beware. I put a pair of Depos on my 300e about a year or so ago. When I got them, the gasket sealing the glass to the plastic was folded over. I fixed the gasket and installed them. Now I am starting to get water inside the headlight, no doubt because of this gasket. I opened them up to see if I could remedy the problem, and I saw that the plastic holder for the main bulb is burnt brown. It's not terrible, it still holds the bulb and I'm sure it will continue to do so for a long time, just surprising that it would be burnt after about a year. In hindsight I probably should have sprung for hella or bosch.

Just figured I'd throw that on the table for anyone deciding on which one to buy.

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headrivenoise... listen.

I bought some Hella lights that have not yet been shipped to me. I can't wait to get them. I researched and asked many questions before I bought them and I learned that Hella and Bosch are the only way to go for me. Other lesser quality brands such as TYC and Depo don't interest me. Just save up and buy the right ones the first time and maybe the only time.

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1989 300CE Astralsilber/Schwarz
1992 300CE Schwarz/Schwarz

yes, i used Hella euro headlights on my 190E as well. Very happy on those!!! Over 1 year, still in very good conditon. At least, no leaking.

I know that Depo and TYC are not good quality. If you put Hella or Bosch beside TYC or Depo, the Hella and Bosch are totally different..... Much much best qualities than TYC or Depo.

I sold some Depo euro headlights for Audi A4 before, some of them got leaking problem and the reflector discoloured, but the Hella or Bosch one, never never got complaint.

I bought some Depot's for my 124 and while I wasn't real tickled with the pattern of the headlight beam, fogs are all right, at $260 bucks, vs. $500+ bucks, they aren't that bad and certainly not inferior!

I too have heard murmurs about leakage but upon installation, the seals looked watertight to me......I'll keep an eye on them though..Thanks for the heads up...... BB

I had the DEPO lights in my 300E. I had them for over a year, and they never leaked in water. I paid $250 for mine, and anyway, whats a little leak? Just bring out the silicone sealant. The lights are pretty good for their money, they are made of glass, not plastic. I would buy the lights for $260 and spend another $200 on an OEM XENON set for a xenon retrofit, in case of any lighting complaints.

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1987 mercedes 300E
1995 e320 conversion(hated the 300e grill)
HID/Xenon (D2S)
Keyless Entry
Monochromatic Paint (Custom Blue)
Smoked Tails
Flat Badged (front)
Debadged (rear)
custom "carbon fiber" console
18 inch HP EVO rims
Sold! Now I drive a Monte Carlo SS
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member.../352975_67.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member.../748335_24.jpg

I'm not necessarily recommending Depo's, but I compared a pair of brand new Depo's with my brand new Bosch euro headlights, and I couldn't tell a difference.

The Depo's, btw, are made in Holland, if I'm not mistaken.

The TYC lights are made in China, and am told they are of very poor quality.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I'm actually in the process of trying to find Euro Lights for my w123. I'm only looking for Bosch though since I have heard many compalints about the DEPOT lights. I have bad luck so it would be me to get the defective pair of the knock offs.

Kamil

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Audi TT

a. Our '95 Mercury Villager Van needed new lights because of severe lens discoloration: the DEPO replacements gave a more precise low beam pattern than the OE units ever had, and they had a proper fog shield built in to boot -- an important advantage in this climate which Mercury/Nissan never bothered to spend the extra dime on. One, however, did need its gasket readjusted to stop a slow moisture infiltration.

2. A single replacement unit for one of my daughter's SAABs has performed well also.

I had a Bosch light that leaked. Go figure

I'll second Yal's comment, I've seen my share of OEM Bosch euro headlights with flooded lenses, so there's no guarantee of leakproof seals. It's a good idea to check them from time to time regardless of who made them.

I have depo on a 1989 420 SEL. They came with 100w bulbs but I put in the 55/60w bulbs. I was told th 100w could melt the reflector. No water in the lens yet for me, 1 year and counting.

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1989 420 SEL

I finally found the euro lights. After about a week of searching I bought these for 238 shipped. (girlfriend actually bought them).

I figured that the price was not that bad especially since my US headlights are in pristine conditon with, I'll be able to get some decent money for them on ebay.

I have pics in this thread.
Just bought these Euro Lights... what do I need to install ?

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Audi TT