Euro Headlights--Help deciding
 

OK, I have been bitten by the restoration bug. It all started quite innocently. Cleaning the engine bay of my 1989 300TE, putting in new distributor cap dust cover, new spark plug wire covers, replacing the broken and ratty air intake cowl, replacing the tailgate shock absorbers...you get the picture.

Now I want to replace the standard US spec headlights with EUROS. I may even go as far as doing the conversion suggested in Stu Ritter's W124 Bible and going on to the full vacuum adjustment conversion.

My question is this. I can get new Bosch Euro headlights from Perforamnce Parts for about $425 (using my handy-dandy MBCA 15% discount). Or I can get TYC Euros from a place called Katmac for $250.00--a saving of $175.00

Here is their link:

http://www.katmac.com/Merchant2/mer...tegory_Code=EHQ

Advantage of the BOSCH lights is that...well, they are Bosch. I can also drive to Performance Parts, pick them up and install them all on the same day. With Katmac I have to order them, pay for shipping, and then wait. But I can save $175.00 on the pair, plus their package includes everything that I need.

I suppose that if I sell my old US spec lights I can always recoup part of the cost of the BOSCH lights.

Also, I have not decided whether to reinstall the US spec headlight wipers, go with EURO headlight wipers or completely forego headlight wipers.

I previously installed a set of TYC Euros (from a different supplier) on my former 1991 420SEL. The lights were not too bad and the light beam was good, a marked improvement over the originals. BTW, in the 420SEL I kept the US spec headlight wipers. They worked just fine.

I don't know how long I am going to keep my 1989 300TE. The plan is to hold on to it, slowly restore it back to showroomc ondition (well, that is the plan anyway) and then give it to my son when he turns 16 (in less than 2 years).

So, given the above parameters, do you guys have any thoughts and/or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Sorry, but do a search its been beaten to death.
You'll find about the same number of people that prefer OEM to people who are fine with the aftermarket versions. I have both on my car and I can't tell the difference except when I pop the hood cause the backs are different in color.

I did the search and you're right it came about 50/50. I was hoping for more "fresh" input. Plus I was looking for suggestions regarding whether to keep or chuck the headlight wiper system.

Actually it just so happens that I recently received a pair of the crystal clear headlights from Katmac and I am very satisfied with them. I have a '90 300E. They seem to be good quality and they include everything you need. I personally don't see the advantage of the Bosch ones. The fit and finish are great too.

Hope this helps. I'll try to upload some pictures.

Thanks.

Yes, I would like to see the pics (I think we would all like to see the pics). What was your experience with Katmac like?

From what I've learned from those that have bought them, the quality on TYC lights is just not there. I wouldn't buy them if it was my money.

A lot of guys I know have purchased Depo lights, and I thought the quality was great. I was at Ashman's house when he installed his, and I compared them to my OEM Bosch euro headlights, and it was hard to tell the difference. There were very solid, and the fitment was great.

If it was my choice, I would still buy the OEM Bosch or Hella lights, but if I wanted to save a few bucks, I guess I would recommend the DEPO's.

In any event, you neeeeeed to get euro's. They not only look better, but put out about 400% more and better light. To me, it is a safety issue.

As far as the headlight wipers, I'd dump them. There is absolutely no use for them.

If you want to keep your original wipers, you'll have to modify them.

Contact Larry Bible. He modified his, and could explain how he did it.

If you dump them, you'll need to buy new wiper plates (the metal strip beneath the headlights), because your current ones have a hole in them where the wiper shaft goes through.

I bought them from the dealer for about $10, and had them painted by a local auto body shop for about $50.

Paul, were you at Ashman's "euro install" party a few years go? Is that where you saw the lights?

I am leaning towards the Bosch. The price is right with my 15% discount. I think that I will also chuck the wipers, they look kind of silly anyway. I am, however, going to try to do the vacuum install as outlined on Stu ritter's manual.

BTW, the wood and leather steering wheel is on backorder. It won't be in until late April. Gad I hate waiting. :rolleyes:

I'll post pics of the euro lights as well as pics of the new steering wheel (when I get it).

These lights are neither Depo nor TYC. They are Eagle Eyes brand. Sorry about the minuscularity of the pictures. They are from my phone. I'll try to put up some real ones soon. Honestly, after ordering these lights I thought I made a mistake because maybe they weren't subtle enough for a Benz but I was wrong. They look amazing and, in my opinion at least, better than regular euros.

Thanks for....
 

...posting pics of your car. I think that I will probably go with Bosch euros. My son will most likely get this car and there are stretches of road, from school to home, where lighting is poor or non-existent. I want him to be safe and to be able to see and be seen.

Sometimes I wish I was my kids. They have all started their driving "careers" with nice cars, Benzes or Volvo. My first car was a POS Olds Delta Super 88, held together with duct tape, velcro and chewing gum. :eek:

I went with euros and smoked corners from Katmac. I like the lights and the service was excellent. Picked mine up from his ebay store. Pic at the link below...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...?do=full&p=258

Bill

Watch ebay, they have a store and you can probably get them cheaper than that. I got some Depo lights from the importvision ebay store and they look awesome but the adjusters arent hooked up properly or something, when I try to adjust the beam with the black knobs on the back of the unit it seems like it wants to move but something is binding. Pretty ****ty, I have to open them up sometime and see what the heck is up. As it is now I have to drive with foglights on to light of the sides of the road. If anyone has any experience with that PM me.

Yes, I was at Ashman's "euro install" party. He installed them on his 300CE.

I think you are making the right decision to go with the Bosch euro's.

benz-lgd

bosch or hella lights are your best bet, period.

the people who prefer OE lights has got to be more like 65/35. i don't belive it is really 50/50.

personally i think the euro light conversion with the u.s. wipers looks like you ran out of money.

they just don't look right and at best swipe only a bit of the glass.

i'd rather lose the wipers completely than have u.s. wipers on euro lights. [the last 4 sentences are my personal opinion]

to do the wiper conversion you can use the stuff from the later 94-95 w124 cars.

it is not really cheap, but what is that is of any quality?

where i live, i find the headlight washer/wiper combo a nice idea for winter/spring driving.

the beam adjuster is a very cool, not all lights have this capability.

the parts mentioned in the w124 bible are not correct.

i have all the correct part numbers for beam adjuster and euro wiper conversion.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-performance-paddock/69001-euro-light-acc-part-numbers.html

Benz,

Bosch euros are your best bet, but if you wanted to save a couple bucks I recommend the DEPO's. I put DEPO's on the 560 and they look and work great, went DEPO because the used Bosch assemblies for the 126 were waay too pricey for me. If you decided to do the vacuum adjustment, well the DEPO brand light also have the vacuum actuators built in, only need to add the factory adjustment switch and a couple vac lines (same as the Bosch).

Use either, but do it...you'll be glad you did.