+30 H4
 

Hi JCE,

I just went to the website for the +30 H4 by Hella... Is this it?

78150 - Replacement H4 (HB2) Bulb, XENON, 12V, 60/55W, Premium Plus 30% $10.43 Each

They also have Premium Plus 50%, would that better?

Also, where does it state that the filament is in another positions... please advise...

Any other suggestions on replacement headlight bulbs for my '87 260E?

thanks a million,

hey again

www.powerbulbs.com philips vision plus 50% h4's nice bulbs.

http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/tech.html narva brand h4 and others.

http://www.autooptiks.com/front.htm info and products.

new oem hella euro's 450.00 u.s.

peter

Hi sjsfiji,
There are many manufactures producing +30% and +50% replacement bulbs such as Osram/Sylvania, Philips, Hella ... I bought the +30% Hella H4 bulbs to use in Lexus LS400 about three years ago, it burnt in less than 1 year. I replaced it with Philips Vision Plus which is the +50% type, it generates more light than the +30% type and its light is whiter too, so far it still working.
You should get the +50% bulb for about $1 more each. You will see the road at night much better than standard bulb.

Check this thread out ....

Head lights etc ... with recommendations .....

Haasman

Where is a good place to buy replacement headlight assemblys? Also, how do i know what size or what replacement assembly to buy? I have an '89 300e.

I don't think your stupid or anything, but have you cleaned teh lenses? It's amazing how a little bit of hardly noticeable dirt on the lenses makes a huge difference to your visibility. I often wipe them with a cloth but it makes little difference, but when I use soap and a pressure-washer, the difference is incredible!

Not sure how much the standard washer/wiper set up do though

have you considered removing the yellow filters
 

I tried a cheap mod and has worked fine for some 3 years now. On the '86 300E I removed the yellow filters from the Fogs
and aimed the lights lower. Without the filter the light output is much better. In addition I aimed the main headlamps just a tad higher, and now use both beams to complement each other (one over the other, instead of the original aiming setup which overlapped)

I left the same H3 bulb in the fogs but used what at the time was the britest 9004 I found (Piaa something) on the main beams. Soon after that I decided to replaced the headlamp doors which also helped alot with the fogs. Someone had warned me that I would melt the plastic doors by taking the filters off, but nothing of that sort has happened. Perhaps the lifespan of the doors might be reduced in the long run, but by that time you can upgrade to the euros.

my 0.02:)

Champa

This sounds great .... any pictures?

Haasman

Haasman, here you go sorry it took so long
 

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from head on
 

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headlight doors?
 

Champa,

Sorry if this is a stupid question but what are the "headlight doors" that you removed to improve lighting?

thanks,

Re: headlight doors?
 

It is the plastic part of the headlamp (US DOT version) that houses the fog lamps, that probably looks brittle with lots of tiny cracks. New ones will not have all those tiny cracks and will actually be transparent so more light can make it through.

Also consider that Euro lamp prices are lower now and you can find them all over the place in eBay.

Euros
 

Champa,

I'm a bit confused on the E500/500E euro or non, made by Hella or Bosch, E-code, or non 500E/E500 euros.

Can you clarify the differences that would fit my car...

thanks,

Re: Euros
 

I am not very familiar with the different types.
The 500E lights are a different type all together as they have driving lights where the other models (300-400 E's) have the fog lamps, and instead have the fogs in the lower bumper.

As far as euro (aka E-code) or not euro (DOT), the pattern is different, the euro being much better. As far as what fits, I am pretty sure any one fits, at most you will have to move some wires around but the lamp will fit. The ones that you will have to do some modification to fit on pre '93 models, is the '94-95 model ones.

Hella and Bosch are pretty much standard OEM suppliers so I don't see how one could be all that different from the other one.

Hope this helps...

Don't waste bulbs on US lights...go euro
 

I upgraded my 300E from the US to Bosch euros. I put in the regular 55W bulbs, nothing fancy. The difference is incredible. Worth every penny. IMO, you don't need to mod anything else once you've installed the euros. They're plenty bright if aimed properly. Turn on the fog lights as well and you've got instant daylight.

If you need any advice or part nos just ask ebennz (Peter). He's the guru. Just don't ask him whether you should buy OEM or aftermarket. :D