As I get older, I seem to need more light to drive safely. I have a 1989 300te. I see all types of replacement bulbs, lenses...Are any effective? What is the best 'bang for the buck'?

The original headlight reflectors installed on "built for America" W124 were a total failure.
Replacing the stock bulbs by higher amps. bulbs will result in very little improvement if any and generally cause the wiring to fry.
The only real solution is to replace the whole lighting system by the European design, (Bosch or Hella) as I did on my car.
Night and day.

While I basically agree with the above poster, you might try Sylvania silver star brand bulbs first. And have someone with the proper tools verify proper headlight adjustment.

__________________
81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.

I also have an 89 300TE and agree that the headlamps are awful, I spent $25.00 at WalMart for the GE NightHawks and lighting is definitely improved, I was told that the GE's will last longer than the Sylvania's and they are about $12.00 cheaper.

__________________
'05 Ford Escape 100,000 miles
'87 560SL 92000 miles
'89 300TE 199,000 miles
'02 Audi TT 100,000 miles
'00 Ford Excursion V-10 121000 miles
'92 Mercury Capri 100000 miles
'02 BMW 325XI 60000 miles
'92 230CE 160000
'87 BMW 535SI 160,000 miles
'93 Rinker Captiva 209
5 Kids
2 Dogs
1 Wife

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/ is very informative.

Somewhere in there is a statement that Euro Silverstars are made better than US Silverstars.

I have a set of US Silverstars in our minivan and it makes a world of difference. Silverstars in the US headlights in my 87 SDL did very little vs cheapo H4 bulbs in Euro headlights in the same car made a world of difference. My conclusion is that the [cr@p] US headlights have a poor reflector/lens design that doesn't focus the light where you need it.

Upgrade bulbs will net you whiter light and a little more of it but you're only $250 away from undeniably better and contrary to what DOT might say safer lighting.

Sixto
93 300SD
... uh oh, I posted a link in response to a question

Silverstars really helped us on our CE... (49 year old eyes)

My son has the Euros on his E. I should have switched and given him the stock lights.

I will get a set of Euros within the next year or so from Katmac.

They do make a difference... but actually there is more of a dramatic difference in my opinion between regular light bulbs and the Silverstars. I couldn't see with the stock bulbs.

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


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