E-class Xenons headlamps.

[Mikeyboy]

Hello, I picked up my '98 E-class 300 turbodiesel today and am very impressed with it.

I have one question though: I have always driven with my dipped headlamps on...even in the middle of Summer.

I want to keep this up as I think it is safer but am not sure about Xenons.

Do Xenons have a certain amount of expected hours and then pop! I'm sure they do just like everything else...including us!

I don't mind replacing Halogen lamps at 5 quid or so but don't want any nasty surprises with the Xenons.

I like to be safe but I am also tight!

Thanks.

Mikeyboy.

 

[Diesel Benz]

Hello, I picked up my '98 E-class 300 turbodiesel today and am very impressed with it.

I have one question though: I have always driven with my dipped headlamps on...even in the middle of Summer.

I want to keep this up as I think it is safer but am not sure about Xenons.

Do Xenons have a certain amount of expected hours and then pop! I'm sure they do just like everything else...including us!

I don't mind replacing Halogen lamps at 5 quid or so but don't want any nasty surprises with the Xenons.

I like to be safe but I am also tight!

Thanks.

Mikeyboy.

I don't know the answer but it is mandatory to drive with lights on at several countries, including my home country. I've never had to replace a Xenon bulb yet but I know they do not last forever.

I would suggest you to continue with this safety habit even if it was not mandatory at your country. I assume the priced difference being small if you compare the xenon bulb life and cost against the multiple halogen bulbs plus the gas consumption from higher energy spent by the halogens (although I don't have factual figures).

I assume the xenons would show failure to some extent gradually, having difficulties to fire up when they die, but really don't have any experience about that.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Thanks for that.

I just found out that if I turn the light switch once instead of twice then the two smaller lamps come on so I will use these.

Mike.

 

[Brian WH]

Thanks for that.

I just found out that if I turn the light switch once instead of twice then the two smaller lamps come on so I will use these.

Mike.

Using side-lights in the daylight is a complete waste of time and effort mate. If you don't want to use your Xenons, which I can understand, then just use your dipped lights in poor light and fog etc, like the majority of us.

 

[television]

MB give the life expectancy of Xenon lamp at 10,000 hours, but the control units can and do sometimes fail. Though expensive at this point in time the price must fall in a few years.

 

[Rory]

I wonder what you're supposed to do if either the lamp of the ballast fails while your out and about - it renders the car unroadworthy with no chance to DIY fix at the roadside.
Would Mobilo turn out and rectify?

 

[Diesel Benz]

I wonder what you're supposed to do if either the lamp of the ballast fails while your out and about - it renders the car unroadworthy with no chance to DIY fix at the roadside.
Would Mobilo turn out and rectify?

You mean both sides would fail simultaneously and completely? Also fog lights would fail, on both sides at the same time as the xenons. High beams would also still work and would help if there was no oncoming traffic. A bit harsh to say the car would not be roadworthy. DIY service would be possible for sure but it could be unlikely that one would keep a spare bulb or ballast at the car.

While so many non-MB cars (that do not seem to have bulb failure indication) seem to be roadworthy for days, I wouldn't see an MB having any issue, even if the driver waited for the first "xenon failure" indication on the cluster. Definitely not if he/she serviced the xenons after the first indications of a failure.

 

[television]

In the case of the SL and many other cars, it near impossible to get to anything, and never by the road side

 

[Rory]

You mean both sides would fail simultaneously and completely? Also fog lights would fail, on both sides at the same time as the xenons. High beams would also still work and would help if there was no oncoming traffic. A bit harsh to say the car would not be roadworthy. DIY service would be possible for sure but it could be unlikely that one would keep a spare bulb or ballast at the car.

I meant just one failure - one bulb or one ballast. It's an offence to use the car with a failed headlight (I know you see a lot of them, though).

 

[jaymanek]

Xenon bulbs are £60-90 to replace... i have replaced lots on cars i have sold!

 

[Diesel Benz]

In the case of the SL and many other cars, it near impossible to get to anything, and never by the road side

OK, not familiar with the SL, but this would mean it would be unlikely someone would want to change the halogen bulb on the road. Then Xenon would be better again, because the bulb would need to be replaced less frequently.

 

[whitenemesis]

On my previous car, 180k miles and had to change only one halogen bulb!

 

[BlackC55]

Using side-lights in the daylight is a complete waste of time and effort mate. If you don't want to use your Xenons, which I can understand, then just use your dipped lights in poor light and fog etc, like the majority of us.

I don't agree.

I nearly always have my lights on in the winter daytime. There is good reason for it too. I have had 8 cars written off because of people ramming me because they did not see me in daylight.

Since my decision to turn on my headlights no-one has hit me or been near.

 

[DieselE]

Just out of interest, when did Xenons first become available on the E Class? I had always thought the W211 was the first so fitted but it looks like I was wrong.

 

[R2e]

I don't agree.

I nearly always have my lights on in the winter daytime. There is good reason for it too. I have had 8 cars written off because of people ramming me because they did not see me in daylight.

Since my decision to turn on my headlights no-one has hit me or been near.

In my biking days I always kept dipped beam on during the day, convinced it was safer. Not too sure if it makes the same difference with a car which is bigger and easier to see. I've never kept my sidelights or headlights on during the day and I've never been rammed.............

But then I've never had a silver Mercedes

 

[R2e]

Just out of interest, when did Xenons first become available on the E Class? I had always thought the W211 was the first so fitted but it looks like I was wrong.

My '98 W210 had them.

 

[Bazzle]

Im a believer in using headlights in the day time, esp with insurance here (oz) saying Black and silver cars get cleaned up 12% more than white etc.
My wifes black W169 is programmed to turn on headlights on startup.
On my SLK I turn on the foglights.

Bazzle

 

[television]

Im a believer in using headlights in the day time, esp with insurance here (oz) saying Black and silver cars get cleaned up 12% more than white etc.
My wifes black W169 is programmed to turn on headlights on startup.
On my SLK I turn on the foglights.

Bazzle

There is an easy mod for every car from around 96 on, that is to fit the relay that is used on North Canada and Swedish cars, this gives you day time running lights

 

[Brian WH]

Im a believer in using headlights in the day time, esp with insurance here (oz) saying Black and silver cars get cleaned up 12% more than white etc.
My wifes black W169 is programmed to turn on headlights on startup.
On my SLK I turn on the foglights.

Bazzle

I agree some cars are easier to see than others bacause of colour. I however do not see the need for headlights in the daylight on any car. The rear lights "cannot" be seen in sunlight anyway.

Using foglights in daylight is Illegal in GB, so we have to watch out for the fuzz, but perhaps not in Oz.

 

[Brian WH]

My '98 W210 had them.

They might have had Xenons, but I think the first car with Bi-Xenons was the W211 and others of that age ie 2003 era.