Score!! Euro Lights!! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

babymog · #16 06-06-2007, 08:17 AM

Not just sealed beams, the US/DOT light output specs are significantly different (inferior) to e-spec light output.

Parrot of Doom · #17 06-06-2007, 11:42 AM

What is a sealed beam?

riethoven · #18 06-06-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parrot of Doom

Being from the UK I don't understand why the US had their own light design. I understand about the bumpers (silly as it seems), but why change the lights?

Sealed beam means that the entire light including lense and reflector is all one unit "sealed" against the elements. The argument was that earlier headlights with replacable bulbs would leak and the reflectors would rust thus diminishing the light output. The real story was that US headlight manufacturers lobbied the feds for years so they could keep the market to themselves. It was really a dumb and antiquated law, that ruined the front end esthetics of many European cars that were designed to have the headlights with different lense shapes on every car model. In the US for many years it was only four small round, two large round then later you could also get two large rectangular or four small rectangular.

Some older European cars like BMW had round headlights anyway so it didn't make a difference in the look of the car, but I am sure you must agree that the W124 and W126 look much better with Euro lights than the ugly plastic US lights.

BioPOWER · #19 06-06-2007, 01:25 PM

Nice upgrade! The Euros do wonders for older Benzes.

Boy, I would love some Bosch xenon units for my W210...but the price, oh, the price! Last time I checked, they were about as much as a whole 300SD!

Maybe I can find some from an E430 or something at the pick-n-pull.

2.5Turbo · #20 06-06-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deerefanatic

US used to have a law (defunct sinc 95) that ALL cars must have SEALED BEAMS in their headlights.......

Dummies anyhow............

I think it was earlier than 95. It looks like the 124's and post '86 126's have them, but they really have lamps in a reflector. Our '90 Volvo 240DL wagon also has a lamp in a reflector, no sealed beam junk there either.

babymog · #21 06-06-2007, 02:15 PM

I believe that Ford got around the sealed-beam law in around '83, whatever year the Lincoln came with its first plastic "flush headlamps" with the 9000-series bulbs.

The sealed beam died, but it's dismal performance lives on in the DOT/FMVSS and the E lights are much much better at light patterns.

Dee8go · #22 06-06-2007, 02:44 PM

Good for you, Matt. They look great.

mistergood · #23 06-06-2007, 08:59 PM

Lights look super nice! Euros really upgrade the look of those SD's a ton. I personally like the look of the round lights on the 123s though. It makes em look classic to me.

deerefanatic · #24 06-06-2007, 09:41 PM

Yah, 123's with roundies look just cute........... Perfect little car for a girl to drive! (Flame suit on!!

)

I LOVE the Euros for the 116's............

DeliveryValve · #25 06-06-2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deerefanatic

Yah, 123's with roundies look just cute........... Perfect little car for a girl to drive! (Flame suit on!!

)..

:

miljohnj5 · #26 06-06-2007, 10:58 PM

Hello everyone, I bought an '85 300D that I'm hoping to make slight tasteful changes to such as keeping the original round lights but upgrading the amber fog lights to clear Bosch's. Does anyone know where I can buy flat lens Bosch lights? I'd love to have the clear 5.75" flat lens to replace the amber fogs but what about replacing the 7" headlights w/ Bosch flat lenses also, is that possible/ feasible or even recommended?