Help with Xenon Bulb Color Temp Issue
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Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Ft. Worth, Texas USA
'18 E300, '11 E350 Cabriolet, '06 C230
Help with Xenon Bulb Color Temp Issue
So... I have a 2006 C230 with the optional lighting package, which included Xenon headlamps at the time. After 13 years of both OEM bulbs, the right passenger side Xenon bulb finally burned out. Several months after I had it replaced at the dealer with a new bulb (part number: D2S-35W), I noticed that the right side bulb (the one which had been replaced) had more of a halogen/yellowish color temperature than the OEM bulb on the left.
I remember that I always had liked the bluish ("cool blue") hue of the original OEM xenon bulbs, so when I got out of the car to look at both bulbs, it was clear that the original bulb was the proper (blue/cold color temperature) and the new bulb was the incorrect (warm/yellowish color temp). Think of the mid-2000's premium MB models you have seen: like the 2003-2010 SL and the 2006-2013 S-Klasse.... those always had VERY bluish/cool xenon sealed beam headlamps, like my 2006 C230 had. I have attempted several times to find out what the ORIGINAL manufacturer brand was of the OEM product from the factory, but the dealer says there is no way to know that today, some 13 years after the car was first manufactured.
Does anyone know who the manufacturer is/was and should be? I am annoyed that I now have two different xenon bulbs casting two different shades of light. I would think it would have been Bosch but the dealer is saying they have always been Phillips. I don't quite believe that's true... Anyone have the same issue?? The dealer says just change BOTH bulbs at the same time and that will eliminate the difference, but the issue is that I want the OEM bluish-bulb, not this new replacement yellowish version....
I remember that I always had liked the bluish ("cool blue") hue of the original OEM xenon bulbs, so when I got out of the car to look at both bulbs, it was clear that the original bulb was the proper (blue/cold color temperature) and the new bulb was the incorrect (warm/yellowish color temp). Think of the mid-2000's premium MB models you have seen: like the 2003-2010 SL and the 2006-2013 S-Klasse.... those always had VERY bluish/cool xenon sealed beam headlamps, like my 2006 C230 had. I have attempted several times to find out what the ORIGINAL manufacturer brand was of the OEM product from the factory, but the dealer says there is no way to know that today, some 13 years after the car was first manufactured.
Does anyone know who the manufacturer is/was and should be? I am annoyed that I now have two different xenon bulbs casting two different shades of light. I would think it would have been Bosch but the dealer is saying they have always been Phillips. I don't quite believe that's true... Anyone have the same issue?? The dealer says just change BOTH bulbs at the same time and that will eliminate the difference, but the issue is that I want the OEM bluish-bulb, not this new replacement yellowish version....
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Should say the brand right on the bulb. I've been using Philips 4.3K and like them just fine, but wanted an OEM
look not ricey. Note: the bulbs get blue-er (is that even a word?) over time till they fail.
So, replacing just one bulb will likely result in a non matching pair. 4.3K is considered OEM color.
I bought my Bix used and they had rice 6K bulbs in them.
Really white. They bothered my eyes, but no matter, they burned out almost immediately.
Now I've had the Philips(got off ebay) for 10 years and still going.
look not ricey. Note: the bulbs get blue-er (is that even a word?) over time till they fail.
So, replacing just one bulb will likely result in a non matching pair. 4.3K is considered OEM color.
I bought my Bix used and they had rice 6K bulbs in them.
Really white. They bothered my eyes, but no matter, they burned out almost immediately.
Now I've had the Philips(got off ebay) for 10 years and still going.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
That's why when one burns out, you should replace the pair with identical bulbs. My 07 the OEM bulbs were Osram. I replaced them BOTH when one went out with the Osram Xenarc 66240 CBI bulbs and couldn't be happier. They are slightly whiter and brighter than the OEM bulbs.
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2005 W203 C280
While I can't tell you what the original manufacturer is, I know that there are plenty of blue-ish alternatives out there like these ones:
OSRAM XENARC COOL BLUE INTENSE D2S xenon headlamp bulb 66240CBI-HCB
I don't want anything else...
OSRAM XENARC COOL BLUE INTENSE D2S xenon headlamp bulb 66240CBI-HCB
I don't want anything else...
Last edited by Wesendonck; Nov 4, 2018 at 04:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 9
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From: Ft. Worth, Texas USA
'18 E300, '11 E350 Cabriolet, '06 C230
Thanks Wesendonck
I will check these out. Definitely want them to be a cool blue hue. That’s what they’ve always been. Very bright cold white. The car was a Euro delivery so I always thought maybe they had put Euro spec HID in her. But it was built as a US spec and US destination vehicle so I doubt so....
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Ft. Worth, Texas USA
'18 E300, '11 E350 Cabriolet, '06 C230
Hey there John Anderson, I'm still grappling with my Xenon headlamps issue. Was wondering what the build date of your '07 C-Class is? My 2006 has an August, 2005 build date. I would assume MB probably used the same brand for the 2006's as they did for the 2007's, so it's likely mine are the same manufacturer as your OEM's were. My dealer still acts like my new bulb color hue difference is just because one is new and one isn't, but when I look at my vehicle, the difference between the OEM bulb and the new one is staggering. The new one (Phillips D2S-35W) is very warm/yellow and the old (OEM) bulb is definitely a cool white/blue. I can almost bet the remaining original bulb is probably Osram, like yours were, so that's why I wondered what your build date was.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Last edited by Hermes048; Jan 2, 2019 at 09:30 PM. Reason: Forgot to properly address my message
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