W123 european headlight question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ktesler · #1 11-09-2016, 07:05 PM

I have a left front hella european headlight which is the newer style that is square just like the bosch. I can't seem to find replacement lens in the new style for the hella. The old style for the hella has the round insert. Do you know if a bosch glass headlight lens will be a perfect fit? Will a depo lens be a perfect fit as well? Looking for advice so I know what type of lens to get. Mercedes part number is: 123-826-07-90

Thanks.

KT

vstech · #2 11-10-2016, 12:25 AM

I doubt anything would be a perfect fit... aside from the correct replacement.

And it isn't old or new style euro lights, it's deluxe or standard... standard uses the round inserts... both were available at the same time.

Zacharias · #3 11-10-2016, 11:36 AM

I compared a Depo light Bosch unit I have in my shed and I did not see any differences in the lens. The Depo lenses (at least mine, which were purchased about 6 years ago) are of excellent quality. Whether that translates to interchange with the Hella, I don't know.

For a Hella lens, you could try surfing ebay.de and/or ebay.co.uk. The shipping won't be cheap and many German vendors don't sell internationally (though you can always ask... some will sell overseas if you inquire). I use Google Translate for my requests but often get a reply back in perfect English.

Adriel · #4 11-10-2016, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

And it isn't old or new style euro lights, it's deluxe or standard... standard uses the round inserts... both were available at the same time.

Hey John, would the base model have come with the standard with round impressions? The base 280TE looked at has only had that and the catalyst Federalization and like to put back right.

B.T.W., she is an odd ball, as got all the base features, but then has an automatic transmission, leather upholstery, plus couple other nice accessories, though the best is missing (the actual double roller blind).

Thank you so very much in advance!

Adriel · #5 11-10-2016, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacharias

I compared a Depo light Bosch unit I have in my shed and I did not see any differences in the lens. The Depo lenses (at least mine, which were purchased about 6 years ago) are of excellent quality. Whether that translates to interchange with the Hella, I don't know.

Depo has no markings like Bosch.

Also, the Depo I bought a couple years ago didn't look as crisp and clean as the Bosch, even flash around the edge.

Personally, if known the reflectors are not fully adjustable, silvering shoddy, and all the plastic is soft as wax, would not have bought. Night driving was either high beaming people or not able to see the road. Now if get another Mercedes, going original. What really love to find is an adjustable set. Have purchased two sets of evilBay and all broken (the worse was the vacuum adjustable). At the time didn't know evilBay/Paypal protection was a joke and instead should have filed with my card.

Oh, and the issue is the inside of the lamp gets shaken so hard the insides shatter.

Actually, now think of it, might have a Hella glass. Which side is broken K?

In short, don't go with Depo and use a credit card for evilBay.

Hope this helps.

Zacharias · #6 11-14-2016, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adriel

Hey John, would the base model have come with the standard with round impressions? The base 280TE looked at has only had that and the catalyst Federalization and like to put back right.

A 280 would have had the style most people associate with Bosch. The big square lamps.

The lamps with the round features were on lower-end models (200, 230).

This according to the w123 history documentary video on YouTube, which I assume was produced by Daimler Benz.

NZScott · #7 11-15-2016, 12:46 AM

All W123s post 1982 had the "square" type lights, outside of NA. Before that it was only 280 spec models. I can get part numbers for OP but being a RHD country I bet my parts will be different numbers...

pj67coll · #8 11-15-2016, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZScott

All W123s post 1982 had the "square" type lights, outside of NA. Before that it was only 280 spec models. I can get part numbers for OP but being a RHD country I bet my parts will be different numbers...

Incorrect. my 84 200 had the round headlights and I recall seeing those right up till 86 on the lower end models.

- Peter.

Adriel · #9 11-15-2016, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacharias

A 280 would have had the style most people associate with Bosch. The big square lamps.

The lamps with the round features were on lower-end models (200, 230).

This according to the w123 history documentary video on YouTube, which I assume was produced by Daimler Benz.

Zacharias thank you so very much for the reply!

Interesting how a base 280 just means in that range, not the model range. At least the rectangular are easier to find, but forget shipping. Found a pair an hour away, but he flaked and have not heard back. Probably just put the crappy Depo lights on for now or purchase 7" conversions which could then put on the Squareback when done using on the W123.

Will look for that video I apparently missed.

I wish we could get the W123 history/model information book here, but the forum member that was going to bring a quantity to the State seems to have passed away?

NZScott · #10 11-15-2016, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Incorrect. my 84 200 had the round headlights and I recall seeing those right up till 86 on the lower end models.

- Peter.

Ah, interesting....I was going by my book

(that I've lost to quote exactly). FWIW my '84 240TD had the square lights.

Zacharias · #11 11-17-2016, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adriel

Zacharias thank you so very much for the reply!

Will look for that video I apparently missed.

Vintage Film Shows Just How Precisely Mercedes Engineered the W123

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adriel

I wish we could get the W123 history/model information book here, but the forum member that was going to bring a quantity to the State seems to have passed away?

I hope not, he was a relatively young man. I know he was away from the forum for a while, but last I heard he was back but had chosen to not proceed with that purchase.

However I have been away from the forum for a while myself...

DeliveryValve · #12 11-17-2016, 02:33 PM

In my experience, for the rectangle Euro w123 Headlights, Hella, Bosch and Depot glass lenses interchange.

Hella and Bosch housings, reflectors and vacuum actuators do not interchange. But Depot reflectors and housings (even though thinner plastic) do interchange with Bosch.

vwnate1 · #13 11-17-2016, 06:40 PM

Why not just buy them new from The M-B Classic Center ? .

I did recently and am well pleased .

Not cheap but worth the $ I had to budget .

Adriel · #14 11-17-2016, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Why not just buy them new from The M-B Classic Center ? .

I did recently and am well pleased .

Not cheap but worth the $ I had to budget .

Because we got blinders on.

Nate, how much if you don't mind me asking?

Right now, no funds. Hopefully in a couple weeks get a little tuition back from the medical withdrawal.

Really like to get the vacuum adjustable as do haul a lot and has the cargo retention rings. I even have the switch, but might be for the sedan.

Know if the vacuum line is still available?

MBeige · #15 11-18-2016, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adriel

Because we got blinders on.

Nate, how much if you don't mind me asking?

Right now, no funds. Hopefully in a couple weeks get a little tuition back from the medical withdrawal.

Really like to get the vacuum adjustable as do haul a lot and has the cargo retention rings. I even have the switch, but might be for the sedan.

Know if the vacuum line is still available?

I've been able to make the vacuum adjustability work on my 300D w/ Bosch Euro lights (correct sedan switch). The hard plastic vacuum lines are still available. You can opt to go with the correct color-codes (purple/yellow IIRC) then plumb it into the vacuum system.

A few years ago I purchased a pair of new Bosch lenses for $50/ea or $100 for both. Later on I lucked out on a NOS pair for about the same price. Kept that in storage. I purchased them from another European car online parts store.

The "new" lenses only had "BOSCH" on one of them, the other didn't have it. The "original" lenses had "BOSCH" on both. Both the orig and new lenses had the Bosch p/n though.