Bi-xenon headlight question
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2004 Honda accord
Bi-xenon headlight question
Hi, I've got a 2013 E550 4matic (W212) with the bi xenon headlights and recently the passenger side has started flickering and briefly going out at random times. I've read several posts on this issue and believe it is likely the ballast that is the culprit. Is the ballast separate from the bulb or is it all one assembly on this model? If it is separate, is it on the headlight housing like on previous models or is it elsewhere? Thanks in advance!
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From: Houston, TX
2012 E350, P2
Hi, I've got a 2013 E550 4matic (W212) with the bi xenon headlights and recently the passenger side has started flickering and briefly going out at random times. I've read several posts on this issue and believe it is likely the ballast that is the culprit. Is the ballast separate from the bulb or is it all one assembly on this model? If it is separate, is it on the headlight housing like on previous models or is it elsewhere? Thanks in advance!
And the ballast is a separate entity attached to the headlight housing using screws. If you get a new one, it will need SCN coding.
Last edited by zeemob; Nov 25, 2018 at 03:28 PM.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
It's best to swap first and if the bulb is bad, then get two new bulbs. The newer one will be brighter than the old one as they all get a little dimmer as they age. I'd also rather get a name brand like Osram or Philips from a reputable vendor like where they control their own inventory. Amazon use to have a history of throwing all the vendors products into one bin so even if you bought it from them, you don't know if it's real or fake. Although they've been cracking down more lately on fakes. Obviously don't get any $10-$20 bulb on eBay they're usually fakes.
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2004 Honda accord
It's best to swap first and if the bulb is bad, then get two new bulbs. The newer one will be brighter than the old one as they all get a little dimmer as they age. I'd also rather get a name brand like Osram or Philips from a reputable vendor like where they control their own inventory. Amazon use to have a history of throwing all the vendors products into one bin so even if you bought it from them, you don't know if it's real or fake. Although they've been cracking down more lately on fakes. Obviously don't get any $10-$20 bulb on eBay they're usually fakes.
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From: Houston, TX
2012 E350, P2
I replaced my stock OSRAM 5500K D1S Cool Blue Intense CBI with OSRAM 6000K D1S Cool Blue Hype 66140CBH. The CBH are marketed as the brightest 6000k bulbs in the market. They match the color of the LED's in the newer Mercedes but with much better intensity/brightness. My cousin drives a facelift W212 and he's always jealous of my headlight. The LED's are much dimmer, less intense with poor visibility than Xenons.
I've also noticed that the newer OSRAM D1S CBI are rated at 6000K instead of the older 5500K which I had.
I've also noticed that the newer OSRAM D1S CBI are rated at 6000K instead of the older 5500K which I had.
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MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
We carry full line of Osram CBI, CBH, and if you want the best of the best, CBB. We also carry affordable Morimoto units which are comparable to oem.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I replaced my stock OSRAM 5500K D1S Cool Blue Intense CBI with OSRAM 6000K D1S Cool Blue Hype 66140CBH. The CBH are marketed as the brightest 6000k bulbs in the market. They match the color of the LED's in the newer Mercedes but with much better intensity/brightness. My cousin drives a facelift W212 and he's always jealous of my headlight. The LED's are much dimmer, less intense with poor visibility than Xenons.
I've also noticed that the newer OSRAM D1S CBI are rated at 6000K instead of the older 5500K which I had.
I've also noticed that the newer OSRAM D1S CBI are rated at 6000K instead of the older 5500K which I had.
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From: Houston, TX
2012 E350, P2
OSRAM Bluer is brighter. Technology is evolving. Check the video below. It confirms OSRAM bluer is brighter as per luminosity (LUX).
Standard 4300K: 315 LUX
CBI 5500K: 340 LUX
CBH 6000K: 415 LUX
CBB 7000K: 460 LUX
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Interesting. I believe in the past, even though the higher color temperatures may be brighter, the human eye was better with the 4300k temperature. Higher color temperatures also cause eye strain and makes it more difficult to see in foggy conditions.
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2004 Honda accord
Very interesting stuff! I assume mine are the stock bulbs but I have not pulled one out and looked at it. I found some osram Xenarc DS1 bulbs on powerbulbs.com for 72.07 each and there's a 25% off promo code. It shows the orange and white box though, which seems to me to be the original "basic" model and not the newer CBI CBH or CBB. Whatever is in there is plenty bright for me and I like the color just fine. I'll have to swap the bulbs from left to right and see if the issue follows, and go from there.
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Very interesting stuff! I assume mine are the stock bulbs but I have not pulled one out and looked at it. I found some osram Xenarc DS1 bulbs on powerbulbs.com for 72.07 each and there's a 25% off promo code. It shows the orange and white box though, which seems to me to be the original "basic" model and not the newer CBI CBH or CBB. Whatever is in there is plenty bright for me and I like the color just fine. I'll have to swap the bulbs from left to right and see if the issue follows, and go from there.
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 97
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From: Houston, TX
2012 E350, P2
Thread Starter
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2004 Honda accord
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
On the driver side, I can't even get my hand onto the cap that comes off the headlight assembly to access the bulb. If you can reach that without going through the wheel liner then my hats off to you.
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E 350
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From: West Linn, Oregon
2011 E550 - 4Matic, 2008 ML550
I got the CBB - they say 7000K but they are more like a good 6000k...hands down see and tell...they are good...I even did follow up with my LUX meter and confirmed they were brighter too than many other name brands and even the Morimoto 5500K and 6500K XBs...
the video included does a fantastic job of showing you some of the main players - and nice that they CBBs have come down in price - just be sure to get them from a rep dealer...
Cheerrs
JPC
the video included does a fantastic job of showing you some of the main players - and nice that they CBBs have come down in price - just be sure to get them from a rep dealer...
Cheerrs
JPC
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: West Linn, Oregon
2011 E550 - 4Matic, 2008 ML550
No (at least not that I'm aware of) - its the mixture of Halide salts and such that determine the color and hues...
Sadly I think all the bi-Xenons have that V shaped haze in the lense...it can be cleaned out - from the inside. I talked to an expert headlight restorer - said he can do it but it takes time to pull out the entire headlight to do it right and said it will return in 1-2 years so to be aware of that...
I should of taken pictures of all the various bulbs I tried...
D1S CBB - was my final choice...(knowing is 1/2 the battle - I did not want to spend the $150 (when I first looked they were $250!!) ish for them cuz I thought they were expensive - I prob spent $400 just testing $30 here $50 there)....
Cheers
JP
Sadly I think all the bi-Xenons have that V shaped haze in the lense...it can be cleaned out - from the inside. I talked to an expert headlight restorer - said he can do it but it takes time to pull out the entire headlight to do it right and said it will return in 1-2 years so to be aware of that...
I should of taken pictures of all the various bulbs I tried...
D1S CBB - was my final choice...(knowing is 1/2 the battle - I did not want to spend the $150 (when I first looked they were $250!!) ish for them cuz I thought they were expensive - I prob spent $400 just testing $30 here $50 there)....
Cheers
JP
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
As for the color temperature. I'm going to stick with 4300k when it's time to do mine. While the higher color temperatures may be brighter, there was a reason the manufacturers picked 4300k, that's the best temperature in general for the eyes. Higher color temperatures produce more glare for oncoming drivers and visibility is reduced in bad weather. Also because they're not factory, when they're too blue, the police can stop you because it's not OEM or DOT approved.
