1992 - 1993 Euro headlight conversion

[Melville]

I'm at the start of a the process to convert my NA pre-facelift headlights to euro lights. I though I'd spell out what I'm doing, both so others can benefit and also so the more knowledgeable members here can correct my mistakes.

I ordered 94-95 euro lights from Genuine Auto Parts in Australia. Price including shipping was $881 after converting to USD. Part #s:
- 124-820-35-57
- 124-820-36-57

Because those are post-facelift lights, I need to get pre-facelift euro lenses. A huge thanks to Gerry for offering to bring back some lenses from his trip to Germany! Part #s:
- 000-820-12-66
- 000-820-13-66

I haven't done it yet, but I understand that removing and reinstalling lenses is a simple matter, with just plastic clips holding the lenses in place.

You'll find yourself with an extra set of lenses for a post-facelift car. These will clip onto US spec post-facelift lights so a for sale posting should find someone here to take those off your hands. Or bring them to parties as a conversation piece (don't do this).

Based on what I've read, I will need to update the connectors from 4-pin to 6-pin. Here is a how-to:

http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1904

In post 17, Gerry lists out the part #s and photos:

The bottom (large) body connector is MB part number 006 545 80 28
The top (smaller) cover connector is MB part number 009 545 30 28
Female pin barrel connector (4 needed) is MB part number 003 545 26 26

I'll also need H4 bulbs. In post 4 in the thread below, GSXR recommends Osram Hyper 70/65:

http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4951

The wipers for US-spec pre-facelift lights won't work for Euro lights so I'm faced with the choice of converting to facelifted wipers (US and Euro are the same or at least equivalent) or doing a wiper delete. I may be in the minority of preferring wipers but I don't like them enough to deal with sourcing good wipers and adding more complexity to this project so I will be doing a wiper delete. In post 29 in the thread above, GSXR included a photo of the various wiper panels that go beneath the lights. Part #s for blank trim panels for pre-facelift cars are:

124-889-05-63
124-889-06-63

And here is the picture:



My next step will be researching the installation process. I haven't fully researched this yet but here is what I've found so far:

http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_headlights/124_Euro_Headlight_Install.pdf

After getting the lights installed, I plan on covering them with Laminex to protect from chips.

 

[Melville]

I should note that I haven't completed this process yet so the information in the first post may not be correct. Hopefully by the end of this thread the process will be clear and all the info will be in one thread.

 

[gsxr]

Nice writeup - thanks for putting this together, it should help other folks doing the same swap. Note that for the 5th electrical pin, which feeds the city light, you have a choice of how to power it. I set mine up to illuminate the city light from the bumper fogs, and use them as DRL's (to save the Osram H4's for night use; the Osram 70/65 are bright but have a shorter lifespan than stock wattage bulbs). Other folks connect them to the parking/marker lights.

Photo attached below of the city lights on with the bumper fogs.

 

[M104-AMG]

FWIW- I power my city-lights via parking-lights and wired them blink out-of-phase via turn-signal.

neil

 

[gerryvz]

FWIW- I power my city-lights via parking-lights and wired them blink out-of-phase via turn-signal.

neil

Can you share with the group how you did that?

 

[Zuffenhausen]

nice write up

 

[gsxr]

Can you share with the group how you did that?

 

[M104-AMG]

Per Daniel Stern's website, using the "Cross-Feed" method here:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/markerflash/markerflash.html

Snippet and PDF for posterity sake:

QUOTE: Crossfeed method

Vehicles with 2-wire, bulb-type side markers have come from the factory two ways: with the front side marker bulbs wired across parking lamp feed and turn signal feed, which provides a flashing side marker, or wired across parking lamp feed and ground, which results in a non-flashing side marker. There's no rhyme, reason, or consistency to which vehicles have what; front side markers may flash with the turn signals, but they're not required to, so it's a matter of automaker whim; the Jeep Wrangler had flashing front side markers until 2003, non-flashing starting in 2004. It's pretty random and arbitrary. If your vehicle has two-wire front side markers with filament bulbs, and they don't flash with the turn signals, you can make them do so by moving one wire.

Instead of the side markers being wired across parking lamp feed and ground, they're wired across parking lamp feed and turn signal feed.

The side marker bulb socket is isolated from ground, and one bulb lead goes to the running lamp positive circuit. The other lead is tied into the turn signal positive lead.

When the parking lights are on and the turn signal off, it grounds throught the turn signal filament and illuminates the marker lamp. When the turn signal flashes, it interrupts the ground and the marker will flash. When the running lights are off, the process is reversed, with the ground being through the filaments of the running light circuit, and the marker will flash in sync with the turn signal instead of alternately.

/END QUOTE

I just adapted the above to the city-light.

neil

 

[Melville]

My headlight parts have been sitting on my shelf for ages collecting dust so I finally want to make some progress.

I was looking into bulbs and found that it's not the easiest thing to find a source for Osram 70/65 bulbs. This thread gives good info on how and what to order. The thread is a little old so hopefully the sources are still providing the bulbs:

http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301

I also want to order laminex to protect my $$$$ lenses. Here's a link for laminex using 1992 500E as the headlight size.

http://www.amazon.com/Lamin-x-MB628...des-benz:500e&keywords=laminex+headlight+film

Since this is likely producing results for N. American headlights, does anyone know if there will be a fit issue when I do the euro conversion lenses? I assume not since the overall dimensions should be the same.

I also need to get the headlight wiper delete trim panels painted. Anything special I should know about that other than (1) go to autobody shop (MB preferred) and (2) ask them to paint the panels?

In other news the weather has been warm here lately and there's been a good amount of rain to wash away salt residue on streets so I was looking forward to taking the car out this weekend. But this morning I saw that the streets have been freshly salted. I guess the DC authorities aren't taking any more chances after the big snow storm. So the car stays tucked away in the garage for a while longer.

 

[gsxr]

Since this is likely producing results for N. American headlights, does anyone know if there will be a fit issue when I do the euro conversion lenses? I assume not since the overall dimensions should be the same.

I'd check the Lamin-X website, or at least get the part numbers from there if buying elsewhere. They show the exact shape of the film. Looks like the same part number as you linked above, and Amazon is selling direct from Lamin-X. They have fog light flim as well:
http://www.lamin-x.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=92MER2731+Headlight+Covers&Submit=

Seems the only option for pre-cut film is 12mil. They used to sell 20 mil as standard, that's what I have on all my lights. If you want anything thicker than 12 mil, you can buy a small bulk roll, cut them out yourself, and have enough left over for another several pairs of lights. May not be any significant advantage to 20 vs 12 though. :?:

I also need to get the headlight wiper delete trim panels painted. Anything special I should know about that other than (1) go to autobody shop (MB preferred) and (2) ask them to paint the panels?

After painting & appropriate curing time, I'd consider applying some sort of protective film to prevent stone chips. Do this before installing as it will save you from taking it all apart just to apply the film.

 

[sheward]

You might consider purchasing the euro wiper panels and having them painted at the same time in case you ever change your mind like I did. I also had the painter re spray the originals. Panels are cheap.

Here are the numbers for the euro wiper panels also shown at the beginning of the thread.

124 889 07 63
124 889 08 63

About $15 apiece
Also ask the painter to provide you with a small bottle of left over paint for touch up.

drew

 

[Melville]

GSXR and Drew, that's good advice from each of you.

Maybe I'll order a roll of lamin-x so I can cut a piece to cover the trim panels.

And I'll probably get euro wiper panels and then get all three painted - the original ones, the wiper delete panels and the wiper panels. That will likely have a minimal cost vs. just doing one set because it will add very little extra time or paint.

 

[gsxr]

Yes - good point Drew, if you ever may change wipers/panels/lights in the future, get the other panels painted at the same time!

I also get the door mirror covers painted at the same time. These are often faded or chipped, and can be easily taken apart to be painted with the headlight panels. May not apply to your car though.

 

[Hollybrook]

Melville, I might be interested in splitting the cost of a roll of Lamin-X if you don't want to get a whole roll. I still need to install my ecodes...

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[jeff0093]

Melville, I'm alittle confused? when I did my swap I ordered lights, lower panels wiper arms, motors and blades. I'm not sure why you are swapping lens?

 

[jeff0093]

Btw I have a perfect set of the later style yellow/ white turn signal if anyone is looking for them, I went back to full yellows.

 

[Melville]

Melville, I'm alittle confused? when I did my swap I ordered lights, lower panels wiper arms, motors and blades. I'm not sure why you are swapping lens?

The Euro pre-facelift headlight assemblies are no longer available. But pre-facelift lenses are available and post-facelift assemblies are available. So now you have to order a post-facelift assembly and also pre-facelift lenses. Swap out the lenses and you have a pre-facelift assembly and a spare set of post-facelift lenses to sell.

 

[Melville]

I also get the door mirror covers painted at the same time.

You guys are killing me! Each incremental step makes so much sense that it's hard to say no. And then I was thinking well if I'm getting X, Y and Z painted, maybe I should just go ahead and get my lowers color matched as I've been lusting about for a while. Then the next logical step is to get the whole car painted to make sure there isn't a mismatch! I guess after that the only logical step is a nuts and bolts restoration like 600Eric... Should I get a divorce lawyer now? No, I won't be able to afford one...

 

[jeff0093]

Got ya didn't know they were NLA.

 

[modzona]

Philips Xtreme vision 130% are the best h4 bulbs on the marked.

Have used both Osram and Philips top h4 bulbs in my car. Now i have the Philips in everything what i can get them into, cars, atv's++. The difference is really notable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-H4-Phili...ash=item54162cd37e:g:WRYAAOSwkNZUigi0&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PHILIPS-H4-...ash=item43e89d9c42:g:jGAAAOSwYHxWL2SS&vxp=mtr

 

[jhodg5ck]

I've been quite pleased with Hella's offroad H4's (90/100w) and H3's (100w)

Run them in anything that they will fit



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[modzona]

Have seen many headlights crack with 100watt bulbs and you forget to let them cool down befor sprayingwater on the car for washing it.

 

[jhodg5ck]

I imagine it's possible, but so far my longest run on these bulbs is 12 years in a 126.

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[gsxr]

Additional discussion on bulbs is here: http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301

 

[Zuffenhausen]

I run the Osram Hyper H4 70/65 and get compliments about them all the time. I don't find a Philips X-treme Vision in 70/65

 

[gsxr]

I run the Osram Hyper H4 70/65 and compliments about them all the time. I don't find a Philips X-treme Vision in 70/65

I've not seen any other brand besides Osram Hyper in 70/65 wattage. It's an unusual rating. The lumens output is substantially higher than any of the "plus" 60/55 bulbs.

 

[Zuffenhausen]

Any difference between Hella or Bosch headlights?

 

[gsxr]

Any difference between Hella or Bosch headlights?

For standard 124, nothing substantial... both are good quality.

For the E500E, the USA DOT lights were only made by Bosch, and the Euros were only made by Hella, for all years.

 

[Zuffenhausen]

On your website you have Bosch and Hella. Were the Bosch made by Hella?

 

[modzona]

Hella and bosch are to different companies.

 

[gsxr]

On your website you have Bosch and Hella. Were the Bosch made by Hella?

No, as Martin said, they are totally different companies. Bosch made all the W124 USA lights, Hella made the Euro E500E lights. Both Bosch and Hella made standard 124 Euro lights.

 

[Zuffenhausen]

I'm ok so the Hella 94-95 Euros are 124-820-35-57, 124-820-36-57?

 

[gsxr]

I'm ok so the Hella 94-95 Euros are 124-820-35-57, 124-820-36-57?

Yes, for a 1994 E500, that is correct. These will be E500 Euro lights with 6-pin electrical connector, and vacuum level adjustment.

 

[Zuffenhausen]

Ok so these are the ones with the city lights?

 

[gsxr]

Ok so these are the ones with the city lights?

Yes - all the 124 Euro-spec lights have both the city light socket and vacuum level adjustment.

 

[gsxr]

Parts list attached for the headlight wipers... note that it shows both the USA & Euro/facelift parts, so make sure to pick the correct items (noted as 94-up).

 

[Ntrepid]

I set mine up to illuminate the city light from the bumper fogs, and use them as DRL's

I'm getting ready to convert my 500E over to Euro headlights tomorrow. I have bought and installed the Osram Rally bulbs GSXR recommended. I'm curious now to the "city light" comment above. Is this a setting or a separate bulb in the housing? If the latter, can I have some more information on the specs?

Thanks in advance.

Robert

 

[jhodg5ck]

you need to wire up a jumper depending on how you want your city lights to work...per the Euro setup the attached image should do the trick..

IMHO, the Euro headlight vacuum leveler is worth almost as much as the improvement in cosmetics...being able to tailor the high/low beams is Wunderbar.

jono

 

[sheward]

The city light is a separate bulb in the housing. I believe it's a 5w and I was able to purchase them at the local auto parts store. There are options regarding how you want them to be lit which is determined by the way you choose to wire at the connectors. If you don't run headlight wipers you can borrow two wired pins from those connectors and the city lights will come on with the first click of the headlight switch or the "parking lights". This method requires no soldering of pins. I can post more info later if interested. With some simple soldering you can have them operate with the fogs as well. Note that the shape/size of some 5W bulbs will not fit through the hole in the reflector.

drew

 

[sheward]

I agree! I want the leveler.

drew

 

[gsxr]

Robert, the city light is a T4 base, 4-watt bulb. You can also get a 5-watt halogen that fits as well. I personally wire the city lights to the bumper fogs and use them (all four) as DRL's, to save the low beams for night use only.

4 watt incandescent, Osram # 3893, 35 lumens (MB #072601-012900, replaced by 000000-008163)
5 watt halogen, Osram # 64111, 80 lumens (MB # 910152-012000)
6 watt incandescent, Osram 3886X MiniXen, 80 lumens

 

[Ntrepid]

I can post more info later if interested. <snip> Note that the shape/size of some 5W bulbs will not fit through the hole in the reflector.

More details would be great! I'm interested in hooking them to the fogs.

If there is a recommended bulb, I'm all ears as the patient is going to the doctor tomorrow and I believe this is something best done when the headlight is not installed.


Robert

 

[vatc5637]

The city light is a separate bulb in the housing. I believe it's a 5w and I was able to purchase them at the local auto parts store. There are options regarding how you want them to be lit which is determined by the way you choose to wire at the connectors. If you don't run headlight wipers you can borrow two wired pins from those connectors and the city lights will come on with the first click of the headlight switch or the "parking lights". This method requires no soldering of pins. I can post more info later if interested. With some simple soldering you can have them operate with the fogs as well. Note that the shape/size of some 5W bulbs will not fit through the hole in the reflector.

drew

FYI, mine are wired, as Drew described, into the parking light circuit. It was easy to do and no soldering required. I wanted the option of having them on without having to turn the fogs on as well.

 

[sheward]

As usual, Dave has it covered. In the picture you can see the connector for the wipers tied back along the headlight pigtail. I attached a piece of weatherstrip over the wiper plug to keep it dry. This is where the borrowed pin comes from if you prefer the city light to light with the parking lights. Courtesy of kwontumspeed. Thanks for the bulb options, Dave.

drew

 

[Ntrepid]

So I made the conversion over to the Euro lights, side indicators, and new fogs. Really looks nice and am really happy with the results.

A couple of questions came out of this:

1. Behind the wiper panels, there is a rubber which is pierced by the shaft of the wiper. Is this an easily replaced part? Is there a Euro P/N for this?
2. When the dogs fogs were put in, one of them did not sit flush in the bumper. Is there a piece which connects the fog housing to the bumper or does it connect directly? If the former, is there a P/N for it?

Thanks in advance.


Robert

 

[Ntrepid]

I think I have found the answer to the second question in the above post. The fog light assemblies are attached to the bumper with the following parts:

Mount Bracket (Right): 124-880-16-14
Mount Bracket (Left): 124-880-15-14

These are pricey bits at >$150.

Still looking for the answer to the first question in my post immediately above.


Robert

 

[sheward]

I don't know if that rubber is available or the part no. however it is the same as that found on any W124 with the late style lights. The wiper motors are in the same location. It is easily replaced by pushing the rubber nubs back through the holes. The bracket for the fogs may be the same as found on the SL. Hope that is of some help.

drew

 

[Ntrepid]

Thanks Drew.

After going back and forth with nocfn (many thanks to him) via PM, it was pretty much determined that the part in question was only available on pre-facelift 036s. The part name/numbers are:

Molding (Left): 124-826-05-80
Molding (Right): 124-826-06-80

As far as nocfn could tell, there is not a similar piece for the Euro wiper version. If that is the case, since the USA wiper shaft is in a different position (slightly further from the side indicators) as the Euro version, a hole punch may be needed to use this part on a car which has been converted. Otherwise, you'll have to remove this part.


Robert

 

[gsxr]

The rubber portion attaches to the headlight lens frame. IIRC, it is the same for all models (US and Euro) and may have perforations for the different wiper setups. Interestingly, it appears the seal was deleted as of the facelift (1994-up USA model year). I checked my stock E420 and E500 and neither of 'em have the extra rubber seal. On a 92-93 car, you could swap the seal to your new lights if you want to remain 'period correct'. I can't remember if the seal is pre-perforated/slotted for both wiper shaft locations.

 

[Ntrepid]

I'll check tonight (and report back) on if there are any indications of pre-perforation/slots on the pieces I have.


Robert