Has anyone used these, I understand they are new and have vacuum control?

Are they any good?

Thanks.

They would be for my 1992 300d, w124 style.

If you have the money, buy the real things, the cheap TYC and others aren't going to have the light quality as the others...

and were can I buy them? I need them for both cars, a 123 and 124.

Bosch makes the "real" ones. You could call 1-800-741-5252 for quotes.

Bosch and Hella make the "real" Euro lights. Rusty carries the Bosch, and PUMA (www.puma-access.com) carries the Hellas.

TYC, Depo, and another brand I can't think of offhand make copies for less money. If you're on a tight budget, these are OK, not great, but not total junk either. Go with the good stuff if you can afford it.

Whatever option you choose, make sure you get the lights, two 6-pin electrical connector housings, and two each bulbs for H4, H3, and city lights. You do not need to install the vacuum level adjust system, but you can do that later if so desired. It's mostly used to lower the lights when you have a heavy load in the rear seat or trunk. More details here:

W124 Euro lights:
http://drmemory.org/~dakota/MB/projects/EuroLights/Heads/Headlight.html

Level control:
http://drmemory.org/~dakota/MB/projects/EuroLights/Level/Level.html

Depo kwality:
http://drmemory.org/~dakota/MB/projects/EuroLights/Copies/Headlight%20copy.html

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

Thanks guys, big help!

If you have the money, buy the real things, the cheap TYC and others aren't going to have the light quality as the others...
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I just installed a pair of DEPO headlights on my 90, and thet seem to be better than the US lights it had. I got them on E-bay for $250, delivered, including the smoke colored front corner lights, which were made by TYC.

None of these appear to be cheaply made. The guy I bought them from bought them in Germany for a previous car and never bothered to install them, he said.

The corner lights came with a socket and a one-contact amber bulb (1156 rather than 1157 two-contact). I used the previous socket with a two element 1157 Sylvania silversomething bulb which looks bluish silver when it is off and glows amber when it's on.

Bosch sells headlights for around $300 EACH. I can't see how they could be TWICE as good. Bosch made the original US headlights, which after 14 years were opaque and brittle.

I would think that the amount of light would be more a function of the bulbs than the design of the headlights, which are merely holders for the bulbs.

My headlights have three bulbs: a 5W city light over the main bulb, the main headlight bulb and the foglight, which is clear. They seem to put out more light than the old US headlights, especially the foglights, which are not behind an opaque plastic lens.

I suppose that the reflectors on a cheaper light might not be as durable. Time will tell.


Here in Miami, all the highways are lighted, and it's hard to tell the difference. I changed these more to make my car look better than for utility, to tell the truth.

Our MBCA chapter visited the local dealership on a tour. The salesman tapped the headlight and said it was "100% resin, and would not turn cloudy like glass". I felt an urge to contradict him, but being as they provided us with some great sandwiches, I decided not to speak. I mean, what is there to gain by telling a salesman he lies? Every parking lot in the city is full of aging cars with opaque headlights. If people don't pay attention, they probably don't care, either.

The headlights I bought were glass and I like them just fine. I don't think I would like them more if I had paid $600 instead of $300 (counting the bulbs and the connectors).

__________________
Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

Can't vouch for TYC, but I have Depos on my 124 on they're very good value for money. The plastic isn't as good quality as Bosch/Hella but the glass lenses are good quality. They've been on a year with no probs.

Really made a 'night & day' difference to the stock US lights, especially the high-beam. I can't believe how such unsafe lights got on there originally.

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

I recently put the Depo on the SDL and am quite pleased with them. The light output is significantly better than stock. Can the Bosch be even better than these Depo's? I suppose so, but the Depo's were under $200. from www.importvision.com. The Bosch are $600. I've got a whole lot of things better to do with the $400. rather than stick it into headlights.

I think you ought to consider the Depo's rather than the TYC.

Do the Depo lights have vacuum control?

Yes. Although I wouldn't bother with the vacuum setup, that will cost another $100 or so in parts and double the installation time.

Yes, they have a a vacuum pod. I doubt if I'll install this feature, because, like the headlight wipers, I have never felt a minimal need for it before.

I have seen the switching device for these on E-bay for around $20.

__________________
Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

Benzzy,

I am a student, and I really didn't have a whole lot of money to spend on headlights. So I bought the TYC off of Ebay for 275.00 with corner lights. I tell you they are very very good. They have glass lenses and all. I really truly enjoy the light output they give form the H4 bulbs (which tyhe guy included) at night. Moreover, it comes with the small 12v running lights built into the assembly. All it needs is a power sources, like the corner lights which is a fairly easy setup if you so desire to install it. I am truly pleased with the result.....take a look at the difference for yourself!

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Robert Ayala

1985 300SD (W126) 300K miles

I think I'm going to buy the Bosch for the 124 car and the depo for the 123 car. I'm also going to install the vacuum controls in both cars too. My reasoning is, the 124 car is really the road trip car, and we do a lot of driving at night on the highways with it, while the 123 car is more of in the city kids/dog car.

Dave,
I agree the vacuum controls may not be worth it, but I still think it will be fun to install and cool to have.

And to be honest, that's the whole point of doin it for me.

Expect a call Rusty.