LED replacement bulbs?
- Thread starter Sysman
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2008
- Messages
- 45,610
- Location
- London
- Car
- 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 RWD / 2016 Suzuki Vitara AWD
You can buy LED bulbs with built-in resistors, aka 'Canbus error free', essentially it fools the SAM into thinking that there's an incandescent bulb in place. But obviously it will no longer let you know if a light isn't working (because it won't know). You can pretty much replace any bulb - interior or exterior - with LED, apart from obviously the dipped and main beam (Halogen/HID to LED conversion are illegal in the UK and EU). Forum admin KillerHERTZ used to supply good quality error-free bulbs, might be worth asking him if he still has any.
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2008
- Messages
- 45,610
- Location
- London
- Car
- 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 RWD / 2016 Suzuki Vitara AWD
BTW, if you do want to improve the perfomance of the main or dipped beam, look at Osram NightBreaker or Philips Xtreme. They offer much brighter light (though at the cost of reduction in service life). It's an inexpensive upgrade and it's perfectly legal.
My car had a lot of aftermarket LED bulbs (sidelights, number plate, interior) when I bought it and every single one failed in the first 18 months. Some also got scarily hot in use. Have changed them all back to standard bulbs now. There are probably good ones from recognised manufacturers (Philips, Osram) but they are expensive.
Agree on the Osram Nightbreakers - worthwhile upgrade.
Agree on the Osram Nightbreakers - worthwhile upgrade.
Gazwould
MB Enthusiast
There's led bulbs and led bulbs , I've had mine for years , interior , reversing , sidelights , number plate , only had the one numberplate led fail .
Philips 501 led is uber quality with ceramic body and a light diffuser .
Philips 501 led is uber quality with ceramic body and a light diffuser .
ntaubman
New Member
Coming to this late, but what Osram NightBreaker versions would I need for a 2001 SL 500?
Gazwould
MB Enthusiast
Why would you buy Osram Nightbreakers ?
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2008
- Messages
- 45,610
- Location
- London
- Car
- 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 RWD / 2016 Suzuki Vitara AWD
Does it have 4 x H7 Halogen bulbs?
ntaubman
New Member
I was told that those were solid replacement bulbs.
Id be open to other suggestions though. Currently I am trying to LED bulbs to work w/ a decoder. They are turning on but I am still seeing a check headlight warning on the dash.
Id be open to other suggestions though. Currently I am trying to LED bulbs to work w/ a decoder. They are turning on but I am still seeing a check headlight warning on the dash.
Gazwould
MB Enthusiast
Osram Nightbreakers are third rate bulbs now .
ntaubman
New Member
Good to know. What do you suggest as solid replacement bulbs that will help with brightness ? I want to keep stock system and not upgrade the wiring.
Gazwould
MB Enthusiast
Best car headlight bulbs 2023 | Auto Express
Our annual test has expanded to cover even more cars
www.google.com
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2009
- Messages
- 2,370
- Location
- Land of the Long White Cloud.
- Car
- Sold .. E350 CDI Sport Saloon 265. Mini JCW. Current
Look brilliantBest car headlight bulbs 2023 | Auto Express
Our annual test has expanded to cover even more cars
View attachment 109741View attachment 109742View attachment 109743View attachment 109744
. Out of stock everywhere 
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2008
- Messages
- 45,610
- Location
- London
- Car
- 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 RWD / 2016 Suzuki Vitara AWD
A brighter Halogen bulb is the only practical legal route.
Note that these tests usually compare the brightest bulb available in their respective ranges. However, any incandescent bulb will offer a trade-off between brightness and longevity, so the blighter ones will also have the shortest service life.
I had over the years the original Osram Nightbreaker, the Nightbreaker Plus, and the Nightbreaker Ultimate, and even though life span improved with every new model, it was still significantly shorter than standard bulbs.
I finally went for Osram Nightbreaker Silver, which claim to be a decent compromise between brightness and longevity, and I wasn't disappointed - they are not as bright as the current Nightbreaker Laser series, but they are a significant improvement over the standard bulbs, and they have so far lasted 3 years which is considerably longer than any of the previous Nightbreaker bulbs lasted.
I haven't tried Philips Xtreme, but I would expect similar issues.
Note that these tests usually compare the brightest bulb available in their respective ranges. However, any incandescent bulb will offer a trade-off between brightness and longevity, so the blighter ones will also have the shortest service life.
I had over the years the original Osram Nightbreaker, the Nightbreaker Plus, and the Nightbreaker Ultimate, and even though life span improved with every new model, it was still significantly shorter than standard bulbs.
I finally went for Osram Nightbreaker Silver, which claim to be a decent compromise between brightness and longevity, and I wasn't disappointed - they are not as bright as the current Nightbreaker Laser series, but they are a significant improvement over the standard bulbs, and they have so far lasted 3 years which is considerably longer than any of the previous Nightbreaker bulbs lasted.
I haven't tried Philips Xtreme, but I would expect similar issues.
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2008
- Messages
- 45,610
- Location
- London
- Car
- 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 RWD / 2016 Suzuki Vitara AWD
Look brilliant
Where are you looking?
Both the Philips Xtreme and the Osram Nightbreaker are widely available on eBay and on Amazon.
ntaubman
New Member
Not who you're replying to, but I am trying to figure out which version of the Osram Nightbreaker Silver (that you suggested) for my 2001 SL 500. It's currently halogen (that is what's stock, correct?)
I see H1, H4, H7, H11, etc and I am out of my element here
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2008
- Messages
- 45,610
- Location
- London
- Car
- 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 RWD / 2016 Suzuki Vitara AWD
Your handbook will tell you which type of 'H' bulb your car needs. Most Mercs (if not all) will be using H7 for the headlamps, but again it's worth checking the owners manual to be sure.Not who you're replying to, but I am trying to figure out which version of the Osram Nightbreaker Silver (that you suggested) for my 2001 SL 500. It's currently halogen (that is what's stock, correct?)
I see H1, H4, H7, H11, etc and I am out of my element here
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2008
- Messages
- 45,610
- Location
- London
- Car
- 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 RWD / 2016 Suzuki Vitara AWD
If you don't have the owners manual, you can check here:
www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk
A quick check I just did suggests that the 2001 CL is indeed using 4 x H7 bulbs, but check again using your car's registration.
Mercedes Benz Bulbs. Headlight, brake, tail, indicator and interior.
Mercedes Benz bulbs. All types of bulbs - headlight, tail, brake, indicator and interior with application guides online.
A quick check I just did suggests that the 2001 CL is indeed using 4 x H7 bulbs, but check again using your car's registration.
ntaubman
New Member
In the owners manual it says I need a halogen type 9004 for high and low beam. Im not sure I need four though -- when I checked and replaced it with LED bulbs I only saw one bulb per side.If you don't have the owners manual, you can check here:
Mercedes Benz Bulbs. Headlight, brake, tail, indicator and interior.
Mercedes Benz bulbs. All types of bulbs - headlight, tail, brake, indicator and interior with application guides online.
A quick check I just did suggests that the 2001 CL is indeed using 4 x H7 bulbs, but check again using your car's registration.
What is halogen type 9004?
Users who are viewing this thread
Similar threads
