Headlight troubles
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: marlboro, nj
Mercedes benz 1991 300ce(RIP), now an 89 300ce
Headlight troubles
well, i just hit the 150k mile mark in my 91 300ce and the car is running pretty well. i think my transmission is starting to go, and the car needs a bit of feathering to start up, but other than that the engine is fine. my biggest problem with the car is the headlights. i cannot see anything at night, which i have heard is a problem on many w124's of the time. i recently put in some cheap xenons from best buy, but that did not make my it brighter, just whiter and about the same brightness. i tried turning my headlights allt eh way up, but to no avail. i also recently tried out a better set of xenons from pep boys. these were no better than the best buy ones. so now, im driving with my brights on at all times and still cant see anything, and no other drivers are complaining. is there a way i can make my lights brighter? i dont think that the assembly is pointed to low, although i may be wrong. anyway, thanks for any help given.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,816
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
W124's
As what Alon suggested, you should invest into some European headlights. You can pick them up on ebay for around 200-300 depending if you go with Ebay US or German. The lighting output will increase a lot and should fix your problems, but I wouldn't stop there, I would add in some 4300K-6000K HID's. 
Here are pictures of how much the lighting has improved once I added Euro's. Also, keep in mind I don't have HID's yet and these are just PIAA Xtreme White bulbs.
Here are pictures of how much the lighting has improved once I added Euro's. Also, keep in mind I don't have HID's yet and these are just PIAA Xtreme White bulbs.
Last edited by CDP; Nov 12, 2005 at 09:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: marlboro, nj
Mercedes benz 1991 300ce(RIP), now an 89 300ce
any slightly less expensive alternatives? and does this mean anything to anyone: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/W124-...ayphotohosting
thanks again
thanks again
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 0
Mercedes-Benz w124
Originally Posted by crr1612
any slightly less expensive alternatives? and does this mean anything to anyone: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/W124-...ayphotohosting
thanks again
thanks again
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: marlboro, nj
Mercedes benz 1991 300ce(RIP), now an 89 300ce
thanks for the help, i still need to find another way to get brighter lights but all is well. anyway, how attached are you to your car? thats how you should decide whether to upgrade or buy new
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 0
Mercedes-Benz w124
Originally Posted by crr1612
thanks for the help, i still need to find another way to get brighter lights but all is well. anyway, how attached are you to your car? thats how you should decide whether to upgrade or buy new
-- Freddie
Last edited by AMG_Fred; Nov 13, 2005 at 11:45 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 882
Likes: 2
From: Sherman Oaks
2004 C240, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
like I said before the ONLY way to improve your lighting is with european headlights.
Even with crappy bulbs the european headlights put out better light ont he road than the stock headlights with the most expensive best bulbs made.
Plain and simple.
You want better lighting, get euro's.
Alon
Even with crappy bulbs the european headlights put out better light ont he road than the stock headlights with the most expensive best bulbs made.
Plain and simple.
You want better lighting, get euro's.
Alon
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,816
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Open up the cover on the headlights and adjust the three black (I think) plastic screws that surround the back of the headlight and you should be able to take it from there.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 882
Likes: 2
From: Sherman Oaks
2004 C240, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
check out this site too.
http://danielsternlighting.com/tech/tech.html
Lots of great info on headlights, aiming them, and making them brighter and better,
http://danielsternlighting.com/tech/tech.html
Lots of great info on headlights, aiming them, and making them brighter and better,
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: marlboro, nj
Mercedes benz 1991 300ce(RIP), now an 89 300ce
where is the third adjustment knob? i only see 2(horizontal and vertical). my vertical knob is already set as high as it will go and its still pointed to low. thanks again.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: west virginia
there should be 3 adjustment screws.
these are on the backside of the light assembly. you should not have to remove the rear cover to adjust.
the one closest to the fog light [and center of car is for the fog light .
the center one should be the vertical adjustment for headlight..
the one on the most out board side is the side to side adjustment for the headlight.
if you aren't back at least 25' from a wall you won't see the "hot spot" moving.
cover the light you are not adjusting.
hope this helps.
these are on the backside of the light assembly. you should not have to remove the rear cover to adjust.
the one closest to the fog light [and center of car is for the fog light .
the center one should be the vertical adjustment for headlight..
the one on the most out board side is the side to side adjustment for the headlight.
if you aren't back at least 25' from a wall you won't see the "hot spot" moving.
cover the light you are not adjusting.
hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: marlboro, nj
Mercedes benz 1991 300ce(RIP), now an 89 300ce
i tried the vertical screw and my headlights are pointed all the way up already. this is a picture with my brights on, to give you guys an idea of what im working with. my headlights are bright, but only when looking at them from the correct angle. so i believe that i dont need euros, just higher lights. thanks in advance
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 882
Likes: 2
From: Sherman Oaks
2004 C240, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
If you switch to euros, you will notice the huge difference it is really night and day difference.
Well worth the few hundred dollars.
My friend has a 300e and I have driven it at night, and then gotten into my car, and there is a huge difference. even before I had the HID's, the difference was astounding in how much light was on the road and how much better visibility was at night witht he euros vs the US lights.
Well worth the few hundred dollars.
My friend has a 300e and I have driven it at night, and then gotten into my car, and there is a huge difference. even before I had the HID's, the difference was astounding in how much light was on the road and how much better visibility was at night witht he euros vs the US lights.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: marlboro, nj
Mercedes benz 1991 300ce(RIP), now an 89 300ce
unfortunately, i dont have the few hundred available at the moment to spend on euros. you think an aftermarket assembly and some new wiring will help at all? thanks again.
also, ashman, you have any pics of your car? from your description it sounds really cool.
also, ashman, you have any pics of your car? from your description it sounds really cool.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: marlboro, nj
Mercedes benz 1991 300ce(RIP), now an 89 300ce
maybe ill get lucky and snag something like this for cheap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWDVW
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
those are the euros.
they arent the genuine bosch and hella items which cost from about $300 a side, but they are a huge step up from our DOT lights.
im thinking of getting the same ones in january sometime. i need to do my front tires and rear brakes completely first, including the E brake.
they arent the genuine bosch and hella items which cost from about $300 a side, but they are a huge step up from our DOT lights.
im thinking of getting the same ones in january sometime. i need to do my front tires and rear brakes completely first, including the E brake.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Socialist West Coast
95 E320, 19 Ram 1500 Hemi, 21 GLS 580(wife)
I just ordered two sets of euro lights for my car and my buddies... I found importvision on ebay but asked for a package deal minus the ebay fees etc. I paid 205 for each set plus shipping... I bet if you email them they can help you get a good deal on some Depo made Euros... importvision1@aol.com
I'll put these and my HID's in my car next week and show you the pics of my new ride (300TE). I love these wagons.
I'll put these and my HID's in my car next week and show you the pics of my new ride (300TE). I love these wagons.
