Anyone here use driving lights/have thoughts on them? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

P.C. · #31 11-16-2015, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mölyapina

I don't think that's an accurate comparison of the lights... you aren't comparing what are probably the most important qualities, beam pattern and longevity. For example, you can buy both cheap aftermarket and original Toyota (new or used) fog lights for the Corolla. The cheap aftermarket lights don't have much visible physical distinction from the OEM, but they have a very inferior beam pattern. Likewise, some cheap aftermarket brands have issues with the reflector discoloring/dying.

Not saying that you have a bad set of lights, just that your metrics for measuring light quality are flawed.

Also, couldn't you just polish old lenses? Or did you have damage besides lens discoloration?

In this case, the lenses are not fluted to regulate light dispersion, the reflectors are. The contours of both OEM and TYC reflectors appeared to be absolutely identical. I drove the Jeep at night, and light dispersion appeared to be perfectly fine. No high spots, no low spots, and I only ran three opposing cars off the road.

As for longevity, if they last half as long as the OEM's, I'll be happy. Install and aiming are very easy on this particular vehicle.

The OEM lenses appeared to be frosted on the inside as well as the outside. I didn't feel like trying to separate the glued lens from the reflector to determine if they could be saved, while dealing with the vehicle downtime.

iwrock · #32 11-16-2015, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.C.

This weekend, I installed a pair of TYC headlights on a 2003 Jeep Liberty which had UV-damaged originals. OEM lights from the local friendly Jeep parts department retail for $500/pair. The TYC's were under $70 a pair, including installed halogen bulbs. I took my time comparing the OEMS against the TYC's, and while the OEM's appeared slightly more substantial in design, materials and construction, an additional $430 in value was nowhere to be found.

(I did look at the supplied bulbs with a bit of suspicion, and set them aside for a pair of Sylvanias...)

You have a Jeep now?

Quite a switch from the SHO!

P.C. · #33 11-16-2015, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

You have a Jeep now?

Quite a switch from the SHO!

No, the Jeep has been in the family since it was purchased new in the fall of 2002. It has just 55k on the odo, and other than replacing a few window regulators (and now the lights), has been trouble-free.

The SHO is alive and well, and still a lot of fun to drive.

iwrock · #34 11-16-2015, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.C.

No, the Jeep has been in the family since it was purchased new in the fall of 2002. It has just 55k on the odo, and other than replacing a few window regulators (and now the lights), has been trouble-free.

The SHO is alive and well, and still a lot of fun to drive.

Ah, makes more sense!

You figure out how to do doughnuts in the SHO yet?

P.C. · #35 11-16-2015, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

Ah, makes more sense!

You figure out how to do doughnuts in the SHO yet?

I have 17,000 miles on the odo and the tire's wear bars are already preparing to peek through. I don't want to get too friendly with the local Michelin dealer...

MTUpower · #36 11-16-2015, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

For $90, you can come into the 21st century:
http://www.amazon.com/Eyourlife-16200LM-Driving-Offroad-Waterproof/dp/B00LFKZDWO/

The color rendition is pretty bad, making colors washed out, but the output on this thing is amazing.

Redneck pickup trucks with mudder tires and no mudflaps use those around here to piss off other drivers. Certainly doesn't belong on a MB.

KarTek · #37 11-16-2015, 10:12 PM

Back in my rally days, my car had 4 KC daylighters on it. The 2 on the outside were 100w H3 halogen and the inside ones were 150w sealed beams. They put out an UNBELIEVABLE amount of light.

My biggest gripe about them was that the 150w lamps burned out quite quickly and were very expensive. The reflectors on the 100w were metal and eventually started to rust. The housings were also steel and began to pit after a few years.

You can get stainless steel ones but at the time, I was poor and couldn't afford them.

For my truck, I bought a set of Hella Rallye 4000's. I haven't mounted them yet, they're 10" across!

Here's a shot of my car before I had all 4 installed.

Simpler=Better · #38 11-17-2015, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.C.

In this case, the lenses are not fluted to regulate light dispersion, the reflectors are. The contours of both OEM and TYC reflectors appeared to be absolutely identical. I drove the Jeep at night, and light dispersion appeared to be perfectly fine. No high spots, no low spots, and I only ran three opposing cars off the road.

As for longevity, if they last half as long as the OEM's, I'll be happy. Install and aiming are very easy on this particular vehicle.

The OEM lenses appeared to be frosted on the inside as well as the outside. I didn't feel like trying to separate the glued lens from the reflector to determine if they could be saved, while dealing with the vehicle downtime.

Livin' the dream

OM617YOTA · #39 11-17-2015, 03:45 PM

Get the Euro lights and wire them up with big wires and relays, then decide on if you need the driving lights. I have Hellas in my Mr2 and feel blind every time I get in my truck with stock sealed beams.

DieselPaul · #40 11-18-2015, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

Back in my rally days, my car had 4 KC daylighters on it. The 2 on the outside were 100w H3 halogen and the inside ones were 150w sealed beams. They put out an UNBELIEVABLE amount of light.

My biggest gripe about them was that the 150w lamps burned out quite quickly and were very expensive. The reflectors on the 100w were metal and eventually started to rust. The housings were also steel and began to pit after a few years.

You can get stainless steel ones but at the time, I was poor and couldn't afford them.

For my truck, I bought a set of Hella Rallye 4000's. I haven't mounted them yet, they're 10" across!

Here's a shot of my car before I had all 4 installed.

I forget that you are from UA right? Rally'ing back in the 70s/80s, you don't know Alan George or Joe Alexander do you? They did Press on Regardless and most of the Ohio Rally's back in the day.

Mölyapina · #41 11-23-2015, 05:46 PM

I ended signing up on a lighting forum to ask about there, and the folks there convinced me to contact Daniel Stern to see about lighting upgrades to my existing system. It looks like I will get 200x142 Cibie H4 lights to replace the sealed beams, along with Oscar 70/65w bulbs. They should provide me with equal or better performance than Euros for less money...

Mölyapina · #42 11-23-2015, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.C.

In this case, the lenses are not fluted to regulate light dispersion, the reflectors are. The contours of both OEM and TYC reflectors appeared to be absolutely identical. I drove the Jeep at night, and light dispersion appeared to be perfectly fine. No high spots, no low spots, and I only ran three opposing cars off the road.

As for longevity, if they last half as long as the OEM's, I'll be happy. Install and aiming are very easy on this particular vehicle.

The OEM lenses appeared to be frosted on the inside as well as the outside. I didn't feel like trying to separate the glued lens from the reflector to determine if they could be saved, while dealing with the vehicle downtime.

Well, that sounds good. I have to say, though, that I think you were cheated a little bit. I always hold to a 5 cars off the road standard.

KarTek · #43 11-23-2015, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselPaul

I forget that you are from UA right? Rally'ing back in the 70s/80s, you don't know Alan George or Joe Alexander do you? They did Press on Regardless and most of the Ohio Rally's back in the day.

Those names sound very familiar. I also remember POR but I never was involved with that. I did OSUSCC TSD rallys and marshaled SCCA OVR Sundowner Pro Rallys.

Simpler=Better · #44 11-23-2015, 09:16 PM

mmm Cibies

DieselPaul · #45 11-24-2015, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

I did OSUSCC

I graduated as the "Co-President" of OSUSCC, we changed it to Ohio State Car Club, the "sports car" was scaring some people away. But the old club is still going. Current president is a female friend of mine, and I help put on their autocrosses with the local MBCA chapter. Way off topic for the thread, but its a small world sometimes.

Daniel Stern knows his stuff, the problem is USA W126 headlights are super ugly and an E-code replacement composite for a sealed beam is just as ugly. And his kits are usually well north of $100. Can't you get DEPOs for like $180 shipped?