeo Zetec headlight upgrade options

[5tumpy]

Hey Guys,

So I'm starting to get the you-know-whats with the low beam headlights in my 2009 Mondeo... High beams are great, so doing the k's I do on the Hume, I'd prefer to upgrade my low beams rather than chucking spotties on it and upgrading the already good high beams...

From what I've read, XR5 and Titaniums have projector headlights, so my initial reaction is do the round of the wreckers looking for one that's survived, but something tells me this might be a bit of a stretch..

I've checked out Ebay, but I can only find 1 seller that sells them, from Taiwan, and they're after-market, so no guarantee they'll be a straight swap...

Has anyone here done an similar upgrade? How did you go about it? Did you find something that was a straight swap?

Cheers fellas!

[ope126]

Wreckers are probably your best choice.
Late model MB XR5 Turbo's had Xenon lights, so as a retrofit it would be illegal (unless you installed the headlight washers and auto levellers).
MC Titanium's have AFS Lighting, so they will work - however the AFS will not!

I previously had an MC Zetec and replaced the normal reflector headlights with the projector headlights from a MC Titanium - worked a treat! Just no AFS...

[cobrin]

It's not illegal when they're OE for the same Model, it doesn't need a washer or auto levelling either as the Titanium doesn't either. Finding a pair that doesn't cost the next born is another matter.

If they were aftermarket then yeah sure, you need all the jazz.

[NZ XR6]

I agree, the standard low beam isn't great. The factory bulbs are long life so they will last the 3 year warranty and aren't very bright. I fitted some high output Philips bulbs, and the lights are way better.

I also changed the high beam bulbs, they really light up the road now.

[5tumpy]

Looks like I'm going to get on the phone and ring around some wreckers... Am I correct to assume that any MB lights will be a straight swap?

[NZ XR6]

I'm pretty sure they're the same - the MA and MA are really the same car.

Good luck with finding 2 headlights from the same model!

[b2428]

I have a MA mondeo. I found the opposite with mine. Low beam is great high beam sucked. Maybe I was spoilt after coming from a BA falcon which i thought had great high beams. I chucked in narva plus 100's i think was the biggest I could go. They were a lot better except they would last no more then 6 months before blowing. Now have phillips and find them even better. After the high beam success I then went with 120's for the low beams too. I would try something like this for a cheap alternative. I have even tried repcos brand plus 100s and 120s and found they are really good bulbs too

[bundybear75]

Can anyone tell me what globes the MC takes? I'm thinking some premium globes might help for night driving until I can add a bar and driving lights.

Plus any suggestions? I was thinking maybe some of the Plus 120 Narva's or similar.

[NZ XR6]

Low is H7 and high H1.

Narva don't make their bulbs - they repackage other manufacturers. So some are good and others aren't. Same with Repco. You can usually see the manufacturer's name marked on the base of the bulb - I look for something Made in Germany.

You can find bulb reviews at autoexpress.co.uk. I've always found Philips to be good and Osram make decent bulbs as well. The Narva Plus 100 H1's that I fitted were Osram bulbs and about $30 for the pair on special from Repco.

[cobrin]

Originally Posted by 5tumpy

Am I correct to assume that any MB lights will be a straight swap?

This I'm not sure, I'd like to think so.