W140 headlights improvements?
 

Hi all,

Thinking about getting S420, but my guess is that the headlights will be quite disappointing to me as I'm quite used to the newer MBs and Xenon headlights.

Are there good/inexpensive options to improve the lighting on these cars?
Thx.

Patrick

I have a '97 S500 Coupe and Xenon lights were standard on the 500 and 600 and an option on other models. Theses are not the projector types found on newer models

being a "child" of the 80s I remember the days when I installed the newest Halogen bulbs in my Dodge Omni GLH Turbo (like the Hella Fogs in the chin spoiler). THey projected a distinct sharp line on the garage door and so do our S classes with halogens - even with an alignment function on the top of the headlight units.

Your S class will have 3 halogen bulbs (one fog, one day time running light, and one high beam I believe - and it's bright enough for me. I sympathize and do love the xenons having had the optional xenons in my CLK since sold, but I can tell you my S class at night is just great with the halogens - and waaaay brighter than the same halogen "projector" beam light in my R class, which has cheaper plastic lenses. S class is glass. I understand xenons were optional in the later W140s - around 1996. If you pull out your headlight knob and turn on your fogs it's more than adequate - and the high beams are good for any situation.

I would love to get a yellow fog halogen bulb for my fog function but I'm not sure these are avialble in north America. I wonder if the mid nineties TOyota Previa with yellow fogs would be the part I need?

@ OP, You can always do an HID projector retrofit on your car. It won't be "inexpensive" if you are using good OEM parts, but will offer vastly superior lighting to Halogens. If you are quite used to the newer Xenons (as you say), then that's even more reason to do this. Do it right the first time .....or .... you can waste time and money for incremental upgrades until you decide enough is enough.

I have not seen the newer lights at EBAY.DE .Seems like they stopped making them.Some had LEDs.But remember the stock ones are glass,and the aftermarket are yellowing plastic.