Hi,
I ahve a 1990 300e. I wanted to upgrade the bulbs in the headlights to the super white ones. I was wondering if anyone knew the sizes of the headlight bulbs and the corner lights (turn signals) and how many watts should i look for when purchasing the bulbs. Any suggestions are welcome.
THANKS

Paul

Upgrading the light bulbs will not help you see better. The reflector that is in the US model headlights is inferior in comparison to the European headlights. My suggestion is to buy the european headlights, this way your car will not be mistaken for a hot-rod Honda.

I am with CJ. If you really want some improvement in light output, Euro Headlights is the ONLY way to go. But if you still insist on change the headlight bulbs, they are 9004.

Andy Kuo

I put a pair of Sylvania 9004XV bulbs in my US 124 lights. The improvement was probably only measurable with sensitive equipment. The reflectors in these lights are so bad, they should be illegal.

I hope to get some used Euros while in Stuttgart in April.

Have a great day,

Paul:
Lots of discussion on this in the archives, and lots of references for bulbs and headlight suppliers. Basically, according to some of the sites and magazines that have performed tests, the blue super white bulbs are no more powerful than stock, are focused to be slightly brighter in the center, are more dim in the periphery, suffer decreased visibility in the rain, and run somewhat more hot in the reflector. Overwattage bulbs have a chance of damaging your wiring - you should install relays and heavier guage wire. Stock wattage bulbs are available worldwide in "premium" versions that focus more low beam light on the road, but are still hindered by the miserable US lens/reflector.

Bottom line: If you want more light on the road, the only way is with Euro lights. Once you correct the deficient lighting, then worry about what color bulbs, wiring, wattage, or whatever.

w 124 lights
 

hi pops,

i agree wholeheartedly with cj,akry,larry and jce!
the only way to improve is with euro's.
you then have many options on bulb color,output,aiming your beams,etc.
it can be pricey,but you'll love 'em!! it's fun to go out at night.
you have many options new or used, bosch or hella, some places accept your old u.s. lights as a trade in. please make sure you upgrade your wiring,then you can run any h4 bulb you want.

try a search on this subject...

let us know how it goes...

You could compromise and get higher wattage 9004 bulbs that are only 55/80 or 55/100watts. You won't need relays or heavier gauge wiring for that small of a upgrade. However, change the socket of the headlamp. It has a design flaw. It will melt if you use anything over 45/65watt bulb. The US version or aftermarket ones you buy at any auto stores have a open end not a receded end which, tend to melt. You'll notice a small difference but, e-code lights are the best alternative. The HID light kits will make you lose your high beam and you will still be using the original reflector on headlmap.

Euro Lights....
 

first of all, i want to thank all of those who replied.
As for my car, i have the headlights of a 1995 300e. I was wondering if these are considered the Euro headlights you all are talking about. Also, will this affect the lighting if i install the super white bulbs?
THANKS

Paul

Popps,
How do the 94-95 headlights look on your car? I have often thought about doing that to mine. Do you have a picture that you can post/e-mail me? How was the installation?

I had some 80/100 watt Xenon bulbs in my car for a little while. I thought they were brighter, but it turns out they really werent, the light color was just a bit whiter is all.

At first they seemed much brighter, but after taking into consideration the warnings about using higher powered bulbs, I switched back, and since then I have not noticed any difference in light output.

Alon

94/95 headlights on a 300E
 

I have 94 lights on my 300E (well, that's what I was told...). They look GREAT compared to the old ones. If someone will tell me how to post a picture here ;-), I'll post it!

pops
 

I have a 1987 W124 and it suffers from light pooy!
I don't have the Euro conversion but do have the 9004 100/80 watt bulbs and wattage is brighter even without the Euro Lenses.
I have instructions and parts required to increase the lights larger ampere load.
Quite a large number of W124 owners have made the mods and are pleased with the results.
If you are interested E-Mail at dlswnfrd@juno.com
Happy Trails Beep Beep from high wattage Houston!!!
Donald, El Cheapo

I am really interested in putting 94-95 lights on my 91 300D. If anyone has pictures or instructions please post them here or e-mail me and I will try to post them for you. My e-mail is asrosen1@excite.com

94/95 headlights
 

CJ,

I'll get some pix to you this afternoon.

The added heat of high wattage bulbs is not good for your headlights and wiring over the long term.

The euro lights I put on my 240D had high wattage bulbs in them when I installed them. They had a terrible burning smell and the heat had melted insulation on some of the wiring and corroded the adjusment threads.

Euro's with limited wattage bulbs are the thing to do if you are interested in them living for a few years.

My $0.02,

popps,

From what I can gather from reading through your thread, you did a retrofit of the '95 E320 head light assembly into your '90 300E? That would mean you would require 55/60W H4 bulbs for your low/high beam, and 55W H3 bulbs for your fog lights. The '94/'95 head light assembly are the same as the Euro head lights in terms of the fact that BOTH are encased within a single glass housing. However, the reflectors in the Euro headlights as well as the etching on the glass allow for a highly patterned beam that looks like ___/ when you fully align the two sides. This seems to be the common set up between BMW and M-B for Euro head lights. The reflector in '94/'95 North American M-B's disperse light across the road evenly, sorta like a flood light, with no definable pattern other than a big circular area in front of your car that is lighted up. I've never had a problem with it, although Vancouver is very well lit at night. However, I am confused as to how you actually did the retrofit? Did you actually have to replace your entire hood/grille in order to fit the lights? I am lookin' at the head light assembly for pre-'94 vs. '94+, and it seems the inner edge of the light assembly are different in order to accomodate for the enlarged grille in the pre-'94 case, and for the protruding grille frame that is a part of the actual hood in the '94+ models. If you like superwhite bulbs, I recommend the Raybrig Magnum White.

[Edited by DuckMuck on 03-09-2001 at 08:10 PM]

'94 Headlights on a '92 300E
 

Here's a picture of the '94 headlights on my '92 300E (I'm crossing my fingers on this):

http://www.rightbrothers.com/headlights1sm.jpg

For more pictures and better detail (including from the engine bay, try this link: http://www.rightbrothers.com/mercedes_pix.htm

w124 headlights
 

Bill - I have the same concern as Duckmuck. How do the 94-95 lights fit the earlier years? Was it a simple swap out or are modifications required? I have a 92 400E and would like to change the lights.

Bill

bstreep,

Those aren't '94 W124 E-Class headlight assemblies...from what I can see. They look like the Euro replacement head lights for pre-'94 W124 E-Class.

Can you post the part number from those lights? I have a strong feeling those are european lights, not 94-95 124 series lights.

CJ,

Why do you want to replacement your head lights to '94+ head lights? Wouldn't your car look better with a simple Euro head light upgrade? That way, you can retain the oversized grille, and the distinct pre-'94 W124 "look", which is more beautiful than the updated '94+ W124. Is it because you can get the '94+ light assembly cheaper than Euro head lights? However, I can't see the cost benefits if you have to replace the entire hood, as well as the grille. Are you thinkin' about buyin' the in-pro grille frame for your hood to accomodate for the '94+ head lights and just get the updated grille? I think that would be the cheapest route to gettin' '94+ head lights onto pre-'94 W124's.

I am just curious. I have access to a set of 94-95 lights for free, but I do not want to take them if I can not use them.

your headlights
 

hi bill,

from the pix you posted, i think you have euros.

i think you have euro lights [for earlier w124],the wiper set up [from euro/late 124],u.s. clear turn signal covers.

did you do this conversion or buy your car this way?
if you bought it this way, consider yourself fortunate!
that's the way it was intended to be.

are your city lights hooked up?

is your beam pattern __/, for both lights?

nice looking ride!

my car pix is on page # 3 of the HUGE post of "pictures every contribute"

Euro or '94?
 

Well, I originally thought they might be euros after seeing this website. My mechanic said the wipers were for a '94, so he and I both assumed that it was from a '94. The "upgrade" was done before I got the car. Here are part numbers?? on the back of the light 129 851 00. They are Hellas. On the front there are lots of numbers, but this one looked right: 008 129 571. Let me know if I need to look up more numbers. Thanks for the complements, but it's my wife's ride (just hit 28K, believe it or not!). Here's mine:

http://www.190slgroup.com/Mvc-001s.jpg

WOW...hands down...you vs. wife, you definitely win...nice ride...

bstreep:
They are Euros: mine came off a grey market car. the drivers light is 129 851 00 on the back with a MB star in a circle stamp. The passenger side is 129 852 00. If you pop off the back, you may see a black "tuna can" vacuum adjuster module that can be hooked up to the Euro leveling control on your dashboard, as in the Star magazine article. I would not be surprised to learn that they were grey market MB OEM lights AND the matching wipers. Cool! About as good as you are going to get in lighting for an MB. You can install Phillips "premium" +30, or "vision Plus" +50 H4 bulbs. Same wattage, differently designed filament in the bulb to focus even more light on the road.

The article in the "Star" indicates that after the conversion the "lamp-out" warning circuit no longer functions and the indicator has to be disconnected since it would always be on. Have you overcome this problem, or did you just remove the indicator bulb?
Also - a search of previous posts (an hour or two of good information on the conversion) doesn't provide consensus on whether it is necessary to re-wire with heavier gauge wire. Did you re-wire on yours?
I'm trying to find loner wiper motor shafts so I can keep the wipers after the conversion.
R.

The indicator lamp works fine - I kept the standard wattage bulbs, but went with the 78150 +30 premiums (refocused filament and a trace of Xenon gas) from Hella ( http://catalog.com/susq/hella/bulbs.htm ). Since the wattage didn't change, the warning light isn't "confused". Also, since they are the same wattage, the wiring did not need to be redone. I will probably redo the wiring with relays at some point as thicker wire/relays will allow more current flow to the bulbs, allowing them to run at maximum efficiency.
I have had the Euro lights for almost a year, no trouble with the stock wiring or indicator light when using stock wattage bulbs. I also will be trying the Phillips Vision Plus +50 bulbs from Europe http://www.fosmo.com/ and don't anticipate any problems. Good luck!

Euro lights
 

Well, cool! Glad to know I've be the recipient of another great deal. I didn't put the lights in... Rumor was that the car was a Mexican Embassy car here in San Antonio...

I'll check out the bulbs when I get a chance.

Headlight and Signal Lens replacement for 1990 300E
 

So long as I see the headlight as a topic somebody might be able to tell me how to replace the headlight and signal lens for a 1990 300e. Something that I need to watch for in the process, any feedback will be very much appreciated.
Thanks:D

Second the Euro Vote.
 

I have the Euros with the 78150 +30s John mentions. Flamethrowers. Love 'em. Probably goes without saying, but make sure they're aimed properly.

I would like to add the clear turn indicators to complete the look - my TE is silver and I believe that would look very nice.

Re headlight and signal *lens* replacement - is that really possible or practicable? Mine are integrated units. Maybe I missed the point of the question.