2007 320 CLK main beam upgrades ??

[Reginald]

Hi Guys

Been doing a bit of night driving recently ( no surprise ! ) and have noticed the main beam is yellow compared to the dipped beam ...would this mean it has upgraded dipped beam bulbs and not the main beam ?..the lenses seem quite clear..happy to upgrade with new main beam bulbs ?..ideas

Thanks

 

[Wighty]

Osram Nightbreakers

 

[Gazwould]

Probably HID in dipped and Van Helsing coach candles as main ?

Night Breakers won't cut it as a William Kelvin match as a warm white 3700K .

 

[sonic]

Hi Guys

Been doing a bit of night driving recently ( no surprise ! ) and have noticed the main beam is yellow compared to the dipped beam ...would this mean it has upgraded dipped beam bulbs and not the main beam ?..the lenses seem quite clear..happy to upgrade with new main beam bulbs ?..ideas

Thanks

Have got xenon headlights, I had them on my W209? If so they also loose their brightness over time, but can be replaced.

 

[Reginald]

ok thanks ...odd its the dipped that work well ...and the mains are yellow !!

 

[Gazwould]

How would you relate the colour temperatures ?

 

[Wighty]

My W209 CLK (2009) is normal bulbs , changing them to either the Phillips or Osram a couple of years ago made a big difference

 

[Reginald]

2500 on main....

 

[Gazwould]

That is extremely yellow as new stock halogen are around 3200 K .

And what would you say the whiter dipped are ?

 

[Reginald]

on HPI spec check it doesn't say it has Xenons so assume they are standard...so best upgrade the main beam ones

Is LED an option ?

 

[V6Matty]

Looking at the picture in your profile you have standard halogen lamps, so only fit H7 bulbs to your lights, anything else is illegal. As has been said Osram Nightbreakers are excellent output

 

[Wighty]

on HPI spec check it doesn't say it has Xenons so assume they are standard...so best upgrade the main beam ones

Is LED an option ?

Still easiest just to fit Osram or the updated Phillips bulbs

 

[AndySlade]

Another vote for the Osram Night breakers

 

[Reginald]

OK thanks guys... will go for the Osrams any idea what model / part number I need for the main beams ?

 

[LostKiwi]

Is LED an option ?

If it doesn't have factory LEDs then they are not an option (unless you change the entire headlight unit for LED ones). The drop in H7 kits are illegal. Ditto HiD conversion kits.

 

[LostKiwi]

OK thanks guys... will go for the Osrams any idea what model / part number I need for the main beams ?

If you look in the owners manual it will tell you the correct bulb type for your car. I'd imagine it's probably H7 so just find some Osram Nightbreakers in the H{whatever fitment} and they will just plug straight in.

 

[Reginald]

Hi lost kiwi are the ones you suggested illegal ?

 

[Gazwould]

He's very illegal !!



Here's some legal bulbs Kelvin examples I've personal experience of .

Stock H7 halogen .





Ring Xenon +130% H7 halogen , they are all around 3700K .



Ultra 5000K H7

 

[Chrishazle]

I do wish people would stick to what is legal for their headlight units rather than trying to blind everyone driving towards them so they can see the road. Both wife and I are no longer happy driving at night on non dual carriageway or motorway roads as so many headlights are painfully bright (and worse when you flash and they also flash!!), even worse are chelsea tractors behind you when close even when not quite tailgating, as they hit your wing mirrors as well as your rear view mirror.

I have long ago changed the poor original fit halogens in my S203 and 968 cab, now the S204, to Osram Nightbreakers (not sure what's in the SLK as getting at the bulbs is a PITA). I've never been flashed when on dip, and am happy with the vision ahead in the dark. Currently have NB Unlimiteds in dip (on full time) and Lasers (originals) in main, they're fine and give more than enough light for civilised driving.

 

[LostKiwi]

Hi lost kiwi are the ones you suggested illegal ?

I don't like illegal lights... I'd never recommend them.

I don't get fixated on colour temperature.
The human eye is optimised for 3700- 4200K so brighter whites actually give no benefit in lighting the road and simply generate more light in the blue spectrum (which creates dazzle).

This subject comes up all the time and as far as I'm concerned anyone fitting illegal lights should have their vehicle impounded until it's rectified. Same goes for DPFs and any other defeat on emission controls.