E500 Euro Headlights: Clear me up - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gsxr · #16 07-17-2003, 01:01 PM

Neil, I've heard the 1994 E500 Euro lenses are quite expensive due to rarity (only used on a few hundred cars total). Where did you get yours, and do you recall about how much they cost?

ke6dcj · #17 07-17-2003, 01:11 PM

Got them from Paul at Puma. I don't remember, perhaps $125/each?

:-) neil

#18 07-17-2003, 05:02 PM

Placo1 & GSXR, both those front ends look great. It's suprising how much more "muscular" the later lower valance makes the car look, then again it could be the camera angle. Right after I bought my 190, I started to notice all the other MB's in my work parking lot, including several 300's and even a properly badged 250D (Euro), I thought the body lines were a nice improvement to the original 190 styling, but man those early 124 headlights just turned my stomach. Now I am grudgingly starting to get used to the look, but not the lumens.

So much food for thought, all of this input is great, thanks. Not sure which way I will decide to go, but being busy at present, I have time to watch for a deal on the later headlight assy's. Though, I think any of these options would give me the lumens I require, and give the girl a bit of a facelift to boot! (Gotta keep the wipers!) Plus as much as I like the car, it is new to me, and it is going to have to prove itself, before I invest in "cosmetics". So far it's been reliable, but once I go over it head to tail, it's going to have to stay reliable or it will get the boot!

GSXR, I plan to mount my V1 above the rear view mirror, hardwired, with the rj wiring going under the header and one of the A-pillars, then back to the ashtray, as that is were I plan to mount the remote display. Pwr wire->remote display <-> rj wire <-> V1. I won't be using the cig lighter for power, as I need it for phones, Ipod, etc. I have not had the car tinted yet, I hope a small strip of light non-metallic tint won't effect laser/radar performance, and will help to keep prying eyes from seeing the detector. (I know if detects laser it's supposed to be too late, but I would like to keep it enabled, just in case this isn't the case.) I even considered switching the center sunvisor to black, and leaving it down all the time, so the rear view mirror, V1, visor and tint, will all blend together to hide the V1 from people looking through the side windows. (Heck the V1 was for the bikes, never needed it in the 190D, but getting popped last week in the 300D less then a mile from home.... not in a hurry, NOT PAYING ATTENTION, just letting her stretch her legs from first gear to OD to pump some soot out, just letting off as I saw him, but too late.

Holson Adi · #19 07-21-2003, 07:38 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in Singapore on a holiday. Obviously cars here are RHD. There are lots and lots of 124's here.

I also noticed today that the 94+ 124's headlights have the chrome interior of the E500's headlights. The fog light lens is also clearer than mine.

I'll take some pictures tomorrow.

oh.. and btw, the W124's here are E200s and E220s...

gsxr · #20 07-21-2003, 10:44 AM

If you poke around the Euro EPC, which has all Euro lights obviously, there are approximately three thousand different part numbers for 124 headlights. OK, that's a slight exaggeration, but close to the truth. 86-89 have one type, 90-93 another, and 94+ a third. Then there are Bosch and Hella numbers for each, and on top of that, RHD and LHD versions for countries that drive on the "wrong" side of the road. Talk about confusing! Thankfully the 500E/E500 has fewer options, and Hella only, which makes it easier to decipher those. I am curious about the lights you're seeing though, would love some photos...

Holson Adi · #21 07-22-2003, 01:27 AM

Here's one from my car's twin

a black E200

BTW, the headlights are made by Hella. To confirm it, I walked around to look at other 124's. Only the 94+ headlights have the chrome interior. The older ones don't.

The headlights also have the arrow marking (RHD) headlights...

Holson Adi · #22 07-22-2003, 01:28 AM

another one close up

DeeBee · #23 07-22-2003, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AtlBenz

If you care to know, the reason I am bent on E-code E500 lights is because my plan is to install HID lights. Since this would prevent me from having high beams in the main light, I plan on doing a little rewiring and ultimately turning the driving lights into my high beams.

I am doing the exact same thing!! I just got my 500E Hella Ecodes from PUMA.

I just need to figure out the wiring but I am sure it will work great. There is really no substitute for the HID light output.....without majormodification.

Please post your results. I will also do the same when I get it done.

gsxr · #24 07-23-2003, 12:18 AM

Ah, but there IS a substitute for HID that actually works better in these reflector type headlamp assemblies. Methinks you need to go back and read the posts in this thread more carefully. HID in place of your H4 is not the best solution, although it does cost the most. If you're trying to waste as much money as possible then HID is what you need!

Good luck,

DeeBee · #25 07-23-2003, 09:48 PM

gsxr,

I have read the post carefully and I do appreciate your opinion on the use of HID's with halogen reflectors.

The reason I posted here was because I am looking to do the exact same thing AtlBenz spoke of.

I currently have HID conversion kits installed in my 2000 VW Golf TDI, 1996 VW Passat TDI, 1997 VW Passat TDI, and I just sold my !((% Subaru Legacy and pulled the H4 kit to install in the Benz.

Frankly, I like the light output since I often drive from New England to GA. I know the HID kit is quite costly, but since I already have it, I may as well use it.

One thing I have found with E-code lights is that there is no glare towards oncoming traffic. Several members of the TDIClub forums, including myself, have verified this while aimong the lights.

Thanks for your input

AtlBenz · #26 08-15-2003, 11:20 PM

GSXR, I was wondering, do you have schematics and part numbers for that sweet relay you have set up? or maybe information as to where I can find out how to set up a relay system such as that?

gsxr · #27 08-16-2003, 12:04 AM

Hiya AtlBenz,

Nope, sorry, I don't have schematics. They're just standard SPST relays, rated 30A/40A or so. However Dan Stern Lighting has schematics, and sells full relay kits, plus top-quality bulbs if you need them. He's a nice guy, check out his website:

http://lighting.mbz.org
Email: dan@mbz.org

On a side note, about E-code lights. Yes they focus light on the road and don't glare at oncoming traffic. But that's only with normal halogen bulbs. When you stick an HID burner in there, all bets are off, and you WILL get glare and scattered light causing problems. That's why the couple people who have done this conversion properly had to fabricate glare shields for the burners. It's not a simple drop-in swap like HID kit makers want you to believe. Yeah it will be bright but don't be shocked when oncoming traffic flashes their high beams at you. You can get almost equal lumens on low beam with relays & overwatt bulbs, and *more* light on high beam than HID can produce (when using 500E four-bulbs Euros). Ask Dan, he can explain it using bigger words.

HTH,

ebennz · #28 08-16-2003, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeeBee
gsxr,

I have read the post carefully and I do appreciate your opinion on the use of HID's with halogen reflectors.

deebee

this is NOT just an opinion, it is FACT.

READ THIS
http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

do some reading at dan stern's. he really knows his stuff and has NO reason to BS anyone.

too many times we have our minds made up, and go ahead with plans even though they are flawed.

please take what dan stern says about this seriously...it is not worth causing an accident or death over.

peter

ESVIC · #29 09-27-2003, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gsxr
First, let's clear up a few misconceptions. There are no Bosch 500E/E500 Euro lights. Only Hellas. For standard W124 Euros (with fogs), there are both Bosch and Hella available.

Second, the 1994/95 USA DOT lights really are pretty decent. The Euros are a little better, but it's not a huge difference. A 94/95 USA DOT is MUCH better than a 86-93 USA DOT. And all Euro lights are a billion times better (approximately) compared to the awful 9004-bulb 86-93 lights (which Mercedes should be embarassed to have ever installed in the first place.)

Third, I would NOT recommend doing an HID conversion. Scott (run.exe) had an extensive thread on this recently, use the "search" feature. He already had the HID parts but after researching it more, he sold them & went with relays+Rallyes. The light output is all wrong with the reflector housing. Please, forget using HID. Use Philips Rallye bulbs (130/100 H4, 100 H3) and a full relay kit. The lumens output is actually higher than HID on high beam, and almost as good on low beam. And more importantly, the dispersal pattern will be correct. Until someone makes a projector assembly for W124's, forget HID (and I doubt anyone will - not enough demand). I used the Rallye bulbs with relays and the output is mind-boggling. Honest!

Fourth, yes, PUMA can get the 500 Hella Euro lights. The 500E lights are now up to $480 plus S&H, including bulbs and connectors. The E500 lights used to be $200+ more, so I'd assume $700+ for E500 lights from them (please post their price quote so we know). I bought my two sets of 500E Hellas from PUMA and was very happy with the service. The prices have gone up in the last 6-9 months thanks to poor USD-EURO currency exchange rates.

Fifth, I just located a source in Germany that can order OE Genuine Mercedes parts. They can get E500 Euro lights direct from Mercedes-Benz in Germany, in original MB package, etc for about $375 (USD) (pair), plus probably $50 (USD) shipping. I don't know if bulbs are included - I'd assume not, but so what, you'd just install Rally or +50 bulbs anyway! That price sounds amazingly low - I'd email them and have the price and part numbers verified. They do accept credit card, which is helpful - most Euro companies want a bank wire, which often costs ~$30! BT, DT. Email them at: INFO@SPEED-AUTOTEILE.COM and you should get a reply from Roland or Christian.

Sixth, all halogen bulbs are NOT created equal. I would strongly recommend ONLY buying halogen bulbs from either Dan Stern (dan@mbz.org), or PowerBulbs.com - both places only sell the GOOD bulbs! There is a lot of crap on the market, and the "good" stuff is not sold retail in the USA. If it's on a shelf in a store in USA (for H1/H3/H4 bulbs!), it's probably junk, regardless of the brand (Hella, Sylvania/Osram, Philips, etc). Well, maybe not JUNK, but definitely NOT the best available on the market! Only "+30" bulbs are sold here, the Euro-only +50's are much better. And only use Philips or Narva "rallye" bulbs. Avoid PIAA like the plague.

Last, here's some photos of my relay setup for my 500E lights in my 1987 300D:
http://www.meimann.com/images/mercedes/W124_headlights/

HTH,

Thanks

DeeBee · #30 11-10-2003, 06:03 AM

Well, I finally got time to complete my install.
I have the ecodes in place and the HID low beam and the driving light for a high beam.

I am pleased with the results (as I have been with my other vehicles). The driving lights look pale (and yellow) when the HID's are on.

I do not have a digicam so I cannot post pics at this time, but I enjoy the startled looks of other drivers when they see my light output.

Well worth the time & effort.