Upgrading light bulbs.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: California
2008 Sport C-300, 2003 Accord Coupe V6
Upgrading light bulbs.
for a 1999 E320 (w210).
If I wanted to get the britghtest bulbs replacement possible for my car without compromising anything else (melting plastic parts, wires, blowing fuses or breaking laws) ... what would you recommend?
1/ How many bulbs total would I need for both the low and high beam on this car?
2/ Also, do you think it is worth to upgrade the bulbs for the front markers as well?
3/ Please provide all the "stock" bulbs lumens and wattage output versus the the "new" ones that you would recommend.... if possible.... so that I can have a visual of how much brighter the new bulbs would be.
Thanks so much...
If I wanted to get the britghtest bulbs replacement possible for my car without compromising anything else (melting plastic parts, wires, blowing fuses or breaking laws) ... what would you recommend?
1/ How many bulbs total would I need for both the low and high beam on this car?
2/ Also, do you think it is worth to upgrade the bulbs for the front markers as well?
3/ Please provide all the "stock" bulbs lumens and wattage output versus the the "new" ones that you would recommend.... if possible.... so that I can have a visual of how much brighter the new bulbs would be.
Thanks so much...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
If I wanted to get the britghtest bulbs replacement possible for my car
without compromising anything else (melting plastic parts, wires, blowing
fuses or breaking laws) ... what would you recommend?
1/ How many bulbs total would I need for both the low and high beam on this car?
you will need four (4) H7 bulbs. 2 for low and 2 for high
2/ Also, do you think it is worth to upgrade the bulbs for the front markers as well?
if you're looking for brightness you're not going to find much difference
through simple bulb swap outs. you're more likely to find that you're having
to go with LED bulbs....along with the challenge and gamble of trying to
ensure that such a modification doesn't trigger the BULB MALFUNCTION
error light
3/ Please provide all the "stock" bulbs lumens and wattage
output versus the the "new" ones that you would recommend.... if
possible.... so that I can have a visual of how much brighter the new bulbs
would be.
stock bulbs for H7 halogen are 55 watts low and 60 watts high. most lumen
measures are going to be in their same ballpark. unfortunately, anything
of higher wattage of filament design are technically illegal, as most states
and/or US DOT specify 55/60 as the limits. it's not difficult to find bulbs
with 80/100 watt ratings. you may be pushing the limits of the factory
wiring; heat build up may result. best to build a wiring subharness and
to fuse each side if you have the slightest concern. arguably, you may
be able to satisfy your need, inexpensively, by going with premium halogen
filament bulbs, which use different temperature/color.....and have the
appearance of being brighter
to get around this would be to step up to new technology and embrace HID
headlight design. retrofitting this into your 99 model is, again, technically
not DOT compliant, ie illegal. having said all this, HID retrofit using OEM
HID projector from an E55 was the option I chose.
without compromising anything else (melting plastic parts, wires, blowing
fuses or breaking laws) ... what would you recommend?
1/ How many bulbs total would I need for both the low and high beam on this car?
you will need four (4) H7 bulbs. 2 for low and 2 for high
2/ Also, do you think it is worth to upgrade the bulbs for the front markers as well?
if you're looking for brightness you're not going to find much difference
through simple bulb swap outs. you're more likely to find that you're having
to go with LED bulbs....along with the challenge and gamble of trying to
ensure that such a modification doesn't trigger the BULB MALFUNCTION
error light
3/ Please provide all the "stock" bulbs lumens and wattage
output versus the the "new" ones that you would recommend.... if
possible.... so that I can have a visual of how much brighter the new bulbs
would be.
stock bulbs for H7 halogen are 55 watts low and 60 watts high. most lumen
measures are going to be in their same ballpark. unfortunately, anything
of higher wattage of filament design are technically illegal, as most states
and/or US DOT specify 55/60 as the limits. it's not difficult to find bulbs
with 80/100 watt ratings. you may be pushing the limits of the factory
wiring; heat build up may result. best to build a wiring subharness and
to fuse each side if you have the slightest concern. arguably, you may
be able to satisfy your need, inexpensively, by going with premium halogen
filament bulbs, which use different temperature/color.....and have the
appearance of being brighter
to get around this would be to step up to new technology and embrace HID
headlight design. retrofitting this into your 99 model is, again, technically
not DOT compliant, ie illegal. having said all this, HID retrofit using OEM
HID projector from an E55 was the option I chose.
Last edited by raymond g-; Nov 7, 2009 at 12:32 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
2002 Mercedes Benz E320
I have a question. I was told by a parts guy at a BMW/Benz dealership that I can just buy xenon bulbs and ballasts from an auto parts store and just plug in and it should work? Is this true?
Would the lights look fake or not be safe? How would the quality be?
Would the lights look fake or not be safe? How would the quality be?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Parts guy
does not know sh*t from shineola.
65 watt H7 from www.danielsternlighting.com or like Ray pointed out build 800 buck depo conversions.Search for info it has been beaten like a nag on the way to the glue pot.
Don't install 80-100 watt H7 unless you like the smell o fryin wires.
65 watt H7 from www.danielsternlighting.com or like Ray pointed out build 800 buck depo conversions.Search for info it has been beaten like a nag on the way to the glue pot.
Don't install 80-100 watt H7 unless you like the smell o fryin wires.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
1999 E320 & 2008 S550 Designo
Thanks Raymond for the clarification.
So basically the recommended "new" H7 bulbs are only about 5 watts increase...any higher would be unsafe.
LED is a nice option but like you mentioned...headaches with possible bulb malfunction warnings.
Also I read on Danielstern website on how you can rewire the front marker lights to blink along with the original blinker.
Sounds kinda cool...has anyone done this? and how difficult to do?
LED is a nice option but like you mentioned...headaches with possible bulb malfunction warnings.
Also I read on Danielstern website on how you can rewire the front marker lights to blink along with the original blinker.
Sounds kinda cool...has anyone done this? and how difficult to do?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
H7
are 50 watts rally H7's are 65watt H9 burners on H7 bases.15 more watts and don't trip mals or bother wires.
Done the side blinkers so have other members.
Stern carries brighter side marker bulbs as well.
One of our members had a set of custom built over a $grand audi projectors in depo buckets for sale you might see if he sold them and make a deal.
Done the side blinkers so have other members.
Stern carries brighter side marker bulbs as well.
One of our members had a set of custom built over a $grand audi projectors in depo buckets for sale you might see if he sold them and make a deal.
