E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

1996 E-class headlight lens replacement

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Old Mar 17, 2003 | 02:01 PM
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Question 1996 E-class headlight lens replacement

How easy is it to remove and replace the headlight and hi-beam lens covers on a 1996 E320? Mine have begun to yellow and dull, and I would like to get back to that clear, new look. Would the entire light assemblies have to be removed from behind, or is front access possible? Also, would the lens cover replacement cause the aim to go out of adjustment?
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Old Mar 17, 2003 | 03:56 PM
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Sorry to bring bad news. You have to replace the entire headlamp assembly. If you have Xenon HID very expensive @1k each retail. The lenses are sealed and no one sells just the lenses.

If you decide to buy new ones I would shop around at Body Shops or online sourses to save money. They headlamps are made by Hella. Good Luck.
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Old Mar 17, 2003 | 04:10 PM
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Kev these aren't 1k each

HID Lights

I bought these for my SL last year and they are wonderful
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Old Mar 17, 2003 | 08:25 PM
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If you have xenon's headlight assembly you can replace the lens.YOu can buy it from bekkers.com but it's not listed on their website.
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Old Mar 18, 2003 | 09:24 AM
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Re: Kev these aren't 1k each

Originally posted by Das E320
HID Lights

I bought these for my SL last year and they are wonderful
I am referring to the OEM ones at the dealer which are DOT.
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Old Mar 18, 2003 | 09:26 AM
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Originally posted by E320
If you have xenon's headlight assembly you can replace the lens.YOu can buy it from bekkers.com but it's not listed on their website.
Since the headlamp units are sealed to eliminate moisture and water how do you seal or attached those units? Do you use an adhesive of some type. Do those come with instructions and the glue, etc.? Thanks.
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Old Mar 18, 2003 | 10:50 AM
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Originally posted by E55 KEV
Since the headlamp units are sealed to eliminate moisture and water how do you seal or attached those units? Do you use an adhesive of some type. Do those come with instructions and the glue, etc.? Thanks.

the xenon headlights are not sealed you can replace the lens alone,Here in the US they glued one of the tabs so you can not remove the lens(but its possible if you remove the glue using dremel).I have access to US and euro version xenon headlights, The euro version is much brighter because of the lens pattern but they have the same ballast with the US version so if you want to have a euro version xenon just change your lens.The euro version xenon has no glue on the tabs so its easy to remove the lens
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Old Mar 18, 2003 | 10:56 AM
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I wonder why the US dealers do not just supply the lenses and go thru the trouble of replacing the entire headlamp even for cracks or a little moisture. I guess it is all about getting more money however, Mecedes replaces the enture units for free when car is under warranty.
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Old Mar 18, 2003 | 11:16 AM
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Originally posted by E55 KEV
I wonder why the US dealers do not just supply the lenses and go thru the trouble of replacing the entire headlamp even for cracks or a little moisture. I guess it is all about getting more money however, Mecedes replaces the enture units for free when car is under warranty.
Yup you're right,They want more money instead of just replacing the lens they will replace the whole assembly.


I made a mistake the US version xenon's doens't have a glue on the tab only on Halogen unit.
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Old Mar 18, 2003 | 12:33 PM
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I replaced the lenses on my 96 E320 (non HID) headlamps with the euro spec replacements available through bekkers.com. The old lenses were yellowed and looked really bad. It is relatively simple. The headlight unit comes out through the front, (three or four screws/bolts) If you remove the whole headlight assembly the lense can be removed. Loosen the plastic tabs that hold it together with a couple of screwdrivers and a little patience. Go slow so you don't break the tabs. There may be a little sealant on a couple of the tabs that you have to break free. If the headlights have moisture in them, dry them out with a hairdrier before reassembly.
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Old Mar 18, 2003 | 01:04 PM
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Originally posted by E320
the xenon headlights are not sealed you can replace the lens alone,Here in the US they glued one of the tabs so you can not remove the lens(but its possible if you remove the glue using dremel).I have access to US and euro version xenon headlights, The euro version is much brighter because of the lens pattern but they have the same ballast with the US version so if you want to have a euro version xenon just change your lens.The euro version xenon has no glue on the tabs so its easy to remove the lens
The Reflector Is Also Different in The EURO Xeon Headlites...You can get the Parts from Steve @Mbenz.nl
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Old Mar 18, 2003 | 02:18 PM
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Lens and reflector are sold together.Yes the lens and reflectore are different on euro version other than that they look identical.

Mark,
Did you gain braking power after you change to C32 calipers/rotors?
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Old Mar 18, 2003 | 04:34 PM
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Originally posted by bigtire
I replaced the lenses on my 96 E320 (non HID) headlamps with the euro spec replacements available through bekkers.com. The old lenses were yellowed and looked really bad. It is relatively simple. The headlight unit comes out through the front, (three or four screws/bolts) If you remove the whole headlight assembly the lense can be removed. Loosen the plastic tabs that hold it together with a couple of screwdrivers and a little patience. Go slow so you don't break the tabs. There may be a little sealant on a couple of the tabs that you have to break free. If the headlights have moisture in them, dry them out with a hairdrier before reassembly.
How different do they look compared to the USA DOT lenses? Do you have pix please....
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Old Mar 18, 2003 | 06:03 PM
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**SOLD***2003 E500
E320, if you have a price and a phone number for who has the xenon retro for Euro xenon's I am very interested. Please post.
Thanks,
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Old Mar 19, 2003 | 08:36 PM
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Check EBAY
there's a set of composites selling for $125
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Old Mar 20, 2003 | 11:29 AM
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I'll try to get some pics uploaded soon. I think the refraction pattern on the lenses is slightly different than DOT lenses. but when they are on the car I can't tell any difference. And the is no little DOT stamp.
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Old Mar 25, 2003 | 04:38 PM
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Here is the pic. Sorry it took so long.
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Old Mar 25, 2003 | 06:30 PM
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Looks good! What kind of parking light bulb are you using?
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 10:40 AM
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I'm using a Zenon Blue High beam bulb and a Philips Blue parking bulb. It really gives the smaller inside lenses a blue glow even when they are off during in the daylight. The turn signal and low beam bulbs are stock.
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 10:56 AM
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bigtire

About your Philips Blue light, does it put out a white light or blue light. My Philips Blue light put out a yellow light a little brighter then the stock ,, but still yellow.

Anyone got their parking light to be white or Xenon to match with the Xenon headlight?

thanks,
Steve
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 12:45 PM
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I was not satisfied with the Philips blue parking lamp. The bulb has only a slightly blue tint and there is not much difference from a stock one when lit. The Zenon Blue headlamps on the other hand have a very dark blue tint to the bulb and are what gives it that blue glow even in the daylight when they are off. At night there is a notable difference between the stock low beams and the zenon blue high beams.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 05:35 PM
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Ok so thens it self can be replaced now can someone tell me where can i buy those lenses for xenon hedlamps i know Beeckers dont have them they only have for regular hedlights.
Thanx.
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 01:03 AM
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Bigtire,

So it is possible just to buy the lens for a non hid headlight and just change the lens? Where did you get it and how much?

Is it possible to buy the clear lens thats for the factory HID headlight and install them on a non hid headlight? I am thinking of upgrading to aftermarker 8000k HID and I think it would definitly be brighter and looks better if the lens are clear.

Thanks

Ed
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 12:53 PM
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Non-HID euro spec replacement lenses can be purchased for about $90 each through bekkers.com. They are not listed on their website, you have to call them.
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 03:46 PM
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cabby850

cabby850

What I understand from all the post is

I got non HID headlight , I could buy the clear Euro headlight cover to replace my Non-HID headlight. Correct.

have you dont this on your car? if so, do you have pictures, or anyone have dont this.

Non- HID headlight and replace with Clear Euro Headlight cover.? with Pictures that is great.

Thanks,
Steve
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