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#1
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If I were to install Bosch Euro Lights on my '80 450 SEL would there be any legal considerations? I'm in PA. Thanks!
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#2
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There is a good discussion of Euro lights and their legality and differences, including in PA, at http://lighting.mbz.org/faq/ . This site also has lots of wiring diagrams, aiming methods, etc. Mine are great, and I haven't had a problem yet. (kept the old lights just in case, but I would put the old ones back in just long enought to have a ticket cleared, then would switch back. The US lights are UNSAFE! IMHO)
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John 2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500 2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350 1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD) Click to see 87 300E |
#3
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Now I could be wrong, but my understanding was at the time European cars all had halogens, here in the USA they were illegal. Of course now the gov. allows halogens so I doubt you'll have any problems. I don't think the European lights for your car will be any brighter than what is available on cars today, ie; HIDs. So you wouldn't stand out. If your state has a yearly insp. I doubt those people would even know the difference.
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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi) 2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi) 2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi) MBCA member |
#4
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Rick is correct. Euro lights were and are superior to USA headlamps, yet no more powerful wattage wise, and certainly not as bright as HIDs. The required projection pattern of light in USA is simply inferior, yet the demonstrably superior European lighting is not strictly legal per US federal standards (but allowed in most states, as I understand it). My opinion was established from living in Germany (and France, but then seeing at night there was not very important -- 25 watt max yellow high beams back in the 60's, as I remember). Drove both US and European cars there.
Roger 560SL -- plan to convert 240D -- Can't outdrive my USA headlamps :-( |
#5
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True about the wattage! The improvment is in the Euro's reflector/lens system. Lots less scattered light, and a very tight beam pattern on the Euros relative to the US lamps. I tried the "+35" stock wattage bulbs in the US lamps before going with the Euros - just gave me a little brighter scatter and marginally brighter low beam, otherwise a waste of money on the MB US headlights (these bulbs made a bigger difference in my '88 Acura Legend lamps than they did in the '87 MB - better reflector/lens on the Acura). My next step will be upgrading the stock wiring and installing relays as in the "Star" article (or in more detail at the web site, above).
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John 2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500 2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350 1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD) Click to see 87 300E |
#6
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hello,
if you want euro lights and can afford them,get them. if you don't aim them incorrectly,you shoudn't ever be bothered. if you ever are stopped, who is to say they weren't on the car when you bought it.[this wouldn't work if you get "blue" bulbs}. i can say if you want to improve you lighting,you couldn't spend better money.i see w116 euro lights all the time on e-bay. i swear by mine now [no longer swear at them].you will take years off the appearance of your w116. go ahead,get 'em, you owe it to yourself! it's christmas! good luck.
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*92 400e 124.034, SOLD *92 300e 124.030, SOLD |
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