Replaced my low beam bulb
02-25-2011, 03:37 PM
#1
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Replaced my low beam bulb
Wanted to report that I replaced the factory low beam bulb with the PIAA Extreme White plus. As others have reported, it's not a xenon but it is much better. Happy I did it.
02-25-2011, 03:53 PM
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Did you replace it yourself or did the dealer do it? If you did it, what did it entail, how much did it cost and where did you get it? Do you own a 212 e550? Thanks. Ned.
02-25-2011, 08:34 PM
#6
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In answer to the questions,....
In answer to the questions:
The part number is 17655.
It's a 2011 E550
I did not do it myself. While I have replaced bulbs myself on other cars, I was scared off by comments others made about the hassle of the drivers side light. I took it to an independant Mercedes shop here in Los Angeles. And indeed, it was a hassle, even for them, though admittedly, it looked like they had never replaced a bulb on the 212. You have to remove, or at least loosen some other parts, and even so, its a VERY tight squeeze to get in there to do it. I paid $120, which included the price of the new bulbs. It's about right; it took them about 30 minutes to do it. I do not regret the cost at all as I probably would have ended up breaking a bulb, either getting the old one out, or putting the new one in. ( I admire MCF for saying it was very easy. My guess is he must have small hands, or had a particular tool.) Anyway, I can see much better, though not nearly as well as in my other car which has the xenons.
The part number is 17655.
It's a 2011 E550
I did not do it myself. While I have replaced bulbs myself on other cars, I was scared off by comments others made about the hassle of the drivers side light. I took it to an independant Mercedes shop here in Los Angeles. And indeed, it was a hassle, even for them, though admittedly, it looked like they had never replaced a bulb on the 212. You have to remove, or at least loosen some other parts, and even so, its a VERY tight squeeze to get in there to do it. I paid $120, which included the price of the new bulbs. It's about right; it took them about 30 minutes to do it. I do not regret the cost at all as I probably would have ended up breaking a bulb, either getting the old one out, or putting the new one in. ( I admire MCF for saying it was very easy. My guess is he must have small hands, or had a particular tool.) Anyway, I can see much better, though not nearly as well as in my other car which has the xenons.
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02-25-2011, 08:58 PM
#8
Oh and I am 6'4" 200lbs with pretty big hands. All I did was remove a bracket that is held in place by 2 plastic 10mm nuts. Just moved bracket out of the way and reached in. Easy.
02-25-2011, 09:04 PM
#9
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As per post above, it included bulbs (which are at least half of that). I have no problem paying that for someone to do it. My DIY projects do not go beyond changing wheels (and I do it a lot!), engine oil and maybe a grill or two.
02-25-2011, 09:09 PM
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Are these bulbs meaningfully better than my stock zenons? I do find the regular beams lacking, don't shine far enough forward, IMO. Thanks. Ned.
02-26-2011, 07:49 AM
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
)Problem with some hyper white replacement bulbs (non Xenon units), is that they tend to not actually illuminate "better", just "brighter", and on some cars they look so flagrantly all over the place in how they shine, they seem to be brighter and more annoying mostly to drivers outside of the car, than to the person sitting behind the wheel of the actual said car.
02-26-2011, 02:38 PM
#13
I am not sure which PIAA I put in, but they provided JUST enough improvement. The bulb removed any hint of Yellow, but they are by no means blue at all. They are just white, I believe the box says 4100k which I would say is about correct. I also believe they do not only provide a whiter light, but brighter also. Not xenon level, but 'sufficient'. when you put them in compared to stock you are not going to be 'OMG, that is so much better' but you will notice a difference. In addition, after using them for about 1 month, I actually believe they are getting slightly brighter with use, if that is even possible. I ordered mine off of Amazon.com and I paid around $30 for a pair.
02-26-2011, 02:40 PM
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PIAA definitely not as good as xenons, but better than stock
I have xenons on my E430 and never even thought about not being able to see well at night. It just was not an issue. Which is why when I got my new car, I got the P1 package because not seeing well at night just didn't seem an issue, and I didn't want to spend the money for the P2. What a mistake. I will never buy another car without xenon headlights.
The PIAAs are much better but still, particularly when it rains, nothing like xenons. As to the cost, while $120 seems high, it did include the cost of the bulbs, but more importantly it is a small price to pay to be able to see better at night. Without them, every night, I was irked by how lousy the lights were, and in the rain, more than a little nervous, particularly with the pothole issue.
The PIAAs are much better but still, particularly when it rains, nothing like xenons. As to the cost, while $120 seems high, it did include the cost of the bulbs, but more importantly it is a small price to pay to be able to see better at night. Without them, every night, I was irked by how lousy the lights were, and in the rain, more than a little nervous, particularly with the pothole issue.
02-26-2011, 07:18 PM
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Looks like it's a cheap and good alternative to the stockers then.
I still don't see why anyone wouldn't spend the extra $1500-$2K on P2 though. The HID unit is very advanced, with active cornering, auto high beams, xenon lights, headlamp washers, and a nicer LED "disco ball" looking parking light unit. Also, the auto trunk (which isn't totally necessary, but cool and helpful), and Keyless Go are nice additions as well.
Edit: Just checked and it's a $2500 option (P2). I could have sworn it was less than $2K when I got my 10 MY.
Either way, still worth it.
I still don't see why anyone wouldn't spend the extra $1500-$2K on P2 though. The HID unit is very advanced, with active cornering, auto high beams, xenon lights, headlamp washers, and a nicer LED "disco ball" looking parking light unit. Also, the auto trunk (which isn't totally necessary, but cool and helpful), and Keyless Go are nice additions as well.
Edit: Just checked and it's a $2500 option (P2). I could have sworn it was less than $2K when I got my 10 MY.
Either way, still worth it.
02-26-2011, 08:45 PM
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Lexus IS 350 F Sport
Not for nothing but the aftermarket PIAA bulbs are actually a very nice alternative for those without the P2 packages which costs a lot more $$$ 
When i got my C when it first came out in 2007 and i didnt want to wait a couple of months for the P2 packages i used the PIAA's first before finally getting a HID kit
When i got my C when it first came out in 2007 and i didnt want to wait a couple of months for the P2 packages i used the PIAA's first before finally getting a HID kit
02-26-2011, 10:05 PM
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'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
Not for nothing but the aftermarket PIAA bulbs are actually a very nice alternative for those without the P2 packages which costs a lot more $$$
When i got my C when it first came out in 2007 and i didnt want to wait a couple of months for the P2 packages i used the PIAA's first before finally getting a HID kit
When i got my C when it first came out in 2007 and i didnt want to wait a couple of months for the P2 packages i used the PIAA's first before finally getting a HID kit
03-03-2011, 06:19 PM
#18
Senior Member
I have xenons on my E430 and never even thought about not being able to see well at night. It just was not an issue. Which is why when I got my new car, I got the P1 package because not seeing well at night just didn't seem an issue, and I didn't want to spend the money for the P2. What a mistake. I will never buy another car without xenon headlights.
The PIAAs are much better but still, particularly when it rains, nothing like xenons. As to the cost, while $120 seems high, it did include the cost of the bulbs, but more importantly it is a small price to pay to be able to see better at night. Without them, every night, I was irked by how lousy the lights were, and in the rain, more than a little nervous, particularly with the pothole issue.
The PIAAs are much better but still, particularly when it rains, nothing like xenons. As to the cost, while $120 seems high, it did include the cost of the bulbs, but more importantly it is a small price to pay to be able to see better at night. Without them, every night, I was irked by how lousy the lights were, and in the rain, more than a little nervous, particularly with the pothole issue.
I changed to PIAA Xtreme White H7s on my E550 and reaimed them straight ahead. I also drive at all times with the fogs on. This combination seems to sufficiently illuminate the road, particularly on rural 2 lanes, without blinding others.
Admittedly not xenons......they will be on my next E!
03-04-2011, 02:17 PM
#19
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Blackbullitt:
Can you tell me precisely what you did to re-aim your lights straight ahead? Do you mean just up, from where they were, or some other adjustment. And whatever you did, did it help, and how did you do it? Thanks.
Can you tell me precisely what you did to re-aim your lights straight ahead? Do you mean just up, from where they were, or some other adjustment. And whatever you did, did it help, and how did you do it? Thanks.
03-04-2011, 04:03 PM
#20
Do a search it's been covererd many times....open hood. On either side near headlights there is a hole in the sheet metal. Look in the hole and there is a philips head screw. DO NOT use a philips head screwdriver. Get the appropriate allen head and turn the housing that the screw sits in. Facing engine bay, clockwise lowers headlight, counter clockwise raises headlight.
03-04-2011, 05:08 PM
#21
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MCF:
Yes, I had seen your post. But what I wanted to know is whether the only adjustment is up and down, or there is some other adjustment that can be made such as left and right. I would like my lights to be more centered rather than on the periphery. Larry
Yes, I had seen your post. But what I wanted to know is whether the only adjustment is up and down, or there is some other adjustment that can be made such as left and right. I would like my lights to be more centered rather than on the periphery. Larry
03-08-2011, 03:26 PM
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05-09-2011, 10:04 AM
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FJ Cruiser/E350
05-09-2011, 07:55 PM
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'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
Replacing the left regular beam is a real pain in the ****. When I went with Xenons they went in from underneath the car. The rest of the lights / bulbs are very accessable. Good luck.
