W123 sealed beam question
 

I know US models W123's used H6024 sealed beam halogens, but Phillip's offers an H6017 unit. It says that it replaces the older 6012/6014 incandescent lamps as well as the H6024. GE, Sylvania, Wagner, etc only make the H6024 unit. So is the Phillip's H6017 really an upgrade over the H6024? Both my lamps burned out this summer and I replaced them with GE H6024's. But now I found the Phillip's lamps on sale and I'm thinking of buying them. Also I was wondering if any of the manufactures offer long life versions of the H6024?

Not familiar with the Phillips, but I can add that in my experience, GE lasts longest, followed by Wagner and then the (much worse) Sylvania.

Ken
'82 300D

This may seem a little off topic, but you may want to consider getting the H4 conversion headlamp that Hella makes. It's a 7 inch round headlight (same as the original light) but uses an H4 bulb as opposed to the sealed beam. Light output of the H4 bulb is definetely superior to the sealed beam units.

I would love to buy the Hella units that use the H4 bulbs, but I can't find a place that sells them even on Internet. I remember that that LarryBible had very good things to say about Sylvania XtraVision lamps but I can't find even one place that sells any automotive Sylvania lamps. I'm also considering biting the bullet and going all out for Euro headlights. The Bosch flat ones would be ideal but the Hella dual round ones are also great.

In my experience GE's don't last very long but those were 9004 halogen bulbs. Anyways the Phillip's H6017 lamps are quite the deal so I would love to hear if anyone has any experience with them. Thanks for the replies.

Mr.W123,

Performance Products used to sell the Hella's. Also I have not seen a JC Whitney catalog in a few years, but they used to have quite a selection of round H4 bulb sealed beam replacement units. These would be the best lights you could put in your US headlights, the second best and probably more cost effective would be the Sylvania Xtra Vision.

Good luck,

Aardvark International (www.talbotco.com) sells Cibie 7" H-4 lamps for about $57.00 each. The Cibie has a far superior beam pattern than the Hella lamps.

Mr. W123

You might want to see Dan Stern's site at:

http://lighting.mbz.org/

for a complete run down on alternative lighting. He sells both Hella and Cibie, but prefers the somewhat harder to find cibies.

Does the wiring harness have to modified with the more powerful Hella H4???

I agree, the Cibie's are the Cadillac's, er,. the Mercedes of aftermarket headlights.

Have a great day,

Are the Cibie's worth the $57 each? I have Sylvanias in my car now and I guess they're adequate, I really have nothing to compare them to. $57 seems kind of steep eventhough I know that if I got them, all I'd have to do is replace bulbs instead of the whole unit. Should I get a pair or just keep replacing the sealed units at $13 each. Thanks.

Alex

The Cibie's do look like a interesting proposition, and if they're as good as everyone says they are then they're worth the money. If course Euro's are still number ones because they give you great lighting and make your car look fantastic.

DieselHead $13 American seems like a high price since here I can buy GE's for $9 Canadian (about 6 USD).

I bought the Sylvania Xtra Vision at Pep Boys and they are a lot better than the standard units. One day I want the Hella units. I know Performance Products sells them. Does Fastlane sell anything similar here ?

I bought the Sylvania Xtra Vision at Pep Boys and they are a lot better than the standard units. One day I want the Hella units. I know Performance Products sells them. Does Fastlane sell anything similar here ?

euro headlights
 

The euros are great except, when the lenses get hit by a rock it costs a lot to replace the lens, and that is, if you can find it. I have a euro model 1982 280e and I can say the lighting on it is a whole lot better than on my 1983 300d with the sealed beams. And that is with the packing tape holding together a broken lens. One more thing, on the true euros there is a three way switch on the center console to raise and lower the beams via a vacuum motor.

IMHO, the Hella or Cibie conversion do not have any more light output than the Sylvania Xtra bulbs! They are still 55Watt bulbs. They do have a superior, more well defined pattern though.

The greatest thing about these Euro units is the fact that you can replace the H4 bulbs with a variety of different wattage bulbs, and this is where you get a real improvement!!!