W116 Headlight Conversion - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

olskool · #1 02-17-2012, 09:55 AM

I tried to find a thread on the W116 headlights but didn't so I hope I am not repeating a thread. I would like to upgrade the headlights because the halogen sealed beams are absolutely terrible as most of us know. I came across these on eBay and wonder if they are correct for fitting. They are the 5.75 inch headlights. They fit other Mercedes from the 1978 year but the 300sd isnt listed. I can do any necessary mods to the wiring so I am not worried about that. The bulbs will work for now. Let me know what you all think. At least the lenses are glass. Any information is appreciated.

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compu_85 · #2 02-17-2012, 10:58 AM

Those are likely worse than the sealed beams.

-J

EurekaBenz · #3 02-17-2012, 12:00 PM

Go with the Hella H1/H4 upgrade. Check eBay or Amazon. I done this to a number of cars and have been very pleased with the results each time.
dws

Marrs · #4 02-17-2012, 03:59 PM

I posted a DIY for the conversion on my W111 to my website here, just click the link near the top for the instructions (various other DIY's there too).
Headlight Conversion

compu_85 · #5 02-17-2012, 04:28 PM

I also found this posting interesting:

Who has the best sealed beams?

-J

olskool · #6 02-18-2012, 12:52 AM

Thanks Marrs, I read your DIY a few days ago. I am not sold on the replacements on evil bay but besides Hella, are there any other options? I don't think there are from what I have found. I like Hella and you can trust what they make. I will keep doing my research and try to figure out what is the best way. Anything will be an upgrade from the 5006/5001 lamps now. I will keep looking.

thorsen · #7 02-18-2012, 12:26 PM

I put those on my W116 (I don't remember paying that much for them) and found them to be a big improvement over the sealed beams. They are on my Dad's 1966 Charger now and he agrees they are an improvement over the sealed beams.

Marrs · #8 02-18-2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olskool

I am not sold on the replacements on evil bay but besides Hella, are there any other options?

Cibie makes something similar, I have no affiliation with either brand but used Hella because they were available locally. I don't know the differences or how they compare to one another but the Hella was a direct plug and play.

compu_85 · #9 02-18-2012, 03:54 PM

From everything I have read Cibie fixtures are superior to Hella ones.

-J

Marrs · #10 02-18-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

From everything I have read Cibie fixtures are superior to Hella ones.

-J

Enlighten us, I'm not above replacing mine if there's good cause. I will say I have no complaints from using the Hellas thus far, but there could be advantages to the Cibies I'm unaware of.

compu_85 · #11 02-18-2012, 05:15 PM

Did you read the article I linked to?

Daniel Stern also had some nice snippits about fixtures this size on his site when he had the CSRs, he basically said the Hella fixtures didn't have a very good hot spot, and that the Cibie fixtures are better.

From talking with my friends I know the 7" Cibie round fixture outperforms the Hella one, I'd say that probably applies to the 5" fixtures as well.