Upgrading light bulbs.

Devastator187 · 11-06-2009, 09:55 PM

for a 1999 E320 (w210).

If I wanted to get the britghtest bulbs replacement possible for my car without compromising anything else (melting plastic parts, wires, blowing fuses or breaking laws) ... what would you recommend?

1/ How many bulbs total would I need for both the low and high beam on this car?
2/ Also, do you think it is worth to upgrade the bulbs for the front markers as well?

3/ Please provide all the "stock" bulbs lumens and wattage output versus the the "new" ones that you would recommend.... if possible.... so that I can have a visual of how much brighter the new bulbs would be.

Thanks so much...

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RichardM98 · 11-07-2009, 12:09 AM

A source that's often mentioned out here for that is Daniel Stern Lighting. I don't have the link but I'm sure you know how to google.

raymond g- · 11-07-2009, 01:30 AM

If I wanted to get the britghtest bulbs replacement possible for my car
without compromising anything else (melting plastic parts, wires, blowing
fuses or breaking laws) ... what would you recommend?

1/ How many bulbs total would I need for both the low and high beam on this car?
you will need four (4) H7 bulbs. 2 for low and 2 for high

2/ Also, do you think it is worth to upgrade the bulbs for the front markers as well?
if you're looking for brightness you're not going to find much difference
through simple bulb swap outs. you're more likely to find that you're having
to go with LED bulbs....along with the challenge and gamble of trying to
ensure that such a modification doesn't trigger the BULB MALFUNCTION
error light

3/ Please provide all the "stock" bulbs lumens and wattage
output versus the the "new" ones that you would recommend.... if
possible.... so that I can have a visual of how much brighter the new bulbs
would be.
stock bulbs for H7 halogen are 55 watts low and 60 watts high. most lumen
measures are going to be in their same ballpark. unfortunately, anything
of higher wattage of filament design are technically illegal, as most states
and/or US DOT specify 55/60 as the limits. it's not difficult to find bulbs
with 80/100 watt ratings. you may be pushing the limits of the factory
wiring; heat build up may result. best to build a wiring subharness and
to fuse each side if you have the slightest concern. arguably, you may
be able to satisfy your need, inexpensively, by going with premium halogen
filament bulbs, which use different temperature/color.....and have the
appearance of being brighter

to get around this would be to step up to new technology and embrace HID
headlight design. retrofitting this into your 99 model is, again, technically
not DOT compliant, ie illegal. having said all this, HID retrofit using OEM
HID projector from an E55 was the option I chose.

BigBoss · 11-07-2009, 02:31 AM

I have a question. I was told by a parts guy at a BMW/Benz dealership that I can just buy xenon bulbs and ballasts from an auto parts store and just plug in and it should work? Is this true?

Would the lights look fake or not be safe? How would the quality be?

ohlord · 11-07-2009, 08:18 AM

does not know sh*t from shineola.

65 watt H7 from www.danielsternlighting.com or like Ray pointed out build 800 buck depo conversions.Search for info it has been beaten like a nag on the way to the glue pot.

Don't install 80-100 watt H7 unless you like the smell o fryin wires.

mistertonyn · 11-07-2009, 12:21 PM

So basically the recommended "new" H7 bulbs are only about 5 watts increase...any higher would be unsafe.

LED is a nice option but like you mentioned...headaches with possible bulb malfunction warnings.

Also I read on Danielstern website on how you can rewire the front marker lights to blink along with the original blinker.
Sounds kinda cool...has anyone done this? and how difficult to do?

ohlord · 11-07-2009, 01:52 PM

are 50 watts rally H7's are 65watt H9 burners on H7 bases.15 more watts and don't trip mals or bother wires.
Done the side blinkers so have other members.
Stern carries brighter side marker bulbs as well.
One of our members had a set of custom built over a $grand audi projectors in depo buckets for sale you might see if he sold them and make a deal.

11-07-2009, 01:30 AM	#3
raymond g- MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 3,527 Drives: 99e320, 00e320, YSR-50, Kymco150, ZRX1200R	If I wanted to get the britghtest bulbs replacement possible for my car without compromising anything else (melting plastic parts, wires, blowing fuses or breaking laws) ... what would you recommend? 1/ How many bulbs total would I need for both the low and high beam on this car? you will need four (4) H7 bulbs. 2 for low and 2 for high 2/ Also, do you think it is worth to upgrade the bulbs for the front markers as well? if you're looking for brightness you're not going to find much difference through simple bulb swap outs. you're more likely to find that you're having to go with LED bulbs....along with the challenge and gamble of trying to ensure that such a modification doesn't trigger the BULB MALFUNCTION error light 3/ Please provide all the "stock" bulbs lumens and wattage output versus the the "new" ones that you would recommend.... if possible.... so that I can have a visual of how much brighter the new bulbs would be. stock bulbs for H7 halogen are 55 watts low and 60 watts high. most lumen measures are going to be in their same ballpark. unfortunately, anything of higher wattage of filament design are technically illegal, as most states and/or US DOT specify 55/60 as the limits. it's not difficult to find bulbs with 80/100 watt ratings. you may be pushing the limits of the factory wiring; heat build up may result. best to build a wiring subharness and to fuse each side if you have the slightest concern. arguably, you may be able to satisfy your need, inexpensively, by going with premium halogen filament bulbs, which use different temperature/color.....and have the appearance of being brighter to get around this would be to step up to new technology and embrace HID headlight design. retrofitting this into your 99 model is, again, technically not DOT compliant, ie illegal. having said all this, HID retrofit using OEM HID projector from an E55 was the option I chose. __________________ raymond- 47º34'N 122º18'W Last edited by raymond g-; 11-07-2009 at 01:32 AM.

11-07-2009, 08:18 AM	#5
ohlord MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,434 Drives: E55 powered E320 Wagon,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross,94subaru, 2000 E320 wagon.	Parts guy does not know sht from shineola. 65 watt H7 from www.danielsternlighting.com or like Ray pointed out build 800 buck depo conversions.Search for info it has been beaten like a nag on the way to the glue pot. Don't install 80-100 watt H7 unless you like the smell o fryin wires. __________________ "whatever you say, you speak into existence" ohlord Cognomen* is in homage to the late great Janis Joplin "Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz" W210 Wagons,a few MG's,assorted others and a partridge in a pear tree. pm me if you need me

11-07-2009, 12:21 PM	#6
mistertonyn Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NOR CAL Posts: 173 Drives: 1999 E320 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (previous toy)	Thanks Raymond for the clarification. So basically the recommended "new" H7 bulbs are only about 5 watts increase...any higher would be unsafe. LED is a nice option but like you mentioned...headaches with possible bulb malfunction warnings. Also I read on Danielstern website on how you can rewire the front marker lights to blink along with the original blinker. Sounds kinda cool...has anyone done this? and how difficult to do? __________________

11-07-2009, 01:52 PM	#7
ohlord MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,434 Drives: E55 powered E320 Wagon,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross,94subaru, 2000 E320 wagon.	H7 are 50 watts rally H7's are 65watt H9 burners on H7 bases.15 more watts and don't trip mals or bother wires. Done the side blinkers so have other members. Stern carries brighter side marker bulbs as well. One of our members had a set of custom built over a $grand audi projectors in depo buckets for sale you might see if he sold them and make a deal. __________________ "whatever you say, you speak into existence" ohlord Cognomen is in homage to the late great Janis Joplin "Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz" W210 Wagons,a few MG's,assorted others and a partridge in a pear tree. pm me if you need me

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11-07-2009, 12:09 AM	#2
RichardM98 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 212 Drives: 98 Silver E320 Wagon	A source that's often mentioned out here for that is Daniel Stern Lighting. I don't have the link but I'm sure you know how to google.

11-07-2009, 02:31 AM	#4
BigBoss Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 52 Drives: 2002 Mercedes Benz E320	I have a question. I was told by a parts guy at a BMW/Benz dealership that I can just buy xenon bulbs and ballasts from an auto parts store and just plug in and it should work? Is this true? Would the lights look fake or not be safe? How would the quality be?

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