slammer111

So some idiot decided to smash into my parked car. 90% of the damage is to my bumper (looking at refinishing obviously) but they also managed to nick my headlight.

There are a few scuff marks in the clear headlight plastic, but the plastic itself is not cracked. I'd imagine a good body shop would be able to buff it out. We do have a MB repair shop here so I'm going with them (same deductible no matter where I go). What I'm more worried about though is if this buffed/restored area would now turn yellow over time, as I'd imagine whatever factory clearcoat they used during manufacturing would be removed. Wondering if I'm worrying over nothing, or if someone knowledgeable in this area can chime in. Yes I'm super **** about my car. Call it OCD.

I'm trying to avoid replacing the headlight because who knows if the dealer here can source a European bi-xenon.

The good news out of the whole deal is my clearbra took the damage to the hood (tiny permanent mark) but otherwise the hood and grill are undamaged. Now I kind of wish I had clear bra'ed the bumper and headlights, though who knows if this would've helped at all..

SunnyRayToronto

Maybe this thread might help,... Javvy found brand new OEM (Hella) left side BiXenon for our coupe for $175.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...eadlights.html

I can't find them on ebay now,... but here's another one,... look like this ebayer got it from the Hella clearence at PeachTreeCity as well and now selling at cost.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-04-05-Mercedes-Benz-W203-C-Class-C230-C320-C350-LH-Headlight-XENON-BRAND-NEW-/161027903871?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item257e02d17f&vxp=mtr
Yes, these are American specs Bix,... non-Euro,... but at this price,.. worth keeping for spare parts,... including the lens that you're worried about.

tommy

I'm not aware of any clear coat over the headlights (as plastic over plastic sounds like overkill) so if a shop can buff it out without making the headlight too thin that it would be brittle, you should be good to go.

slammer111

Hey guys, thanks for the reply. In that case, do you guys know what was up with people's lights turning milky or yellow? I remember earlier W203s having this problem. I bought my lights in 2004, so hoping this is not a ticking time bomb.. always thought it was some clearcoat issue.

Moviela

Automotive lighting sprays a clear lacquer on the headlights per Daimler specifications. Over time the sun and wear from excessive washing with harsh chemicals damages the lacquer.

MichaelKane

I had a scratch and yellowing at the tops of my lights, I wet sanded and buffed them and they look great now. So yours should be fine.

slammer111

MichaelKane, how long ago did you do the restoration? The yellowing happens over time..

MichaelKane

About a month ago. Yes it seems they fade / yellow over time.
It seems its due to the sun since it was most noticeable at the tops of the
headlights. My theory is the first owner washed be never waxed the car
and let it sit in the sun FL constantly.

MichaelKane

I did notice when I wet sanded and buffed there was a thin top coating
that was wearing off, that may have been what was yellowing.

VVF

And general opinion is, if you don't protect the headlights after sanding them, they will yellow much faster the second time. So one needs to periodically apply some wax/sealer/etc, or just clear coat them and be done

ildd

Sorry for being off topic, but whats the name of your grille and where can I get it?

slammer111

That's the thing. I want mine to stay clear with 0 maintenance. These lights are 10 years old and are pretty much still perfect as you can see in the pics.

The grille is OEM for 2005-2007 coupes - not sure which option you needed to buy, but they can be retrofitted to pre-facelift (2002-2004) coupes with the help of a Dremel or some files/sidecutters. Part # 203-880-12-83-9744 (9744 is the colour which is Brilliant Silver). You also need these 2 rubber "nipples" (this is also an OEM part but I don't have the part #) to fit the side pins properly.

slammer111

Can someone please post the part #s for the European (LHD) bi-xenon headlight assemblies for the coupe? The stickers on my headlights have long fallen off.

Not to be confused with USA spec.

Thanks in advance.