w124 Headlamp Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DieselPaul · #1 12-26-2010, 01:08 AM

Do Euro and US housings take the same bulb for the Hi/Lo beam?

9004?

Thanks!

Aquaticedge · #2 12-26-2010, 01:11 AM

the 94/5 Eurotype takes a diff bulb, I'm not sure of the 87 euro's tho

Wodnek · #3 12-26-2010, 01:23 AM

My euro lights on my 87 use H4 bulbs.

DieselPaul · #4 12-26-2010, 02:09 AM

Sorry I didn't specify, this is for my 1987.

Wodnek · #5 12-26-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselPaul

Sorry I didn't specify, this is for my 1987.

If your 87 has euro lights then H4 is what you need. This is true of hella, Bosch, or Depo lights.

bobodaclown · #6 12-26-2010, 01:50 PM

H4 bulbs. Easy to get at most part stores.

DieselPaul · #7 12-26-2010, 03:04 PM

I have US headlamps. I want to convert to HIDs, I am getting euro headlights at some point. My friend is teasing me with a set, or I may just man up and spend the money on a set online but I wanted to know if my HIDs will transfer over.

babymog · #8 12-26-2010, 06:04 PM

Yes, putting HID in non-HID lights will blind the oncoming drivers the same, whether they're DOT or Euro lights. If the lights aren't designed as HID lights, they shouldn't have HID bulbs.

Buy quality Euro lights, put in good OSRAM/Hella/et al quality bulbs, and there isn't much point in considering "HID conversions" unless you just like making enemies on the road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVuSSdZNsZw&feature=player_embedded

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

muleears · #9 12-26-2010, 06:27 PM

What Jeff said X2. I had a set of euro's in my 124 with overwattage bulbs. Gave great high beam visibility and the lows were same as normal euro's. The euro light alone with regular bulbs will produce more usable illumination than any conversion kit. The Daniel Stern article illustrates this well. Stick with euro's and normal bulbs, you'll be very happy with them.

Wodnek · #10 12-27-2010, 01:40 AM

You can get the Depo lights on ebay for about $200.

I have Hellas on my sedan and Depo on my wagon. The light pattern seems identical. I was very happy with the Depo quality and they even have the vacuum pods if i ever care to add the height adjusting knob.

babymog · #11 12-27-2010, 05:26 PM

Better still get a set of Euro 500E lights, then you have a separate driving light that you can stick a big bulb in and go.

I did this with my Euro UR quattro lights, the big driving-beam bulb would leave you night blind when dropping to regular high-beams.

DieselPaul · #12 12-27-2010, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Yes, putting HID in non-HID lights will blind the oncoming drivers the same, whether they're DOT or Euro lights. If the lights aren't designed as HID lights, they shouldn't have HID bulbs.

Buy quality Euro lights, put in good OSRAM/Hella/et al quality bulbs, and there isn't much point in considering "HID conversions" unless you just like making enemies on the road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVuSSdZNsZw&feature=player_embedded

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

I wasn't looking to debate the legality of HIDs. That said I'll have an extremely hard time failing an MOT.

My question was, are they the same bulbs in a Euro and US housing. Both H4/9004? Yes?

I have Sylvania X-tra visions in my US spec housings right now. I've considered doing a projector retrofit on a set of headlights, TSX projectors are getting super cheap.

babymog · #13 12-27-2010, 06:37 PM

The US lights through '93 use the 9000-series bulb, Euro and '94/'95 use an B4.

LandYaghtLover · #14 12-27-2010, 06:57 PM

I swear H4 is spec to 9003 not 9004. I just bought H4s and had a heck of a time finding a "cheap" lamp. Then I noticed 9003 packaging, in slightly smaller print, said it also is spec'd to H4. So H4 = euro name/ 9003 US DOT name : same lamp.

Warning on Euros. I just went Euro a couple days ago. I knew I needed wiper brackets, but I thought the fit would be close. Sure was on driver side. Bracket worked except one lower screw. But it was in place and firm. Passenger side was different. No lower screw lined up. So while the fixture is in place and fairly secure, its not ideal and the wiper arm has play. If you convert you either need the euro wiper brackets OR you need to fab something up.

I am considering fabricating brackets then selling them to members so they can stick with US wipers.

As for wipers, they work fine. No issues and the clear the lens area just as well as if they were on US lamps. So I see no "requirement" to convert to Euro wipers. Although I am going to paint my arms black.

LandYaghtLover · #15 12-27-2010, 06:59 PM

As for HID. Common conversion in Mark VIIIs and never a glare issue. It has A LOT to do with aiming and the illumination point. If the illumination point is spot on, there is no glare and no issue. The Marks never had glare issues, etc.

But some cars certainly do. I have some HIDs on hand that are used. I am thinking of swapping bases just to see how they look.