Hi,

My father has a w210 - a 1996. Bought it with 142k, still like new at 198k, and gives 34-36MPG routinely. Only issue has been some rust and the AC compressor.

Anyway, the headlights are really yellow, and one intermittantly leaks. I am curious if this model had 'euro' lights, glass lenses, or anything else different over there. e are thinking of replacing his lights, as theyve gotten rather low in output, despite polishing, etc. and so if there is a euro 'upgrade' Id love to know about it.

Its a 96, doesnt have xenon lights, and Id like to keep it that way. If these lights are half as good as the ones in my saab, theyll be 95% of xenons at 1/2th the cost...

Any ideas???

Thanks!

JMH

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

I bought a set in near-perfect condition from someone who had just changed to aftermarket HID lamps. I'd recommend that you watch and wait for a similar deal.

Mine weren't in terrible condition, but were pretty well scratched up.

Probably too far gone, but have you tried a plastic polish? You would be suprised how much that might improve things for just a few bucks, but no guarantee.

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raMBow

1999 E300DT Obsydian Black Metallic, Heated Full Leather Parchment options, E2, K2, 136,000+, best 36.5 mpg - GP's 12-04 & 11-12 Zero Stuck
2010 Honda Odyssey - The BrideMobile - best 26.5
(2) 2005 Honday Accord- (1 -Corporate 1 - Personal) - 110,000 4-cyl 30mpg
2000 VW Golf GLS TDI, Upsolute Chip (sold to Brother, now 300+k on it) 48.5 mpg like clock work
1987 Honda CRX HF - Sold 87,000 always over 50 mpg Max 67 mpg

I'm not aware that there are any "Euro" lights for the W210. I believe starting with the '94 model year the E-class had the same headlights here as it did in Europe.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I bought a Permatex plastic polishing kit at Pep Boys which worked pretty well, but it is basically a wet-sanding kit with 3x5 pieces of sandpaper in, IIRC, 100, 150, 200, and 250 grit or maybe something finer to end with. Then, a liquid compound to finish. It work well, but took a while since mine were in pretty bad condition. I also now regularly use Meguier's plastic polish and conditioner to keep them clear and shiny.

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Byron Herrington
'96 E300D 162,000 miles
'97 Toyota Land Cruiser
'92 400E (sold)

do a search; I used Micro-mesh to restore some that were so far gone they looked beyond help. $20.

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RIP "Betsy" (Oo=*=oO)
'96 E 3 2 0 (W 2 1 0) M 1 0 4 (Totalled)
Spaces in sig so as not to screw up the SEARCH; every time someone searches for that MB they don't want my sig!

2004 Audi A8L
'98 VW Passat 1.8T 5M
'87 Alfa Romeo Milano 2.5L 5M
'67 Impala convertible, 327cid