Headlights are horrible
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
2021 GLE450
Headlights are horrible
2011 C300
I need to do something about these low beam headlights. I can't see anything at night. It's so bad, I pray a car comes from the opposite direction to light up the road for me. The high beams are great. I've adjusted the aiming, but that didn't help so I put it back to factory.
Will new bulbs help my problem? If so, which ones? Is the headlight style the issue?
Here's what I'm running right now:
I need to do something about these low beam headlights. I can't see anything at night. It's so bad, I pray a car comes from the opposite direction to light up the road for me. The high beams are great. I've adjusted the aiming, but that didn't help so I put it back to factory.
Will new bulbs help my problem? If so, which ones? Is the headlight style the issue?
Here's what I'm running right now:
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
2021 GLE450
SPONSOR/MBworld Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 215
From: California
MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
HID conversion kit should help you out. Hit us up, we can get you set up. You'll need an H7 HID conversion kit and we carry top end Morimoto units. 
You can shoot us a PM or email us directly at aznoptics@gmail.com
You can shoot us a PM or email us directly at aznoptics@gmail.com
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 304
Likes: 75
2022 AMG GT 53, 2020 Sl450. Did drive 2018 S450
i had the same problem so I replaced my low beams with the following..made a lot of difference.
I saw questions on how long these last so turned off my daylight running lights to ensure longevity.
I saw questions on how long these last so turned off my daylight running lights to ensure longevity.
Last edited by Merserybenze; Mar 5, 2016 at 12:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
2021 GLE450
HID conversion kit should help you out. Hit us up, we can get you set up. You'll need an H7 HID conversion kit and we carry top end Morimoto units.
You can shoot us a PM or email us directly at aznoptics@gmail.com
You can shoot us a PM or email us directly at aznoptics@gmail.com
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
2021 GLE450
Never mind, I'm on mobile and didn't see your sig links. I'll check it out and get back to you.
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Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 100
Likes: 7
From: Santa Rosa, CA
2012 Mercedes C250
For more light for free, try aiming the lights upward maybe 5-10%. I did that on my '12 C250 and it made a huge difference. Several years ago I did the same with my '11 Mustang GT, and a 2009 Suzuki Bandit 1250 before that.
My personal theory is that modern lights are bright enough to where they are purposely aimed low, to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. In the MB, I was uncomfortable moving at more than 20 MPH until I re-aimed the lights. I could only see the feet of pedestrians, and couldn't read road signs. Now, I can see at least five times farther, and peds and signs are visible on the darkest streets. All for about 5 minutes' work, and no $.
Worked for me, anyway!
My personal theory is that modern lights are bright enough to where they are purposely aimed low, to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. In the MB, I was uncomfortable moving at more than 20 MPH until I re-aimed the lights. I could only see the feet of pedestrians, and couldn't read road signs. Now, I can see at least five times farther, and peds and signs are visible on the darkest streets. All for about 5 minutes' work, and no $.
Worked for me, anyway!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
2021 GLE450
Do I have the proper projector housings to run HIDs? I'm reading about people doing a retrofit, but I wouldn't have to do that right?
I'm still interested in seeing pictures of the road illumination if anyone has any. My search has turned up nothing.
I'm still interested in seeing pictures of the road illumination if anyone has any. My search has turned up nothing.
SPONSOR/MBworld Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 215
From: California
MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
Your model year has halogen projectors which for most are good enough to run an HID conversion kit. Ideally, you'd have xenon projectors to really maximize the lighting upgrades, but it's good enough and will still be a marked upgrade. Really it's those in 2012 facelifted models where MB cheaped out and put in halogen reflectors that should do either a retrofit or swap housing.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
2021 GLE450
Update. I ordered the Morimoto XB35 Elite HID System - H7 5000K from Aznoptics. Shipping was fast!
The kit seems incredibly well put together with nice weatherproof connections and quality components. True to form, once I got it all assembled, mounted in the car and working correctly, I had 3 parts left over.
Results: My priority was road illumination so anything better than factory would be a plus. I estimate a 50% increase in depth of vision and clarity at night so I'm fully satisfied. I highly recommend this kit. In the pictures below, I have not adjusted the aim, the only difference is the light source.
I apologize for the pictures being so blurry. I promise I wasn't drunk when I took these.
Before:
After:
The kit seems incredibly well put together with nice weatherproof connections and quality components. True to form, once I got it all assembled, mounted in the car and working correctly, I had 3 parts left over.
Results: My priority was road illumination so anything better than factory would be a plus. I estimate a 50% increase in depth of vision and clarity at night so I'm fully satisfied. I highly recommend this kit. In the pictures below, I have not adjusted the aim, the only difference is the light source.
I apologize for the pictures being so blurry. I promise I wasn't drunk when I took these.
Before:
After:
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 701
Likes: 103
From: Ontario, Canada
2009 C63 AMG, 2010 C250 4Matic Sport
Update. I ordered the Morimoto XB35 Elite HID System - H7 5000K from Aznoptics. Shipping was fast!
The kit seems incredibly well put together with nice weatherproof connections and quality components. True to form, once I got it all assembled, mounted in the car and working correctly, I had 3 parts left over.
Results: My priority was road illumination so anything better than factory would be a plus. I estimate a 50% increase in depth of vision and clarity at night so I'm fully satisfied. I highly recommend this kit. In the pictures below, I have not adjusted the aim, the only difference is the light source.
I apologize for the pictures being so blurry. I promise I wasn't drunk when I took these.
Before:
*images*
After:
*images*
The kit seems incredibly well put together with nice weatherproof connections and quality components. True to form, once I got it all assembled, mounted in the car and working correctly, I had 3 parts left over.
Results: My priority was road illumination so anything better than factory would be a plus. I estimate a 50% increase in depth of vision and clarity at night so I'm fully satisfied. I highly recommend this kit. In the pictures below, I have not adjusted the aim, the only difference is the light source.
I apologize for the pictures being so blurry. I promise I wasn't drunk when I took these.
Before:
*images*
After:
*images*
I'll be looking at some upgrade for the fogs so they match in colour temperature, though
Last edited by Funkwagen; Mar 15, 2016 at 09:16 AM.
SPONSOR/MBworld Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 215
From: California
MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
HIDs are a kelvin range and not precise like LEDs. 5500k is supposed to be the top bound, but we measured them to be closer to 5000k. We don't want to confuse our customer whom majority doesn't understand kelvin temps in relation to color, so just mark them as 5000k for them to know what should match with what.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 701
Likes: 103
From: Ontario, Canada
2009 C63 AMG, 2010 C250 4Matic Sport
HIDs are a kelvin range and not precise like LEDs. 5500k is supposed to be the top bound, but we measured them to be closer to 5000k. We don't want to confuse our customer whom majority doesn't understand kelvin temps in relation to color, so just mark them as 5000k for them to know what should match with what.
They do match up very nicely, even in a terrible photo
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX
Toyota Tundra & C300
HID conversion kit should help you out. Hit us up, we can get you set up. You'll need an H7 HID conversion kit and we carry top end Morimoto units.
You can shoot us a PM or email us directly at aznoptics@gmail.com
You can shoot us a PM or email us directly at aznoptics@gmail.com
SPONSOR/MBworld Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 215
From: California
MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 831
Likes: 13
From: N.C. USA
2015, ML250 BlueTEC
Have NEW never used High Output H7 65w Osram Ralley bulbs FS. 50% more lumens. Really makes a difference! Plug & Play!
Interested? pm me or golfcat@triad.rr.com
Interested? pm me or golfcat@triad.rr.com
