500E Euro-headlight conversion
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: fl
1992 500E, 2006 E500, 2007 GL 450
500E Euro-headlight conversion
Anyone do a Euro-headlight conversion on a 500E recently? I'd like to replace the headlight units on my 1992 500E with stock Euro units tried many older links listed on the forum but found nothing current.
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
The only Euro's I would get is the 500E Hella's but being that they are $900 for a set scares me away. You can basically do a retrofit like Mark and it'll be a much better investment.
Off-Topic:
Mark, Is your headlights 6-Pin? I need to get new headlights for my AMG fogs because the adapter goes to a 6-Pin connector.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: fl
1992 500E, 2006 E500, 2007 GL 450
Nothing wrong with current lights. I decided to go from 3 cars to 2 so my 500E (49000 miles) will likely see a bit more use including some night driving. I thought I might do the conversion now if parts were available. The stock 500E lights are ok and are quite good when high beams are on with regular headlights. Mabe I'll just replace the rectangular headlights with a new set with with a better lens. BTW, I considered selling the 500E but drove it back to back with my 2006 E500 and decided to sell the latter. The cars were comparable in acceleration but the 500E felt better at speeds of 80+ and IMO has much more natural feeling steering with better feed back. The 7 speed in the 2006 is clearly head and shoulders above the 4 speed in the 1992. It is the one clear advantage of the 2006.
Last edited by nantucketsleigh; Feb 6, 2008 at 02:16 PM.
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Thread Starter
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From: fl
1992 500E, 2006 E500, 2007 GL 450
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From: Northern Michigan
92 300TE 4Matic
The difference is due to the difference in caster. Old benzs have a whopping 10 degrees of caster (like cars from the 30s and 40s). Newer ones have 3 - 4 degrees of caster like most other cars.
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
TYC ( even DEPO ) not so bad, OEM construction, fit and finish, glass lens and are available around $300.00 pair at www.katmac.com
Maintains factory look.
Glass better then the plastic lens used in HID conversions.
Matter of taste and preference...some like a more modern HID conversion others like an OEM look ....
TYC'S on my 300 CE
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
I agree with Ed.
TYC and Depo are really good quality. Although, I would choose Depo > TYC.
I remember getting mine for a little over $200 two years ago on eBay.de. Now, I'm starting to notice that they are getting harder to find on ebay in general because of all the ricer looking ones on there.
I'd still would rather get Hella's. LOL
TYC and Depo are really good quality. Although, I would choose Depo > TYC.
I remember getting mine for a little over $200 two years ago on eBay.de. Now, I'm starting to notice that they are getting harder to find on ebay in general because of all the ricer looking ones on there.
I'd still would rather get Hella's. LOL
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The E500E headlights (US and Euro) all have chrome plated reflectors - as seen in the photo of my car below. The Euro's also have glass lenses & higher output lamps. If you just want the "look" of the Euro lights for your 500e, you can buy just the lenses from PUMA & replace your existing ones.
God I can't wait to ge my car back....
God I can't wait to ge my car back....
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Mercedes-Benz 500E
The E500E headlights (US and Euro) all have chrome plated reflectors - as seen in the photo of my car below. The Euro's also have glass lenses & higher output lamps. If you just want the "look" of the Euro lights for your 500e, you can buy just the lenses from PUMA & replace your existing ones.
God I can't wait to ge my car back....
God I can't wait to ge my car back....
Thanks. Steve
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From: STL
95 e320...sold the rest
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From: Kirkland, WA
500E Signal Rot
Do remember that 500e headlights are different from 300e headlights in that the fogs are actually pin point driving lights, so the reflector is different.
Given the cost of 500e specific headlights, those Depo's look like a good option.
Given the cost of 500e specific headlights, those Depo's look like a good option.
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From: Manchester, CT
Remember that only Hella had made the 500E euros...no Bosch. Don't be fooled if someone says they can sell you 500E euros from Bosch.
The 500E Hellas aren't rare, you just have to get them thru MB in Europe directly now as they are no longer available in the aftermarket from Hella. Been like that for a few years now.
My bud in Holland gets them for me for about $600 shipped now....not cheap but cheaper than any place that said they could get them...
Boy I should of stocked up on them when Paul at PUMA was selling them for $325 a set back in the early 2000's. Sheesh.
The 500E Hellas aren't rare, you just have to get them thru MB in Europe directly now as they are no longer available in the aftermarket from Hella. Been like that for a few years now.
My bud in Holland gets them for me for about $600 shipped now....not cheap but cheaper than any place that said they could get them...
Boy I should of stocked up on them when Paul at PUMA was selling them for $325 a set back in the early 2000's. Sheesh.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 352
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From: fl
1992 500E, 2006 E500, 2007 GL 450
Remember that only Hella had made the 500E euros...no Bosch. Don't be fooled if someone says they can sell you 500E euros from Bosch.
The 500E Hellas aren't rare, you just have to get them thru MB in Europe directly now as they are no longer available in the aftermarket from Hella. Been like that for a few years now.
My bud in Holland gets them for me for about $600 shipped now....not cheap but cheaper than any place that said they could get them...
Boy I should of stocked up on them when Paul at PUMA was selling them for $325 a set back in the early 2000's. Sheesh.
The 500E Hellas aren't rare, you just have to get them thru MB in Europe directly now as they are no longer available in the aftermarket from Hella. Been like that for a few years now.
My bud in Holland gets them for me for about $600 shipped now....not cheap but cheaper than any place that said they could get them...
Boy I should of stocked up on them when Paul at PUMA was selling them for $325 a set back in the early 2000's. Sheesh.
Thanks for the information - after trying to find Euro OE's for a few days, I gave up and put in aftermarket PIAA bulbs which helped quite a bit. I would have liked the Euro's from a style perspective but they don't seem worth the effort.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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300ce
The E500E headlights (US and Euro) all have chrome plated reflectors - as seen in the photo of my car below. The Euro's also have glass lenses & higher output lamps. If you just want the "look" of the Euro lights for your 500e, you can buy just the lenses from PUMA & replace your existing ones.
God I can't wait to ge my car back....
God I can't wait to ge my car back....
