Headlight wipers

[rodbaxter]

I have been looking at various 300E's. What I am wondering is why some have headlight wipers and some not. Were they part of a special option package?

Good question!

I got out the window sticker for my '88 300E. In the standard equipment list is: "AERODYNAMIC HALOGEN HEADLAMPS WITH WIPERS, AND WASHERS."

This car came with only two options; 904 paint and 274 Palomino Leather upholstery $1,425.00 and option 412 Electric sliding roof with Pop-up N/C (no charge).

The only answer I can imagine is that the earlier models had them as an option or not at all. Through most model life cycles, there are options on the earlier models that are thrown in free with later models of the series to maintain interest.

Good luck,

[Glen]

I believe all 'large' engined 300E models prior to 1993 came with headlight wipers. 300E 2.6 and 260E models did not. For 1993 and later models it .may. have been an option on the large engine models as well because I've seen 300E (w/3.2 M104) models without the wipers. I've never seen a 300E (w/2.8 M104) with wipers but that doesn't mean they don't exist!

[Ashman]

I would think that wither it was not an option or was an option on certain cars.

my car doesn't have heated seats, though it probably should have, it must have been ordered without them. I would assume the same goes for the wipers. you can probably order the car without them when they were new.

I'll be taking my wipers out when I do the Euro Headlight upgrade. No need for the wipers whent he euro lights look so damn good. hehe

Alon

[rodbaxter]

Thanks for the info. So, some of the 300E's had 2.8 engines? Which engine should a person buy? Was there any other differences other than engines and headlight wipers?

[MBenzNL]

US customers are being spoiled by Mercedes!!!

In Europe we have to pay for every single, simple, possible option!
The headlight washers were (& are) options you can order BUT you have to pay for them. The only models that get the washers thrown in by mercedes are the models with xenon headlights.
Heated seats....??you will need a flashlight only to find euro models equipped with the heated seats...it's a rarity here!

greetingz,

rod,

In some years there was a the 260E was basically the same car but with a 2.6 liter version of the M103 engine. I believe there was also a 300E, 2.6 which was effectively the same thing.

There is no advantage to seeking out a 2.6, or 260E, they are less powerful, with no advantages.

Good luck,

[Glen]

I think the 300E 2.8 was only available in 1993 here in the U.S. It came standard with MBTex instead of leather but I believe leather could be added if desired.

[JCE]

For whatever it is worth, the window sticker on my 1987 300E also lists the headlight wipers and washers as standard equipment (it's getting a little hard to read after all these years in the glove box!)

[MBenzNL]

Hey blackMBd John,

In the Netherlands we have the same 2001 C-classes!! You can buy them with absolute nothing standard and probably everything possible optional...

The C320 "classic" (the cheapest model-line) costs about 48.000 USD and then you get a car with cloth interior, steel wheels, a non metallic color and NO airco!!!
The sunroof will cost one approx. 1600 USD,
the airco system will cost approx. 3000 USD,
metallic paint costs approx. 1075 USD,
headlamp washers costs about 375 USD,
leather twin only costs about 625 USD and
full leather costs approx. 2525 USD...

I have driven a new C200CDI "classic" yesterday...one does not get much for ones $$$!!!

greetingz,

[David C Klasse]

I have ALWAYS wanted to know this... What REALLY is the point of the headlamp washers? In case mud splashes on the lights when you're off-roading?! Is there really a need for them? I still love them, but WHY are they there?

Also, does the US get Mercedes with disabled headlamp washers? That is what I have heard. I have never ever seen the S420's headlamp washers turn on, even when I tried.

[akry]

Ok, I am no W124 expert here, but I will try my best to answer.

Headlight wipers are optional on ALL 2.6/2.8 W124s not matter which model year. 1987(or was that 1988)-1993, ALL 300Es/400Es have headlight wipers STANDARD. Late 1993(1994 model year), W124 gets facelift and name change, 300Es(or should I say, E320) no longer have headlights wipers standard, but as option. E420s have headlight wipers standard. HOWEVER, late W124 E420s have NO headlight wipers, some how, headlight wipers ended up as an option for E420, too.

Personally, I found headlight wipers to be very effective. You don't have to go off-road to get the headlight lesnses dirty. After some driving time in a rainy day, the water(and all the polutants)will dry up, and formed a thin "coat" of dirt on the headlights, which(you can do a before/after test)can reduce the headlight effectivness up to as much as 15%. Those mini wipers are a must if you encounter alot of snow/rain in your area.

Oh, one more thing about disabled headlight washers/wipers. NO, US models have working washers/wipers, but the headlight wipers will come with..

1. When windshield washers are activated
2. And headlights is ON

Canadian MBs(1991 and on) have headlights turned on automatically(DRL), therefore, headlight wipers work whenever windshield washers are in use.
Hope this helps...

Andy Kuo

[Edited by akry on 02-27-2001 at 06:20 AM]

David,

Also, this option truly shines when you are on a long distance road trip and encounter a lot of dirt build up.

Mercedes will go long distances more comfortably than any other car I know of.

[David C Klasse]

ALright thanks for the answers guys. I guess that makes some sense to me about why the wipers are there.
ALso, I will have to try the S420 with headlights and wipers on for a test! Or maybe I can just make note of it today because it's pouring here and there are a million Mercedes! (Newport Beach has more Mercedes per capita than any other city in the world... fjmercedes.com for reference)
Thanks again.

[Bill Wood]

Originally posted by Hottee18m
In case mud splashes on the lights when you're off-roading?! Is there really a need for them? I still love them, but WHY are they there?
Also, does the US get Mercedes with disabled headlamp washers? That is what I have heard. I have never ever seen the S420's headlamp washers turn on, even when I tried.

The real benefit of headlight washers is in snow country where the roads are salted in the winter. Road salt can reduce the effectiveness of your headlights by up to 70%.
If you have an S420 and the headlight washers do not turn on then they are broken. Do you know how to turn them on? If not, you must have the ignition on, the headlights must be on and you operate the windshield washer.