Headlights retrofit
 

Saw this sweet 260E on BringaTrailer.com a couple weeks ago and I can't get the thoughts of doing the headlights trick on mine! I despise the cheaply designed headlight doors on these cars but someone had a brilliant idea to simply replace them with the facelifted '93-'95 eyeballs [emoji41]. I mean, who ever did it made it look as though they were factory installed.

Any thoughts on how difficult this might be to carry out? Just curious how much, if any, modification may need to be done in order to set the 'new'lights on their sockets.... Thanks for your thoughts.

Dalehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5bf622065f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...fc7d473c86.jpg thehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9dbbb14a82.jpg

I’m not sure what you mean by headlight doors. Those look like Euro headlights which have completely different buckets. Available as OE Bosch or Hella for $$$ or aftermarket such as by Depo or TYC for about $200. Depo brand fit and perform well enough. TYC fit poorly. Used OE come around for about $200.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

Headlight "doors" is what the plastic OE surround is called on my '88 260E. I am aware that they are avail as OE or HELLA brand and URO brand. I've seriously considered buying new ones to replace my worn ones but haven't yet. I do NOT like this OE design when compared to retro fitting the car with the LATER "Euro" headlight.

Dale

I think I’m on a different channel so bear with me. Are you saying someone put 94-95 headlights lenses over 86-93 US headlamp buckets? I suppose that can be done but that’s not what’s in those pictures. 94-95 lenses are chamfered for the reshaped facelift hood so it’ll look strange without a facelift hood.

FWIW E500E headlights are different beasts altogether but can be retrofitted to pedestrian 124s. Good luck finding a serviceable used set.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

Pretty sure those are from a facelift W124 (93-95). I HAVE both cars in my garage and I'm 99.99% sure those are from the facelift model.


I have attached a front view of the 'stock' 260E with the headlight "doors" I refer to. If I AM wrong, I would be very surprised :eek:


Looks like we need another person or two to break this 'dispute' :)


My Signature pic of the '95 wagon has the updated (facelift) headlights LIKE the one in my OP.


Dale

This is the 86-93 US style with headlamp door as in your latest picture. Separate glass lens over the headlamp, plastic headlamp door over the fog light extending around but not over the headlamp -

http://www.europartimports.com/catal...07-022-208.jpg

This is the 86-93 Euro style with squared off upper inner edge. It’s a single piece glass lens -

https://cdn1.pelicanparts.com/catalo...ce/82-025B.jpg

This is the 94/95 style with chamfered upper inner edge. I think US and Euro have different lenses but you have to read codes or part numbers on the lenses to be sure. These are what would be on your ‘95 wagon -

https://www.benzworld.org/forums/att...dlights_02.jpg

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

Headlights retrofit
 

Ok, I see what you're saying. They may very well be the 86-93 Euro style such as the next to the last pic you attached. I failed to consider that the US and Euro headlights within the same years (86-93) were not alike. However, they are close in appearance to the facelift model I have on my 95.

I stand corrected (I think[emoji846])

Edit: However he got there, I'd like to know. I really, really like that look [emoji846]

Dale

I have the retrofitted lights on my car, done by the previous owner. They are the DEPO brand, but they fit fine and look stock. I see you're in Dayton. I'm in the Columbus area, if you're ever close and want to take a look at how mine were installed.

Hey there neighbor! What model do you have? I just like how 'clean' these Euro lights look along with the clear corners. That car is like mine but mine isn't modified like it is. No lowering springs. No mono blocks - although I have a set. And if course, no Euro style headlights [emoji58]

I'll send you a PM when I'm going to head that direction. My brother lives North West of Columbus and we get together periodically...[emoji106]

Dale

I have a 300E, same color as the one above but probably not quite as clean. Hit me up if you'll be near Delaware.

Headlights retrofit
 

I will do that sometime! Bro lives in Marysville so perhaps when I'm heading there sometime over the holidays [emoji846]

Dale

PS! If ever you're down in my neck of the woods give me a shout..

I'm not sure what you mean by headlight doors, but swapping the USA headlight modules for European H4 modules is a bolt-on job on 124s and 201s. Illumination is vastly superior, but make sure they are adjusted properly. IIRC the left side cutoff should be 3" below the vertical center of the lens 25' out. The beginning of the 15 degree rise to the right should be dead ahead, and I think the fog light cutoff should be level with the vertical center of the lens.

I bought a set for my erstwhile '84 190E 2.3 and then swapped them into the new '88 190E 2.6 special order five-speed.

I recall I used the original USA corner modules with the turn signal and parking light bulbs. They are interchangeable with the Euro corner modules, and I just put a vacuum cap over the nipple for the Euro "city lights" function, which dips the headlights a few degrees.

Also, the Euro modules need six-pin connectors rather than the USA four-pin type. The six-pin type are the same as the six pin connectors used for the tail lamp modules, so I bought them at the dealer, and it's easy to swap the terminal pins.

There's a photo of my car in the following thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/395876-odd-starting-issue-88-190e-2-6-a.html

Duke

I may still have the RF Euro one for the W124s if you want it. PM me, I will take basically nothing for it...an expired OH license plate for my wall, $20 for a case of beer, and freight.

The headlight 'door' is the plastic surround that is over each headlamp glass.

Nice lil' red ride you've got there...[emoji846]

Dale

You betcha! I've got maybe more than one expired Ohio license tag I would be willing to part with [emoji41]

I'll send you a PM for details... Thanks

Dale