The Mercedes-Benz 300SE uses high beam and low beam headlight bulbs in 9003 and 9004 sizes. The replacement chart covers 1988 to 1993 model years with corresponding bulb size specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SE used two distinct bulb types across its model years: the 9004 for 1988-1991 and the 9003 for 1992-1993, with both types serving as dual-purpose bulbs handling high and low beam functions within a single unit.
Both the 9003 and 9004 are dual-filament halogen bulbs operating on a 12-volt system, meaning each contains two separate filaments within one housing, one dedicated to high beam output and one to low beam output.
The 9003 bulb carries a wattage rating of 60W for high beam and 55W for low beam, while the 9004 is rated at 65W for high beam and 45W for low beam, reflecting a different balance between the two filaments.
The 9003 uses a P43t base and the 9004 uses a P29t base, which are physically incompatible connector types, meaning the two bulb types are not interchangeable despite both being dual-filament halogen units of the same voltage class.
Both bulb types are defined under ANSI standards applicable in the United States and Canada, classifying them as standardized North American automotive lighting specifications.
The high beam and low beam positions on the 300SE share the same bulb specification for each given model year, so a single bulb type covers both functions per headlight assembly rather than requiring separate bulbs for each beam mode.