Euro style headlights for W123

[steamboatsykes]

I am considering replacing the factory headlights wit a Euro style replacement headlight. Other than the wiring plug changes, are there any other electrical modifications to be made for this upgrade?

I am curious if the wattage for the Euro system is similar to the original sealed beam lights.

[sixto]

You might want to run a wire from the corner lamp to the city light in the headlight reflector. Otherwise it's just a matter of moving pins from the old 4-pin connector to the 6-pin connector.

You determine the wattage of the H4 main bulb and H1 fog/driving bulb. Stick with 55 watts and you won't have to worry about wiring capacity. You can get bulbs to 130 watts or more. Anything above 70-75 watts requires relays and heavier gauge wire.

Sixto
87 300D

[sixto]

An alternative to full blown Euro assemblies is E-code 7" main beam housings such as Daniel Stern sells. More economical housings are available and I expect even the cheapest housings provide better illumination than sealed beams.

Make sure you get headlights for left hand drive traffic if you're in North America!

Sixto
87 300D

[steamboatsykes]

55 watts per bulb or for the headlight fog lamp set?

[sixto]

Per bulb. The H4s are sometimes 60/55 or 65/55 denoting different wattage for low and high beam. I count that as 55 watts.

Sixto
87 300D

[steamboatsykes]

When making the change to the Euro style, do you need to replace the turn signals, or will the existing light assemblies be compatible with the Euro headlights? Thanks.

[sixto]

You can keep the corners. Euro corners are darker amber and have a single contact for turn signal function only. DOT corners have a park light function in addition and thus a double contact socket. Sockets can be swapped but you have to splice a single contact socket if that's your choice.

Sixto
87 300D

[steamboatsykes]

Thanks for the great feedback. I think I am ready to go ahead with the swap out. I picked up a 6 pin harness for both lights sets, so here gos. Thanks.

[sd300td]

Originally Posted by sixto

You can keep the corners. Euro corners are darker amber and have a single contact for turn signal function only. DOT corners have a park light function in addition and thus a double contact socket. Sockets can be swapped but you have to splice a single contact socket if that's your choice.

Sixto
87 300D

Also Identifiable by the lack of reflector; as spec'd on DOT corners.

[sd300td]

Originally Posted by steamboatsykes

Thanks for the great feedback. I think I am ready to go ahead with the swap out. I picked up a 6 pin harness for both lights sets, so here gos. Thanks.

You will (may) also need euro mounting hardware. OEM is available but difficult to source. Hopefully you have a great hardware store in the area..

[kayooh]

Originally Posted by sixto

You can keep the corners. Euro corners are darker amber and have a single contact for turn signal function only. DOT corners have a park light function in addition and thus a double contact socket. Sockets can be swapped but you have to splice a single contact socket if that's your choice.

Sixto
87 300D

My '92 600SEL has orange covers on the front turn signals but the '92 300SD has clear covers with an orange trailing end (very likely on the reflector not the cover itself).

The same applies to my two '95 E300D's, one has the orange cover while the other has a clear cover.

Which one do you think is not original?

Thank you.

[sixto]

US W140s from 92-94 have amber corners. From 95 the forward part is clear with an orange bulb and amber in the trailing edge. Your SD has later style or aftermarket corners.

US W124s got clear covers starting in 94 with the hood and headlight update. The 95 with amber corners has earlier style corners.

Sixto
87 300D

[kayooh]

Originally Posted by sixto

US W140s from 92-94 have amber corners. From 95 the forward part is clear with an orange bulb and amber in the trailing edge. Your SD has later style or aftermarket corners.

US W124s got clear covers starting in 94 with the hood and headlight update. The 95 with amber corners has earlier style corners.

Sixto
87 300D

Thank you very much Sixto, you always come to my rescue.

Do you know what was the thinking behind the orange versus the clear lenses?

Thank you.

[sixto]

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