W126 Hella 72206 H4 Headlight swap...
 

While looking for other parts, I found a set of 72206 Hella headlights with the removable (not sealed) H4 bulb. It looked darn close to the '84 W126. I went home, took the chrome bezel and the OE headlight off my 300SD and headed back to the parts store. Sure enough, it is a perfect fit.

Here is the best illustration I could find of the kit:

http://www.imajeep.com/headlamp/headlmps.htm

Anyone tried this swap? These lights were on the "blowout" table but they were not priced and the manager was out till Monday so I have not picked them up yet. If the price is right, I'll swap one and try to take some pictures. It's not like I NEED new headlights, but the OE kinda are lame in their ability compared to the PIAAs in my Nissan, and of course my other benz.

:confused:

Should be a bolt-on deal. I don't think you have have to modify the connector to fit an H4 bulb. Do the housings have provisions for city lights? Is there another pair you can get for me? I can get a couple of members to vouch that I'll pay for them.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

lights
 

the connectors on the back of the H4 hella bulbs are the same configuration as the sealed unit - believe it or not, they were special ordered for a Nissan (Nismo - Nissan Motorsport part actually).

Sorry - there were only the two. The bracket was a perfect fit so I can't see any install issues. I'm just wondering how hard it will be to find the H4 bulbs - I wonder if PIAA makes some white ones...

oh the money pit that is my 300SD:p

finally installed them - take a look
 

So this is not very scientific.... and my digital camera is what it is...

The stock is on the left - hella H4 on the right. From this angle not much of a difference

but here it is better
 

here you can start to see the difference - hella left , stock right

then I tried the PIAA bulb vs stock...
 

PIAA H4 bulb in the Hella on the right - stock on the left. Notice the blue hue????

Did you notice the color change to white / blue
 

I didn't like the PIAA bulb - looked to "ricey?" for a 20 year old car. I know the pic above it looked pretty cool and white - but it has a lot more blue than the camera shows. Here is the blue PIAA on the left - stock sealed Sylvania bulb on the right

Any finally - just using the H4 bulbs that came in the Hella kit
 

Of course you can get PIAA super whites, which I have in my Nissan. They don't look blue at all.... maybe that is an option. Anyway. The H4 bulbs that came in the Hella kit just look more appropriate IMHO.

Looks great! Nice improvement!:D :cool:

one more view
 

On the road they were a tremendous upgrade. I can see a lot more going on the periphery (sp?). They look a ton less "dull" than the sealed sylvanias.

Here is a better look? At stock vs Hella
 

stock on the left - Hella with regular H4 bulb right - now I think you can see the difference better

luv 'em
 

I have converted 3 cars (2 M-B's and a BMW, all round headlamps) to the Hella's and love the improvement in looks and especially performance. Absolutely worth the money. I never got around to it on my 81 300SD, but yours look awesome on the 126 body. Only full euro spec would look cooler!

-JAS

H4 Bulbs are very easy to find.
www.rallylights.com
This place just sent me my H4 Conversions and whatnot and I am VERY happy with their products and whatnot. Very nice site too.

Love the conversion..hope it treats you well :)

Looks like it would be blinding to oncoming traffic, no?

not at all
 

I've done a lot more fiddling with the adjustments on the lights since those pictures were taken. Next to a "new" car (without xenon), the lights look very normal in terms of brightness. Put it next to a car with xenons and the xenons are vastly better.

Still MUCH better than the original lamps.