What's the deal with Euro Headlights?
 

I am pretty new to this whole Mercedes scene and have been following Mecedesshop for the past few months. I've seen a lot of people talking about how much they like their "euro" headlights.

Can anyone give me a description (and maybe some before and after photos) to help me understand what makes "euro" headlights "euro". Is it a specific look of the lights, the amount of light they provide, or what?

Sorry if this is obvious to most of you, but I am confused.

http://www.a-p-group.com/ashman/misc/euro-us.jpg

As you can see the left side is before, right side is after.

This next pic is a stock 300CE, and my modified 300CE with euros. As you can see they almost look like two completely different cars...

http://www.a-p-group.com/ashman/misc/euro2.jpg

Light output is at least 5 times better with the Euros. not only do they look better, but they perform better, and light up the road much much better using the same wattage bulbs.

Alon

Great!

Now I want some.....

Don't know how I'd explain it to my wife though.

I think your '95 S320 already has the same E-Code headlights... not sure though...

I don't know. Mine seem to look a lot like those on the left of Ashman's photos. Is there any way I can tell by the numbers on the lens?

your 1995 should have a european style headlight. You should check around and see if you can just replace the lens for the Euro lens, or upgrade tot he later s class lights say form an s500 or s600 1999 model.

The later models have a very similar if not identical beam pattern of the euros.

Alon

Ok, I'm sold. Here's my before pic, but I want an "after" pic.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/brookspw/benz_side.jpg

I can just imagine how much better, newer it would look. To be honest, the ONLY thing that gives away its age is the headlights. The plastic lens stuff around the actual headlight is the culprit.

Anyway, I don't know the manufacturer issues -- I hear hella, etc. What should I look for, what should I avoid? About how much $ am I talking?

Thanks, brookspw

Get the part numbers for the Euros and search Fastlane. I got one of mine for less than $150 (Bosch).

Otherwise, try Capitol West, I got one + blinker for $240 (a lot of money but the blinker is the nice dark orange one). I also got a shift knob from them for $50, which is amazing in quality.

Try fastlane first though...

Consider the Xenon headlights from a later model S-class sedan. I expect those will outshine E-code halogen headlights. Pun intended.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL