Bosco390

I've done a lot of reading in this forum about the inavailability of replacement headlights for the c230 coupes... mine is a 2002, and yes they are starting to cloud again after my last polishing. After some searching, I came across the following sites, but again I am wary.
Has anyone tried any of these headlights for the coupe? Each site claims that they are a fit.

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/aut...2002%2003%2004
http://www.autopart.com/body/BodyPar...S-BENZC320.htm
http://www.aboveallmotorwerks.com/Pr...8202161_S.aspx
http://www.getallparts.com/w_selecti...&_MODEL=MB_203

slammer111

Are you grinding away the clearcoat over the polycarbonate?

Not sure why some of you have this clouding issue?

Bosco390

I think any poly headlight is eventually going to cloud and yellow a bit.... it's a fairly common consequence of road dirt, years of abrasion, maybe some waxes, etc. When I refinished them, I used a kit that included the fine-grit emory paper and polishes... but they are clouding again, and I really would like to replace them. I just didn't want to cave in for the OEM's.

slammer111

No offense, but imho it's gotta be something you're doing.

I don't wash my car much near the lights, and have never buffed it since Day 1. My lights are 100% CLEAR, and it's been over 5 years. So are my tails.

I can say the same for my friends who "neglect" their W203s.

Bosco390

My thanks for your response. That not withstanding, I would still like to hear from anyone who had used the links I had as suppliers.... experiences positive or otherwise.

C230 Sport Coup

Bosco, all the lights you posted are MB direct parts.
Hella is the mfg for the assemblies. Unfortunately there
doesn't seem to be any parts available beyond the 3 known options from
MB.

I'm suffering the same fate, and I've been reading various
things...including some stuff on ebay that supposedly if you haven't removed the
IR coating, you can just wipe this stuff on. They want a lot of money for it for a small amount of liquid,
and I had mine buffed once, so hard to say if I still have the IR coating.
Could be BS.

I sometimes put like the clear tires stuff on them, it gets rid of the
cloudiness temporarily. Once I even read of someone suggesting using WD40.
I have actually....no telling if I'm helping or hurting in the long term, but again, they looked better.

I've been reluctant to get my lights ground down too much, and am keeping my eyes
open for the best solution. Maybe you'll have something soon to share.

I just can't believe that the aftermarket will go on forever, ignoring
250000 + cars on the road...there's a market. God knows why it's being ignored.

I just want new lenses. I saw ones for the Sedan Bix on ebay
recently for less than 100 bucks.

Anyone live near a Hella plant?

In the end, you just need to decide, do you want the original frost lenses,
the clean halogens like you see in the one link,
or Bi Xenon.
Replacement Frosties can be had for as little as 100 for both here on the forums from time to time,
Clear halogen go for 350-500 used for set...
Bixenon, 800 and up.....

FrankW

my sister's 208 CLK has some bad clouding/yellowing on the head light as well. I used some 2000 grit paper to wet-sand it and then used blue-magic head light polish. cleared it for a while, but came back really quick.

I just cleaned it with Mother's MAG & Aluminum polish (yes, you heard it right) and it cleared it much better then using blue-magic.

I still don't fully understand the reason for clouding. just pisses me off when I see yellow and nasty headlights. I need to clean our family beater 528's head light too.

area of clouding

CLK (lower portion of all four lights) tail light in perfect condition.
528 (upper portion of the lights)

advans

hey frank,

my headlights were a bit yellow, I cleaned it and used "plast-x", it became white again!

Bosco390

C230, Frank, and advans... thanks for the info, I did not realize that hella was the mfr of the OEM units. When I drove Lincolns it was Sylvania, so I guess it makes sense. It is amazing to me the price diff between the above suppliers and the dealership (I know... stealership).

Despite insistance of others, the yellowing and clouding makes sense to me... as most any polycarbonate will show the damaging long-term effects of the UV rays of the sun, and headlights (unlike convertible top windows) also take head-on the salts, oils, grit, etc of the road.

The PlastX idea is something I hadn't thought of, advans... although eventually I will buy new... probably the clear halogens (got orig. frosties now) and probably from one of the above sites, and probably put them puppies in myself... but in the meantime I may try that PlastX idea... I've seen it used with good results on a convertible top.

Incidently, guys, yall's cars in your sigs... really beautiful.

FrankW

i'll give that a shot. i'll see if i can find one at kragen or autozone.

kirax2

i had a bottle of it, never had a chance to use it... and so i gave it to my friend's 350z, it also come back again

mtnman82

Our c230 gets parked outside, unfortunately. The headlights are just starting to cloud. They've never been waxed or polished. IMHO even the clearcoat only lasts so long.....

Midnight Koop

yeah i saw this happen to so many headlights around here (VA) on the mercedes in my parking lot.

so... before i even installed my bixenon lights, i put 3M headlight protector on them to hopefully prevent it from fogging up. there is a CLK here with bixenons and it looks pretty hazy and slightly yellow-ish. dont want that happening to me.

C230 Sport Coup

I'm still incredulous that no one makes knock offs....
I mean, worldwide, it's not like were driving a car they made 100 of.
I really wish I could a new pair of lenses.

FrankW

if you compare the quality of the DEPO projector with the bi-xenon side by side you would not say that. lol

the DEPO lense cover is probably half the thickness of the oem.

FrankW

can't find my bluemagic bottle, so might as well get one again.

MW_ATL

The lights on my car are just starting to cloud on the upper edges. I have really wondered if this wasn't the result of my being lazy for a year or so and letting it get run through an automatic-wash/detail place.

Until about mid-2007, while it was my wife's primary vehicle, I always took it to a car wash place and washed it myself (Georgia had a long period of "no outside watering/no car washing, etc) then cleaned it up. After I started driving it, but before I started commuting in in it, I was taking classes at night and had very little spare time. I ended up getting it cleaned up instead of doing it myself. Last year I started to notice the fogging. It has made me wonder if the automatic car wash isn't rougher on the clear coat on the headlights.

I'm just using it as an excuse to set my sights on a set of Bi-X's

joyofcola

so we won't be able to buy new lenses for bix??? that sucks im scared mine will fog up now

C230 Sport Coup

I think that going to car washes, yeh it's hard on the paint, clear plastic etc.
the detergent they use.

I usually try to wash myself, and mostly I don't use soap, just run the hose lightly while wiping.
Unless it's really muddy etc.
In the summer around here it's mostly pollen etc.
Lately, ash from the fires...yuk! The air has been unbreathable for days it's finally getting better.

It would be Hella nice if someone had the hookup at Hella for parts.

Bosco390

Wow... did the PlastiX this evening... used a sponge polishing disc in the drill and just went for it... Wow. Not like new, but close. Clouding gone, yellowing gone.

XsuperbeeX

good job

FrankW

I bought a bottle of 3M plastic lens cleaner instead of the PlastiX and did my sister's CLK after I found my Ryobi orbital buffer. cleaned up the headlight very nicely. highly recommend it.