W123 Euro headlights - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

NC-Diesel · #1 11-12-2012, 07:11 PM

What do they go for these days? And any things I should be on the lookout for when buying a set? I was offered a set at a nice price but want to consult folks of knowledge before jumping. So this doesn't end up like my white 82 tat I paid $2000 for before I realized the bottom was almost totally rusted out!

PackerEdgerton · #2 11-12-2012, 07:29 PM

I have seen the W123 genuine Euro lights go for around $400 in good condition. That's a little steep on a car that I'm trying to be frugal with.

I ended up buying some off the auction site. New Euro lights. Around $200. Not the world's best construction (you can see some problems with the moldings up close, etc.) but they seem to be water-tight and they have a good beam throw pattern, etc.

Biggest problem was figuring out how to get them wired with the weirdo wiring harness they gave me.

I got it working, but if I need to, I will likely swap to factory 6-pin connectors (I bought some, but since it's working, I decided to leave them alone for now).

Good luck,

Packman

andrewjtx · #3 11-12-2012, 11:45 PM

I paid $200 on CL for mine earlier this year. It was the $60 for mounting hardware from MB that killed me...

Govert · #4 11-13-2012, 05:44 AM

There are original sets from Bosch or Hella (with or without vacuum headlight control) and there are (cheap) copies. Don't pay too much for copies. The original ones can have rusted mirrors and it is not easy to repair that, save for new mirrors (which are not always available).

chasinthesun · #5 11-13-2012, 11:29 AM

Yards get $100 for both lights no matter what condition ,at least thats what they say ,if you find somekind of blemish with the lens theyve got a canned phrase ,"your buying the assemlbly as is".They played that same game when I was looking at a pair of seats that werent nearly as good as they were when I looked a bit closer at them ,I replied ,"Ill let them sit as is then".

Zacharias · #6 11-13-2012, 11:34 AM

I have the Depo lights reproduction units on my w123. They look fine after about 18 months.

Yes they are overall cheap, but the lenses seem to be holding up well (no wear or stone chips so far). You notice the cheapness in the small stuff, quality of the electrical connectors, speednuts, etc.

I would buy Depo again.

PackerEdgerton · #7 11-13-2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacharias

I have the Depo lights reproduction units on my w123. They look fine after about 18 months.

Yes they are overall cheap, but the lenses seem to be holding up well (no wear or stone chips so far). You notice the cheapness in the small stuff, quality of the electrical connectors, speednuts, etc.

I would buy Depo again.

Yep, what he said. I have the same setup.

Packman

sassparilla_kid · #8 11-13-2012, 10:38 PM

Just got a second set of Depo lights for $100 from eBay

MBeige · #9 11-13-2012, 11:21 PM

Do the aftermarket brands (DEPO, TYC, etc) have a sharp cutoff? I had a chance to drive a 300TE w/ DEPOs and the light cutoff (where light meets darkness on the beam pattern) was a but blurred.

Here are the Bosch Euros on mine, the cutoff is sharp.

The Bosch's on mine are still fantastic. Got a great deal too, $120 for the pair w/ Euro corners, so I got a new set of lenses for $100 and I'm still well within the usual selling range of the Euros, but with new lenses.

Admiral Ahani · #10 11-14-2012, 04:29 AM

I bought my left and right euro headlights individually for about $50 each. Every time I saw a pair for sale, it was well over $100, so I saved a bit of money. But having one headlight while you wait to find the other is torture.

Mine are genuine used MB Hella lights. They have the vacuum control function, but it's not connected, and the lights were aimed manually with the little knob.

crazy4diesel · #11 07-21-2017, 01:44 PM

you guys putting the DEPO headlights in, how the heck did you get an H4 bulb into the socket? I can't get the base of the bulb to clear the tabs enough to get it to seat at all.

BillGrissom · #12 07-22-2017, 01:55 AM

There are some ultra-modern looking ones on ebay for that Jap tuner-car look. Inexpensive (~$40/par) but the shipping from Europe adds (~$100). Made in some former Soviet country (forgot). Probably plastic lenses, for that cloudy look in a few years like even many newish cars one sees in sunny CA.

crazy4diesel · #13 07-22-2017, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillGrissom

There are some ultra-modern looking ones on ebay for that Jap tuner-car look. Inexpensive (~$40/par) but the shipping from Europe adds (~$100). Made in some former Soviet country (forgot). Probably plastic lenses, for that cloudy look in a few years like even many newish cars one sees in sunny CA.

Bill, that seller I think is in Riga, Latvia, is selling the same DEPO headlights (actually made in Taiwan). This is the USA distributor: http://www.maxzone.com/maxzone09/default.aspx

They are glass lenses, and really aren't bad, but the socket to hold the H4 bulbs is complete rubbish.

ROLLGUY · #14 07-22-2017, 05:04 PM

I have a set of Euro lights for right hand drive (England) for sale. They come with the "conversion" stickers that cover part of the lens so drivers are not blinded in left hand drive cars. I believe they are genuine Bosch. PM if interested......Rich

Adriel · #15 07-25-2017, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Do the aftermarket brands (DEPO, TYC, etc) have a sharp cutoff? I had a chance to drive a 300TE w/ DEPOs and the light cutoff (where light meets darkness on the beam pattern) was a but blurred.

Here are the Bosch Euros on mine, the cutoff is sharp.

The Bosch's on mine are still fantastic. Got a great deal too, $120 for the pair w/ Euro corners, so I got a new set of lenses for $100 and I'm still well within the usual selling range of the Euros, but with new lenses.

Compared to that picture, yes, my Depo lights were blurry.

Worse, couldn't adjust them. Plastic so darn soft doesn't help either. Tried adding washers, but no help.

So if anyone wants Depo lights, be glad to sell you used ones.

Every last European light I got off eBay has arrived in shattered pieces (and despite what is claimed, there is no means of insurance). Found a set locally, but sold out from under me.