Headlights...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City
2001 E55 AMG, 2018 Chevy Silverado
Headlights...
I just purchased a 2001 E55 AMG and am looking to replace the headlights as one has a cracked mounting tab and they just all together look bad. I would like to find some quality headlights preferably with glass lenses and that look like they belong and the classy car it is and didn't come from Pep Boys with a Type-R badge. I'm hoping you all can point me in the right direction. I can always by OEM again, but wanted see if there was anything better.
Thanks
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,969
Likes: 1,317
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
You are looking at ~$1200 to $1400 for a pair of OEM Bi-Xenon headlights from Hella. Your car is a "facelift" with different lenses so you cannot just replace the lenses as on the pre-facelift model. You can go with halogen headlights from the lesser E-class of the same year if you want to save money'. You won't find better, just cheaper (literally). Decide on your cost/benefit curve.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City
2001 E55 AMG, 2018 Chevy Silverado
That's what I was afraid of... Looks like it's time to see if I can either find a set of used OEM bi-xenon's locally at the euro yards or order a set online. Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
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A gaggle of MB's
Outside of the broken mounting tab (quite common) the Lenses of your headlights can be polished like new easily.
If you don't want the headache - Wallmart used to offer Headlight Polishing Service (using the 3M kit) for like $40 for both.
If you are going to DIY - it can be a whole lot easier if you use Fume-Free-Over-Cleaner with a rag (some use Brake Cleaner) - mask off the fender well and be very careful of the fender paint - this loosens and you remove the remainder of the "old UV coating"
"Wipe New" has gotten some good press... and a kit like this that includes a fresh coating are generally "better"
https://www.wipenew.com/wipe-new-headlights/
If you don't want the headache - Wallmart used to offer Headlight Polishing Service (using the 3M kit) for like $40 for both.
If you are going to DIY - it can be a whole lot easier if you use Fume-Free-Over-Cleaner with a rag (some use Brake Cleaner) - mask off the fender well and be very careful of the fender paint - this loosens and you remove the remainder of the "old UV coating"
"Wipe New" has gotten some good press... and a kit like this that includes a fresh coating are generally "better"
https://www.wipenew.com/wipe-new-headlights/
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City
2001 E55 AMG, 2018 Chevy Silverado
Outside of the broken mounting tab (quite common) the Lenses of your headlights can be polished like new easily.
If you don't want the headache - Wallmart used to offer Headlight Polishing Service (using the 3M kit) for like $40 for both.
If you are going to DIY - it can be a whole lot easier if you use Fume-Free-Over-Cleaner with a rag (some use Brake Cleaner) - mask off the fender well and be very careful of the fender paint - this loosens and you remove the remainder of the "old UV coating"
"Wipe New" has gotten some good press... and a kit like this that includes a fresh coating are generally "better"
https://www.wipenew.com/wipe-new-headlights/
If you don't want the headache - Wallmart used to offer Headlight Polishing Service (using the 3M kit) for like $40 for both.
If you are going to DIY - it can be a whole lot easier if you use Fume-Free-Over-Cleaner with a rag (some use Brake Cleaner) - mask off the fender well and be very careful of the fender paint - this loosens and you remove the remainder of the "old UV coating"
"Wipe New" has gotten some good press... and a kit like this that includes a fresh coating are generally "better"
https://www.wipenew.com/wipe-new-headlights/
Thanks. Yeah, I've polished headlights and had them polished, but have much preferred getting glass lenses as it's not a process I enjoy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
there are no glass lens headlights available for the w210. other than the OEM fluted, hardened plastic design,
the only other design would be the clear, plastic projector based design like those made by Spyder, Depo et al.
those might upgrade the LOOK of your car but their light performance is mediocre unless you invest in further
modification, such as installing an OE projector inside, adding a protective layer to the lens exterior (additional
UV and particulate protection).
I've read of a Depo xenon projector model but unsure how it was constructed and my best guess is that they
simply added an HID kit to their halogen based headlight (brighter but still very poor for a variety of reasons)
the only other design would be the clear, plastic projector based design like those made by Spyder, Depo et al.
those might upgrade the LOOK of your car but their light performance is mediocre unless you invest in further
modification, such as installing an OE projector inside, adding a protective layer to the lens exterior (additional
UV and particulate protection).
I've read of a Depo xenon projector model but unsure how it was constructed and my best guess is that they
simply added an HID kit to their halogen based headlight (brighter but still very poor for a variety of reasons)
