Hi Goldenbear,

Funny you should ask. I just did a bunch of research about bulbs, and posted on the forum. Here's the link:

PIAA SuperWhites proved to be crap in testing


Basically, if you don't have relays, get either the Philips Vision Plus or Osram Silver Stars, both of which claim "50% more" light. These are not officially sold in the USA and are hard to locate (two sources are in the above URL). They are 60/55 H4's but are probably the best out there for stock wattage.

For H3's, stick with 55w only! Anything larger will blow the fuses - BT, DT. Any good quality H3 should work... I'd pick one of the better ones from the URL's in the 3 tests I linked to (Philips, Narva, or Osram). Hella was poorly rated on their bulbs, believe it or not, I don't think I'd use them. My 123 Hellas came with 60/55 Hella bulbs, which I plan to remove and replace with Philips Vision Plus in the next week or two.

If you do install relays you can use overwattage bulbs, which are costly and don't last as long - but are really bright. My one car has relays and I'll be trying the overwatt bulbs there, and see how long they last.


Enjoy your new lights!

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

Thanks, Dave. I think I'll just pop in some standard Osram (Sylvania) H4's from the local parts store, and bring my H3's over from the soon-to-be-replaced headlamp units. I assume it's not too difficult to replace bulbs after the fact.

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Chris

'04 ML500 - 53k, Inspiration Edition, Desert Silver
'11 Audi A4 Avant - Brilliant Black
'87 300SDL sold
'99 C280 Sport sold
'85 190E 2.3 sold

So did anyone end up putting the Xenarc sylvania system into their Benz?

Im seriously considering it for my w123 and put back the DOT lights in to try out the xenarcs.

Those Xenon bulbs are BS, my Osram 100/80s are way brigher than a Xenon bulbs. Ive tried both. I want to try real xenons without hurting anyones eyes with those xenon H4 kits.

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

So you like the 100/80's? Do you have them on relays? Where does one find them?

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1980 300SD Manganese Brown Metallic Clearcoat 248k
1979 300SD White 148 k
1984 300D Silver project car for daughter
1982 300D wrecked
1980 300SD 310K not running

Dan Stern sells the "good" bulbs. You can order from his website:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com

I got the Xenarc 6024s for the DOT W123 headlights, but I ended up not doing the intercooler project this summer. I decided to keep my euro lights in my car. So if anyone is interested I am going to sell my xenarc kit, email me if interested.

Im getting some silverstars for my h4 bulbs soon, Ill let you know how that goes as well.

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.