finally got rid of wimply stock MB horns and installed Hella 113dB Supertone horns

[bobcat]

Edit: subject line should have said 118db, not 113db.

I don't know if it's just my car or all MBs in the last few years.
The factory-equipped horns are just so "wimpy" and I've been
dying to do something about it.

So, I did some searching and decided on the Hella Supertone
horns. Model# 85115. Made in Germany. 118db, 300Hz & 500Hz.
These things are big... the diameter is almost as big as CDs.
Bought them for $70 at a local auto parts store.

The factory horns are behind the front bumper, one on each side.
I removed the front bumper by unscrewing about 12 or 14 screws
and set the bumper aside on a carpet.

The factory MB horns(also made by Hella) came off easily. Two
connectors and one bolt on each side. I left the factory horn
bracket on and installed the new horns with the included bracket.
This way, I managed to lower the horns so they are directly
the black plastic see-thru cover on the lower side of the bumper.
(on some W202s, the opening is used for brake cooling duct,
which my W202 strangely did not have)

The original MB connector plugs into the new horns easily. Next,
I started up the car and honked. WOW!!! These things are L-O-U-D!!!
Everything sounds okay and I re-installed the front bumper.

The whole install took only 50 minutes. Could have been faster
if it wasn't so darn cold.(15 degrees outside and 55 inside) And
also my bumper was completely covered in salt and sand.

Hella's spec said 118db. However, I tested the sound output with
a Radio Shack decible meter and I got the following results:

121db - 10 feet in front of the car
114db - meter inside the car, pointed at open driver window

Compare those results with the "before" test with the factory MB
horns, which were 103db and 99db.

I don't honk for no reason, only when I absolutely must honk.
(like that idiot who attempted to cut in front of me with only 3
inches between his rear bumper and my front bumper... :mad: )
These Hella horns really make a big difference.

Final note: when buying these horn, make certain the Hella part
model number is 85115. Hella has another set of identical horns
with model number 85315. Those are made by Hella in India and
produce a lower-pitch tone. (not as loud)

http://img176.exs.cx/img176/3420/hllsptnhrnssmall0ea.jpg

[1998K]

Originally posted by bobcat
[b]

http://img176.exs.cx/img176/3420/hllsptnhrnssmall0ea.jpg

did you install also that relay or it's already factory mounted for the factory horns?

Did you changed because the factory ones sound not very good for you?

thanks for your info and photo

Hi:)

[bobcat]

Originally posted by 1998K
did you install also that relay or it's already factory mounted for the factory horns?

Did you changed because the factory ones sound not very good for you?

thanks for your info and photo

Hi:)


I did not use the Hella relay. All I did was swap out the
factory horns with the new Hella horns.

The factory MB horns were not loud. I thought maybe they went
bad. The dealer even replaced the free under warranty, but they
sound exactly the same. Even the horns on my Toyota Prius are
MUCH louder than on '98 W202. (when parked next to each other)

bobcat :)

[Brabus]

Yeah, that's one thing I liked about my w124... super loud horn...

Maybe I need to swap that up in my 202 :p

[J__]

i watned to put in some air horns. i love em hehe. but it looke dlike too much trouble with compressor and stuff. anyone done airhorns?

[bobcat]

Originally posted by J__
i watned to put in some air horns. i love em hehe. but it looke dlike too much trouble with compressor and stuff. anyone done airhorns?


personally, I would not recommend air horns for normal
everyday driving. they are acutally not that complicated
to install. In fact, in W202s without brake cooling ducts,
there's quite a bit of space behind the front bumper.

a friend of mine has the 3-horn Hella airhorn kit. he gets
really nasty stares from people on the street, the drivers
he honks at, and also the cop car sitting in the next lane... :D

[J__]

lol they're so cool though!. pull up on pedestrians then lay on the horn . lol jump start some hearts

[mr. gatsbury]

Originally posted by J__
i watned to put in some air horns. i love em hehe. but it looke dlike too much trouble with compressor and stuff. anyone done airhorns?

I'll let you know when I complete the install. Ive been wanting to do it for quite some time. I really want to startle people that cut me off or people just being stupid drivers. I absolutely do not care about attention from the police, if they are in the lane next to me I would already be getting pulled over for tinted windows :D ...

[hvmercy]

I totally agree! They're loud.

I have them on my other car. (http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=si&img=148153) :cool:

[1998K]

Originally posted by bobcat
I did not use the Hella relay. All I did was swap out the
factory horns with the new Hella horns.

The factory MB horns were not loud. I thought maybe they went
bad. The dealer even replaced the free under warranty, but they
sound exactly the same. Even the horns on my Toyota Prius are
MUCH louder than on '98 W202. (when parked next to each other)

bobcat :)


Ok thanks a lot bobcat for your reply/info.

Hi

Marco:)

[cee28o]

are these legal? i mean would it be too loud for the public and be ticketed.