Want Euro Lights, but Inspection? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 08-30-2002, 10:34 AM

I want to retrofit the full glass euro lights on my 300D, but will I be able to get the car inspected? Any thoughts?

surfblau · #2 08-30-2002, 12:04 PM

Not like I wanted to start a long discussion like the oil threads around here, but why would you want Euro lights?

The pair of round ones on each side seems to be emulated by the most recent MBs. Kind of a 20 year fashion cycle coming full circle.

Don't those Euro lights make your mb look like a volvo (which is not positive from my perspective)?

Of course all of this is coming from someone who just dropped $100 for new headlight gates for my TD.

later

vwbuge · #3 08-30-2002, 12:09 PM

Why would you have trouble getting inspection. They work don't they...............................I think the euro lights are hot and far from Volvo looking!!!!!!!

hitch02 · #4 08-30-2002, 01:57 PM

Randall -

I like the euro lights.. Have them installed on my '84. The lighting, in my opinion, is in all ways superior to the sealed beams. You could always get the older stle round-in-a-square versions of you preferred, but the rectangular ones were the higher-line models until the full range got them.

That said, Virginia has a pretty harsh inspection program, and they haven't said word one about the lights, just so long as they're aimed properly.

As far as the round styling. Mercedes used large single-piece rectangular lights for almost 3 decades preceding the new models - from the 107/116 straight through to the 140s and the last C-class. I don't think the new round lights in any way resemble the old ones, but that's just my opinion. As I said, I have them on mine, so I am clearly biased.

-Reed
'84 300D/T

vwbuge · #5 08-30-2002, 02:35 PM

I was going to order mine from import vision. I heard installation was easy but did you have to rewire for the new bulb type?

hitch02 · #6 08-30-2002, 02:41 PM

At least on the 123 models, installation is quite simple. All you do is change out the plug that feeds into the back of the unit. Most kits, like the one from Capitol West, include easy-to-follow instructions. Total time was about 40 minutes star to finish on mine.

-Reed

#7 08-30-2002, 03:49 PM

Thanks for the input. I like the look of both styles really, but the Euros have the edge in performance. The car was intended for the full Euro spec, thus, its more true-to-form than the "bastardized" US sealed beams. Maybe I'll go for the H4 lights in the original units, I'll have to see.

Piotr · #8 08-30-2002, 05:16 PM

Sorry, but study performed in europe in the 70's strongly favored round over square. I agree about the Volvo look. But, no accounting for taste, just trends...

Peyton300TD · #9 08-30-2002, 05:22 PM

i looooooooooooove my euro lights. i really really do. they are amazing. the performance difference between the round sealed beam and the euro lights is phenomenal

originally american spec cars weren't allowed to have the euro lights because they were too bright. but by now, DOT specifications have changed and they are legal. you won't get in trouble for inspections as long as you have legal bulbs in the lights. i have illegal super plasma piaa bulbs and i still pass.

anyways needlesstosay you will love them if you are willing to put up the cost. i would HIGHLY recommend however that you buy StonGard to protect them from pitting and cracking.

AHH! pain, Euro light broken, need help!

any questions -shoot - estarr@starmail.com

eric

Holson Adi · #10 08-30-2002, 05:29 PM

I have the rectangular headlights too and I like both styles really. If mine were still good (my plastic grilles were cracked and the fog lights are badly chipped...) I was gonna buy the 7" H4 projectors to replace the sealed beams...

In fact.. in the future I might look into these
http://www.sylvania.com/xenarc/x60246054.htm
inside a US spec headlight assembly..with new plastic grille and new fog lights!

oh well dream on Holson.. :p

TimFreeh · #11 08-30-2002, 08:42 PM

The DOT approved US spec headlights that are used in the W123 and W124 chassis are an abomination. They are marginal in good driving conditions and dangerous in fog or rain.

I'm not big on making changes to my cars but all my Mercedes have euro spec lights. The difference is astounding.

I've not yet had a problem in Delaware with inspections. I have heard that New Jersey inspections are a bit tougher. Keep you old US-spec lights and re-install them if you have inspection problems. It only takes 15 minutes per side to switch them back to the old style lights.

Tim

190D22 · #12 08-30-2002, 11:10 PM

Well I have always thought the US round style 123 headlights looked goofy. I didn't know that the 123s in europe had the rectangular ones. I prefer that look, and it makes the car look a little more updated. Now on the 107s, I think I like the american spec ones over the euro. Both are catchy, but those roundies just add more class and character to it.

If I were going to really invest in updating my lights, I'd replace my headlight housings (my foglight covers have small cracks and the housings themselves are peeling) and put the Sylvania Xenarc X6054 Xenon headlights in. The difference between xenon and halogen is just phenomenal. Once you drive w/ xenon, you won't want to go back. Downside... 800 bucks for the set!

Holson Adi · #13 08-30-2002, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 190D22
Well I have always thought the US round style 123 headlights looked goofy. I didn't know that the 123s in europe had the rectangular ones. I prefer that look, and it makes the car look a little more updated. Now on the 107s, I think I like the american spec ones over the euro. Both are catchy, but those roundies just add more class and character to it.

If I were going to really invest in updating my lights, I'd replace my headlight housings (my foglight covers have small cracks and the housings themselves are peeling) and put the Sylvania Xenarc X6054 Xenon headlights in. The difference between xenon and halogen is just phenomenal. Once you drive w/ xenon, you won't want to go back. Downside... 800 bucks for the set!

Cool! Someone who thinks alike! hehehe...

http://www.sylvania.com/xenarc/prodinfo.htm

It's $600 from Osram themselves! Look around you might find them for less..

Yes I am so tempted to get them in 6024 for my car and go back to US Spec headlights

P.E.Haiges · #14 08-30-2002, 11:47 PM

Sure you can get your car inspected. Whether or not is passes is another question.

Here's my view of car inspections:

I've read that 96% to 99% of accidents are caused by drivers and the other few percent caused by defective cars.

So what does the stupid government inspect? If the drivers were inspected instead of their cars, look how much safer we would all be.

If car inspections did any good, there would be a big difference in the number of accidents between states that have car inspections and states that don't. There isn't any difference which proves that car inspections do no good, waste millions of dollars and harrass owners.

Think about it.

P E H

190D22 · #15 08-31-2002, 12:48 AM

Group buy on xenarcs? heh heh