I think it's an '83 500SEL Euro. I know it's euro, I can tell by the velour, lights, front bumper (back bumper's gone) that it's euro. So anyways, it had an accident in the front which shattered both headlight lenses. How much for new or used lenses? Does anyone have an extra set? The silver lining looks great on the right and mediocre on the left. It's not scratched, but the left one just isn't as shiny so I am hoping chrome polish could bring it back, if not, any ideas? I'll do a search and report back. I'm going to get the light switch so I would have the adjustable lights, the switch facia is badly faded, but who knows... It does however still have the headlight wiper system on it! So that is definitely coming home with me tomorrow. The euro wipers have the nozzles on the bumper so I'm going to try and bend the chrome piece on the bumper up so I can get to the inside to remove the nozzles. The car is sitting on the ground without tires in the front so I can't just crawl underneath it. Also, I'm going to look up to double-check, but the last 3 numbers on the diff are 3 08. Does this mean it's a 3:08 LSD? I wouldn't grab it tomorrow but I sure would like to have one on my SDL. How do I get the whole light switch out? I know how to remove the knob but not the whole thing.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Once you remove the knob, you will see a large thin nut. This nut must be removed to slide the entire light switch assembly out. You can use needle nose pliers if you don't have a large enough socket. Its easiest to get to the switch with the top of the dash removed if I remember correctly. Does it have the lumbar seats, many euro 500's had them, if in good shape and cheap enough nice to have, especailly if they are the manual ones that don't require running vac. hose under the carpet etc.

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Mercedes Fleet:
2004 CL600 Designo Espresso SPORT
2004 S600 Designo Espresso SPORT/Lorinser Pkg.
1999 S320
1988 300TE
1972 280SEL 4.5
Diesel Fleet:
2014 GL350 Blutec
1987 300SDL Blk/Blk 4 place seating #18 head
1987 300SDL Smk Slv/Burgangy #17 head
1986 300SDL Blk Pearl/Palomino #14 head w/ 280K
1984 Lincoln Mark VII Fact BMW Turbo Diesel

The shiny finish on Euro reflectors is very delicate. If you run your finger over it, you'll probably rub some silver stuff off. Forget trying to polish it.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

I licked my finger and nothing came off but dirt so I'll keep that in mind.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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i think that you will find that the euro 500 has higher horspower. i have driven one and it is much faster than my us 500sec. the diff is a higher ratio and may or may not be posi. you can check by elevating the rear and turning a wheel. if both turn the same direction it is posi. i would not recommend the higher ratio in a diesel. it may be a 2.45, can't remember. the motor probably has hi comp. pistons and hotter cams. other differences probably are minor... mechanically. i don't know about all the swithches etc. brakes might be bigger. basic shell of car is same and most major parts will interchange, probably.

good clean fun. good luck.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Do you know a product that will "restore" the mirror finnish? I tried chrome spray paint and it doesn't have the reflective finnish.

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Mercedes Fleet:
2004 CL600 Designo Espresso SPORT
2004 S600 Designo Espresso SPORT/Lorinser Pkg.
1999 S320
1988 300TE
1972 280SEL 4.5
Diesel Fleet:
2014 GL350 Blutec
1987 300SDL Blk/Blk 4 place seating #18 head
1987 300SDL Smk Slv/Burgangy #17 head
1986 300SDL Blk Pearl/Palomino #14 head w/ 280K
1984 Lincoln Mark VII Fact BMW Turbo Diesel

There was a place that advertised in Hemmings and they claimed to resilver headlamp reflectors. Probably sputter it on using vapor deposition (in a vacuum chamber I believe)

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

If you have the nozzle not attached to the wipers themselves, you have the very early euro wipers.. the ones that were found on 1983-1984 cars and older. They were much thinner looking than the ones that replaced it. If I were you, you shouldn't have damaged the bumper to get the nozzle.. I would have taken the bumper and put on the entire euro headlight assembly.

Not much more HP on the 1st generation 500's. The US 500 had around 185 HP which is crap considering a 300 had 177. However, the 2nd generation 500 had a much better exhaust system and had more HP than a US 560.

I wasn't able to get any euro wipers from the 500 but I did find an early set on a 123 so I'm going to use them. I don't know if it's just me but I like the skinnier wipers. They offer a more sleek look and look more modern than the "L" wipers on my SDL now. (actually just one, one's missing)

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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They might look better than the US wipers, but they're not as nice looking in my oppinion as the later Euro wipers. The later ones had built-in washer nozzles, too.

Could you post a pic of the later euro wipers so I could see them? I can't really come up with a clear picture in my head.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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The updated wipers with built-in nozzles. (US wipers also have built-in nozzles)


The older wipers with nozzles built-in to bumpers

The member here who I'm buying euro lights from is also including a set of newer euro arms. The thing is however they are missing the plastic piece that closes over the nut. Maybe I can take the plastic piece off my existing wiper arms and use them on these? I don't want to break them however because I'll have to see how each set looks. The headlight panels that I bought only have a hole for the motor so I guess I'll drill another hole in each for the washer hose.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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