Bi-Xenon Bulb Change Question
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 112
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2012 E350, 2020 GLS450
Bi-Xenon Bulb Change Question
I've been shifting through the past threads, but cannot pin an answer. I have a "Left Low Beam Light" & "Adaptive High Beams Inoperative" error message. I am assuming the bulb went out as that bulb controls both the low and high beam of the headlamp assembly. I know these are the xenon headlamps because my headlamps move up and down when I start the engine.
I know this might sound stupid, but does the headlamp assembly allow a change of just the Bi-Xenon bulb only or do I need to change the whole assembly? I ask this because there was flooding a few years back and I had to get the whole assembly swapped out, but I do not remember if that was because the assembly fried up instead of just the bulb. If I can swap out just the bulb I'd rather do that as it is much less expensive.
Thanks
I know this might sound stupid, but does the headlamp assembly allow a change of just the Bi-Xenon bulb only or do I need to change the whole assembly? I ask this because there was flooding a few years back and I had to get the whole assembly swapped out, but I do not remember if that was because the assembly fried up instead of just the bulb. If I can swap out just the bulb I'd rather do that as it is much less expensive.
Thanks
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Joined: May 2012
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
I've been shifting through the past threads, but cannot pin an answer. I have a "Left Low Beam Light" & "Adaptive High Beams Inoperative" error message. I am assuming the bulb went out as that bulb controls both the low and high beam of the headlamp assembly. I know these are the xenon headlamps because my headlamps move up and down when I start the engine.
I know this might sound stupid, but does the headlamp assembly allow a change of just the Bi-Xenon bulb only or do I need to change the whole assembly? I ask this because there was flooding a few years back and I had to get the whole assembly swapped out, but I do not remember if that was because the assembly fried up instead of just the bulb. If I can swap out just the bulb I'd rather do that as it is much less expensive.
Thanks
I know this might sound stupid, but does the headlamp assembly allow a change of just the Bi-Xenon bulb only or do I need to change the whole assembly? I ask this because there was flooding a few years back and I had to get the whole assembly swapped out, but I do not remember if that was because the assembly fried up instead of just the bulb. If I can swap out just the bulb I'd rather do that as it is much less expensive.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 112
Likes: 34
2012 E350, 2020 GLS450
Yes, you can replace the bulbs only, but do both or they won't be the same color, the right one you can get to from above, the left one however really need to be accesed from the wheel well. You will need to remove the front left fender liner, not too bad after the wheel is off.
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Joined: May 2012
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
There is a current thread on this site about Xenons, There is a poster called LIL Benz, who has them and THEE says they are great!
Last edited by pierrejoliat; Jan 26, 2021 at 04:03 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: West Linn, Oregon
2011 E550 - 4Matic, 2008 ML550
I have CBBs in my car right now - so far they are my favorite choice for headlight bulbs (for now - more to come when I complete my project)
I have tried -
Morimoto 35w - 5500K and the 6500K - A little too green ish tint for my liking
Had Osram CBI's in prior - but there were pretty old - CBBs brighter and better color
tried the Philips Wx2 - not bad but not as blue white as i wanted
PIAA - yup I tried them - a little more purple - but not as bright but not as bad as some people made them out to be
Looking at 8000K options - will explain in another thread...when ready.
Cheers
I have tried -
Morimoto 35w - 5500K and the 6500K - A little too green ish tint for my liking
Had Osram CBI's in prior - but there were pretty old - CBBs brighter and better color
tried the Philips Wx2 - not bad but not as blue white as i wanted
PIAA - yup I tried them - a little more purple - but not as bright but not as bad as some people made them out to be
Looking at 8000K options - will explain in another thread...when ready.
Cheers
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
They do dim with age so they should be replaced in pairs. Beware of fakes, especially from eBay, they will flicker and burn out sooner. Also new bulbs take a little while to burn in, they will get brighter after a few hours of use. Be careful with going too high on the color temperature. I think factory is like 4300k, higher color temperature makes it look brighter but your eyes don't actually see further.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I think this is the same as the bigger wheel craz. The ideal color temperature for the eyes was basically the 4200k temperature which why the manufacturers went with it. But as usual everyone thinks the higher the better but it doesn't really work that way.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
LED color temp is 6000-6500K on the factory units. I don't remember anyone ever saying 4200k was the ideal color for the eyes so much as they said 4200k was the best color for output on gas discharge bulbs. However, it's been tested - the 5450K CBBs outperform factory 4200K bulbs (and significantly).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
LED color temp is 6000-6500K on the factory units. I don't remember anyone ever saying 4200k was the ideal color for the eyes so much as they said 4200k was the best color for output on gas discharge bulbs. However, it's been tested - the 5450K CBBs outperform factory 4200K bulbs (and significantly).
https://www.projector-headlight-manu...night-driving/
https://www.powerbulbs.com/us/blog/2...tions-answered
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
I would caution painting with a wide brush... but I'll add MY experience is the blue'r the light, usually it appears "brighter", is harsher on the eyes (especially when readjusting to darker ambients) and in poor weather provides poor contrast and visibility.
That said, a lot of it is subjective... I would say 4000-6000k is a good range to be in, pick your poison. With LEDs, I know an issue (may still be) was CRI, color temp and output... the issue being it was difficult to make lower color temp chips that had good output. So harder to compete with existing tech, when you also needed to make them brighter as a selling point. So kind of by default a lot of LED tech was in the higher-color temp range to start.
That said, a lot of it is subjective... I would say 4000-6000k is a good range to be in, pick your poison. With LEDs, I know an issue (may still be) was CRI, color temp and output... the issue being it was difficult to make lower color temp chips that had good output. So harder to compete with existing tech, when you also needed to make them brighter as a selling point. So kind of by default a lot of LED tech was in the higher-color temp range to start.
