Need Advice - Replacement for E220 W124 Headlight

Motoringlover · 12th September 2010, 10:17

Hi Team,

I am starting a new thread, as i was not able to find something similar to my requirement.

Need help, I am currently looking for support on getting better headlamps for a 1996 W124 (E220), the lights are fine, but just need a better lighting in the car, the goal is to improve the night time driving visibility.

Mods : Sorry if this is posted in the wrong segment,

Please advise.

Motoringlover

SirAlec · 15th September 2010, 00:21

Provided your glass and reflector are in tip-top shape, change to a higher wattage bulb.

I don't think HID is effective in Non-Clear glass lamp. Say what gurus?

GTO · 15th September 2010, 22:18

+1 to Sir Alec. If you're running the reflectors & headlamp glass that came with the car, it's way too old. Replace & while at it, get yourself better bulbs.

nitrous · 15th September 2010, 22:31

Replace with OE headlight assemblies. Not Chinese replicas.

53BHP · 15th September 2010, 22:52

There seems to be no easy solution here. i have been trying to get steiger to upgrade my lights last two years since i started my weekly trip to pune. my returns have been invariably at night and at 130 to 140kmph, the w124 is way ahead of its lights (or beam, if you get what i am saying)

Steiger says its not easy to do. There are some electrical limitations prior to the reflector and light. getting new units might help a bit

What we have finally decided to do is get PIAA pencil beams and fit them extra. got the idea while looking for fogs for the Jeep. They should cost you 180usd on ebay plus shipping and customs. Will be still cheaper than getting OE replacement lights

msaudf · 15th September 2010, 23:49

have you tried to clean the existing headlamps? they should be glass so brightening the glass and the metal reflector is a doable DIY. or if you feel like you want a trained person to do the disassembling and assembling its not a bad idea.
i faced a similar problem in my 124 and my problem was solved by cleaning the unit and upgrading the bulbs and adding an extra relay.

Motoringlover · 17th September 2010, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

Replace with OE headlight assemblies. Not Chinese replicas.

@ Nitrous We were thinking OE, but my fil feels he has always felt the need for better lighting in the car, it could very well be his age factor now.

Motoringlover · 17th September 2010, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by 53BHP

There seems to be no easy solution here. i have been trying to get steiger to upgrade my lights last two years since i started my weekly trip to pune. my returns have been invariably at night and at 130 to 140kmph, the w124 is way ahead of its lights (or beam, if you get what i am saying)

Steiger says its not easy to do. There are some electrical limitations prior to the reflector and light. getting new units might help a bit

What we have finally decided to do is get PIAA pencil beams and fit them extra. got the idea while looking for fogs for the Jeep. They should cost you 180usd on ebay plus shipping and customs. Will be still cheaper than getting OE replacement lights

@53 bhp - thanks for the advice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by msaudf

have you tried to clean the existing headlamps? they should be glass so brightening the glass and the metal reflector is a doable DIY. or if you feel like you want a trained person to do the disassembling and assembling its not a bad idea.
i faced a similar problem in my 124 and my problem was solved by cleaning the unit and upgrading the bulbs and adding an extra relay.

@msauf - Already tried, i guess its eithers the replacement (standard) or upgrade if possible .

Motoringlover · 17th September 2010, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirAlec

Provided your glass and reflector are in tip-top shape, change to a higher wattage bulb.

I don't think HID is effective in Non-Clear glass lamp. Say what gurus?

Thanks siralec, any advice on the brand recommended ?

msaudf · 17th September 2010, 20:11

these would look cool.

vikramvicky1984 · 21st August 2012, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by 53BHP

What we have finally decided to do is get PIAA pencil beams and fit them extra. got the idea while looking for fogs for the Jeep. They should cost you 180usd on ebay plus shipping and customs. Will be still cheaper than getting OE replacement lights

Dear 53BHP,

Can you share a picture of the same. How effective have these been?
Can you let me know a reliable place to get this done.

TIA

53BHP · 18th October 2012, 18:57

VikramVicky,

I have not yet installed these. Just involved in too many projects at the moment.

Here is the Piaa link though:

http://www.piaalights.com/details.ph...XTREME%20WHITE

Its around 150 to 200 dollars overseas

Go for the driving lights with the narrow beams

Best

R

12th September 2010, 10:17	#1
Motoringlover BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 424 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	Need Advice - Replacement for E220 W124 Headlight Hi Team, I am starting a new thread, as i was not able to find something similar to my requirement. Need help, I am currently looking for support on getting better headlamps for a 1996 W124 (E220), the lights are fine, but just need a better lighting in the car, the goal is to improve the night time driving visibility. Mods : Sorry if this is posted in the wrong segment, Please advise. Motoringlover
	() Thanks

15th September 2010, 00:21	#2
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 726 Times	Provided your glass and reflector are in tip-top shape, change to a higher wattage bulb. I don't think HID is effective in Non-Clear glass lamp. Say what gurus?
	() Thanks

15th September 2010, 22:18	#3
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,501 Thanked: 300,604 Times View My Garage	+1 to Sir Alec. If you're running the reflectors & headlamp glass that came with the car, it's way too old. Replace & while at it, get yourself better bulbs.
	() Thanks

15th September 2010, 22:31	#4
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Replace with OE headlight assemblies. Not Chinese replicas.
	() Thanks

15th September 2010, 22:52	#5
53BHP BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 399 Thanked: 262 Times	There seems to be no easy solution here. i have been trying to get steiger to upgrade my lights last two years since i started my weekly trip to pune. my returns have been invariably at night and at 130 to 140kmph, the w124 is way ahead of its lights (or beam, if you get what i am saying) Steiger says its not easy to do. There are some electrical limitations prior to the reflector and light. getting new units might help a bit What we have finally decided to do is get PIAA pencil beams and fit them extra. got the idea while looking for fogs for the Jeep. They should cost you 180usd on ebay plus shipping and customs. Will be still cheaper than getting OE replacement lights
	() Thanks

15th September 2010, 23:49	#6
msaudf BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cochin Posts: 269 Thanked: 163 Times	have you tried to clean the existing headlamps? they should be glass so brightening the glass and the metal reflector is a doable DIY. or if you feel like you want a trained person to do the disassembling and assembling its not a bad idea. i faced a similar problem in my 124 and my problem was solved by cleaning the unit and upgrading the bulbs and adding an extra relay.
	() Thanks

17th September 2010, 20:11	#10
msaudf BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cochin Posts: 269 Thanked: 163 Times	these would look cool.
	() Thanks

18th October 2012, 18:57	#12
53BHP BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 399 Thanked: 262 Times	Re: Need Advice - Replacement for E220 W124 Headlight VikramVicky, I have not yet installed these. Just involved in too many projects at the moment. Here is the Piaa link though: http://www.piaalights.com/details.ph...XTREME%20WHITE Its around 150 to 200 dollars overseas Go for the driving lights with the narrow beams Best R
	(1) Thanks