I have always noticed that my tail/brake lights seen to be dimmer than my 300D counter-part Are brighter bulbs around?? any sort of mod to make them brighter??? I don't want anyone to hit my nice bumper!

I'm not sure about brighter bulbs... But you are right, our rear ends are a little 'subtle', which is not good when it comes to night safety.

I'm still looking for a good LED third brake light that will look nice with the hatch. As soon as I find one I like I'll let you all know. I'm thinking a high-mount at the top of the hatch, which shouldn't be hard to wire in, and is a common spot for 3rd brake lights, so it should blend in nicely.

Keep in mind that regular bulbs do get dimmer with time, so it could be that a fresh set, even of the same wattage, would get you a little extra brightness.

There are also LED replacements that can be brighter, but you need to order good ones, not the cheap replacements from the auto parts store (which are usually dimmer than a regular bulb!). If you get one with 12 or more LEDs, they are usually brighter than standard. I'll see if I can find some links.

peace,
sam

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"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

I bought a pair of LED Brakes lights for my BMW 100RT to brighten things up. They were on a 50% off table(cost like $18) at a local BMW shop and were an easy install--I mounted them on my Reynold's luggage rack in an area 6-8" higher then my brake light and they pulsate in series of three flashes (If I remember right)long-short -short as long as my brake lever is pulled in and they make ALL the difference in the world--after I installed them I put a tie-wrap on the brake lever to keep 'em on and walked a 1/2 block down the street that night to check 'em out and the difference was amazing). This would be a killer set-up for a Benz but I doubt they are legal(the flashing cycles) on a car. I thought I saw them for cars(non pulsating LEDs) in the JC WHitney catalog.

Not installed yet - But - They are on their way......

I've been working closely with Daniel Stern recently - http://www.danielsternlighting.com/home.html

Just talking with him is truly a good experience - like talking to a encyclopedia.

He does have higher wattage bulbs for taillights that will not damage anything - physically or electrically.

My opinion.... There is a major difference between 'Least Expensive' and 'Good Value'. I just placed a major bulb order with Dan because the addition of his knowledge made this a 'Good Value'.

Stephen

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98 K2500 Suburban 6.5 Luxo Barge

"We cannot change the wind - But we can adjust our sails"

Be careful here, I had to replace a tail lite lens on my '85 TD because it had melted where some idiot put a higher wattage bulb. These aren't easy to find used in good condition, as I found out.
I also have a LED bulb to play with and see if it will work in the wagon, but haven't tried it yet.
That third light LED sounds like a way to go. I did find an alternative, its a 55W H3 lamp in a SS fixture with a nice red lens. It came off an ambulance. I'm too chicken to put it in, it will need a relay to operate it for sure.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

I am not sure how much this has to do with dimmer bulbs but I noticed that there was a considerable amount of dirt on the inside of my tailight lens ...I cleaned them in soap and water and they are much brighter now.

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83 300CDTurbo 307,000
2005 Honda Element 266,000
56 Nash Ambassador Country Club Special 34,000(under restoration presently)

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=125099

From a website that repairs cruise controls on MB's: higher wattage bulbs in the brake lights can fry your cruise control amp. For example, they highly do not recommend the use of 1157's. You might need to use some type of relay for a third brake light.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

FYI - Please Read............

http://www.gdl-online.com/bulb.html

More good information at:

Brake light mod for 123's


Stephen

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98 K2500 Suburban 6.5 Luxo Barge

"We cannot change the wind - But we can adjust our sails"

Ramblin is right...

clean the inside of your lenses first. You will be amazed at the results you can achieve.

Funny as these are supposed to be sealed pretty good...not

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1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

They probably were sealed pretty good 20+ years ago when they were assembled...

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

What bulbs did you order from him, exactly, and will they cause problems with the cruise control.

A note about using LED bulbs in taillights, IMO: Our tail/brake light assemblies are designed to use a bulb that reflects light off a surface behind the bulb. LEDs, on the other hand, throw most of their light forward. This is why modern LED bulbs do not work as an "upgrade" in most older cars.

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'81 300TD turbo <<sold 12/05 to another diesel nut

I ordered:

Osram Silverstar's 60/55
Narva Gold (H3-55W)
Osram 12V 6W BA9S Xenon (for the City Lights)
Universal 12V 35W BA15S Halogen's to try as the 'Back-Up' lights - before I go crazy with some of my other tail light ideas..........

Cruise Control should not be affected per: http://www.gdl-online.com/bulb.html

Stephen

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98 K2500 Suburban 6.5 Luxo Barge

"We cannot change the wind - But we can adjust our sails"

I notice lots of 190E's on the road with one dim rear light and one bright. I also had it for a while as I had replaced one bulb. Replaced the other, now I have two bright(ish) rear lights.

Russ

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190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg

Thanks for the update Stephen. I have not researched this so I was unaware. A third brake light is something I have seriously considered with the number of "rear magnet drivers" I see every day.

(it makes me wonder a little about cruise control repairs)

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

how did you clean the inside?? i've been wondering how to clean the inside of my taillight.. but i couldnt get it completely clean unless i complete break it apart.. the whole housing seemed to be fused together.. and my water and brush can reach only certain areas and not the whole lens...

any tips??

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Mike

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1975 200 - Sold (no pix);
1978 200 - Sold - http://www.pbase.com/hboy/redbaron
1979 300TD - Sold
http://www.pbase.com/hboy/greenwagon
http://www.geocities.com/hboy726/300TD.html
1985 230E - now my daily driver...