Does anyone have any experience with white gauge faces for a 1987 300E? I am interested in getting some to improve the night driving since the originals are hard to see at night. I need to know where they can be purchased. Thanks for the help.

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Chris
'87 300E

From what I know is that White-Face guages are either backlit or electroluminate(don't know how to spell, but it's kinda like Indiglo), and will sure be more visible during the night than top-lit W124 guages. However, those guages are very hard to find....

Let us know if you have more info on where to get those guages....

Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
  
• Blue/Red Headlights
  
• Xenon-Look Foglights
  

ICQ#26950002
http://drive.to/akry

check at carparts.com under accessories/interior accessories/gauges.....

Chris-- I have a complete 124 cluster with all the dials painted white. The numbers and needles have been redon in black. It is beautiful. I've been using for display in my showcase at work, but it's time for it to move on. These are actually painted--not silk screened or layover. The quality is exceptional. I had it done by North hollywood speedo a few years ago, cost me about $400 bucks then. I haven't bolted it back in a car, but maybe it would make things easier for you to pop in the entire cluster rather than pursuing the NR solution. Those layovers do work pretty well, but you need a little experience and a LOT of patience to make them come out well. Drop me aline if that would interest you. allen

I purchathe NR gauge faces.. they are poor quality plastic overlays. N. Hoolywood speedo does excellent work go with those... usually they charge 100/face.

Are you looking for better vision or looks, becuase usually white guage faces are bought more for looks. Even with different colored background it seems to me that vision would not be helped at night with out better lighting. Isn't that what you are asking. I have white face guages and love them on my c class, good luck in finding them.
cavan

Hi all...
I know I'm definitely looking for better functionality, and I think white gauges would probably make a significant difference in my 86 300E since the gauges are, as akry mentioned, top-lit (not back-lit). Additionally, early E-class (86 through 88) had a poorly designed instrument cluster housing, changed in the 89 for better lighting - and it is much better (brighter) in my 89 300TE.
Cavkid! Where did you get your gauge faces, since you are obviously happy with them?

Yes, I am looking for functionality moreso than looks. The lighting in my 87 300E is pretty much terrible, and the white faces do make a difference in this case where the lights are lit from the top and not the back like the mercedes of today. The search however is not going too well, as NR auto is all I can find and those don't sound high quality. Thanks for the info!


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Chris
'87 300E

They actually came with my car with the sport package, I have a c230 sport and they look nice. Try www.autobahnint.com, they might have something as I remember they have a lot of stuff, you could even try www.nopi.com. I don't know, good luck on your search, couldn't you put in stronger bulbs to get more light too the instrument cluster?
see ya
cavan

Nick indicates a change in '89 makes for better lighting. Have '88 and have not seen newer models at night. Can this change be retrofitted to older models or is it a whole new dash top? Can the changes be described in more detail? Thanks.

lkchris:
I actually gleaned this tidbit from this site - try the search function, there are lots of details, I think someone even mentions a price (and I remember thinking it was more than I was willing to spend on an 86...).
Regards,
Nick

[This message has been edited by Nick Jamal (edited 01-18-2000).]