E500E reproduction headlights?

[500AMM]

More or less that's the number, but actually no one (?) knows the answer. The MB dealer which is near my home opened a separate division devoted to all those classic Mercedes cars (of all the dealers in the whole Poland it was the one in my city which opened such supporting division, I should consider myself lucky, right? Yes, and no...). By the way - you may have a look at their webpage, it even exists in English version (Duda Legends). One day last summer I drove there to check whether I can make some contacts. I was nearly turned away as the guy at the gate house did not want to let me in, as I did not made an official appointment. I persuaded him telling that the main dealer told me to go there as my W124 was making them a problem. Finally I found the correct person responsible for parts supply. Now the unlucky part. Their part supply chain is: MB storage houses on the whole world (that's not a problem for a dealer as they have access to that system) and ... eBay. I asked about the Classic Center and the demand request, but he told me that they hardly use it, because if the part is not there you do not know when you get it. He told me, that there is a legend that the part is reproduced if 1000 orders is gathered, but this is just a legend - the number is not confirmed and the actual decision when, in what number and if ever to reproduce a part belongs to MB.

The more I think about it, the more the whole MB starts to look like a company from SF movies, hidden behind a kind of a curtain, accessible only for "the selected ones".


MM AL, good idea @744Brillantsilber. That recalled me one thing. Last year I bought a pair of Euro Bosh headlights (with blinkers) for my E420 (I need to replace US lights with European version) from sales representative of a company providing Magnetti Marelli (AL) and Hella products for Poland. I know E420 headlights are different from E500, but I may ask whether he knows anything about the possibility of producing some batch of units. Or maybe he's got access to some remaining units.

I do not want to hijack this thread, and sooner or later we may need a separate one, but one of ideas which hit me is to integrate with MB Clubs in different countries or at least knowing someone there. MB won't talk with individuals, but might be more prone to with larger, official groups. I read somewhere an article that R129 UK club made MB to reproduce some NLA parts. Last year about 9000 (or 12000 I lost access to official data) W124 were registered as classics in Germany. That means those cars will need support. Might need to go united we stand route. But yes - that's a topic for different thread.

Very well explained Vinnie, and exactly my thoughts around MB and their parts philosophy. They won't talk to individuals and they protect and control their parts sources really hard, and at the same time doesn't open up and invite for the free aftermarket parts production. That's not only about proprietaries on their brand, but also about approval, safety and legitimity. Grouping up with other clubs is the way to go to make a strong pressure, and I think it is two main topics to focus on which MB has to consider; #1 the brand heritage and #2 safety on the cars. As long as the cars are road legal, I mean not prohibited from road use by the road & vehicle authorities in any country, MB has a responsibility to contribute to make that happen as it is their brand. MB needs some "verbal massage" and the treats for them is money, it's always money in the end.

 

[Rain]

Ha, when I brought up a little ways back the idea of getting a group of us to all send in a petition of requests to MB for a small reproduction run of facelift 500 headlights, it was expressed to me that it would be a pointless and futile effort.

But if y’all are serious about wanting to try, I’d obviously be down.

Some info that I passed along before: when I spoke to both the Classic Center in Germany, and the one in Irvine, they both said that MB would only consider doing another run if they felt there was a guarantee of at least 350+ orders.

 

[195910]

Ha, when I brought up a little ways back the idea of getting a group of us to all send in a petition of requests to MB for a small reproduction run of facelift 500 headlights, it was expressed to me that it would be a pointless and futile effort.

But if y’all are serious about wanting to try, I’d obviously be down.

Some info that I passed along before: when I spoke to both the Classic Center in Germany, and the one in Irvine, they both said that MB would only consider doing another run if they felt there was a guarantee of at least 350+ orders.

350+ sets is IMO guaranteed, the hundreds of Jap-Import 124036 arriving in Europe, US, Gulf all need them! Plus hundreds of cars already there that need replacement lenses

 

[JC220]

350+ sets is IMO guaranteed, the hundreds of Jap-Import 124036 arriving in Europe, US, Gulf all need them! Plus hundreds of cars already there that need replacement lenses

Really? I'm not so sure. In the immediate I would say 50 - 75 orders from board members / serial hoarders such as myself in first 6 months.

Then after that maybe a couple sets a month(?)

The trouble Is that 500E stuff is few and far between really given the rarity of the model in the first instance and a good portion of those figures are no longer in existence.

Come to think of it does @xfadmin know appropriately how many 036 (Porsche and non Porsche built) are still around?

 

[Ntrepid]

350+ sets is IMO guaranteed, the hundreds of Jap-Import 124036 arriving in Europe, US, Gulf all need them! Plus hundreds of cars already there that need replacement lenses

I believe 350 sets would be sold but what I think the number @Rain provided is a *guarantee* of sale. In other words, if I called up MB and said, "I need to purchase 350 sets and here is my credit card."


Robert

 

[outrbnks]

Really? I'm not so sure. In the immediate I would say 50 - 75 orders from board members / serial hoarders such as myself in first 6 months.

Then after that maybe a couple sets a month(?)

The trouble Is that 500E stuff is few and far between really given the rarity of the model in the first instance and a good portion of those figures are no longer in existence.

Come to think of it does @xfadmin know appropriately how many 036 (Porsche and non Porsche built) are still around?

Sorry to be off topic for this, Joe, the last sentence in your post above says "how many 036 (Porsche and non Porsche built)"
Are there really any 036 that are non Porsche built? I thought that all 036's were Porsche built, (partially built, however to say it).

Back to this thread topic, I fully support getting either reproduction, or getting MB to make another run of both pre and post facelift headlights.

I'm sure someone here knows, what is the total world wide mix, how many pre-facelift 036 built, how many facelift 036 built.

Could that be an indicator of possible interest in what type headlight 036 owners would want, (I assume there will also be a smaller number of purists who would want new USA pre-face headlights as well).

 

[JC220]

Sorry to be off topic for this, Joe, the last sentence in your post above says "how many 036 (Porsche and non Porsche built)"
Are there really any 036 that are non Porsche built? I thought that all 036's were Porsche built, (partially built, however to say it).

Back to this thread topic, I fully support getting either reproduction, or getting MB to make another run of both pre and post facelift headlights.

I'm sure someone here knows, what is the total world wide mix, how many pre-facelift 036 built, how many facelift 036 built.

Could that be an indicator of possible interest in what type headlight 036 owners would want, (I assume there will also be a smaller number of purists who would want new USA pre-face headlights as well).

Apologies Oscar, the Porsche built 500E / non Porsche built E500 is a long running 500E board joke Derived from the mis-information seen from several sources over the years. (Magazine articles and what not which were absolutely incorrect)

Yes I fully support MB doing another run of 036 headlamps and lenses you betcha. But can't see if becoming reality if 350 units requires securing per some suggestions above.

I think the poll is slightly flawed / skewed too by suggesting 2k or less for a pair. When I bought of the last sets of let traffic 036 headlamps from MB about 4 years ago they were approx. £350gbp IIRC for the pair. Certainly no more than that. I have the receipt somewhere and could look it out.

Put it this way, if MB makes them available again for £500gbp odd a pair for sure I would buy a spare set as others would too. At 2k a pair? No I would not. Partly because have spares etc as already mentioned and my 036 has correct assemblies in it.

 

[gsxr]

Some info that I passed along before: when I spoke to both the Classic Center in Germany, and the one in Irvine, they both said that MB would only consider doing another run if they felt there was a guarantee of at least 350+ orders.

THANK YOU, Rain! I remember someone had contacted MBCC and was told a minimum order number, but I couldn't recall who it was, nor the minimum quantity. Now we know the rough target - very helpful.

350+ sets is IMO guaranteed, the hundreds of Jap-Import 124036 arriving in Europe, US, Gulf all need them! Plus hundreds of cars already there that need replacement lenses

Order quantity will be based on price, which is not likely to be known prior to ordering. 5 years ago we could buy E500 Euro lights in USA for <$500/pair delivered. At that price, I think 350 orders is possible. However if they will be €1500+/pair, Joe's estimate of 50 orders is more likely. At $500 USD/pair, I'm in for at least one pair, maybe two. At €1500, I'm in for zero. Price is going to be a big deal for a lot of folks...

Really? I'm not so sure. In the immediate I would say 50 - 75 orders from board members / serial hoarders such as myself in first 6 months.
Then after that maybe a couple sets a month(?)

Further complicating things is that the 350 minimum quantity is likely for a pair of a given part number. So will that be pre or post facelift... full lights or only lenses... RHT or LHT... ? Even assuming RHT only (much larger demand) there's still a big question about pre/post. MB isn't likely to do both of them.

 

[Vinnie]

MM AL, good idea @744Brillantsilber. That recalled me one thing. Last year I bought a pair of Euro Bosh headlights (with blinkers) for my E420 (I need to replace US lights with European version) from sales representative of a company providing Magnetti Marelli (AL) and Hella products for Poland. I know E420 headlights are different from E500, but I may ask whether he knows anything about the possibility of producing some batch of units. Or maybe he's got access to some remaining units.

So I called him. He spent way over 15 minutes over phone with me, and here is a short report. He checked whether any AL units are available, but could not find part numbers. Most probably because Bosch/AL did only US version (I'm not 100% sure of that), while he had access to European catalogues only.
We then went to Hella - here he found part numbers, and checked whether there is something available in any Hella warehouses on the world (just in case there was something hidden under a pillow), but there were none. I then asked about the possibility to start a production of NLA units. He told, that in case of Hella, this may be completely problematic. Hella now cares about mass production and "right here, right now" market. Nevertheless, he will write to responsible person in Hella and call me back if gets any sensible answer. However, I rather shouldn't have any hopes. Most probably he will get kind of "don't make yourself a fool" response, and is aware of that. But, as a W124 owner (not E500, just a usual, typical one, which are still a few on the streets) he understood my request and attempted to help me.

It seems that what @Rain provided is pretty precise data and I would say "good offer" from MB. I suppose that the only problem is to get 350 confirmed orders.

 

[gsxr]

Bosch/AL did only USA version of 036 headlights, I am 100% sure of that.

Nice response otherwise - thanks for the effort!

 

[Twilling]

I would be more than happy if even just the lenses A0008201266 and A0008201366 would become available again.
In such a case I would buy at least 2 sets.

 

[maw1124]

350 is a lot... 175 pair is a lot... especially if it's broken down between pre- and post- facelift... I mean, let's be real... we don't have 175 people here willing to shell out $2500 USD (+ filler panels, paint and such) to "upgrade" to euro headlights... especially since the bulk of these cars were pre-facelift... so I think MBCC is out... but I certainly "might" be persuaded with a non-MB (e.g., Depo) replica for some fraction of that price... I mean, they're headlights not engines, transmissions, body panels or seats... glass is glass... the internal differences are material, but I'm not sure much else is... to @2phast and @Ntrepid points.

maw

 

[speedy300dturbo]

350 is a lot... 175 pair is a lot... especially if it's broken down between pre- and post- facelift... I mean, let's be real... we don't have 175 people here willing to shell out $2500 USD (+ filler panels, paint and such) to "upgrade" to euro headlights... especially since the bulk of these cars were pre-facelift... so I think MBCC is out... but I certainly "might" be persuaded with a non-MB (e.g., Depo) replica for some fraction of that price... I mean, they're headlights not engines, transmissions, body panels or seats... glass is glass... the internal differences are material, but I'm not sure much else is... to @2phast and @Ntrepid points.

maw

I mentioned this earlier in the thread... Depo already have the molds and tooling in place for the standard W124 headlights. With some small adjustments to the lens manufacturing process (smoothed fluting over driving light + chromed inner bezels) they could indeed produce a replica 500E500 lighting unit.

While Depo isn't quite at Bosch / Hella quality, a pair of standard Depo lights runs about $200 USD and lenses should be about half that. This could be an acceptable compromise, especially for a daily driver

 

[500AMM]

I mentioned this earlier in the thread... Depo already have the molds and tooling in place for the standard W124 headlights. With some small adjustments to the lens manufacturing process (smoothed fluting over driving light + chromed inner bezels) they could indeed produce a replica 500E500 lighting unit.

While Depo isn't quite at Bosch / Hella quality, a pair of standard Depo lights runs about $200 USD and lenses should be about half that. This could be an acceptable compromise, especially for a daily driver

Rational thinking, but I don't think they would modify their existing molds for the standard 124. It's too complicated and cost driving, and if they did they would pass the standard 124 market, which likely is larger than the 036 market. However, that's my personal thoughts on that.

175 sets of lenses is a lot, maybe 75 sets goes to members here, while the remaining 100 will spread over several years. It is still about 5000 cars out there and many of them already has pretty worn and cracked lenses. I'm just thinking loud - supposed the price will be <$500, could 10 members here commit to buy another 10 sets each for later resale with say 10% mark-up? I would seriously consider that, not that the 10% mark-up makes me rich, that's to cover storage, handling, exchange rate variations etc... and the few bucks left could be for the simple fact that these 10x10 sets made it happen.

 

[Markus-MD]

I want not be a stupid Idiot,but i think whatever however the limit for Reproduktion is.We cant find a solution to reproduced the glas to an good price app both side under 1500 Euro or Dollar or....Howmany people with here into this Forum are ready to pay and collect some Parts to leigh into a garage for not using??? 20-40 and howmany needed actualy this 10-15.And howmany want make a big deal ALL.i saw in Geman Ebay one complett for 1750 for one
And for Mercedes is equal wat we doo ,its an DAX Konzern and only intresse is Profit Profit .They wont cars that works proper 30+years .You must buy an new grenn elktro bla bla bla car ,Oh soory not buy best is leasing and and after max 5years an new game ,
i am so sad for 20years i am a fan of Italien Cars ,haved Lancia Thema 8.32 and Alfa 164 24v. and an 166 3,0.ANd after 10 Years now Spareparts and now intressting to help living on this cars.And i saw here sorry the same way ,We have here one Advantage the price for us cars are mor corrospondening with the Value ,
But when the weather is fine and good i drive my 500e and have so many fun on it.And wen i need a glass for 1500 . i must save up some money for serval month and going away. I love my 500e and hope this yearv my w124 600coupe.
in this mind "the Earth is only a disc"" W124 forever

 

[outrbnks]

hope this year my w124 600coupe.

Well, that is an intriguing closeout to your previous post.

A C124 600CE you say, certainly worthy of coverage in an owners thread....
Looking forward to the read... best

 

[Vinnie]

I will go a bit offtopic, but...

Some info that I passed along before: when I spoke to both the Classic Center in Germany, and the one in Irvine, they both said that MB would only consider doing another run if they felt there was a guarantee of at least 350+ orders.

How did you manage to contact contact someone in Classic Center in Germany? Was that phone, e-mail, were you there personally? The information which you received was a precise one, having such a contact in Classic Center may be quite useful when trying to get status on other parts.

 

[Vinnie]

I'm not intending to hijack this thread, but thinking on the problem from different perspective: what is the reason to buy a new headlamps for rather high price? Used, old (weak lights) of existing lenses? Broken parts (cracked front glass, broken reflector)? If the latter, then yes - new parts are needed. But wouldn't refurbishing the lenses be a solution for most of the cases? I agree - it is not so simple DIY job as just removing the old headlamp and placing new. But it's not so difficult, either. There is even a thread on this already:
Headlights lenses refurbish help needed

I was seriously considering to do it with mine sets, but found completely brand new set of AL headlamps with blinkers for about 250$. Otherwise I would have done so. There are quite a few companies which perform such service in Poland and I would expect those to be available in the rest of the world as well. That's webpage of one of those, stuffed through google translator: Headlamps refurbish. That should bring the old headlamps to let's say 90% of new ones, what may be sufficient to most of you. Maybe that's the way to go?

 

[Rain]

I will go a bit offtopic, but...

How did you manage to contact contact someone in Classic Center in Germany? Was that phone, e-mail, were you there personally? The information which you received was a precise one, having such a contact in Classic Center may be quite useful when trying to get status on other parts.

Was a bunch (15+) with 2 people there.

 

[Rain]

Was a bunch (15+) with 2 people there.

Whoops—I forgot to specify, ha. Emails. Was about 15 emails.

 

[jnes]

I will go a bit offtopic, but...

How did you manage to contact contact someone in Classic Center in Germany? Was that phone, e-mail, were you there personally? The information which you received was a precise one, having such a contact in Classic Center may be quite useful when trying to get status on other parts.

I do have contact information (email address) direct to Classic Center in Germany. I asked about the rear fenders, AMG springs and dampers and 500E lenses. Information what I got was that Hella is not willing to do production run or there is not much demand. I believe that they are aware that there is need for headlight unit/lenses but the production run would be so big that they (Mercedes) would never be able to sell it.

 

[Vinnie]

Whoops—I forgot to specify, ha. Emails. Was about 15 emails.

I do have contact information (email address) direct to Classic Center in Germany.

I those e-mails are not confidential, for internal use, or provided exclusively for you only, could share those e-mails with us?

 

[jnes]

I do have contact information (email address) direct to Classic Center in Germany. I asked about the rear fenders, AMG springs and dampers and 500E lenses. Information what I got was that Hella is not willing to do production run or there is not much demand. I believe that they are aware that there is need for headlight unit/lenses but the production run would be so big that they (Mercedes) would never be able to sell it.

Actually I sent e-mail and quoted option for the production run and also asked about how massive order should be that Mercedes/Hella would consider it. Let see what they will reply.

 

[500AMM]

This is definitely a good start, and the only way to visualize the needs and put pressure on MB and Hella. Going through the dealers does apparently never reach high enough in the hierarchy where the decision is taken.

 

[xfadmin]

Come to think of it does @xfadmin know appropriately how many 036 (Porsche and non Porsche built) are still around?

This was discussed somewhat recently on the forum. I think calculations in the US were somewhere around 75% of E500Es are still around in the US, based on known junked/wrecked cars vs. the total.

Like the Bosch vs. Siemens EZL units, the Porsche-built 500Es do tend to be more durable and reliable than the later facelift non-Porsche built E500s, because they were made by PORSCHE craftsmen in PORSCHE buildings.

 

[Eno]

An NLA part has many meanings/codes.
Regarding the Euro E500 complete headlight assemblies the response from MB main GLC responds with code C49 which is very clear in the english language and states the following: “This Classic-Part can no longer be delivered. Supply from the factory as well as from the Classic Centre is no longer possible.”

 

[topinhas]

Nice thread.

Besides the Covid pandemic, the other thing that prevents me from using my 500 E a bit more is the growing number of NLA parts. The headlights are the thing that frightens me more, a bit of bad luck and your car can lose the hardly maintained originality due to the NLA original 500 E specific headlights...

I'm a buyer of new complete headlights for stock, count me in on making pressure on MB, Hella or AL

 

[gerryvz]

Nice thread.

Besides the Covid pandemic, the other thing that prevents me from using my 500 E a bit more is the growing number of NLA parts. The headlights are the thing that frightens me more, a bit of bad luck and your car can lose the hardly maintained originality due to the NLA original 500 E specific headlights...

I'm a buyer of new complete headlights for stock, count me in on making pressure on MB, Hella or AL

This is why it is prudent to protect one's headlight lenses with a layer of film like Lamin-X.

 

[topinhas]

Thank you Gerry.

You are absolutely right, my fault that I didn't do it yet. I can't find Lamin-X in Portugal but there are alternatives. I've got to go to a detailers shop, so they can install a PPF protective layer to protect the valuable headlights lenses of this car

 

[jnes]

Rational thinking, but I don't think they would modify their existing molds for the standard 124. It's too complicated and cost driving, and if they did they would pass the standard 124 market, which likely is larger than the 036 market. However, that's my personal thoughts on that.

175 sets of lenses is a lot, maybe 75 sets goes to members here, while the remaining 100 will spread over several years. It is still about 5000 cars out there and many of them already has pretty worn and cracked lenses. I'm just thinking loud - supposed the price will be <$500, could 10 members here commit to buy another 10 sets each for later resale with say 10% mark-up? I would seriously consider that, not that the 10% mark-up makes me rich, that's to cover storage, handling, exchange rate variations etc... and the few bucks left could be for the simple fact that these 10x10 sets made it happen.

I just made a poll for local Mercedes forum and got instant interest of possible production run. In Finland fitting E500E lenses to pedestrian W124 models its common upgrade so there would some sort of market for the lenses. Of course it would all depend on the price tag.

Then I visited yesterday local part supplier and they told that 500E headlight assemblies should be active part numbers in Hella and they are making some runs. I was very suspicious about this info and asked if they could doublecheck the availability and provide part numbers etc. I strongly doubt that if Mercedes can't provide new units neither can part supplier.

 

[gerryvz]

Well, MB is going to have an exclusive supplier contract with Hella to produce the lenses for them. Basically, unless Hella no longer has the production capacity and tooling to create the lenses and headlight assemblies, they can do so if and when MB tells them to make a production run.

As has been said, it is very likely that this will only happen when MB believes that there is enough demand to commission another production run. There are probably a number of factors that go into such a decision. I would expect that (given the production volume of the cars) that it would take guaranteed demand for hundreds or at least a thousand pairs of headlights to be worthy of doing this. MB would produce some extra inventory for future demand, which they would stockpile on their own as well.

The complicating factory (somewhat) would be that there are two different types of lenses (facelift and pre-facelift) for "Euro" lights, and then there are also the US-specific DOT facelift and pre-facelift headlights. So, effectively that makes four different types, where you would only perhaps have demand for a few hundred pairs of headlights.

The easiest and cheapest thing to do, of course, would be to just produce the lenses. But given that lenses were not available as separate items for US-spec DOT lamps, it would likely be required for the US market to create the entire lamps, and thus increasing the cost. And again, for a demand level of how many pairs in the US (facelift and pre-facelift)?

It's a really tough conundrum.

I personally believe, based on conversations I've had with MB and knowledgeable non-MB people in Europe, and with the Classic Center in the past, that SOMEDAY there WILL be another production run of the "Euro" headlights and/or lenses made. But this could be a long time into the future. In the meantime, we are going to see A LOT of cars with pedestrian headlights, or DEPO lamps, because that is essentially all that there is now. Except for the folks who hoarded extra pairs of lenses.

 

[gsxr]

The complicating factory (somewhat) would be that there are two different types of lenses (facelift and pre-facelift) for "Euro" lights, and then there are also the US-specific DOT facelift and pre-facelift headlights. So, effectively that makes four different types, where you would only perhaps have demand for a few hundred pairs of headlights.

The problem is more that there are RHT (USA/Europe) and LHT (UK/Japan/Australia) versions of each lens, making 4 total versions of lens, plus 4 versions of lights (8 total pairs, 16 separate part numbers left/right). I suspect LHT demand would be much lower so that might not happen if there is a sizeable min quantity required. RHT only would reduce the request by half.

USA lights were made by Bosch, not Hella, and would be a separate discussion with Marelli Automotive Lighting, previously Automotive Lighting, previously Bosch Lighting.

If Hella Euro lights or lenses became available, I suspect demand for USA-specific parts would be nil. Not to mention there were ~1500 USA imports of which <1200 are still on the road, of which even fewer still wear original lights (1k?), while there were ±9k ROW cars originally (and may still be 6-7k out there).

 

[ricsim]

Maybe the solution will be to use a 3D printer to manufacture our Lenses, in future.
3D Printed Automotive Headlight

 

[jnes]

Bit OT but can someone confirm are the following part numbers correct for 500E headlight units A124 820 20 59 and A124 820 19 59 ?

 

[gsxr]

Bit OT but can someone confirm are the following part numbers correct for 500E headlight units A124 820 20 59 and A124 820 19 59 ?

I don't think so. 500E Euro lights (RHT) are 124-820-43-59and 124-820-44-59.

 

[jnes]

I don't think so. 500E Euro lights (RHT) are 124-820-43-59and 124-820-44-59.

There seems to be correct lenses installed. Could those numbers be very early production? I tried to search from Xentry but no match.

 

[gsxr]

Those numbers do not exist in the EPC. Where did you get them?




EDIT: Found the photos. FOR SALE - New 500E Prefacelift Hella Headlights, €2200, Germany | Parts for Sale

 

[500AMM]

........
........
........
It's a really tough conundrum.

I personally believe, based on conversations I've had with MB and knowledgeable non-MB people in Europe, and with the Classic Center in the past, that SOMEDAY there WILL be another production run of the "Euro" headlights and/or lenses made. But this could be a long time into the future. In the meantime, we are going to see A LOT of cars with pedestrian headlights, or DEPO lamps, because that is essentially all that there is now. Except for the folks who hoarded extra pairs of lenses.

I concur.

I won't trigger any discussion, but I'm sure this is affected by the green perspective forcing a dramatic change in the entire car business. MB's philosphy about making durable quality cars and building glorious heritage for their brand came to an end before the 2000 millennium. It's all about money more than ever - regardless of how enthusiastic the management appears to be or not. And they control their sources and prohibit them from taking external orders, or put low volume parts production like this out on license. Supposed the interest is high enough to make it profitable, a production run of lenses/headlights will happen in the near future, in 10-15 years nobody asks for them anyway.

The message has to escalate to get it up on the agenda. Like anything else, increased publicity is achieved by talking a lot about a specific topic. My incentive is to contact the Norwegian MB wholesaler, and hopefully others could to that in their country as well.

 

[Bogeyman]

This guy casts his own...

 

[OskarFlis]

This guy casts his own...

Wow!
Maybe after all its not that hard to reproduce the 500 lenses at home.

 

[Ntrepid]

I’m seeing the next Group Buy I will undertake but it needs to be glass.


Robert

 

[TimL]

I’m seeing the next Group Buy I will undertake but it needs to be glass.


Robert

No easy group buys for you, it seems

You'd be forever enshrined in 500 E history if you can pull it off, Robert!

 

[195910]

Its not an impossible task, there are several aftermarket manufacturers making W124 headlights, we just need one to make a slightly modified glass lens with a chromed plastic inlay.

It might be that all future production of classic headlights have plastic lenses instead of glass, for economical and environmental reasons.

 

[gsxr]

It might be that all future production of classic headlights have plastic lenses instead of glass, for economical and environmental reasons.

Plastic lenses are likely to be more common due to cost, but as we've seen over the past 2+ decades, plastic is not nearly as durable as glass. Look at any W210 with original plastic lenses as an example. At least those are available new (so far!). Not that we'd have much choice if MB/Hella refuse to do another production run, and we have to take whatever we can get.

 

[ricsim]

Do you know this optical LSR ?

 

[AMG5PT4]

Interesting discussion topic. A side comparison is C126 Euro headlights. These used to be priced in the $500/pair range many years ago. You can still buy a pair of SEC Euro headlights from MB, but the price is around $2,000/set. MB has raised the price significantly to meet demand with their limited supply. I am sure some buyers have sucked it up and bought SEC headlights from MB - even at the elevated price. I truly believe there would be adequate demand for US/ROW 500E headlights for another production run at a price of $1,500/set. These are desirable cars and many are still on the road.

E500 (facelift) Hella lights are still available for RHD/LHT - many examples for sale on Japan Yahoo. Is this just remaining stock and there is no further production? Has been discussed before in a thread - could a RHD/LHT Hella E500 headlight be made to work for LHD/RHT by adjusting or manipulating the reflectors?

 

[gerryvz]

Interesting discussion topic. A side comparison is C126 Euro headlights. These used to be priced in the $500/pair range many years ago. You can still buy a pair of SEC Euro headlights from MB, but the price is around $2,000/set.

I remember buying my SEC Yurro headlights from BergWerks back in early 2004, and yes I paid around $500 for the pair (with turn signal lenses included). That was seemingly big bucks back then. I still have the invoice for them in my SEC paperwork file. I got the First Gear Start Modules (two of them) for my SEC and E500 also on that shipment, as well as the BW one-touch window down kit, which I still have and never installed.

 

[gerryvz]

Has been discussed before in a thread - could a RHD/LHT Hella E500 headlight be made to work for LHD/RHT by adjusting or manipulating the reflectors?

It's been discussed, yes. The fluted pattern in the glass is also different between RHD and LHD cars, so it is not just the reflectors.

 

[AMG5PT4]

Ah yes, the beam pattern of the RHD lenses.

 

[gsxr]

@speedy300dturbo has mentioned in the past that although both reflectors and lenses are different between LHT/RHT, the reflector has more effect than the lens. It would be an interesting science experiment (@Jlaa?) to mix & match parts and see what the real-world effect is.

Of more concern is how to determine if a car that spent any time in Japan/UK/etc with LHT that has RHT lenses... also has RHT reflectors. There's no way to tell from external photos what reflector is inside a lamp assembly. I believe it was Arnt / @500AMM who posted a photo showing how to tell the lens version (LHT vs RHT) from photos, which is super helpful, but the reflector is a bigger headache. A Japan import with correct lenses and wrong reflectors could still have 'backwards' light output for USA/European roads.

And, of course, the RHT (USA/Europe) reflectors are NLA. They had been ±€100 or so, I think, prior to NLA.