Glad to hear you like the Euro-Spec lights. They really improve the lighting in the night. Ever wonder why MB made a US-Spec the first place?? I do all the time....

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

Akry

Re the ongoing debate on aftermarket HO headlamp bulbs...does your Canadian spec car have plastic lenses and reflectors or glass and metal?? I am concerned about the effects of increased heat on the plastic lenses and wiring if I install PIAA SuperWhite 80W/110W bulbs but I sure would welcome the extra light on the road to Regina. PS...what is the PIAA equivalent for my stock HB2 bulbs??

Dean Albrecht
94 E500

Dean,

W140, no matter US or Canadian or Euro Spec, has glass cover with metal reflector. However, US(including Canadian)W124 has plastic cover. My recommendation is that switch to Euro-Spec headlights first. Then decide if you want to change bulbs.

US Spec Headlights use 9004 bulbs, while Euro Spec uses H4 bulbs. Even without bulb upgrade, Euro Spec headlights still put out more lights(about 30% more) on the ground than US Spec, with stock H4 bulbs.

PIAA makes both 9004 and H4(or HB2)...

Feel free to drop me a line....
Andy Kuo

I will say this about the super white bulbs, do not buy cheap ones, you will regreat it. I bought some that cost about 20 each I believe for my C class and they look so nice, but the output is just crap, I can see so much less. Go for a major a repituble company like piaa the first time and don't make the mistake I did. Now I have to spend another $80 to get the right bulbs. But at least I will be getting the new ones that look even more like HID lights. Oh well.
Good luck
cavan

Hello All:

Further to my post of Dec. 20th, I've installed a pair of Hella HIP +30 H4 bulbs in 55/60W. They claim to be 30% brighter than regular bulbs of the same wattage. I really can see the difference...much whiter and brighter than before. They are also available in 80/100W at PG Performance in Surrey, BC, for $15 US each (www.pgperformance.com).

I had ordered the Phillips Premium H4 bulbs in 55/60W, as they have a bit of Xenon gas in them and also claim a 30% improvement, however, they were out of stock at the time. These bulbs retail on their website for $9 US each.

Seems to be the best of both worlds - stock wattage and improved lighting.

Dean Albrecht
94 E500

Can anyone tell me if I can replace the headlight of R129 to Euro spec as well. If so, can I get them from the dealer, or I have to order and install them myself. My OEM lights don't work worth a damn, consider the price of the vehicle. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

95 R129
98 ML320

Dean,

Glad you like your choose. Anyways, when you are in BC, drop me a line.....I live very close to Surrey actually....maybe I should go check it out.....

Elau,

Yes, R129 suffers the same as W124, which use 9004 bulbs. And YES, there are conversions you can do with the headlights. The Euro Spec will be using H4 bulbs as well, and will improve night vision....

As for availability, check with your dealers see if they can order them for you, or check

PrecisionAuto
http://www.precisionauto.com

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

To CAVKID, What is the crappy brand of bulb so that other members can be warned not to buy.

I just check with my MB dealer and the parts guy told me it is illegal to use Euro Spec light in the U.S. and the dealer has no way to order me one. Is he pulling my legs or what? Can someone clarify this for me. I really think the OEM lights on my car don't work worth a dime and like to put something on so I can see.

95 R129

Check out www.overboost.com if you want to find out about these rip off super white bulbs. Theres no free lunch, if you check the PIAA packaging it says 80W equivalent out of a 55W bulb, crap. There are 2 ways to get good headlights. 1 buy a new bimmer or benz with real HID lighting or buy euro lights for your car. Once you have headlights that accept H4 bulbs then play around but as long as you have the crap US spec headlights all you are going to get are pretty colored bulbs. By the way in case you don't know its the increased blue in these bulbs that makes people think they are brigher and whiter, its a problem with human eyeballs, TV's do the same thing, overdrive the blue gun to make the whites stand out.

Sometimes, it's the look that counts...but if you really want a safe lighting during the night, then go for Euro Spec conversion.

Euro Specs are NOT street legal(I wonder why...), however, there are lots of places where you can get Euro Lights....look around, and most independent car accessary stores can get you a pair.....

Even PIAA SuperWhites are blut-tinted, however, go for brand name if you want something that's more tightly constructed.

BTW, Hella HIP is made in Korean...

Andy Kuo


------------------

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

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

Ok, well I unfortunetly can't remember the name of the bulbs that I got, but they came in a really small red box from a local performance shop, not in a big case. I think they are a japenese brand so I couldn't read the name anyway. They look good but output is simply horrible, so if you are thinking of buying some that come in a red box (each bulb has it's own box), don't, they are really horrible.
good luck out their, hey, are the hella bulbs as good as color and output as the piaa'a?
thanks
cavan

Here is my 2 cents worth:

As an old science teacher I can assure you that while blue (hyper white, etc.)looks brighter, it's an illusion! You get less light per watt, with more dazzle, and human eyes do not focus it quite as well.

Recommend you look at http://lighting.mbz.org/ For more info and all the options Daniel Stern has available. He quoted me euro spec Cibie 7" replacement lamps that give the real European beam pattern with standard wattage or with upgraded relays and wireing for 130watt (High beam)/100watt(low beam) bulbs and lens shields for my '75 model for less than $230 delivered, less for standard wattage. He has all the stuff for most any model.
His webb site also gives the full story about "look alikes," and speaks to the legality problems inherent to the change to true european specs.

Its boils down to do you want to really see well per the applicable laws of physics, or look like you can really see well per the hype?

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Roger
'75 240D 300000 miles

I've tried a lot of the "xenon bulbs" and so far in 9004 the best one in terms of lighting up the road and having the HID look is the APC Xenon Plasma 80/100. It is by far the whitest light I have seen. Piaa's superwhite look really yellow compared to them. From a distance, they APC's have a faint tint of blue. Two friends use the APC's over the Piaa SPB's in their Honda's because they are brighter and they are $100 less expensive. Unfortuanetely the SPB's dont come in 9004 so I can't see for myself on my Benz. Optiblue is the next best I have seen in 9004. It lights up well but is not quite as white as the APC. Compared to Piaa's superwhites the opti's are a lot whiter.
If you want dark blue lights that look good but dont light up well, go for the Nokya's.
Stay away from Hyper's, Diamond Blues, and Eurolights if you want to see at night.
A lot of the Korean made bulbs are the same bulbs in different packages. They often make a lighter or darker tinted glass and call it a new bulb.

Mike

When using over wattage bulbs, the Stern site at http://lighting.mbz.org/ discusses the need for larger guage wire and relays to protect the factory headlight switch, factory wiring and connectors, and to make the lights brighter. I found a site wich discusses installation of a pre-made harness for less than $60US at the following address: http://www.b-body.net/Technical/Exterior/PainlessWiring
Has anyone made their own wiring modifications or installed a pre-made wiring harness? I am considering this when I install the Euro headlights, especially since the described harness comes with H4 connectors.


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JCE
87 300E 59,000 miles
Smoke Silver




[This message has been edited by JCE (edited 01-30-2000).]