New to the forum. 300d Owner

[Desert Panther]

Originally Posted by BillGrissom

The Euro headlights look great (~$300). The U.S. headlights were a goofy solution w/ plastic "headlight doors", just to install the round headlights, perhaps for a regulatory requirement. One easy thing to improve the look is to remove the plastic grill insert and paint it black (use special spray paint "for plastic"). If cracked, new ones are only ~$35, (still need to paint).

Bill, where do you find new headlight doors for only $35???????????

[vwnate1]

Mercedes only has the right side one any more, I bought the left from Pelican Parts, it looks fine, I bought one about five years ago and it still looks decent .

Unless your old one is broken, they're easy to polish up, most of the yellowing and pits will disappear, use Meguiars plastic cleaner followed by plastic polish, do it by hand, not with a power tool ! .

[BillGrissom]

Originally Posted by Desert Panther

Bill, where do you find new headlight doors for only $35???????????

No idea, I was referring to a new grill insert.

Not explicitly mentioned, but the U.S. bumpers are different because at that time there was a regulation something like "no body damage for impact w/ solid wall at 15 (?) mph". All U.S. cars of that vintage have large bumpers sticking out to house the integral shock absorbers. The reg was later dropped and repair costs went way up for minor "fender benders".