Value of euro headlights for a 108? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Johnhef · #1 07-09-2005, 04:08 PM

I came across a set of euro lights in a 250S today. I don't really have a need for them at the moment, but I would like to get another 108/109 sometime in the future and save them for that car.

Anyone that has bought them in the past, what did it cost you for them?

Arthur Dalton · #2 07-09-2005, 06:21 PM

I have seen them go for $400 on ebay. You may want to monitor ebay for a while , as they do come up.
They are , hands down, the prettiest lamps Benz ever made. I have some Euros on a 113 that are cool . but the side view of the 108s , with that angle cut, winout.
FYI , if you ever get to use them ,they do make a drop-in H4 lamp for high/low beam with a p45t base now to convert these to Halogens for short $$$$ [ 7 ea] and the difference is amazing. I use the H4 60/55. The orig Tunstun were only 50/45.

You prob already know that.. but maybe someone watching doesn't......

Here is a set with some trim missing that went for a couple hundred.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7982210172&category=33710.....

kpb · #3 07-09-2005, 10:18 PM

about 18 mos. ago i believe I paid about $250 for a really clean set of euros for my 108. Of course, I had to pay about $100 shipping form OZ, so, I guess, thay are essentailly $400 headlamps

They look too-o-o-o-o cool even thought they are the later squared-off style. Ask more if you need more.

Mark DiSilvestro · #4 07-10-2005, 08:06 AM

Euro headlamps are the one major extravagance I've lavished on my '60 Fintail. I got 2 sets, plus a spare lens, off Ebay. Paid $190 + shipping for the first set that wound up having damaged and missing parts, then $150 + shipping for the nice, complete set that I installed, plus $90 for a spare NIB Bosch 'bubble' cover glass. Though I overpaid for the first set, I feel less nervous about driving my car in local traffic now that I have the extra spares (and of course I saved the original sealed-beam units too) I was able to exeriment on my spare set and made special adapters so I can install common USA H4 bulbs if I have to.

Looks are the main reason I wanted the Euro lights. They are the lights that were designed for my car. Mine have the early round 'bubble' lenses and I think they look gorgeous. The Euros also add built-in foglamps. In the case of early Fintails like mine, which originally had the turn-signals built into the sealed beam units, the Euros bolt and plug right in without any extra wiring hassles. If you want to install Euros on a later USA Mercedes with the 'bullet' parking/turn signal lights mounted by the grill, you'll need to rewire accordingly.

One other consideration - Many years ago the Euros were illegal in Virginia and would fail the annual state safety inspection. Now, with antique plates, that inspection is no longer required. Today, most cars have Euro-type headlamps and my inspector told me that mine would probably pass anyway if they were in good enough condition to put out sufficient light. If your Benz still requires annual safety inspection in your state, check with your inspector.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Johnhef · #5 07-10-2005, 10:43 AM

I think I may have to go back and get them. I remember seeing a 250 awhile back with a set of euros and remember thinking how much more I like the appearance of that car with them in. If the guy doesn't break my wallet with the price on them I'll get them. Recently I was lucky enough to get a set of 126 euro's off ebay that came from a euro spec car- the guy had pulled the vacuum adjuster switch and all that went with it as well.

Arthur Dalton · #6 07-10-2005, 11:27 AM

< >>

MD.

Do you know the base type of the stock lamps ??

cth350 · #7 07-10-2005, 11:56 AM

The scruffy sets I've acquired in the past tend to 100$/side. I've gotten them w/o chrome or w/o the lens, and later found the chrome & glass separately. It helps to troll the non-US ebay sites to get the parts.

Mercedes recently started stocking the reflectors again. You need three per side. They're not cheap. I think the three together set me back about 95$ per side.

My 111 coupe hasn't been on the road for years, so I've not yet taken the lights apart. One of these days. -CTH

Mark DiSilvestro · #8 07-11-2005, 02:21 AM

Arthur,

I've heard the original tungsten lamps referred to as having a 'Bilux' base. I don't know what the part number is. There are Bilux-Halogen replacements availible in Europe. A friend brought me back a pair, as well as a couple of replacement bayonet foglamp bulbs on his last trip to Germany.
The Bilux have round bases with a little tit to align them correctly. The H4s have smaller round bases with three large tabs. The adapters I made allow the three-tab H4s to mount into the round holes in my Euro reflectors.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Arthur Dalton · #9 07-11-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

Arthur,

I've heard the original tungsten lamps referred to as having a 'Bilux' base. I don't know what the part number is. There are Bilux-Halogen replacements availible in Europe. A friend brought me back a pair, as well as a couple of replacement bayonet foglamp bulbs on his last trip to Germany.
The Bilux have round bases with a little tit to align them correctly. The H4s have smaller round bases with three large tabs. The adapters I made allow the three-tab H4s to mount into the round holes in my Euro reflectors.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Yes , the Bilux are R2 Tung lamps with a 45t base [45/40]. The H4 standard base is a 43t [ 3 tab] ,.. but , Narva [ and others ] now makes an H4 with the 45t [ bilux R2] base. So, they just drop in. Big improvement for short $$$.
No othe r changes needed.
Narva #48884 60/55

Todd Miller · #10 07-15-2005, 01:04 AM

Put a set in my car right after I bought it in '91 and what a huge improvement over the look of the USA quads. I dropped in a set of 80/100 H4 bulbs right off the bat and WOW!!!!

Since my car had the big round amber front turnsignals, I wired them in with the lights, so they are still on with all the parking lights and the city lights inside the headlights, and then they come on brighter when the fog lights are engaged. Actually gives a nice amber pattern and works well.

I'll eventually remove the round amber turnsignals when I have the car painted, but for now, good enough.

kpb · #11 07-15-2005, 01:13 PM

Todd -- Love the color

I installed euros in my 108 as well because I prefer the look. I removed the amber lamps and put in vintage Bosch driving lamps which function quite well -- I alos replaced the Bosch 55w bulbs with 135w -- Wow!

Arthur Dalton · #12 07-15-2005, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpb

Todd -- Love the color

I installed euros in my 108 as well because I prefer the look. I removed the amber lamps and put in vintage Bosch driving lamps which function quite well -- I alos replaced the Bosch 55w bulbs with 135w -- Wow!

Hope you guys went w/relays...

kpb · #13 07-15-2005, 09:39 PM

Arthur -- I investigated the relay issue as much as I could (given my limited ability to understand electrical stuff with my tiny, little pea brain) and figured I definitely needed to so install.

HOWEVER, have not yet done so. Have a single relay and have not figured out how exactly to install. I use the driving lamps quite judiciously, as in, rarely, and never for more than ten minutes straight. After putting in the 135w I checked it in the driveway for one-half hour with no hot wires or weird stuff evident.

I have on my "To do" list, install relay or downgrade back to 55w. Thanx for your concern. BTW, I always attend to your postings as you seem to be a sharp tack. Your insight is appreciated by many.

Arthur Dalton · #14 07-15-2005, 09:45 PM

Well, Thank You very much for the kind words.

BooYaaa !!

{ That's Cramer talk, meaning Cooool... if you are in the Market]
The other concern , of course, is these cars did not have real powerhouse Alternators, but that is an easy upgrade.

Johnhef · #15 07-16-2005, 03:13 PM

I went back for the headlights today, to quote the guy when I asked how much, he said forget it, he already knew how much he could get for them on ebay, so keep an eye out, they'll probably be there soon. It wasnt a wasted trip though, I got a near perfect 126 dash for $20

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