Ok, I did some research on the PIAA "platinum super whites" versus the Sylvania-Osram "silver-stars". It looks as if the silver-stars might be the better (whiter) bulbs, but I do not know the cost of either brand's 9004 bulbs. Here's the data:

PIAA
Platinum Super White - 9004
45/65 watts
3800K

Sylvania-Osram
Silver Star - 9004
50/70 watts
4000K

The higher the "K" temp, the closer to resembling day light you are. Standard halogen lighting is 3200K and day light is 5400K. I hope this helps. It definitely did for me. -- Mikey

mikey-az

the u.s. silverstars are 60/70 watt. euro + 50% osram silverstars 55/60.

it was probably just a typo in the above post. the piaa are probably 55/60.

my personal biggest gripe with piaa is they are way too expensive and only maybe last around a year and also i feel their advertising is very misleading.
example there is no-way i 55/60 bulb can illuminate 120/90 watt [just an example].

do a search here on piaa bulbs. kedcj6 [something close] neil had a very good thread on this some time back.

peter

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*92 400e 124.034, SOLD

*92 300e 124.030, SOLD

I love my PIAA bulbs! Sure , they are pricey but IMHO worth the money. I have a set that gets daily use (9004), and they are 2 yrs. old & counting. MUCH whiter light than OSRAMS, tho I haven't tried the Silver Stars....still waiting for a PIAA bulb to wear out!

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Michael,
I'm very interested in your experience. I've been thinking about Silverstars vs. PIAA in my 400E. I really don't want to do the Euro light changeover (price, hassle, losing the headlight wipers). Seems I've read elsewhere on this forum that the W124s (i.e. with 9004 bulbs) didn't seem to get that much benefit from swithing to PIAAs. I'm glad to hear you've had good luck with them!

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Steve
'93 400E

I just bought some Silver-stars today and am going to try them out. I decided on these over the PIAAs (even though I loved them in my BMW) because the Silverstars are much cheaper and are a more brilliant white (4000K vs. the PIAA's 3800K). I'll get back to you guys on how they look and perform on my '90 300E. -- Mikey

So ...

What do you think of 'em, Mikey?
Had a chance to do any night driving?

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Steve
'93 400E

Ok, the silverstar bulbs definitely give off a whiter (almost blue) light and are a little bit brighter. Although, I still have the stock U.S. headlights and they suck to begin with, so they might be brighter with a better reflector and housing. I'd say it's worth the slightly higher price. Now i just have to find out if they carry foglamp (H3)bulbs too because I converted my yellow foglamps into clear driving lamps (which helps so much). -- Mikey