One of my headlight bulbs is out on my W124 and I know that bulbs give a pretty narrow number of hours in their lifespan. I was on a drive one time years ago and one bulb gave out. I bought a pack of 2 new bulbs and replaced the bad one. 2 hours later, the other one gave out!!

Anyways, I need to replace the bulbs and I'm not going to go through the trouble of an HID kit though they are nice, so those are out. I've read good things about Philips X-tremeVision bulbs but a lot of those articles are from 2014 or older. Maybe there's something new and better out there. Just wanted to see what you all had to say.

1991 300d, 215k

I recently put in a set of sylvania silver star ultras in my '92. Very pleased. Good light, good price.

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Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

Get some OE Euro headlamps or Depo (not TYC) clones and it won’t matter what bulbs you use.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

Avoid Silverstars or anything with a colored coating on the bulb.

https://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/blue.html

The Silverstars are particularly bad. Ignore color temperature, lumens are what you see with, and Silverstars produce the least lumens, have the least lifespan, and cost the most of Sylvania's entire line.

Avoid HID kits of any type.

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

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617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

In my research, SilverStars didn't come up very well in opinions. They apparently suck.

What's up with OE Euro headlamps? How are they better than the original W124 headlamps?

What are Depo lights?

Euro lights have a better beam pattern. This is a point of fact. Depo is a manufacturer of aftermarket replacement headlights. They happen to make euro pattern replacements for our vehicles.

Get a pair. You won’t regret it.


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1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

What zul said. In my experience, the distinct straight ahead cutoff of Euro headlights reduces glare back at you. Also the rise to the right (LHD configuration) illuminates road signs and street names that are left in the dark by DOT oval patterns.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

I was looking online, but they're only in Europe, Latin America, etc. I saw someone on ebay but I've already been warned about Depo knockoffs. Also, not sure if I want to spend $170 on a set plus go through all the work of hooking them up vs $11 for a replacement bulb.

They have to be seen to be believed. Installation is turning screws and moving pins to a different socket.

Another alternative is 94-95 DOT headlights and live with the gap between the headlight scallops and grill. I have no issues with the beam from DOT 202, 140 or 210 headlights. It’s really hard for me to get back into an 86-93 124 or facelift 126 with DOT headlights. It could easily be just me.

My experience with a couple of varieties of Sylvania Silverstar Ultras is that they’re whiter but not necessarily brighter. They made a difference in our Caravan with clear lenses, less of a difference in my ‘91 300SE with diffuser lenses. Good for a couple of years in my use vs OE bulbs that can last decades.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

100% I would never drive a w126 or w124 ever again with US headlights. The ones on the w124 are just plain dangerous they're so bad, and the difference with the w126 is astounding.

Where did you hear bad things about the depot headlights? Everything I've read has said the same thing. The build quality isn't as good admin the OEM lights but the beam pattern is on par and is a 100x improvement over the DOT ones.

If this is a car you plan to keep, I heartily suggest you upgrade the lights.

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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

There are reputable dealers on eBay. Easier for you folks in the States than for me in Canada. They either won’t ship to me or won’t accept my Zcndn PayPal or whatever.

Still I managed to get a set for my 124...the difference was stunning, but I already knew that cos I’ve been running Euro pattern beams on my 123 and before that my ‘74 vw bus as well as beetle. The DOT pattern is ridiculous. The best bulb in the world isn’t going to change it.

Still, you do have a point...changing the entire light assembly is a lot more work than a bulb. However, I take it as an opportunity to improve my vehicles performance by “light” years lol! I change all the wiring, use large gauge wires direct from battery to headlight, use relays etc.

I really like the parking light feature too. Look for my pics to see.

Depo makes good stuff. I highly recommend them.


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1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

What is your definition of "best" in a headlamp bulb? If you want the longest life, go with the Basic for 270 hours of life. Avoid Silverstar which has just 85 hours of rated life, and costs more.

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1998 E300 turbodiesel

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