I imagine a case of MB catching up with Lexus Through the 90s there was a styling shift to clear lenses and colored bulbs. Altezza tail lights were all the rage, so named for the pioneering tail light treatment in the Toyota Altezza (Lexus IS300 in the US). In the extreme I saw aftermarket W124 tail light lenses that are absolutely clear when not illuminated. The DOT requires a red reflector so some of these lenses aren't legal. But so is disabling EGR and driving 26 mph in a school zone

Sixto
87 300D