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also from GSXR's "website"
"12-13-2008, 09:29 PM
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gsxr gsxr is offline
What, me worry?
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 6,183
All of the "plus" bulbs (plus 30, 50, 80, whatever) are all pushing the limit of the 60/55 watt ratings. They do provide more lumens compared to standard 60/55 bulbs, HOWEVER... they mostly all fall short of any decent over-wattage bulb. You can't break the laws of physics, as long as they are limited to 60/55 watts, they can only put out so much light.
The problem with over-wattage bulbs is that you can not safely increase the wattage very much without stressing the stock, dinky wires in the stock wiring harness (and also stressing the headlight switch by running more current through it than it was designed for). The only overwattage H4 bulb I would recommend for stock wiring is the Osram Hyper 70/65 bulb (now re-named "Bi-Lux" for some reason). I have these in my 1993 300D with stock wiring (and Euro lights). Myself and others who have used them are quite happy with them, they do perform better than any of the "plus" 60/55 bulbs (but they're not cheap!).
Anything larger really should have relays and heavy-gague wires. I have relays & heavy wiring on my other two 124's. The absolute best "overwattage" bulb I have found is the Osram Hyper 85/80... it puts out more lumens on low beam than almost anything else, including Philips Rally 100/90 bulb (which I have in my other car at the moment), or even the massive 130/100 bulbs! The 85/80 low beams are staggering, which is what I was most concerned about. They're practically equal to HID's, IMO. The high beams are also fantastic.
* Standard 60/55 = 1650/1000 lumens
* Good +50 bulbs = 1800/1100
* Osram Hyper 70/65 = 2000/1350
* Osram Hyper 85/80 = 2400/1750 (more on low beam than standard 60/55 on HIGH beam!)
* Rally 100/90 = 2600/1500
* Rally 130/100 = 3200/1600
Photos of my one relay installation are at this URL, another is at this URL, scroll to the images titled "relays".
The Osram Hypers are available from Peter Burgeson, seller "pdburg" on eBay (click here for a direct link). If he doesn't have a current auction for what you want, just email him directly.
An interesting bulb test/review is available at this URL... download the Zip file, and check out the HTML pages with the reviews & ratings. Here's an interesting quote from that review:
...As in previous tests, we have not chosen a blue bulb, as we feel these are purely fashion items which perform significantly worse...
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Dave M.
Boise, ID
1995 E420 - 161kmi (W.I.P.)
1994 E500 - 104kmi (Q-ship)
1993 300D - 185kmi (Sale Pending)
1992 500E - 161kmi (New Arrival)
1987 300D - 306kmi (Sportline Stage 2)
1987 300D - 247kmi (R.I.P.) "
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'84 300SD sold
124.128
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