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#1
01-03-2004, 12:12 PM
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Higher wattage bulbs for fog lamps 300E/300TE
I'm interested to know if anyone has used the 100 watt bulbs for their fog lamps.
I went to buy some new bulbs. They had 55 watt (OEM) and off-road only 100 watt. Being a curious fellow who drives in the Rocky Mountains in stormy conditions, I opted for the 100 watt bulbs. They had a little tab of metal that prevented their installation in the hole. This little tab could be easily removed, but I thought that if the manufacturer went to the trouble to add the little tab, it must be for some reason. Either the bulbs would blind oncoming drivers, or the higher wattage would produce heat that would melt something? Anyone tried it with success? 
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Jason 1990 300TE 210k miles Engine: 103.983 Chassis: 124.090 17/27 mpg  :
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#2
01-03-2004, 12:17 PM
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refering to the threads on euro lights, I think the higher wattage bulbs will melt the plastic headlight housing and put too much of a strain on the wiring/relays. That's why we're stuck with crappy headlights unless we upgrade...
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1993 320TE M104 --------------------------------------------------- past: 1983 230E W123 M102 1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2) 1967 250SE W108 M129 1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116 1980 280SE W116 M110 1980 350SE W116 M116 1992 300E W124 M103 1994 E280 W124 M104 ---------------------------------------------- "music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys
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#3
01-03-2004, 03:13 PM
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good points.
Maybe some day I'll spring for those Euro lights. Its a chunk of change. Until then I'll stick with the 55 watt bulbs so I don't fry anything. 
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Jason 1990 300TE 210k miles Engine: 103.983 Chassis: 124.090 17/27 mpg :
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#4
01-03-2004, 03:56 PM
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yea, i've actually put in the sylvania xtra-vision bulbs in my 300E for now, that seems to have brightened up things a bit on main beam.
Full beam is still sub-par though compared to what I'm used to back in Europe. Euro headlights are my next upgrade on this car, I've read $400 will buy a set of Hellas and all the bits you need to install. They look much better than the stock lights and i'll get rid of the annoying headlight wipers too!
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1993 320TE M104 --------------------------------------------------- past: 1983 230E W123 M102 1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2) 1967 250SE W108 M129 1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116 1980 280SE W116 M110 1980 350SE W116 M116 1992 300E W124 M103 1994 E280 W124 M104 ---------------------------------------------- "music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys
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#5
01-03-2004, 03:57 PM
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Hi Jason,
When I had stock US headlights on my 124 I was running Piaa Extreme White bulbs (h3) that drew 85 watts and simulated 135, those bulbs were VERY nice. They weren't really blue, just bright white. They put out more than the headlights (I had also removed the yellow glass cover for the fogs). The lights did not irritate oncoming drivers what-so-ever. And although I had many warnings about how my wires were going to melt, they didn't cause any damage, not even a blown fuse! I had them on my car for over year...then I got Euro 500e lights.  I am not sure about 100wat bulbs, but the 85 watts ones worked very well. I think I even have a picture somewhere and I'll try and post it if/when I find it.Good luck! Tony edit...found picture: 
Last edited by PoloBenz; 01-03-2004 at 04:15 PM.
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#6
01-03-2004, 05:14 PM
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Using higher wattage or even more efficient bulbs will gain very little. The key to effective lighting is the lens and reflector shape and effectiveness. Brighter bulbs will gain very little.
This is why the Euro lights are such a DRASTIC improvement. Using higher wattage bulbs will only result in melted components and wiring problems. Good luck,
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