W116.org

Looks aside, which headlights are more efficient? The US or Euro models? I got US models and they're hugely ineffective at lighting the road, especially during rainy nights.

I ask this so I'll know which to buy once I can afford to switch them over.

The halogen headlights as fitted standard for the rest of the world leave sealed beams for dead in performance.

If your really keen, you can install a high intensity discharge lamp retrofit kit within the standard euro headlights. They are very cost effective these days and are light years ahead of halogens again.

Alright. Next time I'm gonna buy myself some Euro headlights. But is there anywhere I can buy them at a cheaper cost, besides ebay?

So far, the only place I can find good quality ones are here:
http://www.adsitco.com/category.asp?CID=1492

You need also make sure you get left hand drive versions of the euro lights too. The glass lenses aim light differently from RHD to LHD. ebay will be your best bet

You can get them from the classic center in Irvine if your car was originally spec'd with them.  I think I paid about $90 each including shipping for new lenses.

And one minute before you click on the costly buy option, take a look at your US sealed beam headlight.

They come in three color temps: 3200, 3400, and 4000K. The latter are much better and to my non-refined taste, very bright.  If satisfied,  you've solved your problem for $20 plus shipping.

The Sylvania halogen model is Silverstar H5006 for the low beam and H5001 for the high.

(besides, US headlights look sooooo much better  )

And euro style headlights headlights will benefit enormously with a new pair of H4 lamps every 3 or 4 years. The filaments sag destroying the pattern.


Sealed beams are more expensive but still go for a reputable manufacturer, or buy over the counter, not nondescript  "ebay" stuff.

koan

Here is an option that blows away the others for quality of light output.  They just don't have the cool factor of the Euro style lenses.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/csr.html

Michael

Based on this, HID conversions are illegal in nearly every country.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

Michael

what a strange site - no matter what computer calculations you use, parabola is the absolute optimal shape to reflect the light.

I'm lead to believe most of the cheap Chinese versions available here are illegal too, but, it doesn't stop the local ricer brigade having them as standard "must have" accessory's

To reflect the light, yes, but the irregular dispersion pattern needs to be compensated for, hence the lens and reflector need to be designed specifically for the dispersion pattern of HID or halogen lamps respectively. Definitely not a simple task. The other thing that needs to be considered is the shield in front of the globe.

Tim

There are  "Bosch" HID conversions offered on ebay for a variety of vehicles of asian origin, they are fakes, Bosch don't make such things.

koan

Yeah, maybe I should just get those updates for the ol' round US headlights. They suit the car better when teamed with the odd bumpers.

IT seems the sales charlatans that wrote that propaganda have achieved their goal in convincing people to stay with sealed beam headlights

Fortunately, we are blessed with euro headlights here, so its of not a concern for us.