Installing updated W124 corners question
 

Hey everyone,

Hate to bring up a topic that's been discussed a thousand
times over in various threads, but searching through all the previous
discussion on the topic only yielded confusion and a whole lot of
conflicting information.

I just ordered the Bosch clear/amber stripe corners to
update the look of my 92 300CE (going for the orange
striped version is just a matter of personal taste, I actually
prefer them to the completely clear corners - in case anyone
is wondering).

I'm a bit confused as to whether these particular corners
are supposed to look better by installing the amber lights
that come with it or by using clear bulbs instead. I won't
even get into the whole "painting the bulb silver" thing,
which, frankly, I never could get a handle on. Advise,
please?

Also, I've seen talk that by updating the corners you only
get the signal and hazard light functions of the indicators,
and that you lose the parking lights due to different
connectors/connections. Is this true even for the Bosch
lights, or does this only apply to aftermarket products?

I appreciate your help, as always. Apologies for my woeful ignorance on
a subject that has been discussed at length previously.

I put the Bosch orange stripe on mine - direct swap, same connector, everything that worked before works now (turn/parking, and hazard lights). The orange bulb was a DOT/Fed and State requirement at one time, I don't know if still true, but the orange bulbs are what I am using.

Thanks for the info, JCE! BTW, your headlights on the
300E look beautiful. I bet my car would look about ten
years younger if I could get a setup that looked that
good!

Thanks, Zach. Those are the Hella 500E lights from PUMA that I installed after someone trashed my MB factory euros taken from a grey market car. These lights loose the fog light, but gain long range driving lights and a chrome finish to the headlight surround behind the glass. I used the same connector without mods - the long range driving lights use the same H3 bulb as the original fogs, so I just use the fog switch to turn on the driving lights for now.

Re: Installing updated W124 corners question
 

zach

people use both clear and amber bulbs for indicators.
personal pref or state law usually decides it.

'technically' you car came with clear bulbs, right?
amber corners,but clear bulbs. i suppose one could make this point if stopped for them.
show the officer your owners manual...

i have and prefer clear bulbs [standard wal mart,k mart, napa, pep boys].
IMHO it is 'rice' and looks like 'dung' to have BLUE turn signal bulbs.
those WILL get you pulled over 'most' everywhere.

i have never been questioned about mine.


the authentic 'euro' look and standard is front indicators come on when using turn signals and emergency flashers.

i'm attaching a pic of this look.

the land rover freelander and some older [u.s.spec] discoverys are set up this way.

you would have to make this modification.

do you have euros?

peter

Sorry ZACH, but those CLEARS would look so good on your ride..........:D

Rich -

I hear ya - some people really do prefer the clears, I know, but to my eye the contrast between the dark black paint and the shocking white clearness of the corners is just a bit overwhelming. I like the touch of color the amber stripe provides. Anyway, the completely clear corners would only emphasize how faded and yellowed my headlights are! :eek:

All of this is moot anyway, because JCE's 300E has convinced me that I need to follow in his footsteps and upgrade to those Hella 500E lights. ;) For my checking account's sake, I really have to stop reading this forum.

Lose the orange strips...
 

Zach

Trust me. All whites will look sweet on your ride.

With regards to your headlamps, take 'em out and clean 'em really good.

The photo of my headlamp was taken AFTER i cleaned the insides and exterior of the lens.It was looking REALLY *****ty before that...all dirty and murky...

Cheers

Azhari:

Please tell us more about cleaning the inside of your headlights.

Azhari, very clean looking front end with those euro's, but you would not believe the difference when you put chrome tape inside the light frame to make it look like the 500E. I saw that on other guys cars from the forum, and it looks outstanding. If you put mine next to a 500E, you would not tell the difference. Can not show you a picture, but maybe another person from the forum would be able to, like Alon (Ashman)..............

azhari

euros have replaceable lenses. after awhile they get 'sandblasted' or may get a stress crack.

you have to pretty much remove the headlight, CAREFULLY pry the tabs that release the lense. then just clean the heck out of the inside.

it is something you might do 'yearlyish' [new word]


zach
do you have euros?

mine are also 500e lights.

check out the clear turn signal covers and side markers on this beemer.
clears do look pretty sweet on dark colors.

peter

Peter -

No, I don't currently have the Euro lights. I contacted PUMA yesterday, where JCE got his, and was quoted $449 for a set of the Hella 500E lights. I'm very tempted - after all, if I wanted to clean up the current look I have by installing new lenses and headlight rims, the cost of those parts alone would probably run to $250. Why not just upgrade the whole thing?

Can anyone tell me how daunting a job the installation of the Euros is? JCE?

The Puma lights are very nice, I have them on my car as well. You might want to talk to Paul @ Puma, he can get you clear corners for a good price if you buy the headlights.

The Euro's are not difficult at all to install. About three bolts, a snap ring at the top and they're off. Tape everything off before you start to prevent scratching the paint and you'll be all set. Do a search and you should find instructions.

Here's a shot of mine, you'll see that I actually modified my Euros to fit the stock wipers:

Zach, I'm sure you have heard this word many of times, EASY. That is how it is to upgrade to euro lights. The hardest part is the wiring, and that's easy too. Look in the Search option for euro headlights and you will find threads telling you how to do it. I was unsure myself at first, went for it and I LOL it was so easy.

Looking HOT Afshin. Chassis detailed yet???????????

Ok....
 

I'm practically sold. You guys make it sound like the Euros practically jump out of the box and on to the car without any effort! It's hard to believe that a modification like this, which can make a car look so much better, can be so easy.

The only reason why I was concerned about the installation at all was because of these instructions:

Upgrading early W124 headlights

This guide makes the wiring process sound a little technical, and wiring is definitely not my strong suit - I'm more apt to destroy my car than anything else....

Zach,

Paul will provide a wiring diagram that a 6 year old can figure out!;) That's the least of your worries, trust me.

The hardest part of the install for me was getting those da_n screws into the inside edges of the lights (near the radiator). The 500's have a very very tight fit which makes it a daunting task.

One very important factor your missing on the Euro's is that fact that lighting is a 100% IMPROVEMENT over the stock junk.

You should be Sold and calling Puma already!:D Also check with Paul to determine if he can get you the standard Euro's if you want to keep your fogs.

Zach, those instructions you have are for a heavy modification to use high wattage bulbs, plus other options. If you go the standard route its easy remove and replace. Again, check the search section.

Oh, and some of these Euros come with clear sides that you don't seem to want. Jacks the price up alittle, so check before you order.......

Zach:

Three other things you may want to consider. First, order a pair of the 'Headlight Mounting Kits' from Fastlane under the 'body electrical' catagory. They are only $5 each, and include new speed clips and screws, and a new plastic knurled nob for the top. You can re-use the old hardware, but I found the lower speed clips were corroded, and the knurled nobs on the top were brittle with heat/age and cracked off during removal.

Second, consider adding the headlight level adjustment panel and kit at some point. Ebennz (Peter) has all the part numbers for the authentic European panel and tubing that lets you raise and lower the aim point of the headlights from the dash while driving. I use it when I carry things in the trunk with 4 passengers in the car, or when I need a little more light down the road, but not as much as the high beams or driving lights. This can be added at any time after the Euro lights are installed.

Finally, click here to go to a site that describes how to aim the new headlights. And when you go to install them, I can send you details from the MBUSA STAR magazine article on installing Euro lights.

You will love the look, and you will be amazed at the difference in light output from the same wattage bulbs as you ran with the US lights!

Getting the lenses "sparkling"...
 

95E320cab

Cleaning the lenses was one of the best things I ever did for my car.

The lenses looked kinda dull, which spurred me into action.

Took the lenses off and cleaned them with a cloth and a bottle of polish (wierd, i think it was like vinyl/plastic polish or something).Inside and outside.

Now the lenses sparkle!!!

Amazing.Didn't expect such great results using vinyl/plastic polish, but it worked!!!