Need More Light
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
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From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
Need More Light
I don't have the lighting package and I'm somwhat dissappointed in the standard light output.
I'm not concerned with light temperature (appearance) and I don't want to do an HID conversion.
I found the Philips H7 X-treme halogen replacement bulbs and they claim 80% more output than factory bulbs. I'm not naive enough to believe the 80% number, but I would love to see 20-30% improvement.
Has anyone used these bulbs on an E? If so, was the change worth it? Did you just do low beams, or high beams also?
I the user manual, MB suggests the left headlight should be replaced by a technician. Is this true? Why?
Thanks,
Don
I'm not concerned with light temperature (appearance) and I don't want to do an HID conversion.
I found the Philips H7 X-treme halogen replacement bulbs and they claim 80% more output than factory bulbs. I'm not naive enough to believe the 80% number, but I would love to see 20-30% improvement.
Has anyone used these bulbs on an E? If so, was the change worth it? Did you just do low beams, or high beams also?
I the user manual, MB suggests the left headlight should be replaced by a technician. Is this true? Why?
Thanks,
Don
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 771
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From: Waikele, Oahu, Hawaii
2011 GLK350 P1, Multi-media & AMG Pkg; 2010 E350 w/ prem 2; 2018 4Runner SR5 Prem. 4x4
Be careful about aftermarket halogen bulbs...esp the colored glass ones. They tend to be higher wattage bulbs which claim to provide more light. The problem is these higher wattage bulbs will fry your wires and/or melt your plugs to the headlights. It's an expensive fix. I've seen this with my own eyes...many youngans do this and learn the hard way...so stay away from these types of bulbs unless you want the grief and headache.
With that being said, the only exception is Silverstar bulbs.
With that being said, the only exception is Silverstar bulbs.
Last edited by PHML; Oct 23, 2011 at 08:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 2
From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
Be careful about aftermarket halogen bulbs...esp the colored glass ones. They tend to be higher wattage bulbs which claim to provide more light. The problem is these higher wattage bulbs will fry your wires and/or melt your plugs to the headlights. It's an expensive fix. I've seen this with my own eyes...many youngans do this and learn the hard way...so stay away from these types of bulbs unless you want the grief and headache.
With that being said, the only exception is Silverstar bulbs.
With that being said, the only exception is Silverstar bulbs.
Regards,
Don
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 771
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From: Waikele, Oahu, Hawaii
2011 GLK350 P1, Multi-media & AMG Pkg; 2010 E350 w/ prem 2; 2018 4Runner SR5 Prem. 4x4
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
I think that you'll be disappointed with these bulbs. While they may be a hair brighter, the huge problem is bulb life.
These types of bulbs, in my experience, will burn out every 6 months or so, while the OE bulb will last years. Is the slightly increased brightness worth the hassle of replacing bulbs very frequently?
These types of bulbs, in my experience, will burn out every 6 months or so, while the OE bulb will last years. Is the slightly increased brightness worth the hassle of replacing bulbs very frequently?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 2
From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
I think that you'll be disappointed with these bulbs. While they may be a hair brighter, the huge problem is bulb life.
These types of bulbs, in my experience, will burn out every 6 months or so, while the OE bulb will last years. Is the slightly increased brightness worth the hassle of replacing bulbs very frequently?
These types of bulbs, in my experience, will burn out every 6 months or so, while the OE bulb will last years. Is the slightly increased brightness worth the hassle of replacing bulbs very frequently?
Since I'll probably only have the car 2 years I may risk it. First I have to find out why MB says the left should be replaced by a technician.
Regards,
Don
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 761
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From: Oklahoma
W211 E320 & W212 E550
I think that you'll be disappointed with these bulbs. While they may be a hair brighter, the huge problem is bulb life.
These types of bulbs, in my experience, will burn out every 6 months or so, while the OE bulb will last years. Is the slightly increased brightness worth the hassle of replacing bulbs very frequently?
These types of bulbs, in my experience, will burn out every 6 months or so, while the OE bulb will last years. Is the slightly increased brightness worth the hassle of replacing bulbs very frequently?
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2005 Audi S4 MT6
You will be fine with a bigger bulb drawing more power. Assuming it's like what I've seen on VW/Audi, the OE wiring is oversized and plenty big for 55w+ bulbs. If it does burn the wiring, then throw the stock bulbs in and take it to the dealer and play dumb
That being said, almost all of the high output/xenon look halogen bulbs are junk. You'll be replacing them every 6-12 months. I would just to a 4300K HID kit. Or pony up for an OE xenon-conversion
Why does Mercedes put halogens on this car in the first place? Xenons are so standard now, but not on a middle of the range Benz?
That being said, almost all of the high output/xenon look halogen bulbs are junk. You'll be replacing them every 6-12 months. I would just to a 4300K HID kit. Or pony up for an OE xenon-conversion
Why does Mercedes put halogens on this car in the first place? Xenons are so standard now, but not on a middle of the range Benz?
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From: San Francisco, CA / Middlebury, CT
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Had the same issue re: needing more light without xenons (the only car without them, even my 1972 600 has HIDs). So I installed 55W PIAA Precious Whites which provide a claimed equivolence of 115W and 6000K temp. The difference is significant, expecially when you adjust up the height of your headlamps. I first discovered these bulbs when I was seeking a brighter foglamps for my 911. I am using Sylvania for my highbeams.
BTW, replacement on the driver's side was not as difficult as I thought. It just takes patience. It was worth the effort especially since the lighting is greater and the look more appropriate to an MB E-class.
BTW, replacement on the driver's side was not as difficult as I thought. It just takes patience. It was worth the effort especially since the lighting is greater and the look more appropriate to an MB E-class.
Last edited by dbtk; Oct 28, 2011 at 02:00 AM.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Good point. From reviews, people seem to be getting 2 years or more from these bulbs. That's much better than some, but, as you said, much less than OEM.
Since I'll probably only have the car 2 years I may risk it. First I have to find out why MB says the left should be replaced by a technician.
Regards,
Don
Since I'll probably only have the car 2 years I may risk it. First I have to find out why MB says the left should be replaced by a technician.
Regards,
Don
I don't believe the 2 year lifetime. I've never had a "hi performance" bulb last more than 6 months.
You can get slightly more output by increasing the wattage (not done here) or (like overclocking a computer) by using a lower wattage bulb running at a higher wattage - that reduces life.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,800
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
You will be fine with a bigger bulb drawing more power. Assuming it's like what I've seen on VW/Audi, the OE wiring is oversized and plenty big for 55w+ bulbs. If it does burn the wiring, then throw the stock bulbs in and take it to the dealer and play dumb
That being said, almost all of the high output/xenon look halogen bulbs are junk. You'll be replacing them every 6-12 months. I would just to a 4300K HID kit. Or pony up for an OE xenon-conversion
Why does Mercedes put halogens on this car in the first place? Xenons are so standard now, but not on a middle of the range Benz?
That being said, almost all of the high output/xenon look halogen bulbs are junk. You'll be replacing them every 6-12 months. I would just to a 4300K HID kit. Or pony up for an OE xenon-conversion
Why does Mercedes put halogens on this car in the first place? Xenons are so standard now, but not on a middle of the range Benz?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 14
1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Had the same issue re: needing more light without xenons (the only car without them, even my 1972 600 has HIDs). So I installed 55W PIAA Precious Whites which provide a claimed equivolence of 115W and 6000K temp. The difference is significant, expecially when you adjust up the height of your headlamps. I first discovered these bulbs when I was seeking a brighter foglamps for my 911. I am using Sylvania for my highbeams.
BTW, replacement on the driver's side was not as difficult as I thought. It just takes patience. It was worth the effort especially since the lighting is greater and the look more appropriate to an MB E-class.
BTW, replacement on the driver's side was not as difficult as I thought. It just takes patience. It was worth the effort especially since the lighting is greater and the look more appropriate to an MB E-class.
If your 600 has HIDs then it was a retrofit.
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From: San Francisco, CA / Middlebury, CT
600 SWB
I don't remember my 600 having HIDs. IIRC, while this lighting technology was invented in the 40's, it wasn't produced until 1951 by OSRAM (VARTA?) for commercial use (movie theaters) and the first consumer use in an automobile was in the late 80's, early 90's.
If your 600 has HIDs then it was a retrofit.
If your 600 has HIDs then it was a retrofit.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: San Francisco, CA / Middlebury, CT
600 SWB
I can only imagine that there is some high voltage stuff down there or something that requires special tools.
I don't believe the 2 year lifetime. I've never had a "hi performance" bulb last more than 6 months.
You can get slightly more output by increasing the wattage (not done here) or (like overclocking a computer) by using a lower wattage bulb running at a higher wattage - that reduces life.
I don't believe the 2 year lifetime. I've never had a "hi performance" bulb last more than 6 months.
You can get slightly more output by increasing the wattage (not done here) or (like overclocking a computer) by using a lower wattage bulb running at a higher wattage - that reduces life.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: San Francisco, CA / Middlebury, CT
600 SWB
Here are some photos of the E350 with recently installed PIAA 55W Precious Whites and 600 with HID kit installed. Note that the 600 photo was before the lights were fully "warmed" up. The color is more white than blue after about 5-10 minutes of being turned on.
Sorry about the grainy iPhone photos. I'll try to take better ones.
Sorry about the grainy iPhone photos. I'll try to take better ones.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,800
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Here are some photos of the E350 with recently installed PIAA 55W Precious Whites and 600 with HID kit installed. Note that the 600 photo was before the lights were fully "warmed" up. The color is more white than blue after about 5-10 minutes of being turned on.
Sorry about the grainy iPhone photos. I'll try to take better ones.
Sorry about the grainy iPhone photos. I'll try to take better ones.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 672
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E350
Let us know if you get some parking lights that match....i upgraded my H7 bulbs and every parking bulb I tried was too blue. They actually made my upgraded low beam bulbs appear yellow (even though they are much whiter than stock low beam bulbs).
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
Member
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From: NY
2011 E350 4m, 2011 S550 4m, 2012 ML350
Here are some photos of the E350 with recently installed PIAA 55W Precious Whites and 600 with HID kit installed. Note that the 600 photo was before the lights were fully "warmed" up. The color is more white than blue after about 5-10 minutes of being turned on.
Sorry about the grainy iPhone photos. I'll try to take better ones.
Sorry about the grainy iPhone photos. I'll try to take better ones.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 68
From: San Francisco, CA / Middlebury, CT
600 SWB
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 83
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From: NY
2011 E350 4m, 2011 S550 4m, 2012 ML350
