tripledeadheat

I'd like brighter bulbs for the high and low beam on my 2001 E320 wagon. I don't want to change out the entire headlight assembly. Currently, stock bulbs are H7 (55W). Any ideas would be appreciated.

raymond g-

you only have so-so choices. legal limit is 55w on low and 60w on high.

you can buy 65 watt 'rallye' bulbs to put in the high beam. if you're off public
roads (wink, nudge) you can put them into the low beam side

you can shop for premium, glamor bulbs which tout higher lumens but halogen
bulb technology can only be pushed so far. some of these bulbs are overclocked,
meaning they burn brighter though may have a shorter life span. some are tinted
blue, to fool your eye into believing the light output is whiter (not necessarily
brighter).

i tried premium bulbs but didn't like them. i wanted a real improvement so i pulled
out the stops and put in HID from an E55. cost there is about $500

tripledeadheat

Thanks for the input. I did see "Rallye" bulbs at Daniel Stern lighting but,I was hoping for something better.

Where did you get the E55 HIDs? Was the installation a DIY?

SDCBenz

Im curious about the E55 setup too could you post pics/ or more info please.

raymond g-

it's not easy....it's also not difficult.

1. you buy the Depo projector headlight for about - $200+
2. you buy used E55 bixenon projectors from w211 - < $150
3. you buy used Hella ballasts - < $150
4. you buy new D2S bulbs - <$100
   
5. you heat Depo headlight to soften lens sealant
6. you remove Depo projector and toss
7. you fit in E55 projector and seal
8. you heat Depo headlight to soften lens sealant and replace outer lens
   
9. flame on

if anyone living near Seattle, happy to tutor them through this. used parts
sourced through Ebay

p.s. old pic. gave the rims away and put in 211 E55 dbl spoked wheels

SDCBenz

Thank you for the info I will look into this.

Also can you post some new pics I want to see your ride in its current state and if you have any of the lights at night that would be cool as well.

Its a Great looking car in that color and you can check out new pics of mine in the picture or mileage thread.

raymond g-

this photo made just after replacing the factory springs with Eibacht lowering springs

here are a few beam shots after the HID retrofit of the beam

Depo with E55 guts

if i keep the car much longer, i'd consider having it repainted to darker shade
of burgandy with hint of flake. may not be worth it so I"m fudging

siopaolover

wow that is beautiful It's such a clean beam pattern too! Just reminds me that I should get projectors soon lol

Iceytys

Happy to report...all the Ebay bulbs I ordered are all in...and have no error messages. So if anyone is looking to upgrade...se my other posts in this thread.

I have gone through 2 sets of HID bulbs...and headlights dont seem to be brighter......however I will admit.....I havent purchased the high dollar Philip's or Orsam bulbs......probably the housing / projector that's really holding these units back....but I am not sure I want to take the time and expense of replacing the units...lol. We'll see.

raymond g-

if you attempted to improve your lighting by installing an HID bulb into the H7 socket, that is rarely going to
result in better lighting. the reflector based headlight doesn't take too kindly to HID bulbs.

Iceytys

Sorry...I posted this to the wrong forum...I have the 2011 GL550...which already has HID. I replaced the bulbs with another newer set. (Twice)....even tried going from 35w to 55w....but dont notice much difference in light performance.

raymond g-

glad it worked out for your GL