HID bulb replacement question

Dec 3, 2009 | 08:34 PM

busaman

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 8

Likes: 0

2003 E500 Sport

HID bulb replacement question

My passenger xenon bulb went out and I purchased the replacement today from Autozone. The bulb I bought was a Sylvania DS2. When I changed it out, there is a difference in the color of the light. The bulb which I had replaced was a Phillips DS2 35W 85122. The center of the blown bulb is dark blue. I will be taking the Sylvania back tomorrow and buying the Phillips. I dont know if the working Phillips bulb is 4300k, 6000K, etc. How do I tell so I may purchase the same one. Thanks- Corey

Dec 3, 2009 | 08:57 PM

MB211

Senior Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 391

Likes: 3

From: SoCal

2005 E500, 2011 ML350

Even if you buy OEM bulb from dealer, color will be different between new/old bulb. If you want a perfect match, replace them in pairs.

Dec 3, 2009 | 11:27 PM

SPNJHockey

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 440

Likes: 1

From: Exit 16E

07 E350 4Matic / Sport with P1

Quote:

Originally Posted by busaman

Buy another one - matching the last purchase (to maintain the same color), and save the diff color one as an emergency spare.
You won't be able to match the old one's color, due to its age.

Last edited by SPNJHockey; Dec 3, 2009 at 11:38 PM.

Dec 4, 2009 | 11:06 AM

Barry45RPM

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 5,017

Likes: 16

From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA

2015 ML 350

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPNJHockey

Buy another one - matching the last purchase (to maintain the same color), and save the diff color one as an emergency spare.
You won't be able to match the old one's color, due to its age.

I used to save things as "emergency spares" Now I have a garage full of single & mismatched crap. If you wouldn't go thru the effort of putting it in & leaving it in now, you won't later, as an emergency spare. Replace the pair or exchange for a matching single (which won't match 'till it "burns in" for a while... Maybe.

If you've got the time & dough & don't want to be bothered in the slightest by a color mismatch. replace the pair now.

Dec 4, 2009 | 02:32 PM

gratefulgecko

Newbie

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 7

Likes: 0

E320 CDI

Quote:

Originally Posted by busaman

Standard Factory is 4300k, and as everyone has said, you should always replace in pairs, a set is pretty cheap on the well known auction site, but i have fitted 8000k on my E320, and they match the LED sidelights

Dec 5, 2009 | 12:20 AM

SPNJHockey

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 440

Likes: 1

From: Exit 16E

07 E350 4Matic / Sport with P1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry45RPM

If you've got the time & dough & don't want to be bothered in the slightest by a color mismatch. replace the pair now.

Cuz...he only bought the single one on 12-3. Chances are slim that the 2nd purchase won't match that one.

I keep single spares in the trunk wheel-well as emergency replacements so that I can have something to throw in - UNTIL I can get a hold of a new set. Sure, the colors will be off, but at least I have ample temporary illumination.

Dec 5, 2009 | 12:45 PM

Barry45RPM

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 5,017

Likes: 16

From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA

2015 ML 350

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPNJHockey

Geez! I'd never change a headlight on the road at night. Too many people having legs crushed or getting killed when an idiot slams into the rear of your car because he'd been drinking or she was on her cell phone, while lighting a cigarette.

Plus its way too easy for me to fill up the trunk with crap... but if it works for you, cool.