E500 specific headlights?

[Calcifer]

Good morning,

Apologise if this is the wrong section. Was tidying up a few things over the weekend and my headlights are in awful condition (attached photos). See attached photos. I suppose a new set of headlights are due? Would anyone happen to know the correct part number for headlights (German Spec). However, I read here they are NLA?

On ebay there are many "W124 headlights". Is it true that the E500 headlights are different or would any W124 headlights work if all that one is after is a set of working headlights?

Thanks

 

[JC220]

This is covered In many, many threads on this forum. A search is best here rather than people repeating the same ground over and over again.

Yes they are E500E specific and NLA status is again discussed in abundance. Mods should move this post to appropriate thread. Too many repeatable threads on here with regards to headlamps and misfiring!

 

[Calcifer]

Ermm, thank you for your response.

It seems you have wrongly assumed I had not searched on the forum. I actually had done so including a posting by you to have 14 or so headlamp units kept in storage. I was more so confused as to:

Can i use any other W124 headlamps as temporary measure.

What is the best recommended course of action in getting my lights refurbished, fixed or replaced.

None the less, thank you for your input. At least I know they are NLA, because the other threads mention NLA, yet may be another production run etc.

 

[Calcifer]

Now, i'm almost certain from the searching i've done here that its not been mentioned or perhaps missed by me. Any place in the UK that can possibly refurbish my headlights or do they appear beyond repair?

 

[darek_u]

As long as the glass and housing are in decent shape the reflectors and silver frame can be refurbished for a friction of a price that new set costs (EUR 5000 perhaps ) Good shop can bring them back to the brand new condition, some also do glass polishing but personally I'm not a fan of this, I have some bad experience from the past.
For a particular shop - Google is your friend, just type car reflector re-silvering or similar.

 

[JC220]

Good morning,

Apologise if this is the wrong section. Was tidying up a few things over the weekend and my headlights are in awful condition (attached photos). See attached photos. I suppose a new set of headlights are due? Would anyone happen to know the correct part number for headlights (German Spec). However, I read here they are NLA?

On ebay there are many "W124 headlights". Is it true that the E500 headlights are different or would any W124 headlights work if all that one is after is a set of working headlights?

Thanks

Just to confirm - when you say German Spec headlamps do you mean you reside in Germany and drive on Right Side of Road?

I presume per your profile you are in UK and therefore drive on the Left Side of the road hence you require Left Traffic headlamps.

Its not entirely clear on your photos but those look like pedestrian / standard w124 headlamps to me. E500E headlamps are distinguishable by chrome inners and the fog lamp is actually a driving lamp. Whilst you can run standard lamps in a 500e they are not aesthetically or functionally equivalent to the correct headlamps.

Where did your 500E come from? What country did it last reside? Have you parked in front of a wall and verified which side the headlamp beams go?

These are NLA and sometimes do appear for sale on here and on ebay. Search here for left traffic part numbers of either 500E or E500 guise lamp assemblies and save the search on ebay and / or start a want to buy thread on here too. Whilst I do have many standard 124 headlamps, 500E & E500 lenses spare I do not sell any unfortunately. You will eventually find some but it can cost you! Not 5k mind you but likely a grand for a new or perfect set of left traffic E500E headlamps.

 

[sheward]

Although E500/500E lenses are different as stated standard 124 lenses can be used.

drew

 

[JC220]

Although E500/500E lenses are different as stated standard 124 lenses can be used.

drew

Not quite that simples.

The reflector in the headlamp housing is Fog only in standard lamps/ lenses and what was the Fog is now a driving lamp in E500E lamps / lenses.

Therefore we are talking about either complete standard lamp assemblies in a bind OR complete E500E correct lamp housings, reflectors, driving lamp and Lenses for the LEFT traffic scenario I presume this relates to.

 

[sheward]

All your recommendations are correct of course. I was only responding to the OPs curiosity about using standard lenses as a temporary measure for safety's sake.
I also agree with your point that the subject is a bit to involved to cover again as it's well documented here.

drew

 

[gerryvz]

I suppose a new set of headlights are due? Would anyone happen to know the correct part number for headlights (German Spec). However, I read here they are NLA?

On ebay there are many "W124 headlights". Is it true that the E500 headlights are different or would any W124 headlights work if all that one is after is a set of working headlights?

Thanks

I recommend that you just get a new set of E500 headlamps, yes, if you can find them. They are indeed NLA from MB. There are people here and on eBay, and other places, who have them, but they are NOT cheap. Even a replacement set of lenses only are not cheap.

The headlights are specific to the 500E, and E500, from other W124 models. And the 500E (pre-facelift) headlights are different from the E500 (facelift) headlights. You can also take a set of lights that were originally non-US-spec 500E headlamps, and change the lenses, and make them into E500 headlamps, and vice versa, if you have the appropriate lenses.

It is possible and not too difficult to adapt "regular" W124 non-US headlights to become 500E/E500 headlights. "Standard" (non-500E/E500) headlamps WILL PHYSICALLY FIT any 500E/E500 car, but they will NOT be correct, for several reasons. If you want to adapt regular W124 headlights to the E500/500E, you are going to need the proper lenses (depending on whether your car is a 500E or E500), and will need to make some internal changes to the inboard lamp. This is well documented on this forum as to the changes that need to be made.

I WOULD NOT advise buying any aftermarket lamps or used lamps off of eBay, unless you have a GUARANTEE that the used lamps are originally 500E/E500 lamps. These have a mirrored finish on the inside of the lamps, surrounding the headlights. The regular W124 lamps do not have this mirrored finish on the inside (in addition to the different inboard lamps, and the .036-specific lenses).

And there are specific headlights for the 500E and E500, that are for the right-hand-drive countries (such as the UK, Japan, Australia, etc.) and for the left-hand-drive countries (such as mainland Europe and North America). The main difference with these is the lens' light-diffusion pattern, and direction.

Again, ALL of this indeed is here on the forum, ad nauseum.

 

[gsxr]

The headlamps in the OP's photos are for LHT (Japan/UK). These lenses may be easier to source... but the reflectors may need repair if the tinworm got into them.

The question in post #3 asking if standard 124 lights can be fitted as a temporary measure, the answer is yes, but you'll lose the quad high-beams.

First thing to figure out is what country you are driving this car in, which will dictate if you need LHT or RHT lenses/lights.

 

[Calcifer]

Once again, thank you very much for the responses. I will start a search for places that do refurbishment of headlights. Thanks derek_u

 

[Calcifer]

Just to confirm - when you say German Spec headlamps do you mean you reside in Germany and drive on Right Side of Road?

I presume per your profile you are in UK and therefore drive on the Left Side of the road hence you require Left Traffic headlamps.

Its not entirely clear on your photos but those look like pedestrian / standard w124 headlamps to me. E500E headlamps are distinguishable by chrome inners and the fog lamp is actually a driving lamp. Whilst you can run standard lamps in a 500e they are not aesthetically or functionally equivalent to the correct headlamps.

Where did your 500E come from? What country did it last reside? Have you parked in front of a wall and verified which side the headlamp beams go?

These are NLA and sometimes do appear for sale on here and on ebay. Search here for left traffic part numbers of either 500E or E500 guise lamp assemblies and save the search on ebay and / or start a want to buy thread on here too. Whilst I do have many standard 124 headlamps, 500E & E500 lenses spare I do not sell any unfortunately. You will eventually find some but it can cost you! Not 5k mind you but likely a grand for a new or perfect set of left traffic E500E headlamps.

Actually I reside in Qatar, Hong Kong and Taiwan. However, my 500E is at my family home in Lancashire. It is originally supplied in Germany and I purchased it in Taiwan, so the beam pattern was not correct for the UK. However, I'll be shipping it back out of the UK next year possibly to Taiwan so if I can retain its original specification then that would work for me.

Now I do understand clearly from your post that I can run standard E500 lamps to get by.

I think after asking a workshop in Sanya, China to check for me. They have located a new set of Hella's at £1500 however!

 

[Calcifer]

Although E500/500E lenses are different as stated standard 124 lenses can be used.

drew

Thank You.

 

[Calcifer]

Not quite that simples.

The reflector in the headlamp housing is Fog only in standard lamps/ lenses and what was the Fog is now a driving lamp in E500E lamps / lenses.

Therefore we are talking about either complete standard lamp assemblies in a bind OR complete E500E correct lamp housings, reflectors, driving lamp and Lenses for the LEFT traffic scenario I presume this relates to.

I'm learning a great deal of things I just didnt know about these cars. Thanks

 

[gerryvz]

That’s why we’re here, Sir !!

 

[Calcifer]

I recommend that you just get a new set of E500 headlamps, yes, if you can find them. They are indeed NLA from MB. There are people here and on eBay, and other places, who have them, but they are NOT cheap. Even a replacement set of lenses only are not cheap.

The headlights are specific to the 500E, and E500, from other W124 models. And the 500E (pre-facelift) headlights are different from the E500 (facelift) headlights. You can also take a set of lights that were originally non-US-spec 500E headlamps, and change the lenses, and make them into E500 headlamps, and vice versa, if you have the appropriate lenses.

It is possible and not too difficult to adapt "regular" W124 non-US headlights to become 500E/E500 headlights. "Standard" (non-500E/E500) headlamps WILL PHYSICALLY FIT any 500E/E500 car, but they will NOT be correct, for several reasons. If you want to adapt regular W124 headlights to the E500/500E, you are going to need the proper lenses (depending on whether your car is a 500E or E500), and will need to make some internal changes to the inboard lamp. This is well documented on this forum as to the changes that need to be made.

I WOULD NOT advise buying any aftermarket lamps or used lamps off of eBay, unless you have a GUARANTEE that the used lamps are originally 500E/E500 lamps. These have a mirrored finish on the inside of the lamps, surrounding the headlights. The regular W124 lamps do not have this mirrored finish on the inside (in addition to the different inboard lamps, and the .036-specific lenses).

And there are specific headlights for the 500E and E500, that are for the right-hand-drive countries (such as the UK, Japan, Australia, etc.) and for the left-hand-drive countries (such as mainland Europe and North America). The main difference with these is the lens' light-diffusion pattern, and direction.

Again, ALL of this indeed is here on the forum, ad nauseum.

It may well be that I will end up going for a new set that a shop has managed to find for me. That is if I am unable to salvage my set.

Thank you very much for taking the time to write up, again. A lot of of new learning here. I've a much clearer idea of how to deal with these now, moving forwards.

 

[Calcifer]

The headlamps in the OP's photos are for LHT (Japan/UK). These lenses may be easier to source... but the reflectors may need repair if the tinworm got into them.

The question in post #3 asking if standard 124 lights can be fitted as a temporary measure, the answer is yes, but you'll lose the quad high-beams.

First thing to figure out is what country you are driving this car in, which will dictate if you need LHT or RHT lenses/lights.

Thank you! Hopefully, get the lights out on the weekend and see the extent of damage.