Headlight questions
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
1987 300E, 1995 C280
Headlight questions
Hmm so i've wanted euro headlights for the longest, but today i was driving and i noticed a couple w124's on the road, 1 had the same crappy us lights with the doors as me, but most that i saw were euro looking.. did the us spec headlamps have a facelift of some sort? and if so are they the same DOT specs as the euro ones? or are euro ones still better?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
1987 300E, 1995 C280
oh so basically 94-95 lights are same as euro except they use the us connector huh? i didn't know the trunk and hood were updated as well.. if i pick up some us spec 94-95 lights, will i have to get a new hood as well? i've been looking for euro lights for the longest, but its hard to find a good deal :/
also, i notice that the corner lights are updated too.. will the old ambers work?
also, i notice that the corner lights are updated too.. will the old ambers work?
Last edited by funkgab; Mar 2, 2010 at 12:58 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
1990 300ce 24v I6
Well, not 100% the same. They are not wired for the City light (but they can be) and they use a slightly different lens glass (more fluting).
The housing is the same and you can swap lenses with a real Bosch/Hella euro if you so wanted to.
The corners are also updated as you've noticed (Half Amber/ Half White). These are the ones I've wanted since forever as I think they look even better than the all-white ones that most aftermarket Euros come with.
Everything (light wise) is direct drop in. Corners, Tails, and headlights from 94/95 will drop right into your car.
However, since the 94/95 lenses are sculpted to fit under the facelit hood, you will have a slight gap between the lens and the 86-93 grille.
You can get headlight spoilers/eyebrows like I have, or you can take this as a time to switch over the hood to the 94/95 which many like more than the pre-facelift.
Facelift:
Pre-facelift:
You can see the difference. It is subtle, but it is there.
Here you can see it on Mark's car even with Eyebrow spoilers:
The housing is the same and you can swap lenses with a real Bosch/Hella euro if you so wanted to.
The corners are also updated as you've noticed (Half Amber/ Half White). These are the ones I've wanted since forever as I think they look even better than the all-white ones that most aftermarket Euros come with.
Everything (light wise) is direct drop in. Corners, Tails, and headlights from 94/95 will drop right into your car.
However, since the 94/95 lenses are sculpted to fit under the facelit hood, you will have a slight gap between the lens and the 86-93 grille.
You can get headlight spoilers/eyebrows like I have, or you can take this as a time to switch over the hood to the 94/95 which many like more than the pre-facelift.
Facelift:
Pre-facelift:
You can see the difference. It is subtle, but it is there.
Here you can see it on Mark's car even with Eyebrow spoilers:
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
1987 300E, 1995 C280
i would do sick unforgivable things for my car to looks like zorro's.. is his pre facelift hood with headlight eyebrow spoilers? i can't really tell the difference between hoods.. what are city lights? are they similar to daytime running lights? i like euro ambers, they give a aggressive look imo.. only black and white cars can pull of clears nicely.. or the ones i've seen are cheap aftermarket replicas, as they look very plastic from angles..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
1990 300ce 24v I6
Yes, his car is pre-facelift with I believe E36 BMW eyebrow spoilers.
City lights are small (5w?) bulbs that just light up the housing with a nice glow.
The Euro/ECE ambers are nice and very dark. Hard to find, but they are out there.
City lights are small (5w?) bulbs that just light up the housing with a nice glow.
The Euro/ECE ambers are nice and very dark. Hard to find, but they are out there.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
1987 300E, 1995 C280
e36 eyelids are a direct fit? didn't know that.. are those blue angel eye looking things in his fogs city lights? they look amazing.. well he does have an amg bumper though.. $$$$$$
also he has us ambers with black housings right?
can i get the same effect maybe spraying down my us ambers with a slight tint? and do you have any sources for euro lights?
also he has us ambers with black housings right?
can i get the same effect maybe spraying down my us ambers with a slight tint? and do you have any sources for euro lights?
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
Thanks for the compliments. My car has e36 eyelids and they are a direct fit except you have to shave the back edge of the lids so that they sit flush on the light.
The fogs have LED halos and HID projectors in the middle.
My corners are the smoked ones that came with those headlights, they are not smoked ambers. Smoked ambers look ghetto and are WAYYYY too dark, not to mention the color looks like black orange and stands out in a bad way. Get clear corners and smoke em if you want a similar look to mine. I actually have clear signal bulbs in there and get away with it because my hid light is so white that standard "clear" bulbs look orange enough.
Currently my car has my Bosch euro headlights back in without eyelids and have the smoked corners...trying to solve the aiming issue of my projector lights right now. Looks badass and cleaner but the light pattern isnt as nice...I'll post pics someday, I'm sure lol...after a front end respray.
The fogs have LED halos and HID projectors in the middle.
My corners are the smoked ones that came with those headlights, they are not smoked ambers. Smoked ambers look ghetto and are WAYYYY too dark, not to mention the color looks like black orange and stands out in a bad way. Get clear corners and smoke em if you want a similar look to mine. I actually have clear signal bulbs in there and get away with it because my hid light is so white that standard "clear" bulbs look orange enough.
Currently my car has my Bosch euro headlights back in without eyelids and have the smoked corners...trying to solve the aiming issue of my projector lights right now. Looks badass and cleaner but the light pattern isnt as nice...I'll post pics someday, I'm sure lol...after a front end respray.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
1987 300E, 1995 C280
what did you shave the eyelids down with? im still debating on getting mine.. i know your lights are like the depo ones.. but did you change the projector at all? (tsx retrofit or so?)
and where did you get the halo projector fogs?
how much did you get your bosch euros around? im trying to look for some :/
and ill take your word on the ambers.. if i can't find euros.. ill just keep mine, or lightly smoke some clears..
and where did you get the halo projector fogs?
how much did you get your bosch euros around? im trying to look for some :/
and ill take your word on the ambers.. if i can't find euros.. ill just keep mine, or lightly smoke some clears..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
a) Dremel
b) Yes, TSX
c) Ebay
d) Back in 2002. They were 400 each from the dealer.
3) forget finding euro dark orange ones, get north american spec full orange ones and buy translucent orange spray paint for models at the hobby shop. Done.
b) Yes, TSX
c) Ebay
d) Back in 2002. They were 400 each from the dealer.
3) forget finding euro dark orange ones, get north american spec full orange ones and buy translucent orange spray paint for models at the hobby shop. Done.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
1987 300E, 1995 C280
eh.. my skills with cutting anything.. comes out crooked and never seems to work quite right.. and was the upgrade to just euros worth it over the stock one? (i dunno if ur running hid in the euro ones or not, but even with halogens were they worth it?) i have the full orange ones already.. if i spray it more orange wouldn't it turn more orange?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
Yes, Euros are a billion times better than US/Canada spec ugly lights...I am only talking about bosch OEM euros though. TYC/Depos etc are inferior quality and will be better but not as good as bosch. I AM using HIDs in my euros, pointed way down (4 inches below optimal at 25ft away) until I resolve the projector lights.
I mentioned orange over us spec orange signals if you are trying to get the euro orange look which is deeper and more red-orange than the blah light orange US spec on the 1986-1993 cars.
I mentioned orange over us spec orange signals if you are trying to get the euro orange look which is deeper and more red-orange than the blah light orange US spec on the 1986-1993 cars.
Last edited by ZorroAMG; Mar 2, 2010 at 10:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
1987 300E, 1995 C280
cool.. i shall keep looking for euros than... and ill spray my corners later i guess.. i wish i can get a cool kit like you but can't really afford things 
also about the grill, i see yours is afrermarket how does it hold up? i was thinking on painting my oem one, but it has dings and bends so i was thinking maybe going with a used oem one, or one of those avantgarde ones
also about the grill, i see yours is afrermarket how does it hold up? i was thinking on painting my oem one, but it has dings and bends so i was thinking maybe going with a used oem one, or one of those avantgarde ones
Last edited by funkgab; Mar 3, 2010 at 05:14 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 29
E
Thanks for the compliments. My car has e36 eyelids and they are a direct fit except you have to shave the back edge of the lids so that they sit flush on the light.
The fogs have LED halos and HID projectors in the middle.
My corners are the smoked ones that came with those headlights, they are not smoked ambers. Smoked ambers look ghetto and are WAYYYY too dark, not to mention the color looks like black orange and stands out in a bad way. Get clear corners and smoke em if you want a similar look to mine. I actually have clear signal bulbs in there and get away with it because my hid light is so white that standard "clear" bulbs look orange enough.
Currently my car has my Bosch euro headlights back in without eyelids and have the smoked corners...trying to solve the aiming issue of my projector lights right now. Looks badass and cleaner but the light pattern isnt as nice...I'll post pics someday, I'm sure lol...after a front end respray.
The fogs have LED halos and HID projectors in the middle.
My corners are the smoked ones that came with those headlights, they are not smoked ambers. Smoked ambers look ghetto and are WAYYYY too dark, not to mention the color looks like black orange and stands out in a bad way. Get clear corners and smoke em if you want a similar look to mine. I actually have clear signal bulbs in there and get away with it because my hid light is so white that standard "clear" bulbs look orange enough.
Currently my car has my Bosch euro headlights back in without eyelids and have the smoked corners...trying to solve the aiming issue of my projector lights right now. Looks badass and cleaner but the light pattern isnt as nice...I'll post pics someday, I'm sure lol...after a front end respray.
The vantgarde grill is a little "cheap" feeling. I replaced mine with a black OEM one. You can buy the insert for $15 on autohausarizona.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
My aftermarket grille looks really great actually...the quality isnt on par and is a bit flimsy but if you can install it without breaking it, like I managed to, it's great.
HID output is much stronger than halogen, being low enough works fine but I am sure I am still pissing off the odd grouch-driver....you know the ones, the ones that highbeam factory HID projectors cause they are visibly different while not "brighter"
Oh well...
HID output is much stronger than halogen, being low enough works fine but I am sure I am still pissing off the odd grouch-driver....you know the ones, the ones that highbeam factory HID projectors cause they are visibly different while not "brighter"
Oh well...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
1987 300E, 1995 C280
My aftermarket grille looks really great actually...the quality isnt on par and is a bit flimsy but if you can install it without breaking it, like I managed to, it's great.
HID output is much stronger than halogen, being low enough works fine but I am sure I am still pissing off the odd grouch-driver....you know the ones, the ones that highbeam factory HID projectors cause they are visibly different while not "brighter"
Oh well...
HID output is much stronger than halogen, being low enough works fine but I am sure I am still pissing off the odd grouch-driver....you know the ones, the ones that highbeam factory HID projectors cause they are visibly different while not "brighter"
Oh well...
heh its not the guys with hid that **** me off, its the guys who aim it all the way up at eye level, or the guys whos drive with their hids on 24/7 :/
zorro you havn't gotten pulled over for having blue rings in the fogs yet?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
Some of us with stupid DRL's HAVE to run their HIDs all the time 
There is no blue light on the front of my car, only HID 6000k white or white LED light. My photo above is manipulated a bit as far as color goes - cool looking pic, if I do say so myself!
There is no blue light on the front of my car, only HID 6000k white or white LED light. My photo above is manipulated a bit as far as color goes - cool looking pic, if I do say so myself!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
1987 300E, 1995 C280
i have a pair of 4500k 35W hids laying around H4 (thats why i wanted to go euro or retrofit something) which were meant for my c280.. but the c280 is dead.. ;p
your running 6000k 55w? or 35w? and do they not have a slight tint of blue? and did you need a relay for the lights (to the battery)
also do euro's require DRL's or are those the aftermarket projector lenses?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
35w, yes they are a bit blue/purple but not the ricey level of color. I don't have a relay but I should put one in. DRLs are only installed dependent of year and location and have nothing to do with the headlights. In Canada, DRL's started being factory on W124's in 1990 and they are in the form of full power, full time low beams.
PS don't buy those lights from Geosss, they are worse quality and output than depo/tyc euros even. Get those at least if you cant find/afford bosch euros.
PS don't buy those lights from Geosss, they are worse quality and output than depo/tyc euros even. Get those at least if you cant find/afford bosch euros.
Last edited by ZorroAMG; Mar 3, 2010 at 01:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
1987 300E, 1995 C280
ah i see.. so i want something like a 88 eurolight huh.. well i think its best to save.. i thought they were better than what i have now, but i guess its really just a waste of money compared to the real thing
