For a car that pulls 135mph and 0-60 in 8.3secs, the standard-issue headlamps on my 300TE seem rather inadequate. I've seen on MBworld that people have been discussing "upgrades" to headlamps. Is there a consensus about the best way to get more light for a 1990 W124? (I'm talking one of the **pre-facelift** W124: post-facelift, MB put on the smaller chrome grille, with the 3-pointed star mounted on the bonnet (hood) and curvier headlight units.)

Can I get more light just by putting some OEM bulbs in there? Or is there a more potent headlamp unit that'll just drop right in the standard-shape hole?

I realise, too, that most of you guys are over the pond in sunny US of A and it seems (from reading these forums) that you have weird and whacky headlamps on US-spec cars -- and you drive on the wrong side of the road! So maybe we don't have any common ground for discussing headlamp improvements...

 

Well then....we across the pond have a bleak situation when it comes to headlights. Usually the best mod is to swap ours for euro spec headlamps. since you already have them, check out 2 options: brighter output whiter light bulbs using same wattage as oem or do a full xenon HID upgrade for around $500 USD
check out hids4less.com
that's about all you can do my friend...

 

Change the H4 bulbs to 80/100 and you will have better light. P.

 

"Change the H4 bulbs to 80/100 and you will have better light. P"

And when you get caught or have an accident you pay 10-fold of what the Xenon conversion would have been, loose your insurance coverage, loose your license and walk with a flash light since this will fit the speed and the pick up you then will have.

On the other other hand the full size Xenon version will more than triple the value of the car from 1990!!!!

I'm sorry I had to comment this proposal.

 

Hey Bamberger..where in the world did you get your information??? Enlighten us on how you came to these conclusions

 

Try Powerbulbs (0845 123 2855)

Ask for BLUE VISION 4000°K H4-W5W

They are very reasonable.

MOT compliant

Fully Street-Legal

Excellent pure white beam emitted (a bit like an Omega) you will notice a huge difference brighter than the full beam on the old setup!!!!

You want to try a 300TE-24v with ECU upgrade.....135 (cruising speed!!)

 

Hi Gents,

I have a similar issue with my W123 230E. It's actually a South African (RHD) car, and even though it's a run-out model, it has the pre-facelift round lamp housing. The lights are so poor that I've nearly wrecked it a couple of times - Irish roads spring more surprises than most. Can anyone recommend the best bulbs / housing. I'm not too concerned about the legal side of things, although I don't want to blind oncoming drivers....

Much Obliged....

 

Halfords in the UK sell legal '30% brighter bulbs' for £20 a set. Might be worth a try as they'll refund your cash if your not happy.
I would agree with bamberger_1 though, stick to the legal variety as insurance companys in the UK will use any excuse not to pay up. Higher wattage bulbs, sports exhausts and K&N filters are some of the things they check for!

 

Try this link.

http://lighting.mbz.org/

Hope it is of some help.

Charles in MN
300TE 4Matic

 

OK. I took Griff's suggestion: went to www.powerbulbs.com and after speaking on the phone to them bought a pair of Philips Vision Plus H4 bulbs. They claim an extra 50% light output with the *same* wattage as standard. They are totally street legal here in the UK, and the results are excellent. For the minimal cost (GBP12) and five minutes to fit them, the benefit is clear: longer range high beam, whiter light, sharp low-beam cut-off. I heartily recommend them.

(Griff said ask for Philips "Blue Vision" -- but those are distinctly blue-tinted to look really spiffy like all the modern Xenon units. I didn't want to look like a poseur so went for the white light of "Vision Plus".)

 

Poser? Me?