Better headlight illumination for 1985 190E 2.3 8 valve
 

I'd like better headlights on my 1985 190E 2.3 8v. I'm not talking about the appearance, because I like the way my lights look (see attached piccture). I just want a lot more illumination. I believe my car has the orginal factory headlights (the number on the back of the headlight casing is 1 305 239 013). Can I just upgrade the lamps without changing the entire headlight? I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Hi!

Well you could use higher wattage bulbs (H4). However if your current wiring can't take it you'd be better off with a relay.

http://lighting.mbz.org/

In the How-To section there is a section on Relays.

I'm not sure, but I think you could retrofit a real HID unit in there. However that'd cost a LOT!

Good luck,
-Holson-

well you already appear to have euros, can't get much better than that. Perhaps you just need to remove the lenses, and clean them inside and out, and go with some bulbs others have recommended.

I have yet to try my new lights as I am installing them tomorrow.

Alon

Yes, I like the way these headlights (Euros) look, but really they don't illuminate ery well at all. Are there two bulbs inside this housing (hi/low beam), or just one? What is the brightest type/size of bulb I can use in this housing without melting it or frying the wiring. I would appreciate your advice, as I really am a novice in this area (don't assume I know anything! -- for example, what's an H4 bulb?)

I think hella or piaa makes a bulb called the +50. I believe others use this bulb and like it alot.

Piaa makes some very nice bulbs too, and they are expensive, but claim to give much more light with standard wattage.

You can try those faux xenon ones that are 80watt low beam 100 watt high beam, but before you do that, You should rewire with the relays. Rewiring witht he relays will probably give you better light output with the existing bulbs anyway, as it gives a cleaner power source to the lights I believe.

I'm rewirinig with relays, so I can run 100 watt low beams if I want, but for now I'll try out the 55 watt ones.

Alon

You have EURO lights because you are from PERU, you dont have Department of Transportation (DOT) garbage lights like us in the US have.

Your headlights take most likely H4 bulbs. I run 100W high beam and 80W low beams with no problems. they are called 100/80 H4 bulbs. PIAA makes bulbs, but I dont like them. THey claim to have a lot more light, but they wrap the coils in the lights less tightly so it makes it appear brighter, but they really arent.

I buy OSRAM/Sylvania lights typically. Narva is a good brand too. Try the wattage range I recommended. If you already have 100W/80, try to get some high performance ones. YOu can get HID kits like holson suggested. THey are about 500 US DOLLARS.

Good luck,

Austin

Yeah, I'm in Peru, that's true, but the car is a US model, not the Euro model (the speedpmeter is in miles, for example, and the car once had a catalytic converter).

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I don't think I'm going to re-wire for relays, as I've already got too much money in this car as it is. An HID kit also will be more than I want to spend.

I think the way I'm going is to buy OSRAM/Sylvania 100/80 H4 bulbs lights. Is it just one bulb per side? What's a good on-line source for these bulbs and what should I expect to pay?

How do your lens look? Sandblasted after 16 years? Try a new set of lens if that's the case...cheaper than a set of PIAA bulbs....just a thought.:)

The lenses look fine, actually. New bulbs gotta be chaper than new lenses, right?

Maybe...a new set of Super PIAA bulbs can run well over $100 US for 4 bulbs while lens maybe $50-60 each. Just a thought...my 500E fog lamps were so sandblasted that new bulbs didn't make any difference...had to spring for new glass.

True -- but I've only got to buy two new Navra or Sylvania H4 bulbs at something like $15.00 each -- if I can find an online supplier, so much the better.

That's the ticket then...no need to go Martha Stewart on bulbs...I run Navras in my 500E and they're just fine....nothing special.

One of the best bulb and light deals online is PUMA (in the US), from where I sit. Might cost you plenty to get them shipped to Peru though...check them out and talk to Paul...he's da' man.

Enjoy the 190E...I miss my old 92' 2.6...great little car.

No, no -- I'm in Miami right now, I go back and forth a lot. Can you give me some details on Puma?

Try www.puma-access.com

What he means by piaa bulbs for over $100 include the fog lights. Since the lenses include the fog lights, thats why he probably suggested it.

Just got to your local motorcycle store, that has like BMWs, or something of that nature, and ask them for the bulbs. I bet they'd have them. I think I got my osram 100/80 H4 bulbs for under 30, these are also from germany direct.

Austin