StephenK

In my 1996 SL320, I was curious about changing the headlights to something brighter. I really like the Xenon lamps in my S500 and SL600.

Has anyone changed theirs out???

dafi129

You could change to Xenons,but it is a costly job..budget for $1500 and a good electrician..
Alternatively,you could change the bulbs to halogen high power ones at a fraction of the cost.
I changed mine on the SL to Blue halogen 100W bulbs and the night view is amazing,,,It's like daylight...cost $20....choice is yours...

b4mmy

Hi Dafi
I'm gonna get some of these at the weekend. Do Halfords sell em?

kerrypacker

I really need to know if these 100 watt bulbs will eventually create electrical problems (burnt harness) etc.I have researched many posts. Some posts report problems, other people seem not to experience these issues. For obvious reasons, my local MB dealer does not recomend, however the tuning shop says no problem. So here I am with a pair of Phillips 500 and unable to make an informed decision.
What's the final analysis on this guys? Should I install them or just live with my old yellow lights?

justinwrock

I think that you will eventually run into problems with melting wires, melting houseings, or fire by just "bumping" up the wattage of the bulbs. Remeber, these cars are rated for something like 60 watt bulbs, and by throwing a 100 watt bulb into the system, you are drawing more power than what it as built and designed for. I think your best bet is to go with the safe and sane good quality halegon with the correct wattage for your car. When you have the time and money, incest in the nice HID's. It will be well worth it.

dafi129

Chris,yes I do believe Halfords sell them or even Euro car parts..
As for problems,I had mine on for a long time with no problems and no one else I know had any problems...If your wiring is good then fear not and enjoy
daylight at a fraction of the cost of Xenons.

Pigzmickey

"If your wiring is good then fear not and enjoy
daylight at a fraction of the cost of Xenons"

But you can't beat the look of Xenons! Here are my 2 babies.

The black 600 has been AMG modified since I took these pics earlier this year, it now has an AMG bodykit. I'll take some more pics soon...

StephenK

What is involved in switching the standard lights on my old SL320 to the Xenon lights???

SL BRABUS

hey Pigzmickey......you must be driving fast cause you got all kind of leaf on your front bumper........ :p

Pigzmickey

Hi Stephen

All you need is the lights, no extras required. It takes about 30 mins a side to change them, if you do a good job!
Are you in the USA? Because I have another set of Xenons for sale soon...

b4mmy

I fancy a set, but don't you need to change the wiring and fuses and stuff?

BANANA

From What I Hear They Are Just Plug And Play. No Need To Modify Anything.

Pigzmickey

Correct!

Completely "Plug & Play" on both of mine, I fitted them in 30 mins easily...

sl3204me

Replace your OEM bulbs with the Sylvania/Osram Silverstar 45/65W bulbs,9004.They are still the same wattage as the OEM bulbs,just a higher Kelvin output,4000K to be exact.The original OEM bulbs were 3400K.The light is white,not yellow as in the original Halogens.The bulb also puts out a nice beam shaped pattern,much, much better than the original OEM bulbs which scattered light everywhere.You will be very happy with the result.Much more light output,better pattern of light,and white light to boot.No fear of burning wire harnesses,ect because wattage remains the same.Cost for these at Autozone are $35.00 per pair.I have used them now for 3 months in my SL320 and I love the results.You don't have to get zenon headlights unless you want to spend the extra money.

LeaUK

Fascinating, just as I was reviewing which bulbs I 'need' for my xmas pressie you guys are too - don't you just love forums

Firstly Pigzmickey, those headlights are GORGEOUS

OK, so here's my thoughts so far:

1. I wish I could afford the xenons and do it properly - but bulbs first!

2. Don't use higher wattage lamps as not only wiring may suffer or be underrated (although hard to believe) but the higher UV output may damage the headlamp casing?

3. Here's a great site for us UK guys.. www.powerbulbs.co.uk

And a review held by Auto Express:
The 2005 Auto Express Bulb Test
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/pages.php?pageid=15

So, do I go for the Philip's BlueVision at 30% extra light and hopefully achieve a slight blue tinge and NOT green as I had with a previous manufacturer!? Or the Philip's Vision Plus at +50%?

Has anyone tried the Philip's BlueVision and if so are these blue or green?

Cheers
Lea

b4mmy

Hi Lea
Did you check out these? It looks like you can have 50% AND blue light?

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/pro...cat=255&page=1


#16320
H4 12V 55/60W Philips Power 2 Night GT-150 bulbs

Philips have developed this outstanding new Power 2 Night bulb. By taking the plus 50% vision qualities of the Vision Plus bulb and adding a stylish blue tint they have a recipe for success!! This is the first bulb to legally combine the plus 50% vision quality and the ever sought after blue tint.

Philips are well known for producing products of the highest quality. These Power 2 Night bulbs are made from Quartz glass which gives them more durability than a standard bulb. The GT-150 is a must have for anyone wanting the highest quality upgrade bulb.

Philips Power 2 Night GT-150 bulbs are fully e marked and road legal.

LeaUK

Hi Chris

Just as I was warming to the vision plus you scuppered my thought process ;-)

Do you know if the Power 2 Night lamps were reviewed by the Autoexpress test?

Has anyone tried them - are they really blue or more like green - sorry have been bitten before (and have been taken the **** out of by my buddies - don't you hate that!).

Now I'm really tempted. 50% + blue ;-) sounds like the ultimate eh?

Cheers
Lea

LeaUK

OK, you win. Have ordered them already, see what happens. I'll take photos of before and after to help others..

Cheers Chris
Lea

b4mmy

Nice one, I'm gonna do the same in the morning, when I order my King Kong tickets!

LeaUK

Got mine just before Xmas, now they're fitted

I'm (so far) very impressed with the new Phillips lamps - they are truly whiter. Autobulbsdirect also provided a set of 'whiter' complimentary side lights free of charge and even though they look deep blue (see attached, old on the left, new on the right) are beautifully white when illuminated.

To compare, I fitted both H4 headlamp and side lamp to one half of the car and the difference is amazing - the previous Osram's look seriously yellow and I didn't even notice how bad they were. OK, so they're not HID quality but they are significantly whiter and they do what packet says!

Just one last point, even though mine were on the 'boy racer' Xmas list (with the blue tipped quartz glass) the final effect is a splash of blue at certain angles (quite minimal) and a truly white look.


I did try and take a couple of photos to show the comparison but my camera didn't do the difference any justice

On the whole I can thoroughly recommend the Philip's & white side lamp range.


Cheers
Lea

b4mmy

Hi Lea, did you order the Power 2 Night GT? Are they 50% brighter, or just whiter? Cheers mate, hope you had a good xmas

LeaUK

Hi Chris - merry Christmas

Yes I have the GT150s and can only offer a comparison with the car sitting on my drive as due to the snow I haven't bothered venturing out yet. But I can say that these lamps are significantly whiter and as you can see they're not coated in a blue filter to reduce the lower frequency 'red' wavelengths but are clear; therefore by assumption must be brighter too.

As to actually driving and real world performance I'm going to wait for the snow to clear and I'll update then.

Happy New Year

Lea

LeaUK

So now I've been out and about for a couple of days and I comment a little further.

The biggest improvement is by far the reflection from signs and cat's eyes. WOW, I thought it was me until I asked two work colleagues what their impression was after when fitting xenon gas headlamps to their cars and they agreed!

Road signs simply pop out with brilliant colours way ahead of you - far better than my old Osram standard lamps.

I can also see a clear headlamp cut-off beam clearly defined on the road surface. However, I will say that the road surface isn't dazzlingly brighter but maybe I'm asking too much?

Overall, I'm extremely happy with the pure white colour, the blue twinkle and the significantly improved cat's eye/road sign improvement - nice work Phillips

Lea