Euro Headlights - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dagObx · #1 12-22-2008, 05:48 PM

I'm looking to switch my DOT headlights on my 1987 300D to euro. I found this set & was wondering if anyone had an opinion on them. Price is $225 for the pair.

Also, what additional parts are needed to make this as plug-and-play as possible? I ain't too handy in this department.

Thanks for your help!

PanzerSD · #2 12-22-2008, 05:53 PM

The total light output and pattern from the Euro lamps is VASTLY superior to DOT standard lamps.

Wiring may be required for the marker light/city light connections to stay legal.

babymog · #3 12-22-2008, 06:17 PM

Those look pretty much like plastic crap to me. Probably a pain to mount, won't aim correctly, and light output is not well controlled. I'd look for DOT approval on those lenses, I don't see it in the photo so probably not (illegal for road use then). This is a clear indication IMO that they are Menard's desk-lamp quality and should never be on an automobile.

In addition, I priced new Euro headlamps for my '94 last week, they were about $225/each for new Bosch Euro. I can't see paying half that for flashlight-grade lamps.

Ken300D · #4 12-22-2008, 06:54 PM

Did the Bosch Euro lights have DOT on the lens?

Ken300D

lkchris · #5 12-22-2008, 07:26 PM

The lights pictured are not "Euro" in the sense Mercedes ever installed them on a W124.

They are simply aftermarket lights "designed" to simulate later E-class styling. Popular in the 3rd world, I imagine. Little liklihood much lighting engineering content.

compu_85 · #6 12-22-2008, 08:47 PM

If you want to go cheap get some Depot or DJ Auto clones of the original Bosch ECE lights. They aren't as good as the OEs, but the quality is probably 80 or 90% of the OEs, and the lighting is so much better then the US spec lights.

Something like this would be money well spent if you didn't want to go for OEs.

-Jason

longshore1 · #7 12-22-2008, 08:53 PM

The Eurolights came on my 95 E300D and with over 350,000 miles of highway driving I have had quite a few smashed by rocks and debris. I always check ebay and got great deals on whole light kits and lenses. they are great lights.

awsrock · #8 12-22-2008, 09:22 PM

I put Depots on my car, and the lighting is much better. After a night in the rain and fog with the stock lights, I couldn't even see the road..and decided that it was time to invest.
Anyway, whatever you decide to do, be sure that the turn signal housings fit properly into the new headlights...otherwise, they'll fly off of your car when you are on the highway..ask me how I know. If you're lucky, it will hang there and make a lot of noise..or if not, you'll see something in your mirror that is orange and wonder if it was yours.

Sometimes the molding on these isn't the best, but with slight modifications everything should fit fine. Not anything a file can't overcome. It doesn't help, at least in my case, when any plastic in your car breaks the moment it is touched, though..lost some clips on the corner lights, probably part of the reason it flew off.

sixto · #9 12-22-2008, 09:44 PM

I'm not familiar with those headlights but most non-DOT headlights require you to transfer wire terminal pins from the 4-pin connector in the factory setup to 6-pin connectors. You can get the 6-pin connector housings from any 80s MB. Check a wrecking yard.

Based on the number of people who ask, there has to be money to be made selling a plug-in 4-to-6-pin adapter but alas I haven't heard of such a beast.

The well respected lighting expert Daniel Stern (www.danielsternlighting.com) commented on the [lack of] quality of replacement headlights. He said most are produced by making molds of OE reflectors and lenses rather than direct engineering. He likens this to selling you glasses made from measurements of your old glasses rather than verifying your prescription through a proper eye exam and cutting lenses to those specs (pun intended

). He cites some study that says replica E-codes do not pass DOT quality tests. Fine, but I have no appreciation for the OE headlights on late 80s US MBs and I have a set of $200 TYCs in my car that watt-for-watt put more light where I need it than the OE headlights they replaced. If I had to do it over, I'd spend a more for a set of Depos as these TYCs while funcitonal and fit well enough are very poorly made and difficult to adjust. I'd say knock-offs are easily worth half of what Hella or Bosch E-codes cost.

Sixto
87 300D

babymog · #10 12-22-2008, 09:50 PM

True, and I apologize for not mentioning that it does not have the E on the lense for European approvals (instead of DOT). Although the posting is still correct, if it doesn't say DOT on the lense, it is not legal for use in the US. Euro lights are not legal, just easier to get away with than I started using them 30years ago, ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken300D

Did the Bosch Euro lights have DOT on the lens?

Ken300D

Bio300TDTdriver · #11 12-22-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

I'm not familiar with those headlights but most non-DOT headlights require you to transfer wire terminal pins from the 4-pin connector in the factory setup to 6-pin connectors. You can get the 6-pin connector housings from any 80s MB. Check a wrecking yard.

Based on the number of people who ask, there has to be money to be made selling a plug-in 4-to-6-pin adapter but alas I haven't heard of such a beast.

The well respected lighting expert Daniel Stern (www.danielsternlighting.com) commented on the [lack of] quality of replacement headlights. He said most are produced by making molds of OE reflectors and lenses rather than direct engineering. He likens this to selling you glasses made from measurements of your old glasses rather than verifying your prescription through a proper eye exam and cutting lenses to those specs (pun intended

). He cites some study that says replica E-codes do not pass DOT quality tests. Fine, but I have no appreciation for the OE headlights on late 80s US MBs and I have a set of $200 TYCs in my car that watt-for-watt put more light where I need it than the OE headlights they replaced. If I had to do it over, I'd spend a more for a set of Depos as these TYCs while funcitonal and fit well enough are very poorly made and difficult to adjust. I'd say knock-offs are easily worth half of what Hella or Bosch E-codes cost.

Sixto
87 300D

Why do you think the Depos are any better than the TYCs? Aren't they both just copies of the originals?

dagObx · #12 12-22-2008, 10:01 PM

I know little or nothing about these headlight issues, that is why I'm asking.

Here is the URL for the vendor of the lights I was curious about: http://www.k2motor.com/lhbw12486ks.html

Tell me what you think.......

dagObx · #13 12-22-2008, 10:10 PM

another from FleaBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/85-93-MERCEDES-W124-EUROPEAN-GLASS-HEADLIGHT-CITY-LIGHT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a543Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q 3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem120341103947QQitemZ120341103947QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ 5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I noticed that these are Depo lights.......

sixto · #14 12-22-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bio300TDTdriver

Why do you think the Depos are any better than the TYCs? Aren't they both just copies of the originals?

From my limited experience, Depos are all around better made than TYC. I saw a third brand which were pretty well made but I can't remember the brand.

Sixto
87 300D

Bio300TDTdriver · #15 12-22-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

From my limited experience, Depos are all around better made than TYC. I saw a third brand which were pretty well made but I can't remember the brand.

Sixto
87 300D

I read the Daniel Stern report when Dave sent it around. Those are some pretty sloppy light patterns. Now I don't know what to buy. My brother has a German friend, so I may start looking on EBay.de again for some used Bosch Euros.