rustman

I have a 2003 S 430 without xehon (sp ?) and I think the OEM halagon bulbs are crap. I constantly think my lights are off. I took the car to the dealer they checked them out and said everything was find, but they made some minor height adjustment. I take the car out that evening and I still can't see worth beans. Can I purchase a replacement bulb the will increase the light intensity and have any of you done this? I searched the treads and found little to solve my problem.

Rusty

newton22

Look for H7 model bulbs. I hear PIAA is good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PIAA-...QQcmdZViewItem

blazinginder

try silverstar by sylvania...i replaced my OEM lights both low and high beams on my 1998 ML320...and they made a huge difference and they only cost me $100 for all 4 bulbs...but if you're willing to spend the bucks...you can go with some more expensive bulbs that provide better illumination of the road and a nicer look as well

philips makes some good headlight bulbs...

http://www.nam.lighting.philips.com/...tremepower.php

fusion2007

4300k is the best

amdeutsch

He is talking halogens. Colored bulbs will not help.

fusion2007

it will help a little bit

Vader55

I would recommend replacing the stock H7 bulbs with Sylvania (US) Silvertars for the best (hid look) 4000K "white" light or if you want the max "brightest" light output but will be a tad yellowish in color go with.
the (BEST)> Phillips vision plus 50% or GE Nighthawk or the Osram (germany) Silvertars which are very good. These are your best options.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-NEW...age nameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/H7-Philips-Visio... m160045764237

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OSRAM...50804060QQrdZ1

Mark_K

These are all 55 watts. Can I use 65 watt bulbs? Will it harm anything?

H7 65 watt osram hyper.
They last twice as long as the silverstars and put out 2100 lumens [visible/usable light].

Uncertain exactly which fog light bulb I need. The 02 has a H1 fog bulb, the 03 have an H7 fog bulb I could be wrong.

If I use the bulbs i listed above, should I switch out my fog lights bulbs also?

Vader55

Happy Holidays Mark !

You can run the 65 watt H-7 High beam which is what is should be. The fog is up top you, if you have the stock headlights they are H-1's. I have the 03 style hid projectors and the fog is an H-7 on them. I never use the fogs on mine so regular silverstars will be fine and I run regular silverstars in my highbeam which I rarely use. The osrams will be brighter but not as white.. The sylvania silverstars color will match your low beam bulbs better and are cheaper to buy. It is personal preference. You will love the look of the silverstars and you will love the light output of the osrams. If you do not use the fogs or hig beams much then the sylvania silverstars you will love.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-S...spagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/os02-...QQcmdZViewItem

Mark_K

Thanks benznodubz!

So just to be sure....

I am going to order the H7 65 watt osram hyper for both my high and low beam. Will these 65 watt bulbs discolor the lenses of these replacement head lights?: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB..._promot_widget

Should I use my original H1 bulbs in my fog lights or should I change them to H7 also?

Vader55

No, they will be ok and be very bright(though not street legal,oem is 55 watts) Get the sylvania silverstar h-1's for the fogs I sent you the link for that has to be an h-1.

Mark_K

Thanks
I think I will go with the 55w bulbs.
If I want the bright white color, which make and manufacturer do you recommend?

Vader55

Sylvania Silverstars for the hid look and or phillips vision + for the most light output.The phillips vision+ is the brighest 55 watt period. Considering you do not have hid lamps you should go with the phillips. I have silverstars in my suburban and they look killer but the phllips come the closest to the light out put of hid.



http://search.ebay.com/search/search...prclo=&saprchi=

The silvania silverstars are the 4000K and the phillips is in between the 3200K and the 4000K.. but much brighter than 3200K pic


5400K aka "6000K" HID/Xenon
4100K HID/Xenon (Factory OE color)
4000K Halogen Super White
3200K Halogen (Original Equipment)

Dragonboy

If 6k equals 5300 than what aftermarket HID kit color temp would be equivalent to the factory kit? I'm considering getting the McCulloch kit. Thanks!

lloyds

Hi Mark k,
I have had 100 watt xenon ultra white H7 bulbs in my 2000 S430, which I purchased of ebay, for the last year and with no damage or discoloration to the lenses. In total I think I have only had to use my high beam about twice as the low beam is plenty bright enough, and in that entire time not one oncoming car has flashed me to say my lights are to bright. Also they look great being a white light with just the faintist touch of blue showing.

check these out http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H7-Xe...spagenameZWDVW

KENNETH04S

just go ahead and spent about 250 for a set of HID , get the set about 10000K , it will give you the blue "rainbow" color, i have it on both ML500 and S430, it looks just great, i'm very pleased with them ( but u should watch out for the installation part thou, you may burn all the fuses ....lol )
kenneth

ataie

how do you adjust the non xenon low beam light in a 03 S430? do I need to take the headlight out to do this? no adjustment screw is visible