I am looking to install some E55 taillights on my '99. Many places online now sell these replacement units. The price range between the dealers ranges only 5-10 dollars between them. But they all seem to have a "handling fee" and most are in California (where I am) and the applicable 7.75% sales tax.

Where is the best place to order when living within California?

 

Do they have to be brand new or do you care if they're used? I have a couple of junk yards that I deal with all of the time and they might have a used set. I'll check and let you know but you will have to do some modifying to make them fit...

 

Yes, please check! And I am familiar with the mods for the inside lights. I have my Dremel all ready to go

Robert

 

Sorry rob_fed but I tried all 3 of my connections and no luck. Here is their contact info. and they said to check back with them weekly (if you have the time to wait) as they are always getting cars in. All Star tends to be the best, then Star and finally Harout's.

All Star Auto: (818) 834-0498

Star Benz: (818) 897-9180

Harout's: (818) 834-8881

Good luck on your search and also keep an eye on ebay as a set sold a few days ago already modified for a couple hundred bucks.

 

$200 seems to be about the going rate for the smoked tails. Try www.autowerksdirect.com

 

rob_fed:

Did you find the smoked E55 taillights for a decent price anywhere? I am in SoCal and looking for some for my '99 E430. Any suggested sources would be appreciated. Thanks!

greg

 

me too, looking for E55 Tail light desperately...looking for under $200.

 

me too, looking for E55 Tail light desperately...looking for under $200.

 

The junkyards seem to be out of them but if your willing to go over $200, there is a set on ebay right now for $230 with 3 days left. It's brand new and has already been modified. Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33716

 

That's way over priced on ebay....Local at the dealership, it costs 245$ for the whole set...keep looking!

 

I agree, way over priced on ebay for that set. Keep trying ebay and the junkyards if you have the time. If you're in a hurry, just go to the dealer and get yourself a brand new set and be done with it...

 

Here is the lowest price per light I found on the web:

http://www.carlightswholesale.com

It is actually usautoparts.com, but if you go through the sight above, the prices are as follows:

E55 - smoked and red

Inside: $44.20 per side
Outside: $56.02 per side

There is catch, there is a handling charge, shipping charge and for the most part, you will pay tax. $250.76 in CA.

Most auto parts vendors online seem to be affiliated with some sort of national warehouse system. That is why the online menu looks the same for various auto parts dealers. If you are lucky, some will ship you parts outside of your state which will eliminate sales tax. If you call your order in, you may be able to negotiate a better deal by reducing the "handling fee".

The lights are not OEM, they are made in Taiwan. Quality of the lens is very similar to OEM and the stock light bulb holders or sockets screw into the housing the same way. The build quality where the bulbs attach is low. I had to bend some of the metal tabs to ensure the bulb sockets seated properly.

If you are not a handy person, then these lights are not for you. The socket area is the only problem. The outside fit and finish is excellent.

Trimming tips:

If you are installing in a '96-99 W210, then the trunk or inside lights must be trimmed or ground down on the back side. The area of modification is on the edge that is closest to outside edge of the trunk.

I had to trim two areas, the upper corner near the backup lens and a little bit near the lower corner of the red part. The left or driver's side is the rear fog lamp.

On one, I used a Dremel tool as others have. I did not like all of the plastic dust going everywhere though. On the other side, I used a "hot knife", basically, a solder iron with a knife tip. I was able to trim the edges very cleanly.

Another note, some of the areas of trimming will make the back side of the lamp very thin. I went through in a couple of places, but it really doesn't matter. Why? The housings are not water tight. The lens have a ring of weather stripping that keeps the water out of the trunk. But the back side of the lens housing have many opens that expose the bulbs to air, these are for cooling.

Hope this helps others.

Robert Lee

 

Robert, thanks for the excellent explanation.

Greg

 

I was just at the Benz dealer today and asked for a price on the E55 taillights. The wholesale cost (not retail) is $240 for the set. Make sure you have a wholesale account before attempting to purchase these or you will be charged the retail price of $274.08 which is not much more if you can't get a hold of someone's account. The junkyards I have found to be between $180-$200 but are always out and hard to get. Good luck...

 

I purchased mine for $200 from Steve in the Netherlands. They were OEM, took about 3 weeks to get to NJ by basic postal service delivery.

No fuss.

Steve MBenzNL <s_krabbenborg@hotmail.com>

He's got tons of other upgrade material. Check it out......http://groups.msn.com/mbenznl/europartspimp.msnw?Page=1

 

I am the current highest bidder for this auction, my highest bid is set at $255.55.

 

Just to let you know...you can get a brand new set from the dealership for 245$...Your dealership may be diff, but here its 245$ for the complete set...Just idea if you dont win.

 

Steve,

OK, I admit I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I went onto the website you gave us and even became a member there. I found the E55 taillights, but I can't find any prices or info on how to oder the stuff. What am I missing? Thanks! Greg