diff between euro lights and stock lights?

[infinite007]

whats the difference between the stock lights and the euro lights?

[rainmaker]

For the current MBs, should be minimal, but for the older MBs (mid 90s and earlier): lens, reflector, bulbs and therefore cutoff, beam pattern and thus illumination.

for a more thorough discussion, go to www.danielsternlighting.com

[infinite007]

does it change the look of the car or is it mainly safety wise? I was considering changing the lights on my 94 MB C280 as they have deteriorated/browned/become inefficient. I saw these at bekkers... but didnt know what they were? I actually wanted to get HID conversion but... hehe.. >$1000 is not something I want to spend right now.

[JCE]

On a C280 it should not change the looks much. In fact, the low beam pattern on my 98 C230 is identical to the euro light low beam pattern I installed on my 87 300E. (The older model 190 and 300 switch to euros gives both more light and better cosmetics). If you want more light, order replacement same wattage bulbs with repositioned filaments more usable light on the road from http://www.fosmo.com/ . The Philips vision plus use the same wattage as stock, won't stress your wiring or reflectors, and put out more light than stock bulbs, for relatively low cost.

[infinite007]

Thanks for the responses!!!

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

The euro light is a very precisely focused pattern.

At the left of centerline of the light is a sharp cutoff on the horizontal and the light steps up at a 15 degree angle to the right.

The recent MBs do utilize this pattern. The only difference is that euro specs call for the cutoff to be three inches lower than the centerline of the headlight when the car is 25 feet away from a wall. The US MBs are aimed so that the drop is only 2.1 inches.

[infinite007]

kewl.... thanks!!!

HAHHA.. you know.. I think I'll give it a year or until the lights burn out... I love the look of HID so maybe I'll really just go and dish out the >$1000 for the HID.... But I'll definitely not go out and buy a C36 engine for my 280!!! haha.... I'm just slowly upgrading all the junk on the car as everything starts breaking down.. I'm sure within 3-5 years that the bulbs will burn out.. the exhaust will need replacing.. the rear light housing will crack (already starting to), and my stock suspension will need changing... I'll upgrade all those stuff when it breaks... good plan? yes no?



~manny

future just for kix mods are the soundsystem, bodykit, rims, and lcd/dvd I dont plan on selling this thing.. and I plan on passing it down to my grandchildren as memorabilia of the MB Cclass. I'm sure that it will still be working at that time... and maybe be a collector's item.. er.. maybe not... because of all the mods I will do..