Recently purchased a pair of Sylvania H6054ST Silverstar sealed beam halogen headlamps. They are as bright as any non-xenon beams I've seen, with a bright white light that provides great contrast.

When you flash a slower driver at night it's like the wrath of god has come down upon them. Very convenient for herding the slower driver gabbing on the cellphone out of the left lane.

Best of all, they were only $17 each!!! Imho it's the best upgrade you can give your car for under $50.

Where did you get them for that great price?

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

Advance Auto in Alpharetta, GA. What's more, last week they had a buy one get one free!!! I don't know if the local store was trying to blow through their overstock or not, but even on the advance auto website the headlamps go for under $20 ea.

I tried silverstars and did not like them. That Blue tint stuff is not good.... Cuts your available vision. I think the hi-beam is more narrowly focused so a small spot may appear somewhat brighter, but overall area is not as brightly lit for the driver. Perhaps other drivers notice more brightness when they are "hit" by that spot of light but who wants to blind other drivers? (they might become dangerous to YOU). Without real improved lenses you are wasting your money. The best you can do is be very sure you have a good headlight "aim" that places the light where you need it most. Also, aim your foglights properly so they help you while not blinding others.

Luck to you,
DanielW

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ewebster
[B]
When you flash a slower driver at night it's like the wrath of god has come down upon them. Very convenient for herding the slower driver gabbing on the cellphone out of the left lane.

Yeah, i love it when a moron does this to me, especially a moron in a nice car, just makes me slow down more, or better yet, speed up till i have a semi on my right then REALLY slow down, besides, this is illegal in some states and cities.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by inspector1
[B]I see trailor trucks pull this game off often. It SHOULD be illegal in EVERY state, as its unfair to the other innocent drivers.

You just have to have a peppy car, and not let them pass you. Been there, done that, up to 110 mph before they backed off.

__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

It is not illegal in WA state to flash but it is illegal to be in the left lane when not passing (as in most states). Why would anyone be in the left lane when not needed, and then slow down when asked to yeild per the law? Please.

__________________
David
1986 300E Anthracite + ECodes + MB Mileage Award

Ever hear of the law, Keep right except to pass, and Slower traffic keep right.
If you did this you wouldn`t have to worry how bright the lights are.
Nothing is more aggrivating the some moron in the left lane, pacing himself with the right lane, Backing up traffic and insiteing road rage.
You would be supprised how much better traffic would flow.
In Maine they have signs to this effect and traffic flows smooth, even during tourist season.
The minute you hit the NH boarder, it`s left lane blockers again.

John

__________________
President Minuteman Section MBCA
www.mbca.org/minuteman

DanielW, your problem was you bought the Silverstars sold under the Sylvania brandname, they are blue tinted and not very good. However if you buy the OSRAM labeled Silverstars they are excellent. I use the H4 Silverstars and H3 allseason yellow fogs in my euros and they are the best I have seen, not counting real HIDs.

Bob

82 300SD
84 300SD

Where are the "real" Silverstars available. And why was Sylvania able to rip off the Silverstar name and steal their product reputation? Thanks, you and others have said the same about the Osram version being better, wish I had read that before wasting my time and money. ? is the Osram tinted blue? -- I feel that is what is messing up the Sylvania version.
DanielW

Daniel,
I converted the ML to OEM xenon's, but for the C230 decided to go with H7 Osram Silverstar bulbs.

Osram and Sylvania are the same company. However, you are right, the usage of "silverstar" is very confusing. The US Sylvania junk Silverstars are proven to diminsh on the road visible light. They suck. The european Osram Silverstar Bulbs are NOT sold in the US. You can buy thru an online dealer like www.powerbulbs.com

Because MB lenses are pretty good, upgrading a bulb can provide only marginal improvements at best. But the euro Osram Silverstar bulbs did provide noticeable improvement of on-the-road light on the C230. They do NOT produce white light. White light on regular bulbs is produced by blue tinting which reduces on the road light! I got them at www.powerbulbs.com and they came really fast. The bulbs are NOT cheap - but I think they are worth it.

Daniel, the Osram Silverstars are available in the US. You can try www.suvlights.com, lighting.mbz.org, www.candlepowerinc.com. Candlepower sells a rebadged Silverstar, you will have to email Daniel Stern at lighting.mbz.org since his webpage only lists cibie but he does carry the Osrams. I good buld test is at www.autoexpress.co.uk, they rate the Osram Silverstars and the Philips Visionplus as number 1 and 2.


Bob

aah.. yes you are correct. What I was comparing was the Sylvania blue tinted bulbs (junk) vs. the osram silverstar bulbs.

I have no idea how the sealed beam units are in real life...

1) There are two Sylvania Silverstars: white and blue. I have the white ones which, as I've said, have been worlds better than the OEM headlights.

2) While newer MB's use unsealed lenses where you can replace the bulb, older MB's like mine have sealed headlamp units that contain both the bulb and the reflectors. Changing this entire unit, for the older cars, produces marked improvements.

3) Why O Why must left lane loungers be so sanctimonious about their "right" to block traffic in what should ostensibly be the PASSING lane?

Well you can always pass them on the left shoulder if they refuse to move.