Light Upgrades

[the director]

Anyone got suggestions for light upgrades on a 2001 320SL?

Has anyone replaced the lamp units completely or found a bulb set up that gives greater light intensity?

[LeaUK]

Are yours xenons?

[the director]

Hi Lea

No they're not. I amde the mistake of thinking that a 2001 320 had Xenons whereas I think it was only the 500 where they came as standard fit.........I think that's the problem.

I had a 2004 E -Class, and the difference is so noticeable.

[detailas]

I would suggest Bosch aftermarket Xenons (complete housing & lamps cost me 1,400 euros - against Mercedes quotation of 3,000 euros) which are the same thing - that's what I did in my previous car '96 SL320.

Took about 90 mins to install/adjust. Also changed the high-beam & parking light bulbs to Philips Bluevision ones in order to achieve the whiter look and to suit better with the white-Xenons.

George

++

[jaybro]

Originally Posted by the director

Anyone got suggestions for light upgrades on a 2001 320SL?

Has anyone replaced the lamp units completely or found a bulb set up that gives greater light intensity?

Read below Euro Headlights by "euro 129 headlight question " by ken garchow"

[LeaUK]

For non-xenons I really rate the Philips series:

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/product.php?productid=16322&cat=255&page=1

I ended up with these:

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/product.php?productid=16320&cat=255&page=1

and the little blue side lights: http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/product.php?productid=16339&cat=597&page=1. Don't panic, the blue colouring is just to filter the longer red wavelength and although these look really blue the actual light is a gorgeous white. These are a must if you increase the colour temperature (nearer to white) of the main headlights.



Read from around post 16 for some further info - http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=127867&highlight=philips

[the director]

Thanks guys.

I had a look at the other thread.......aren't those the lights that my car already has fitted. Sorry if I'm a dumb wit here but I can't see the difference.

Lea - thanks for the link. I think that they are the kind of thing I need so that I can avoid the cost of buying Xenon units.

Am I right in now thinking that it was only the 500 that had Xenons as standard?

[stats007]

Xenons were a £360 option on 2001 SL320s - standard on the SL500 & SL600.

[jjrodger]

Do check the alignment of your headlights: mine (xenons) were woeful until I had them adjusted. They must have been pointing almost straight down!

[the director]

Found and fitted a set via ebay "buy it now" from aceparts.com. Total cost of £8.98 inc postage for two front and side lights. Excellent service, ordered on Sunday evening and arrived in the post this morning (Tuesday).

The whiter light makes one hell of a difference and reminds me of the E Class that I had. Only down side is that the smaller side lights didin't have the right fitting so I've emailed to see if they can send replacements.

[jdonnee]

On one of the threads I saw these bulbs mentioned. Will they work in a non Xenon SL500?

H4 12V 55/60W Philips Power 2 Night GT-150 bulbs

[page62]

I recommend the GE Nighthawk bulbs, available at Wal-Mart. $26 a pair. Note that 9003 is exactly the same as H4.

I just installed a set in my SLK and was very impressed by the amount of light they provide.

[Dr_Joe]

Originally Posted by jdonnee

On one of the threads I saw these bulbs mentioned. Will they work in a non Xenon SL500?

H4 12V 55/60W Philips Power 2 Night GT-150 bulbs

From the research I've done these are probably the best H4 bulb you can get.

But please be aware they only fit the Euro light housings, NOT the stock DOT legal US housings. If you haven't already changed your headlights to the Euro version you can't use an H4 bulb.

I've recently seen HID conversion kits available on ebay for less than $300 that include bulbs, ballasts, brackets and harnesses. Truly plug and play. I'm thinking about giving them a try. If you do order some, be sure you specify whether you want HID low and Halogen high, or HID for both !

[cbarker]

Anybody know if a 107 can be retrofitted with HID or Xenon replacement round headlights? I am worried that something like this will draw too much current and will fry the electrical harness..

Anyone have any replacement experience? I see kits out there for H1 bulbs...

thanks!

[LeaUK]

If you chose these H4 12V 55/60W Philips Power 2 Night GT-150 bulbs (or any white light bulb) don't forget to use the little blue (shows brilliant white) bulbs for side-lights too..http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/product.php?productid=16339&cat=597&page=1

Lea