Group Buy of Euro lights

[adiaw83]

Would anyone be interested in this?

[gsxr]

Yes - but for a W124 or W123, I don't own a W126...

The best price I've found so far for W124 lights is a place in Florida that sells them for $290/pair, including connectors, bulbs, and instructions. S&H is $18 in USA. I've heard they would sell them on eBay for $255 + S&H, but that was a few months ago...

[GermanStar]

Just make sure the lights are Bosch. The Zigler and Hella Euro light assemblies are noticably inferior.

Ron
German Star

[Michael]

Best source for no-excuses Euro headlights (genuine Hella or Bosch) is PUMA - call Paul at 800.354.3552.

[gsxr]

Ron,

Thanks for the reply. I just heard from the $290 guy: "We are the importers of these beautiful headlights manufactured by Depo, one of the leading manufacturers for headlights in Europe."

I've never heard of Depo. I did buy a set of TYC's (unknowingly) and while they work OK, I'm not overly thrilled with the kwality.

I thought Bosch & Hella were essentially equal in quality & performance. What's wrong with the Hellas? And what are Ziglers?

BTW, do your kits for ~$420 come with bulbs & connectors?


Thanks,

[Michael]

Ron,

Hella W124 E-code lights are assuredly of equal quality to the Boschs...don't know where you got your info, but this is a widely held belief.

[JCE]

I have never before heard of Hella lights being inferior to Bosch. The Euro lights on my car came off of a 1987 gray market 300E. They have the MB trademark star-in-a-circle stamped on them in several places, and the MB part number. They are made by Hella, so unless MB chose an inferior supplier to provide their factory installed OE headlights, then there shouldn't be anything wrong with them. What have you heard about differences between Bosch and Hella that makes the latter inferior - I am really curious?

[-fad]

...from the posts above, looks like 'German Star' person (retailer?) suggests that Hella and Ziegler are inferior to Bosch (a marketing ploy?)

My Hella E-codes are definitely top quality in craftsmanship, materials, and lighting performance; the Bosch E500 DOT lighting is top quality as well (light effectiveness lesser vs. the E-codes though) - fwiw

also, seems that in re: to E-code lighting, one gets what they pay for;;; top quality Bosch or Hella e-code units don't seem to signifiacntly deviate in price ~$400-$500+/ pair range (always observed around this pricing for the past 10 years or so)

just as we have Kmart and off-brands here in the USA, ...in Europe there are such manufacturers that cater to the cheaper/ lesser quality marketplace

-fad

I figured everyone would be getting some Cibie e-code lights for their car. Cibie uses a unique lens that diffuses more light for high beam use, plus the assemblies themselves are beautiful.

I don't want to generalize, but Hella is commonly thought of as the low-rent lighting manufacturer. Build quality is great, but performance is easily crested by Bosch and easily blown away by Cibie.

Perhaps somebody else has more experience with these vendors when applied to a chassis such as the 123.

From a distance, they all look the same on the car... but not all lenses and reflectors are created equal...

-Joe

[GermanStar]

I'm no lighting expert, but I do listen to feedback from both car and shop owners, and the general tilt is that the lighting pattern from Hella headlights isn't as desirable as from the Bosch lights (I am definitely talking 1980s here). I also vividly remember the 123 Euro lites from Hella being just about the most hideous things I'd ever seen, actually mimicking the appearance of the 123 U.S. lites.

[-fad]

ECE approved "lighting pattern" between Bosch and Hella, etc. should be very much equal (due to uniformity/ variance within ECE approval specs). Keep in mind that on a case by case basis, 'proper adjustment' would be key as well as wiring/relay/ charging system health...on any lighting system

[please view my feedback on Hella e-codes based on 2002 new product experience from my '94 E500]

Re: 1980's e-codes
I have Cibie e-codes on my '86 Alfa Romeo running stock E1 55-60W bulbs. I put them on brand new, and the illumination has always been 'just ok' (a tad better then stock). I've also had Cibie e-codes (made in France) on previous vehicles owned in the 1980's and had similar impressions.

I've had new Bosch E-code lighting on a former '73 450SEL, which struck me as just ok (a tad better than stock), as well - - But comparing the 450SEL e-codes to the DOT Bosch Euro look alikes on my '94 e320 Coupe, the Coupe's Bosch units illuminate the road better

....maybe we should be more specifically comparing 90's e-code products/experiences across Bosch/Hella/ Cibie manufacturers? after all its a different automtive era....Does Cibie even make e-codes for an MB W124/500e/e500?

in either case- so far there appears a consensus that no great reviews/ experiences have come from the other/ non OEM (one-off) manufacturers of MB e-codes though....

-fad

[adiaw83]

Thanks for all the info but does anyone else want to get in on the group buy?

[Gil]

If you'd post a price or give us some idea of the volume needed, well, yeah, that'd be great. I've got a 1984 123 body that could use a GOOD set of euro lights. If all you can get are the el cheapos with the plastic covers, well, no thanks. Let us know.

-Gil

[schooner]

Yes, depending on the price and volumn I may be in. This of course will depend on my ability to scrape together a suitcase full of Canadian pesos. I have a 123.

[Miles81_240d]

I also have a w123 (a 1980 240d), and i would be completely in favor of a group purchase of Euro lights as well.. Hella/Bosch ideally (or equivelent in light output).. My car could use some! (Sylvania halogens only light SO much!) =)

Miles
1980 silver 240d =)