White light bulbs on a new Merc C200?

[matthewr]

Hi all

Does anyone know the best make of bulbs to get to replace the original halogen ones in a 2009 Merc C class? I am looking at legal, white light bulbs to look similar to Xenons?

Also how easy is it to replace the headlight bulbs in this model?

thanks

 

[verytalldave]

Osram Nightbreakers always seem to get good write-ups here.
Legal and a very white light.
OSRAM|Professionals|Automotive Lighting|Products|Headlights|NIGHT BREAKER|index

Easy to change............interchangeable with the standard bulb............
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3668655857603257620&hl=en

HOWEVER..............be sure to not touch the glass bulb with your fingers. This leaves a residue on the surface of the bulb which makes the bulb overheat and shorten its life considerably.

 

[rf065]

Philips X-Treme Power bulbs in mine.

X-treme Power: Maximum performance

Russ

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Nightbreakers have a reputation of fragility.....

 

[GH421]

Are they as good as Xenons?

I want to get some for my W203 but i've seen Xenons for like 250+

Rather use these as a cheaper alternative, however the electric reputation of the w203 means i'll be going through 2-3 bulbs in a year.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Short answer no.

But remember that a Xenon HID kit really should only be used in headlamp units with projector bulls eyes.

 

[verytalldave]

Also, to make things truly "legal" in the UK, to retrofit Xenons you will also need to fit headlamp washers and auto-levelling units (if you dont have them already). Many get round this by putting the normal bulbs back in for the MOT and then putting back the Xenons after. Although this does technically make your car road illegal with its attendant ramifications on insurance.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Good points succinctly made.

 

[verytalldave]

Are they as good as Xenons?

I want to get some for my W203 but i've seen Xenons for like 250+

Rather use these as a cheaper alternative, however the electric reputation of the w203 means i'll be going through 2-3 bulbs in a year.

I have owned my W203 for 2 years and in all that time the only bulbs to have blown have been the rear numberplate bulbs and the tiny little orange coloured one in the bottom of the rear view mirror - the "ambient light" bulb.
All others are original.

 

[Badboysun]

W203 blub replacement.

I have had my W203 five years in this time I've never changed any of my front blubs, but regularly change the rear ones, once I had both brake lights blowned and one of the rear side light, I've come to the conclusion that this is mainly due to slamming the boot cover close with all your might. (tell the wife)

 

[st13phil]

Another vote for the Philips X-Treme Power bulbs which seem to be less fragile than the Osram Nighbreakers. I have X-Treme Power bulbs in both dip and main on my W204 and they're an improvement over standard, but not by as much as some of the advertising puff might suggest.

BTW, the bulbs are a doddle to change on the W204, with plenty of easy access around the back of the headlamp units.