Headlamp options in a W123
 

Okay.. here goes.

Been browing through old posts, and this topic was never really "hit on the head", so to speak. There's a ton of options out there for W124's and 126's, as far as headlamps go.. so here's the question.

I have an 84 300D Euro.. unfortunately, before I bought it, whoever brought it over from Germany, had the Hellas removed. Ultimately, I'd LOVE to get my hands on a nice set of hella lights for this thing, since the car still has the city light aimer in the dash, even. But until that time comes.. what can I do, to make these cheezy US-spec circle sealed-beams brighter? Are there any particular brands that produce good high/low beam light output? Right now, I have set of standard Sylvannia bulbs in there.. which barely do the job.

I know there are better "circle" lights out there.. but not sure where to get them, or what type to get. Help! :)

Contact Typejr...he usually has a set for sale or can get them...I bought mine from him...He is cheaper than Ebay too.

here is a link to some like i had befor i bought the euro lights, these give similar benefits as the euro lights, but without the cost. the link is to fastlane, the hella number for the lights are 70476, they use replaceable bulbs likely sold seperately, i recommend getting 9003 st bulbs, these are not the sealed beam type,

hella lights on fast lane

Those Hella H4 lights are definately a possibility! Only thing I'm wondering, is if they require any modifications to the car. Also, don't I lose my high-beams by putting those in? What I'm looking for, really, are lights that are brighter than what I have now (standard), without too much hassle, until I can get Euro's back on the car (where they belong!).. :P

the low and high beams are both there, since these are 7 inch bulbs they will mount right in, i had them on my 123 before the euro conversion

EXACTLY the sort of thing that I was looking for! Any reccomendation for which bulb to get? Silverstar?

Also, do you reccomend the Bosch or the Hellas? I've seen quite a few of these Bosch ones on 123's around this site. Heck, anything is better than the cheezy sealed beams that I have right now.

get the silverstars, the number is 9003 ST, they are nice and bright, with out the annoying fake xenon blue, i had hella, but the bosch are probably just as good
silverstar bulbs on fast lane

So those H4 Headlights combined with the Halogen Silverstar will be as good as the euro headlights? Are they just brighter or is the light output also less of a "blob" and more of a straight horizontal line? ALso what is the difference between the Halogen Xtravision and Halogen Silverstar?

I have the silverstar bulbs in mine, although I do have euro lights. absolutly no complaints on the bulbs, they are plenty bright.

So can someone explain to me what the difference between Euro headlamps and these Bosch lights on fastlane (Part# 4B400-24470)? I mean besides looks?

Go with Euros. It's the headlight originally designed for the car.

I've noticed that even with my US spec lights on my car, (which are pretty bright in my opinion) people who go past me at night quite often go "Flash flash" as if they are telling me to turn my highbeams off. If I am quick enough I flash back, and give them a dose of my massively bright highbeams. :D

I want euro lights too, but thats a long ways off....when I have excess money to spend on lights. :o

those H4 headlamps ARE european headlamps, so you get the european beam with the _/_/ lowbeam pattern, which makes all the difference, rather than the brightness of the bulb per se.

the european headlamp CLUSTER will be more expensive (for which there are 2 choices for the W123 - the one with round lamps and the other with rectangular ones), but for the low and high beams, you get the same effects.

the reason they flash their lamps at you is that the US-spec beam projects a blob of light up ahead, the edges of which annoys incoming drivers.

If you switch to euro lamps (e.g. by just switching to the 7" H4 units that are easily sourced), you get the _/_/ pattern, the left side of which has that sharp horizontal cutoff that prevents glare to oncoming drivers, while still illuminating huge portions of the road ahead. It's all in the shape of the beam.

The one lights I cannot stand are those Ultra white SUPER bright lights on the new BMW's and such, GAH, you can't see anything when they are coming! :mad: :eek: How is it those can pass US-Spec inspections etc....but the euro's for our cars can't? It seems pretty fishy....