HELLA BOSCH 500E E500 Headlights 56K Warning!
 

I have read over and over that
http://img46.exs.cx/img46/9643/hell1.jpgHELLA was the only company that made the Euro (e-code) headlights for the 1991-1993 500e. They have done this because so that they could have the driving light that's in place of the fog light and the chrome-vaporized trim instead of the flat grey color behind the lens that makes them so desirable.

http://img29.exs.cx/img29/1298/hella2.jpg

http://img29.exs.cx/img29/8391/hella3.jpg http://img29.exs.cx/img29/7737/hella4.jpg
http://img134.echo.cx/img134/5207/4a1b3ep.jpghttp://img46.exs.cx/img46/2525/45804068203_0_ALB.jpg


Some people bought them and changed the lenses to 06/1993-1995 e500 lenses on these units to make them fit the newer cars.
http://img29.exs.cx/img29/5179/hella5.jpg
http://img38.exs.cx/img38/1379/e200_...nsingapore.jpg

So my question is why is it that people don't just buy the BOSCH lights? What is the difference between the HELLA and the BOSCH versions?
http://img134.echo.cx/img134/2352/0412b3ur.jpg
http://img134.echo.cx/img134/7959/a212b9xy.jpg

No difference whatsoever. My Euro W124 came with Bosch. But if you want the 500 chromes its a HELLA only item.

Don't the BOSCH lights in the pics have chrome like the HELLA?

Simple..

Bosch /hella 300/400 E are basically the same. headlight plus foglight.

For the 500E, the chrome referred to is the plastic housing- not the reflector. IT was only made by Hella. They came with driving lights instead of foglights.

FYI you can buy the replacement 500E glass and install it on a300/400 setup.

Some ppl also put the aluminum duct tape over the grey plastic so the mimic the 500E style. I got mine on a group buy and it was about $100 more for the lights, and I got clear corners- so I though it wasn't a big deal.



Michael

Looking at your pics... I cannot tell the differences with the Hell vs Bosch.

It is possible that Bosch is now applying the vapor deposited material to all their replacement lights(?).

Big thing would be fog vs driving lights. Reflector and lense p/n's are different between a 92 300E and a 92 500E when someone in Europe looked them up.

If you are purchasing... you'll be happy with either. I think my maglight has a light pattern close to US lights.

Michael

Hey! :mad:


Maglites are good :D

This is what I would like to know.

i doubt it. if I got into a prang and broke just one headlamp, and replaced it with a new part and they didnt match left to right, I would be upset.

Im guessing the early ECE headlamps were grey and the facelifted E320/etc and the E500/500E headlamps were vacuum metalized.

The non 500 headlamps shown (with fog light) are the later lights as you can see the hood/grille line on the lens.

I just realized that the black wide body with the 500 lights is a wagon! awesome!