[xhawk101]

I know there is a thread about installing new higher intesity headlights (not the xenon ones but the ones you can get at walmart) but i cant find it. Seems hard to search for in the new website.

Could someone remind me what to pick up at walmart etc. to improve my headlights please?

Thanks!

Steve

 

[etyu]

I know there is a thread about installing new higher intesity headlights (not the xenon ones but the ones you can get at walmart) but i cant find it. Seems hard to search for in the new website.

Could someone remind me what to pick up at walmart etc. to improve my headlights please?

Thanks!

Steve

I know that stores like Pep Boys, AutoZone and Kragen sell H7 halogen headlamps that have a bluish tint to it but has the same brightness and is street legal. I did this to my 1998 E320 before selling it but then it was easy to change the bulb. The high beam headlamps use the same H7 halogen bulb.

On the R171, there is a diagonal metal frame that seems to be in the way of removing the back plastic mount.

Please post the step by step photos if you are able to do this without bringing the car in to the dealer.

 

[-1-]

I've made the swap. I replaced the stock H7 bulbs with Sylvania SilverStars I purchased from Wal*Mart. I found several pairs on closeout (?) for $30 versus the original $38 per pair. Go ahead and get two pair and replace both the high & low. Both use the H7 bulb. Suposebly, the SilverStars are the best replacement HALOGEN lights. Nothing beats true factory Xenon. Beware of all the "Xenon" bulbs sold on eBay and elsewhere. Also, BEWARE of the high voltage 80-100w bulbs advertised. I found the best way to change the bulbs is to jack each front side, remove the front wheel, remove several bolts under the front fascia, and remove the front section (two pieces) of the front wheel liner. Five or six bolts. Remove the front section of the wheel well liner and you have full, unobstructed, easy access to the headlight assembly. This process can be accomplished in about 20 minutes per side. I have the SilverStars on several of my cars. I had heard they are prone to low life. They last about a year. The SilverStars are great halogen lights. If you have the opportunity to get the factory Bi-Xenons, spend the extra money and get the best.

 

[jbanks15]

Get PIAA for non xenon. H7 4000k. tough to find though. a little higher in price. i paid $98 for 1 pair. I only replaced the low not the high.

http://www.intakeone.com/Light_bulbs/PIAAxtremeWhitePlus.html

 

[broadiea]

Jbanks...I'm also interested in replacing the factory light. My last car had Xenons and I sure noticed the difference straight away. Do these lights put out a blue/white light when looking at the front of the car? Also, did you notice a huge difference in brightness?

Thanks.

P.S. I sent you a private message in ref to Valrico. I'm curious if you are the guy I used to see all the time.

Tony

 

[jbanks15]

Yes, tony. that is me. sent you pm also. the turn signal, front and rear are now blue. the piaa headlights are blue tipped but do not show blue like xenon. the halogen piaa are 4000 k so they are a little brighter than normal oem which i think are 3500.
was going to upload but pics too large. pm me your email address and will send to you.

 

[broadiea]

Yes, tony. that is me. sent you pm also. the turn signal, front and rear are now blue. the piaa headlights are blue tipped but do not show blue like xenon. the halogen piaa are 4000 k so they are a little brighter than normal oem which i think are 3500.
was going to upload but pics too large. pm me your email address and will send to you.

I was thinking about purchasing the conversion kit from http://www.xtralights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=14 for $399 (normally $799) but wanted to do a little research first. They seem like an easy upgrade.

Really appreciate it