poor lighting on 230 SLK

[rickster]

Hi there
I've recently bought the SLK--fantastic-- but I find the headlights really naff, especially on high beam. I've tried uprated bulbs to no avail.Can any one help???

 

[Shude]

Have you had the headlights aligned? If one is out of alignment then it can seriously affect the light output (obviously).

What are the lenses like? If they're frosted with stone chips then that might diffuse more light than if they were perfect.

 

[rickster]

Hi Shude
I've done the alignment and the lenses are fine --- it seems that there is no beam pattern on high--- just diffused light---wierd!!

 

[R2D2]

silly question but are you sure the bulbs are fitted properly as if they dont seat properly then the beam is rubbish. I know I've done it myself!

 

[Shude]

Is your car a facelift or a pre-facelift SLK? Not sure that it makes a difference but it is possible MB made some changes when the facelift happened. Feedback required from SLK owners!

 

[Ted]

I mhave a facelift slk and I have no problem with the beam pattern - the light output and pattern are better than my w210.

I'd go with R2D2, and check that the bulbs are inserted ok.

 

[BTB 500]

Yup sounds suspiciously like an out of focus beam pattern from wrong or incorrectly fitted bulbs.

 

[pammy]

Feedback required from SLK owners!

MIne is facelift but the 320 and with xenons. I have PIAAs for the side lights wich are brilliant - make a big difference to how it looks and the light, so have no issues with my lights at all and sadly can't add anything here.

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

MIne is facelift but the 320 and with xenons. I have PIAAs for the side lights wich are brilliant - make a big difference to how it looks and the light, so have no issues with my lights at all and sadly can't add anything here.

show off!

 

[pammy]

show off!

If you've got it - as the saying goes

 

[Barryh]

I have PIAAs for the side lights wich are brilliant -

What are Piaa`s and where did you get em.

Barry

 

[pammy]

What are Piaa`s and where did you get em.

Barry

They are a type of bulb which give of different "white" light depending which you get. iirc mine are platinum whites and I got them off of Jimmy from this forum who is a top bloke. Dead easy to fit and look so much better than the pathetic yellow things that are the originals. Much more in keeping with the xenons.

Code H-99 - less than £10 a pair :bannana:

It's a fairly cheap fix too.

this is the piaa website.

hth

 

[Barryh]

looks good.As we only have the candlelit version ,not Xenons I think the platinum for dipped beam would be an improvement.

I have xenons on the E and they are great,especially in the dark wet nights at present.SLK does not do the mileage,but improved lighting always helps

Thanks

Barry

 

[rickster]

Thanks alot for all your advice guys
I am sure the bulbs are in right but I have noticed that there is no shroud (or what ever its called) around the high beam unlike the low beam
Is that right??

 

[Ian B Walker]

They are a type of bulb which give of different "white" light depending which you get. iirc mine are platinum whites and I got them off of Jimmy from this forum who is a top bloke.
this is the piaa website.

hth

Talking of which, where is Jimmy these days?

 

[Dieselman]

Talking of which, where is Jimmy these days?

He's back today.

 

[Dieselman]

Thanks alot for all your advice guys
I am sure the bulbs are in right but I have noticed that there is no shroud (or what ever its called) around the high beam unlike the low beam
Is that right??

Yes. high beam doesn't require a shield to stop dazzleing.