Tail light lens vs. Tail light assembly
 

Hi all. I started a thread about this early but I was browsing through the performance products catalog and noticed something. What is the difference between the tail light lens and the tail light assembly. I wanted to update my tail lights on my '87 300E to the smoked/red of those on a 94/95 E320 while leaving the amber bulbs. Do I need the lens or the complete tail light assembly. Thanks so much.

Brian

Brian,

You just need the updated lens.

The rear light assembly is made up of 2 main parts. The main assembly holds the wires, connectors, and bulbs. The lens is placed on top of this assembly and held on with 5 or 6 nuts.

If you open up your rear light assembly as if you were to replace a burnt out bulb, you will see the nuts holding the lens on. Just remove the nuts and the lense will come off. It may be in pretty tight due to the age of your car and the fact that there is a water tight seal. But just work at it carefully and the lense will come right off.

Hope this helps.

thanks dsantos, this helps alot. i now know what i need to look for. thanks so much.

brian

Brian the lenses should cost around $70-$75 per side if not less.

They unbolt with 6 nuts.

Alon

Thanks Alon. The cheapest I've found so far are 77 for the left and 70 for the right from performance products. Everybody else i've contacted wanted to sell me the complete tail light assembly. Let me know if you know of any other places. thanks

Brian

did you try www.europarts-sd.com ? Thats where I got mine. The guy who helped me was very nice and helpful.

I think his name is steve, but not sure.

Alon

Yup I tried them. It was $99 a piece for the whole assembly. Not a bad price at all for the complete assembly but I only need the lenses. Trying to save as much money as possible for my H&R Springs :)

Brian

hmm, i bought mine last oct or november.

I bought the lenses only, $146, I believe that was total including tax and shipping. so it worked out to be $73 each side.

Did you talk to phil at partsshop? Maybe a local body shop can source them for you? Check www.silverstarrecycling.com see if they have any, or potomac german auto (I think thats it). And maybe Atlanta Stuttgart ( I think ) as well. I Checked all over, and Europarts-sd had them for a good price. Also check local dealerships they might sell them.

Alon