Survey on euro headlamp upgrades: - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

edge · #1 04-15-2003, 04:12 PM

Here's a survey on upgrading stock U.S. DOT headlamps with Euro headlamps. Are you happy with the results? If you had to do over, would you upgrade differently? Which Mercedes model do you have? Any comments you would like to include?

Limited Edition · #2 04-15-2003, 04:20 PM

I have Hella Euros on my 190E. They were expensive but I think they are worth it. I like the darker color of the Hellas compared to the Bosch.

Regards,

Don

Holson Adi · #3 04-15-2003, 04:52 PM

I have the Rectangular Glass "Euro" headlights made by Bosch with no Vacuum adjuster (I wasn't planning on plugging them up anyway even if lights had them)

I am happy with the result for sure.

However if I had to do it again, I'd get new headlight doors and do what this guy did:

http://www.jaimekop.com/240D/lights/

Erikir · #4 04-15-2003, 05:22 PM

I've the 7" Hellas and am quite happy with them. I'd like to swap the amber driving lights for some clear ones, but who knows when that will happen

speedy300Dturbo · #5 04-15-2003, 05:25 PM

If you swap out the yellow tinted fog lights for clear lens ones and replace the bulbs with Ion yellow or similar, you'll be surprised by how much the yellow tint of the old foglights blocks light output.

#6 04-15-2003, 08:54 PM

I've been planning on upgrading to some 7" Hella's since I bought the car 2.5 years ago. I was thinking about getting some this month, but I need some break work done so it might be next month before I get around to this...
I do have some Hella's on my F-100 pickup, but they are old and I just feel they aren't worth putting on my 300CD.

artpb · #7 04-15-2003, 09:02 PM

Very pleased with my Bosch Euro's on the 300SD. Combined with Narva bulbs they are awesom. I have them adjusted a bit higher then most procedures recommend. No problems.

I do intend to do the plumbing and hookup the vacuum if I can find a part number for the adjuster that goes in the dash.

mplafleur · #8 04-16-2003, 01:22 PM

I've got the Depos for my w123, but haven't installed them yet. I have to get the 6-pin connector shells yet.

fredjj · #9 04-16-2003, 04:39 PM

I have Bosch Euro Lights on both my vehicles. All four have the round EC or EU rating on them. The 300SD came with them when I purchased it. I did the install on the 240D. The change in lighting is dramatic. Both put out more light where I need it better than my 96 Civic. All fall short of my Suzuki with the 80/100W "Off road use only" bulb.

#10 04-16-2003, 06:28 PM

I love them.

I put in two cibie hi low beam and changed out the 5.25 with simple hi beam driving lights for 5 bucks each. I relayed them to the high beams and whola I got me some lights.

I am very pleased with them.

In case if you want even more lights hang some fog lamps below the bumper and run them off the fog light wiring, but for most people I dont think that it is even necessary.

Just be sure to align them so you dont piss off the planet with all that power.

bob

Capt Kirk · #11 04-17-2003, 01:18 AM

I put in H4s with replaceable bulbs that came in Bosch boxes

they do a lot better then Sealed beam headlights. I'm hoping to get clear foglights for the hell of it. Although I dunno if I'd be happy with them or if I should just stick with what I have.

mickey mouse · #12 04-17-2003, 03:09 AM

I have an 85 CD with Euro Bosch and standard H-4's (my brides car). When she drove my 83 TD with round sealed beam whatevers, she complained about not being able to see. I replaced those "standard" sealed beams with 7" round Bosch and H-4's. I can't notice any difference in effect between the round Bosch verses the much higher priced Euro system. The Bosch puts the light where I want it. By the way, the CD is for sale.

jas2wa · #13 04-17-2003, 09:53 AM

I have converted 2 123 chassis cars and one BMW E30 chassis to the 7" and 5 3/4" Hellas, respectively, and have been very happy in all applications. I am planning on doing a quad 5 3/4" Hella conversion on my recently acquired 108 chassis 4.5, too...

gsxr · #14 04-17-2003, 04:30 PM

I installed Hello 500E lights on both my 87's from PUMA and love them. I have used TYC in the past and they are OK for the money (if you can get them for ~$200), but the quality simply isn't as good as the Hella (or Bosch). PUMA sells standard W124 Hellas for $325 and that includes all 6 bulbs, plus new orange marker lights! Hard to beat that. On my W123, I installed Hella E-code 7-inch round lights. Those also work great.

Either way, get GOOD bulbs - all bulbs are not created equal! If you're not adding relays, get the Philips or Osram "Plus 50" bulbs from either http://www.powerbulbs.com or order them from Dan Stern Lighting (dan@mbz.org). These are the best bulbs you can get in stock wattage (i.e., without adding relays). If you add relays, you can use high-wattage bulbs, but they burn out a LOT faster - that's the catch with them. I used 130/100 H4's in my one car (with relays) and although the light output was astounding, they only last 80-100 hours - which isn't very long.

Regards,

BoostnBenz · #15 04-17-2003, 11:23 PM

My 84 has some lights on it which aren't necessarily ECE, but they aren't DOT either. Only cost $13ea with bulb, and wow do they work great. I think they were called Eagles, 7" round with a 50/100W H4 bulb. Was going to buy the Osram bulbs but the way these work they are going to stay for a while. Now I'm wondering why I didn't buy their 5-3/4" fog light replacement too.

I also bought some euros for one of my W123s, but haven't installed them yet. They are made by Lucid, one unit to replace the fog lights and head lights.

View Poll Results: Which brand did you upgrade with?
Bosch	20	60.61%
TYC	1	3.03%
Depo	2	6.06%
Hella	7	21.21%
Other	3	9.09%
Voters: 33. You may not vote on this poll