In reponse to some question on HID look alikes, if you have H4 bulbs, use PIAA Super White Plasma's. Color temp of 3800k, very good white light produced. If you have H7 bulbs (quad ovals) the only ones available now are from Toucan(that I am aware). Several wattages of each are out there, but I would say to get the highest rated. Do not use the "blue" or "green" tinted bulbs. Not only do they look ridiculous, they are unsafe as they are very limited in the amount of useable light they produce. I currently use the H7 Toucan (100 watt)in my 1999 CLK and they are much whiter and brigher than stock.

Where can you buy the Toucans and are they SAE and DOT legal? Is there a website? How much are the Toucans? I hope your wiring harness can handle the 100 watt bulb in the long run! Other makes are Hella and Solaris (www.autosupermart.com). Hella is a reputable German company that also makes H.I.D. Xenon lookalikes. Go to: www.susquehanna.com/susq/index.htm for Hella Bulbs. I have not tried them. Anyone found the Hellas at other websites?

I've just installed Hella HIP +30 H4 bulbs in my 94 E500...they claim 30% greater light output at stock 55/60 watts. Visually, they are brighter and have a very white light. They are also quite cheap compared with PIAA. FYI, Phillips also makes an H4 bulb with some Xenon gas that they also claim to be 30% brighter at stock wattage. That bulb is even cheaper than the Hella.

Well, I would just stick with Hella if I have to choose between Hella and Phillips...

BTW, Dean, I check out at PGPerformance, they really have lots of bulbs available..thnx...

I think I will get a pair of Hella HIP, and get rid of my colored headlights...

Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
  
• Blue/Red Headlights
  
• Xenon-Look Foglights
  

ICQ#26950002
http://drive.to/akry

I bought the Toucan from JB's Power Center, Edmonton Alta. They also have a a distribution center in Vancouver called DIX Performance. I do not believe the over stock wattage bulbs of any brand would be DOT or SAE legal, but I know that the stock wattage PIAA's are. Toucan does have a wedsite : www.toucanindustries.com
The H7's were about $80 Canadian per pair.
I have faith in the German overengineering on the wiring (I actually did a currnet draw test and the difference was too small to cause any concern)

quote:

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Originally posted by Kevin:
Where can you buy the Toucans and are they SAE and DOT legal? Is there a website? How much are the Toucans? I hope your wiring harness can handle the 100 watt bulb in the long run! Other makes are Hella and Solaris (www.autosupermart.com). Hella is a reputable German company that also makes H.I.D. Xenon lookalikes. Go to: www.susquehanna.com/susq/index.htm for Hella Bulbs. I have not tried them. Anyone found the Hellas at other websites?

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[This message has been edited by trent (edited 01-20-2000).]

The PIAA Super Whites and Super Plasma are both DOT/SAE legal. However, the Super Whites are not available in the H7/H1/H3 or H4 sizes. The PIAA Super Plasma is currently only legal n H4 size.

The Sylvania Cool Blues are also DOT/SAE legal and cost around $12/15. However, they are only available in 9003/9004/9005/9006 sizes. The Cool Blues are not overwattage and run between 3500 and 3700 Kelvin.
www.sylvania.com/prodinfo/auto/welcome.htm

[This message has been edited by Kevin (edited 01-22-2000).]

PIAA SuperWhite does offer in H4. However, there's Plasma SuperWhite, why go for "normal" SuperWhite??

Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
  
• Blue/Red Headlights
  
• Xenon-Look Foglights
  

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
http://drive.to/akry

You can install Actual Xenon lights. They sell them at {www.allcarinc.com}. On the deja mercedes forum someone installed them with success, but i have know experience with them. I'm also not sure if they are legal.



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Noah
1999 C43
4Noah.homepage.com

The laws governing headlight conversion/retrofitting seem like a Catch22. Example: It is legal to buy a E320 with factory Xenon headlights, but it is illegal to add Xenon's to your Halogen equipped E320. It seems crazy that it is illegal to convert your Halogen E320 even if you use the very same parts installed on the factory equipped car. Go figure! A late model MBZ or BMW converted to Xenon probably would not draw the attention of the Police like a H.I.D. equipped Civic, Accord, Corolla or Camry.

[This message has been edited by Kevin (edited 01-23-2000).]

Trent - You mention that you are using the H7 Toucan (100 watt)in your 1999 CLK, are concerned with any wiring overloading or overheating? Do you have Xenon low beams?

I do have the Xenon low beams and I want to put the 100w bulbs in my high beams, and a few people have said that this may overheat the wiring. I really do not think it will because it only adds like 3 amps of additional load total. Headlight circuits usually are fused with 20 amp fuses and wiring that is just as capable.

Have you had any concerns or problems? Have you checked the wiring? Should I really be concerned? I also have some 100w bulbs to put in the fogs, but have not gotten around to it. I was concerned there becuase the fog lamps are so small and I think heat may be a factor??

Thanks for any and all input.

Try the link below. They have a sizing chart and comparison between different bulbs. Very helpful. They are also the only place I could find Halogens for my 94 Corvette.Good luck

Gary
http://www.sportscar-parts.com/bulbs.html

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00 AMG E55
96 DCM Impala SS
94 ZR-1
81 Corvette Cpe