Do HID bulbs age?
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
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From: the Netherlands
'01 W210 E320 CDI
Do HID bulbs age?
Since a few weeks I drive a W210 with factory Xenon (HID) but at night we really have bad vision on the roads. Trafficsigns do light up brightly but the amount of light on the road is just much worse when compared to my old W210 with H7 Halogen. The headlight lenses are clear btw. Do HID bulbs age? Would I get the ton of light HID is supposed to give if I mount new bulbs? Has anyone experienced the same?
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 213
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From: New England
2000 E 320S4 210.282 4Matic Estate
As far as I know they do age ... they start to get a pink tint that's easy to see when pointed at a white wall. I don't think light output would be degraded a lot but don't know for sure. One of the bulbs in my car has developed that pink hue, but last time I checked that was well over a year ago! 
Lights appear normal to me so far. You might want to check your ballasts as well. Hope that helps.
Cheers
Lights appear normal to me so far. You might want to check your ballasts as well. Hope that helps.Cheers
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
The factory HIDs are far from flattering in terms of the light they produce. I'm sure the age of the bulb has something to do with it too. You should try out some 55w ballasts with new bulbs.
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
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From: the Netherlands
'01 W210 E320 CDI
Update, ordered new bulbs and the light is MUCH brighter now!
I didn't take pics of the new bulbs but they're crystal clear.
Look how stained and dull the oem bulbs came out while still working!
I didn't take pics of the new bulbs but they're crystal clear.
Look how stained and dull the oem bulbs came out while still working!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
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From: the Netherlands
'01 W210 E320 CDI
Unfortunatly the new HID's are so white, now my LED city lights look really blue. I'll get some H6W bulbs for them at the dealer so it all looks OEM again for now. Maybe I'll get into some other setup later...
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: China
HYUNDAI
How long time you have used this xenon headlight?
the life time of xenon bulb should be around 2000hours to 3000hours.
I have no idea about how long time you have used this xenon bulb, but there with 2 advice,
1)Change the new one for your headlight.
2)Try bi-xenon projector for your headlight.
That's must be working this problem out.
the life time of xenon bulb should be around 2000hours to 3000hours.
I have no idea about how long time you have used this xenon bulb, but there with 2 advice,
1)Change the new one for your headlight.
2)Try bi-xenon projector for your headlight.
That's must be working this problem out.
