r00724

Hey Folks, I am sure the question I am about to ask has been answered before but I tried researching it but couldn't find much information.

I have a 2011 E350 and need some recommendations on the low-beam bulbs that I can replace mine with. My car has a P1 package so it doesn't come with Xenon or HIDs. I've already read instructions on how to replace them and I think I am comfortable doing that. Any help would be greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

El Cid

Recently read a report in Consumers Reports. They tested HID's and Xenons compared to OEM halogens. No discernable difference. HID's and Xenons are brighter, but really do not light up the road ahead much more than standard lights.

r00724

Visibility is not an issue for me. It's the color that I don't like (typical yellow halogen).

Since I already replaced the parking lights with CREE LEDs (looks really nice) now there's a big difference i.e. The ugly yellow vs cool white.

unr1

hard to believe this.

KarlG

http://store.candlepower.com/osraulhiouh7.html

Osram Rallye 65W H7 for halogen replacement. Best compromise for increased light output, longevity, and general lack of need to run upgrade wiring with relay.

Temp is the standard 3200K

pamiboy

OP's concern is basically the color of lights. So 3200 K will not work. The only way halogens can increase the color temperature is by tinting the glass blue but it reduces the lumens available. The so called superbright halogens are all 4300 K but will still appear slightly yellowish. Per tests done in HID planet, the best halogen with near whitish color and most lumens is Philips Diamond vision. It is blue tinted but is rated 65W and the increased wattage compensates for the loss of lumens.
If your car has (halogen) projectors for low beams you can still try the high powered LED bulbs or HID pnps. The only sure way to get the lights match to your parking light LEDs safely is to do a full HID projector retrofit which involves ripping open your headlights (therefore cannot be considered if car is under warranty).

KarlG

Agree totally with your statements. The Osrams @ 3200K will appear "stock" halogen color but will put our close to 2100 lumens as oposed to the stock @ 1600.

The Philips Diamond Vision bulbs are the better choice for a cooler (more whitish) color in the 65 watt where color is the driving factor.

rediesel

I would get a Morimoto H7 HID kit with canbus adapters from theretrofitsource.com I put them in my W211 and they worked great.

pamiboy

Exactly my choice too but only if there are halogen projectors available in the headlights (not with reflectors). The beam pattern may not be ideal though when compared with HID/xenon projectors.
If the OP wants to consider only halogens, then Philips diamond vision is a good compromise as we discussed. Just keep in mind (before you spend your money) that halogens will always "look" halogens and they are meant to be different from Xenons or LEDs. They do not have that "sparkle" if you know what I mean.

dfskinner

Question: Driver's side low beam headlight went out, called the dealer and they quoted me $212 for the bulb; dropped by the local MB auto parts store and bought the headlight for $95. Removed the tire, wheel well plastic cover to gain access to the bulb and much to my surprise I found an "H7" bulb. Drove back to the parts store and swapped out the Xenon bulb out for a much cheaper H7 set and got 75.00 back.

Would the dealer have charged me the $212 for the bulb and not told me it was the H7?

cetialpha5

Probably. Did you tell them you had Xenons and you just have regular halogens? If you did one side, you probably should have done both as the light output of all bulbs tend to fade with age.

dfskinner

I just told them the year, make and model; they even ask for the VIN which should have told them what type bulb was in the car.

Just bothered me that both places sold me the Xenon....


Thanks,
Dennis

belarus27

The VIN shoulda tell them what bulbs for sure.
it shows HID but you got halogen? strange

AkaSigFreak

If a Halogen H7 Bulb can get close to the appearance of a HID bulb, they will suffer in bulb life and light output. I previously used PIAA Super Plasma GT-X bulbs and they were probably the closest available to resemble HID color (6000K). They were extremely expensive and only lasted 4-6 months. That is when I learned to either leave them alone or opt for the lighting packages with include HID/LED lights at the time of purchase.
On a note- for some reason it is extremely difficult to locate MBs in my area with the Lighting Package.

cetialpha5

Yeah, the bixenons are fun because you also get active curve illumination. They're gone from 2014+. The way to tell is to look for the headlamp washers in the grill on the 2010-2013 or the warning sticker about high voltage under the hood. I believe regular xenon lamps are supposed to be good for 2000-2500 hours, halogens are good for 500-1000 and some of those super bright replacement halogen bulbs are only good for 100-200 hours, that's why they go after a few months.