SLC Headlights?

[Octayne]

2017 SLC 200 Sports Petrol Automatic: I've been advised these are original bulbs. BUT both full beam and dip are noticeably poor/dim barely lighting up country roads at night. Driving lights LED.

Anyone know if this is common please? Or advise on the BEST white light bulbs if these can be safely replaced? My first Merc just bought a week ago from Large General Dealer (he says he can't help) One lady owner from new barely done 2000 miles full extras full History Checks several sites done by me ok all counts. PX by owner for new BMW from the dealer's BMW branch.

Been searching for a YEAR! Bought fpr less than twenty and to date love it!

 

[Teego]

I'd check alignment.

 

[Octayne]

I'd check alignment.

Hello Teego,
Tested thanks and ok by independent mechanic and he also agrees lighting could be better. He said he has noticed this many times before !? Is it a common problem? He did not think I'd get anywhere with Mercedes Benz as they would say 'they conform to regs' and suggested fit more powerful beam/dips eg. Philips Racing (?) or similar but check suitability before fitting he says will look into it. Given service and he says immaculate car! What if Teego, this is a kind of peculiar anomoly or if it isn't then what to do, can I ask to do something with the car electrics? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Octayne]

Has anyone any advice on this please?

 

[Chrishazle]

It's a common complaint about normal halogen MB headlights, but not sure if your car has normal halogens (your owners manual should tell you, in the "changing a bulb" section). Failing that, use one of the VIN checker sites to get the build sheet for your car, that may tell you what type of headlights you have - if, for instance, LED or HID were optional extras.

If they're standard halogens (?H7) then many reecommendations, including mine, for Osram Nightbreakers, latest version (which I've not tried) are the Laser Next Generation, I have Unlimiteds in dip and Lasers (not next gen) in my S204, far beter than originals, but my Lasers are no better than the Unlimiteds, just more expensive!

Downside of the SLC changing bulbs, assuming access is as poor as on my SLK, the owners manual says you can change them from above. They're lying (access is really bad), the realistic way is remove the front wheel and the front half of the wheel arch liner (or there may be an access hatch in the front of the liner), then you can get at the bulb holders easily. that's why I have yet to change the original bulbs in my SLK, I just very seldom drive it at night!

 

[Deleted member 126251]

I put Osram Nightbreaker Lasers in my wife's B Class & they made a noticable difference.

 

[Smart320]

Sorted out the poor lights in my ML by selling it

 

[Chrishazle]

Sorted out the poor lights in my ML by selling it

Hopefully that's one chelsea tractor no longer crowding our roads!

 

[Smart320]

Hopefully that's one chelsea tractor no longer crowding our roads!

Doubt it was scrapped as it was a 2011 model, however the SLK is a bit smaller but the engine is a bit bigger

 

[Chrishazle]

I see that, I'm jealous. We knew that the only possible replacement for the 968 cab was an SLK due to the size of my garage, but as soon as I mentioned the power output of a 55, "management" went into "not a cat in hell's chance" mode, so I had to look for a V6 petrol rather then a V8 (), hence the SLK280 we now have. Maybe I should have looked for a de-badged 55! Mind you, I'm impressed by the performance of the V6 when the right foot gets heavy - it's as good or better than the IL4 of the 968, but the Porsche wins on roadholding and your confidence when you hit a corner going "too fast" - many times in my 20 years of 968 ownership I've got through corners that made me amazed that a certain part of me could close up that small and quickly!!

 

[Octayne]

It's a common complaint about normal halogen MB headlights, but not sure if your car has normal halogens (your owners manual should tell you, in the "changing a bulb" section). Failing that, use one of the VIN checker sites to get the build sheet for your car, that may tell you what type of headlights you have - if, for instance, LED or HID were optional extras.

If they're standard halogens (?H7) then many reecommendations, including mine, for Osram Nightbreakers, latest version (which I've not tried) are the Laser Next Generation, I have Unlimiteds in dip and Lasers (not next gen) in my S204, far beter than originals, but my Lasers are no better than the Unlimiteds, just more expensive!

Downside of the SLC changing bulbs, assuming access is as poor as on my SLK, the owners manual says you can change them from above. They're lying (access is really bad), the realistic way is remove the front wheel and the front half of the wheel arch liner (or there may be an access hatch in the front of the liner), then you can get at the bulb holders easily. that's why I have yet to change the original bulbs in my SLK, I just very seldom drive it at night!

 

[Octayne]

Yes they are H7's and ... there is a small door under wheel arch. Now all I have to do is search for a very tiny helper! Thanks for the Osram advice, I will make enquiries!

 

[Smart320]

I see that, I'm jealous. We knew that the only possible replacement for the 968 cab was an SLK due to the size of my garage, but as soon as I mentioned the power output of a 55, "management" went into "not a cat in hell's chance" mode, so I had to look for a V6 petrol rather then a V8 (), hence the SLK280 we now have. Maybe I should have looked for a de-badged 55! Mind you, I'm impressed by the performance of the V6 when the right foot gets heavy - it's as good or better than the IL4 of the 968, but the Porsche wins on roadholding and your confidence when you hit a corner going "too fast" - many times in my 20 years of 968 ownership I've got through corners that made me amazed that a certain part of me could close up that small and quickly!!

Amazingly my wife, who had lived in Jersey for 35 years and hates being driven quickly, actually encouraged me to buy the V8, oh and she hates loud exhausts as well . My tactic was to say I needed a boy's toy as the ML was not getting used very much , so went out and bought a 2002 A210 from a forum member. She hated it and said why didn't I buy a comfortable automatic?
We agreed that we were both missing the convertible ( Smartfortwo ) we had had and as I was missing the V8 I had had in my XJR the only option I could afford was an SLK. She loved the interior and the seating of the rather over budget car I found so the deal was done.
Only concession now is that if we are out together I have to give her a verbal warning before I put my foot down in Sport mode after the first time I floored it she actually screamed