I replaced the corner lights and tail lights in my 1982 300TD with non-OEM versions. These were shipped to California from Latvia and were quite inexpensive.



The front lenses are clear, so I used white/amber LEDs. When the headlights are on the lights are bright white (much brighter than the stock yellow lenses). When the turn signal is on, the white light cuts out, and the bulb flashes bright amber (much brighter then stock). This is called a "switchback LED". If the white LED didn't cut out when the turn signal is on, it would flash yellow-white-yellow rather than yellow-off-yellow.


The rear lenses are red for the tail and brake portions, and clear for the turn signals. I installed red LEDs for the tail and brakes, and yellow LEDs for the turn. The LEDs for the tail light are dimmer than the LEDs for the brake light.

The results are impressive. The lights are quite a bit brighter (though still street legal).

Long term, I intend to replace all six bulb holders in the rear with dual filament holders (1157). I would rewire the tail and brake bulbs so that each bulb was both a tail light and a brake light. Thus one bulb on each side could fail and I would still have a pair of working tail and brake lights. The turn signal would be rewired with 1157 yellow/white LEDs so that it can be used as both the turn signal and as backup lights.