Anyone have any suggestions as to upgrading the original headlights on a 1985 300D to Hi Intensity Discharge or ? Just looking for some product suggestions.

Autopal 7" European H4 headlights are much better than sealed beams for $40. I have them on my W123, they are a great cost effective alternative to sealed beams. Other alternatives are Bosch H4 kits for $100 and European square headlights for around $200.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TRIUMPH-TR2-TR3-TR4-TR6-TR7-TR8-7-EURO-H6024-HEADLIGHT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cecfa5691QQitemZ330393343633QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ 5fAccessories

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1980 240d
1999 SL500

I put Hella E-codes in my '85. They look very much like stock lamps (although they are not DOT-approved) except that the "fog" lamps are clear, not yellow. They have a much better beam pattern and you can use higher or lower wattage bulbs as you see fit.

I stayed with the regular 55 watt bulbs; if you go too high in wattage you need auxiliary relays and heavier wires. The E-codes also have flatter lenses, which makes it easier to install X-pel plastic film (reduces chance of rock chips). I also replaced the headlight "doors" because mine were old, cracked, and yellow. YMMV.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

I have used 150/100 watt QH globes in my 300D's for years. I think the lights ar similar to Euro's. They spend hours on high beam with no problems.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=174444&highlight=300td+hella+lights+dave

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Better lighting is great, but be tasteful and be aware of local, state and federal laws about headlights changes. IMHO most aftermarket HID lighting systems are annoying to oncoming drivers, improperly installed and don't seem to enhance the driver's visibility.

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This area is typically used to brag about one's current or former automobiles.

I have read and heard better things about the Cibie ecodes than the Hella's. They are harder to find and more expensive though. I saw a set in a white 300D at the Central FL GTG last summer along with some Hella's. The Cibie's have an interesting lens design.

Personally I like this approach over the square euros. And the glass lens round euros are impossible to find. The sealed beam conversion lights give the car more personality IMO. Even if you still have to replace the crazed/cracked headlight doors every 10-15 years.

That looks awesome Jeremy!! That is probably what I am going to wind up doing!

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

I would visit daniel stern lighting dot com. He can get you H4 7" Cibies for $150/pair. They are on my wish list right now. The Hella H4s are a little cheaper and still a great headlamp.

There was a guy several years ago that put 5.75" Cibie H1s in his foglight buckets with some modifications. They provided amazing light output when he went offroad.

I'm going to put on my Internet Tough Guy hat and say that I'd like to take a baseball bat to each and everyone of the bungholes that put on illegal aftermarket HID kits.

If you want that look, go get yourself a '93 Honda Civic hatch.

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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

I find the Bosch OEM Euro lenses and euro parts direct.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

here's my Cibie lights

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1985 300D cali 190K

http://mercedes.thatchermathias.com/mw300d.jpg

IMHO, part of the classic look of the W123 series comes from the pattern made by the four headlights, two large and two small, in the plastic doors. The rectangular Euro lights, although probably better illuminators, take away from that distinctive appearance and make the car look too modern, like a 126 or a 124. People raised with the Euro lights probably think just the opposite and sneer at us 'Melicans with our out-of-date DOT-regulated candles.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Hopefully he installed some tow hooks along with the Cibies!!! Offroading in a W123 is an amazing concept. With an oil pan that drags the ground, I suppose that good lighting is essential.

I have one Hella Euro and one Hella DOT. The 240D puts out light better than my other cars. I can see the deer on the side of the road. I think I have Navara Power Ranger bulbs. They are stock or slightly above stock wattage. I do want to rewire, put in Cibie with city lights and the Cibie driving light in place of the present fogs. Then put the fog lights below the bumper.
Also, I've updated the rear lights, by add some where the Euro fog rear light go. There was a thread on that. Someone on E-Bay sells a kit for it. I also plan a third brake light, from Daniel Sterns. I want to see and be seen.
Tom

Thanks Matthew! Were you at the Central FL GTG last year? I remember taking pictures of a white 300D with Cibie's. I was going to post a pic of the headlights.... But, I could not find it.

Everyone that I talk to about the Cibie's switched from Hella's. Alot of the Jeep guys use them too. I'll probably go with the Hella's because of the cost. Good upgrade either way.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

snookwhaler,
that was me at the Central FL GTG

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1985 300D cali 190K

http://mercedes.thatchermathias.com/mw300d.jpg