Greetings!
First off, I'm a new member to this forum as well as a new MB owner (not of a new car though) and think this is a great tool for owners both new-and-old. Kudos!

On to my question regarding 'Eurolights'. I have heard/read a great deal of positives about the conversion to the 'Eurolight' systems. I'm all in favour of safety as the lighting on my 1985 190E (W-210) is less than exciting. What are the potential problems for updating to the 'Eurolight' (with the exception of state inspections)- what wattage is recommended - what special considerations (in wiring) have to be made - what retailer/distributor is recommended (i.e. Capital West)and finally is this a do-it-yourself project?

Thanks in advance.

Stephen Davis
1985 190E

Stephen,

I installed euro headlights on my Audi 5000TQ a few years ago. Compared to the old DOT headlights, the difference is really like night and day. The glass lens have since been cracked and broken from rocks spit up by cars traveling ahead of me (now I know why cars are built with Lexan plastic lens), but they still perform very well! I believe the key is in the reflector; very sharp horizontal cutoff with a 15 degree or so gradual rise to the right (so highway signs are illuminated far ahead). The lens also contributes to this effect.

I decided to go the whole nine yards when I installed the lights, and bought a separate, heavy duty wiring harness with two separate relays. I then used 85/100W H-4 bulbs and 100W H-3 bulbs for the separate high beam slot. On high beams, this means a total of 400 watts of bright white halogen light. When you use the euro lights (mine were Bosch) combined with the separate wiring harness, there will be no melting of anything under the hood. Only a very few amps runs through the headlight switch itself this way. Just make sure that all your connections are nice and tight, especially your ground connection.

Last year I obtained a '76 MB 450SLC and was considering converting to euro lights too. I don't know if I should just upgrade the existing lights to one pair of round 5 1/4" light and one pair of round H-1 lights, or to go all the way and buy the one piece euro set up. I'm not sure how much of a task this involves, if the lights will perform better or not. Perhaps someone with experience with this can help us and point us to a supply source.

Have fun with your new MB!

Bill

Stephen,

I have a 1990 300CE24 that I upgraded to the Euro lights. I got mine from Bekkers Imports (800)624-5410, I believe on sale for around $200 each side WITH clear marker lights included. It is an easy fit on the E series if you know how to use a voltmeter and basic tools. The lights come with a new connector shell, but you must open the old connector shell and take the connector pins out and put them in the correct place in the new shell. I didn't have a wiring diagram so I borrowed a meter from work and made up a little pinout chart: High beam, Low beam, Fog Lamp, Ground, I believe. Excellent results: Better lighting pattern, replacable bulbs (H4), upgradable bulbs (up to 80 Watt low and 100 Watt high, no problem on mine without relays), much nicer, more modern look. One problem on the E: If you have headlight wipers, the new headlights require different motor (reverse rotation path), new wiper arm and blade, and a new bezel on each side that must be painted to match your car ($75 it cost me). Would I do it again? Absolutely. Clean install. I recommend, but the total was about $700!

Regards,

Jim