RandyMorgan

The headlights on my 201 pre facelift are serviceable, but the driver side had a cracked lens, and water got in, so the yellow reflector is in poor condition. Ebay has some solutions, but I am looking for feedback on other sources. One source on ebay has a pair for $800. That seems a little pricey, and I really only need the driver side. Again this is a 201 pre facelift. Any thoughts? Thanks, randy

dolucasi

As far as I know the only difference between pre and post facelift headlights are the plastic frames (with the lens).

It is difficult to source pre or post facelift plastic frames.
Having seen dozens if not hundreds of W201's in the JY's it is also the case that the drivers side (in LHD places) fades/cracks worse than the passenger side.
My post facelift driver side had micro cracks in it and some clouding years ago and I looked for a reasonable replacement for a long time with no luck.
I finally found one I think in a junk yard but it took many years. By then I had replaced both headlights to aftermarket Euro Style headlights. They also are better for illumination. I also can use the city lights feature for daytime lights sometimes which is not present in the US version.

All this being said, I now have both US standard plastic frames and the Euro style glass headlights. Currently I have the Euro's on.
The Euro ones will set you back $200 or so for the pair, but certainly a lot cheaper (and better) than the replacement you are trying to acquire. $800 sounds very steep there must be more cost effective ones out there.

My 2 cents worth...

RandyMorgan

Wow, thanks for the reply on both the antenna issue and the headlights. The antenna did work for a while with the aftermarket radio. I will continue to work on that.
Insofar as the headlights, the euro style appeals to me. Can you recommend a source? And will they be Plug and Play? In other words will they plug in using the existing plug, or will I need to re-wire? Again thank you for the replys.

dolucasi

Most people use these:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-depo-par...iABEgLrRvD_BwE

They are also available from EBAY sourced for a little less.

These are Depo headlights made in Taiwan (not China). They are of High Quality.

They are almost plug and play if you choose to but the wiring harness for them for another $20 I think.
Or if you want to make them truly into a Euro light you need to change your Car 4 pin connector socket to 6 pin. They are the same sockets as the taillight, so abundantly available at junk yards or MB.
What happens with that is that the parking lights get rerouted to the 5W equivalent parking lights in the headlight itself.
You can use LED bulbs for that in the headlight and for a 1W power consumption that is a super parking/daytime running headlight as well as a superior parking light.

If you do not want to do this, buy the harness wires and just connect it. You will need to change the bulbs as the Euro Headlights use H4 (?) type halogen lights.

If you need the 6 wire harness connection, info is available on the WEB and I may have some documentation on it. Let me know.

Cheers!

190Efan

W201s are known for not liking aftermarket parts. They can do all kinds of strange things. $800 on Ebay for replacement headlights sounds excessive to me as well even though I've learned the hard way that there's nothing cheap about owning a Mercedes-Benz. Ebay isn't always the bargain that many people think it is.

RandyMorgan

Hey all, once again thanks for all the help. The only source right now that appears to have these in stock is Body Kits. Here's a link. :
https://www.bodykits.com/i-30856213-...l%3DE%20CLASS:
They do not show the connector which on my pre facelift unit is a 4 prong connection. These are $223 + $56 Shipping. Any thoughts on the potential connection issue and the likelihood of connection issue?
The best used OE is at $800, so the aftermarket opportunity seems the best way to go. I really only need the driver's side, but if I go the aftermarket route, I'd obviously replace both. What's the best decision?

dolucasi

Yes I saw that seller as well. Probably better than EBAY sellers but a bit more pricey. When I bought mine they also came with a clear turn signal assembly for a different look. I tried them on and left them on the car and kept the originals. At that time there were a ton of EBAY sellers, not so many now. They are also shown on this you tube installation video.


It shows the harness. Make sure it is included in your order, sometimes they charge extra. But I always recommend making the 6 pin conversion if you are up to it.

I ended having to order the hardware kit as well because some plastic pieces were broken after 30 years. They are available from on line stores like pelican, autohaus, fcpeuro.

RandyMorgan

Once again, thank you for your knowledge and help. I will have a bunch of other questions for you. Again, thanks

RandyMorgan

Unfortunately, there are no DEPO lights available anywhere. The Chinese manufactured ones are available, but I guess the reviews are poor. Anyone have any Ideas? This is not a crisis, as I can make the old one work, but now that I've researched this issue, and I have learned about the DEPO lights, I'd like to go that direction..

dolucasi

You maybe right. I thought I found a seller but turns out those are W126 replacement lights. I'm surprised they are hard to find.

dolucasi

Indeed looks like Depo stopped making these. Shame, it was a quality replacement. Now there are no viable options for replacement headlights/lenses. Not in the US anyway.

RandyMorgan

So, what do you think about the Chinese built items. Also, in surfing the internet I found some made in Poland. Any thoughts?

dolucasi

I would say go Depo or original (Bosh or Hella). Stay away form the Chinese ones. Post a link to one to make sure we are on the same page but the ones I saw looked awful and are probably very cheaply built.
I would also not order from eastern Europe (latvia, poland etc). I ordered a charcoal canister from Latvia (Not available anywhere else), never received the part after 60 days, but since it was ebay, they refunded my money. For the headlights they appear to be super expensive too. They probably do not even have the part, they just like to hang on to your money for a couple of months. Seems that is their business to find NLA parts and post them on ebay to collect money up front on a part that they do not even have. I think I saw one from Italy, but it was expensive.

I would try to replace the fog light lens you have by buying an original one or an entire unit with the lens in it. They also come around to Junk Yards maybe once every other year with a once replaced lens. Unfortunately the headlight is one of the first parts picked at the junk yards. You will need both sides because I doubt you will find the pre-facelift pair. Like I said it took me 3-4 years to come across one that was a replacement one in good shape.

LauraS

My husband put the Euro style headlights on my car several years ago because one of the NA version was broken. I am not sure of the brand but not Hella or Bosch. They are a big improvement in lighting. If you can find a set I highly recommend them. I think the ones in my 190E are Depo.

RandyMorgan

Anyone have any information on this outfit?

Thanks

randy
https://umnitza.com/1984-1993-merced...epo.html?qty=1

dolucasi

I had actually seen that when I was looking for you and assumed it is an outfit out of Europe.

Upon further review the place is located 40 miles from my house in Concord California!

Unfortunately, they have horrible reviews on BMW sites. They have a number on listed. You should call them and see if they have it in stock.
Also ask if they are DEPO lights, they appear to be. Everything else looks good on that listing.

Let us know how the phone call turned out.

- Cheers!

dolucasi

Looks like they are Depo lights if they have them. For $30 they also sell the clear corner lights. They seem to carry all sorts of Depo lights for different models.
Good luck with this as this is your best option.