GLK-Class (X204) Produced 2008-2014

H7 Bulb upgrade

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Nov 22, 2013 | 04:49 PM
  #1  
Rascally Wabbit's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
H7 Bulb upgrade

Thinking about a headlight bulb upgrade. MB offers an upgraded H7, p/n A0009980007 which is still a 55w as OEM. Osram offers a 65w Rally bulb & Piaa has a 65w night-tech bulb. Anyone have experience with any of these?
Already thought about heat issues but the aftermarket bulbs mentioned apparently from my research do not cause a problem with the plastic lens & reflectors. TIA!
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2013 | 07:30 PM
  #2  
pgeller's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 6
From: Oregon
2014 ML350 Bluetec
Originally Posted by Rascally Wabbit
Thinking about a headlight bulb upgrade. MB offers an upgraded H7, p/n A0009980007 which is still a 55w as OEM. Osram offers a 65w Rally bulb & Piaa has a 65w night-tech bulb. Anyone have experience with any of these?
Already thought about heat issues but the aftermarket bulbs mentioned apparently from my research do not cause a problem with the plastic lens & reflectors. TIA!
I use the Osram 64217 65w bulbs in all my H7 vehicles (GLK350 included). They are much brighter (2100lm vs. 1400lm) and a bit whiter. Excellent visibility. Get them from Candlepower, great prices (10 for $170).

pg
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2013 | 09:08 PM
  #3  
Rascally Wabbit's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
You choice, a good one, is actually the rally bulb, with about 400lm over the night tech bulbs & way brighter than the OEM. Due to the observatory near where we live, the restrictions on commercial night lighting is the tightest, hence no street lights. It is dark & I see the Milky Way almost every evening. Always on the watch for mule deer & javelina at night but a brighter light will be nice.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 10:59 PM
  #4  
sethro1980's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 137
Likes: 3
From: Denver, CO
2013 GLK 350 4Matic
I see a few people have described converting their halogens to HID. I would like to do this but I'm worried about the light not being focused properly, since it is not designed for HID currently. To confuse me more, I see photos posted with GLK headlamps that don't look like mine that are the stock halogen housings. Mine don't have the circular reflectors. Did the headlights change for 2013? I will do the Osram bulbs if I can't go the HID route, but HID is my preference.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2016 | 02:42 PM
  #5  
tigerdog's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 23
Likes: 4
GLK250
I understand the GLK headlights are CANBUS-controlled. This was true of the lights on my VW Passat, also. In the VW, the voltage delivered to the headlights was tightly regulated and under CANBUS control, limited to some fraction of the bulb's max (typically 12.6 or 12.8V) to extend bulb life. Upping the voltage to 13+ (within bulb tolerance) made a notable difference in light output.

Does anyone know if the GLK headlamp voltage is similarly programmable?
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:29 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE