Steve 90TTZ

On my recently purchased 2001 E55, I notice that one bulb seems to be more white than the other. When I first turn them on, it seems they are the same color. After they have been on for about 5 minutes one side seems more blue than the other.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Steve

raymond g-

- one bulb older than the other
- one bulb different brand than the other
- one bulb diff lot # than the other

Steve 90TTZ

I was hoping that is all it would be. What color is right? The blue or the yellowish white?

Steve

raymond g-

simply basing my response on your worded descriptino, the white with yellow
should be the brighter bulb. once you get beyond 5000ºK the light output
starts to take a dive. matters not what your eyes tell you - folks who buy
6000º+ will swear that they are brighter but they're deceived. empirical testing
of output/lumens support that >5000 is a losing proposition

aviaator

Same thing happened to me - the bluish colored one is older and/or about to fail.

A new one will match with the brighter white colored bulb.

Steve 90TTZ

Thanks for the replies. I took out the bulbs and found out that one was a Phillips and the other an Osram Xenarc. The philips appears to be more blue. What do Benz usually use for headlight bulbs?

Thanks,
Steve

raymond g-

i believe both are OEM. sad to inform you after the fact, but with HIDs, it's
recommended that you buy them in pairs, so as to ensure color balance as
much as possible. compare lot #s and be sure same manuf and model.