I drive a '99 SL500 and I am amazed by how poorly the headlighting system performs. I asssume that it is OEM stock (I am not the original owner).

The high beams are like two flashlights which provide pencil beams with a large dark area between them and the low beams need almost as much fill in as well. I use the fog lights to try achieve some semblance of dispersal, but that is not satisfactory as the car easily outruns the lighting system on an otherwise unlit road on a dark night.

Is this normal and a common problem? Is there any fix for this that doesn't involve $1000's?

Thanks in advance for any solutions.

 

I have a 91 300SL and had the same problem. Over time, the old headlight bulbs simply loose efficiency. I replaced with new 'original equipment' from MB. Works well now.

 

1st make sure the headlight bulbs are correctly installed. i see alot of bulbs installed by customers that are not installed correctly. if the bulbs not seated in the housing correctly the light will not correctly shine on the road. also make sure the headlight is correctly aimed.

 

I have a 96SL and feel the same way as you. I see Sylvania blubs advertised as throwing a longer beam. I don't want to adjust the existing lights, I just want a bulb I don't drive over at 45 mph. Hopefully as someone replies to you, they will have an idea for us both. Depending on the cost (no Xenon, non halogen), I might try new bulbs.