Depo lights any good? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

joro · #1 03-25-2009, 01:24 AM

I see the different postings for depo light s for sale on ebay, but im wandering how they may compare to Hella or Bosch.
thanks

H-townbenzoboy · #2 03-25-2009, 01:38 AM

Most folks are satisfied with their Depos, some aren't. I'd just hold out for the real deal Bosch or Hella lights, as they're better quality.

compu_85 · #3 03-25-2009, 01:53 AM

Depot lights can be hit and miss. The euro ones for my jetta are noticeably worse then the OEM Hellas, but for a previous gen Jetta the US spec depots are actually better then the OEM hellas!

You can find the OEM bosch lights easily enough. IMHO it's not worth cheaping out. But you'd probably be happy with the quality if you were changing from worn out US lights.

-Jason

vwbuge · #4 03-25-2009, 06:40 AM

I never had the chance to compare the Bosch to Depo side by side. But I can say I am satisfied with the quality of the Depo lights.

Simpler=Better · #5 03-25-2009, 07:20 AM

The toyotanation.com guys like depos with traditional bulbs; but say they are horrible when convert to HID.

WD8CDH · #6 03-25-2009, 07:56 AM

Which vehicle? I find the Cibie better than Bosch, Hella or Euro on my W123s. But just about anything would be better than standard sealed beams.

awsrock · #7 03-25-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WD8CDH

But just about anything would be better than standard sealed beams.

Exactly!
After a night of rain and fog, with any headlight or combination of the sealed beams, I couldn't see the road at ALL!
I immediately bought some Depos. I'm happy with them..they work fine. The light pattern is a little different than what most cars nowadays have (at least I think so) BUT long range reflective lighting is excellent! Really helps if you are paranoid about deer like I am.

mobetta · #8 03-25-2009, 09:16 AM

My mother bought a volvo 245 w/ new depo branded tailights. they of such poor quality that the plastic housing melted down and I could not remove the failed bulb from it. stock wattage bulbs.

that is my experience with that brand.....

Zerohour3k · #9 03-25-2009, 09:36 AM

My current 300D has euro Hella's (with vacuum adjusters / no vac going to them) that put off a nice beam of light.

If you're looking to go for the US DOT look, I highly reccomend buying a set of Hella Euro 7" rounds, and putting those in place of the sealed beams. They put off just as much light as the "rectangle" euro style lights, and are relatively inexpensive. If you're going for the rectangles, I've heard mixed reviews about Depo lights. Some people love them, some hate them. If I had to take a guess, I'd say they're probably alright if you use "stock" lightbulbs, instead of trying to throw HID's or 80/100's in there.

TheDon · #10 03-25-2009, 09:47 AM

I like my depo's on the 300D

pawoSD · #11 03-25-2009, 09:49 AM

I am using "Autopal" glass H4 drop in replacements for a W126 and they work quite well, a whole lot better than sealed beams! Still nothing compared to true euro lights though.

babymog · #12 03-25-2009, 09:59 AM

What year and model??!!

The answer varies greatly depending on whether you have round sealed-beam types or ??

I believe that "there ain't nothing like the real thing baby", only buy Bosch and Hella OE lights. However, most anything has to be better than the OE US-Spec lights on the '80s and early '90s models.

UriahT · #13 03-25-2009, 10:02 AM

I don't know why anyone would go with Depo lights, when you can pick up a great condition set of Bosch euros for about the same price.

I bought my pair of Bosch euros for around 125, including shipping. That's a deal, but you can regularly find them for under 200/pair. Much better bet than having to worry about shoddy connections, cheap plastic, etc.

Going with Euros, besides the obvious light difference, will save money in the long term, as a H4 bulb is a lot cheaper to replace than a sealed beam. And let's not even mention how often the plastic surrounds on US-spec lights crack and chip.

TheDon · #14 03-25-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UriahT

I don't know why anyone would go with Depo lights, when you can pick up a great condition set of Bosch euros for about the same price.

I bought my pair of Bosch euros for around 125, including shipping. That's a deal, but you can regularly find them for under 200/pair. Much better bet than having to worry about shoddy connections, cheap plastic, etc.

Going with Euros, besides the obvious light difference, will save money in the long term, as a H4 bulb is a lot cheaper to replace than a sealed beam. And let's not even mention how often the plastic surrounds on US-spec lights crack and chip.

if you're lucky you can do so. but to get a pair of euros in NIB condition you have to pay out the nose. You get lucky sometimes and find a set that are still in one piece in the junk yard and are good to go. Others are either smashed, cracked glass, hazy and pitted glass etc. Sure the glass is easy to replace but then you might find one with a broken housing or missing rear door or the adjusters are broken.

I've had not a single issue with my depo's other than the fact I pulled the glass off to reseal them with RTV for added protection. The lense design and housing is a 100% copy of the bosch light and bosch glass will fit on them if you break the depo glass.

I wish katmac still sold W126 euros or I'd be all over them

check this they do sell the under light sheetmetal without the holes in it now

http://www.katmac.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=KI&Product_Code=W126TR&Category_Code=ACC

anyone have a price on those from the dealership?

lutzTD · #15 03-25-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UriahT

I don't know why anyone would go with Depo lights, when you can pick up a great condition set of Bosch euros for about the same price.

I bought my pair of Bosch euros for around 125, including shipping. That's a deal, but you can regularly find them for under 200/pair. Much better bet than having to worry about shoddy connections, cheap plastic, etc.

Going with Euros, besides the obvious light difference, will save money in the long term, as a H4 bulb is a lot cheaper to replace than a sealed beam. And let's not even mention how often the plastic surrounds on US-spec lights crack and chip.

for the w123, the turn lights are horrible, but I second what Don has said above about headlights. the used Hellas from a yard car or from Ebay are 30 years old and the grey colored case is quite brittle. I wont even pull them anymore because every time I try to ship them they break into small bits internally and are quite useless and cost me to refund and ship back.