headlamp lense

[bing]

hi there! new member here. just aquired one of these great cars from a close friend in switzerland. i live in the uk which of course means driving on the left. as such some conversions needs to be made, namely headlights and speedo, before i can register it on Uk plates.

please advise if regular w124 headlamp lenses(say from e300's) will fit on e500's. I know on regular 124's the inner consist of fog lamps, whereas on e500's these would be the high beam, right? as such fog lamps on e500 are fitted below the bumper. a bit of a snag that i have to do this but as you all know we drive on the wrong side of the road! So i need to get some lenses fit for right hand drive cars

 

[gsxr]

You are correct - the normal 124 lights will have a fog lens instead of a pencil-beam lens, but the lenses will physically interchange. You should be able to buy the proper lenses from Mercedes (500E/E500 for left-hand traffic).

 

[sheward]

Welcome bing! I hope your enjoying your new 036. Post some details and some pics when you can.

 

[fudgitive]

They are certainly available, I bought a set early this year and not too expensive.

A124 820 60 66
A124 820 59 66

Assuming you have the E500 update model - I paid 80 Euros each in March.

 

[500ESpain]

Assuming you have the E500 update model - I paid 80 Euros each in March.

And which is the difference between 500E and E500 lights? Just the lenses or the whole light?

 

[fudgitive]

I had not really looked into it before, I thought they might be different units, but in the EPC the housing shows up as the same part number for all years just a left and right version, only the lens goes by build date (for euro spec anyway). Spot reflectors are one part number for all, and headlamp reflector is left hand and right hand traffic dependent.

 

[bing]

thanks guys! i managed to order some from a dealer which are due in 1week. fudgitive - you're right the price here in the uk is £75each
and no need for whole unit as reflectors dependent on lens fitted, left or right hand traffic.

 

[Rudy]

Hello,
got a huge stone chip in my driver side lens.
Does anybody have the P/N for the 91/92 models handy?

Thanks,
Rudy

 

[gsxr]

http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/ ... lights.xls

 

[bing]

I thought they might be different units, but in the EPC the housing shows up as the same part number for all years just a left and right version, only the lens goes by build date (for euro spec anyway).

Is this correct that the headlamp housing is no different whether it's for left or right hand traffic??

headlamp reflector is left hand and right hand traffic dependent.

Reflectors are attached to the lens , right? If so, then it makes sense that only lens' should be changed to convert for left hand traffic?

no need for whole unit as reflectors dependent on lens fitted, left or right hand traffic.

At the moment I'm not convinced if this is the case.. Headlamp aim doesn't seem right to me..aiming still a bit high after adjusments - Though its annual UK inspection MOT passed twice now. Maybe just me being too fussy

 

[gsxr]

The reflector is not part of the lens. It is part of the headlamp housing.

 

[bing]

The reflector is not part of the lens. It is part of the headlamp housing.

So does this mean the housing are different for left hand traffic ? This maybe my problem as I only changed the lens' to suit left hand traffic (right hand drive country) Or can u buy the reflectors alone ?

 

[gsxr]

The EPC shows the reflectors available separately, although they're not cheap, and I'm not sure how difficult it is to swap them out.

 

[gerryvz]

I would think the reflectors would be a drop-in item for the housings, so doubt that swap would be too tough or involved a process.

 

[bing]

Dave, #12 is the reflector right? could u kindly advise part # please, for left hand traffic??
Sorry, this russian epc site is missing a page for some reason - not the best coz it's free but provides some idea.

Cheers
Bing

 

[Ron500E]

Bing:

Part numbers for reflectors for LH traffic

A 001 826 84 78 - left
A 001 826 85 78 - right

The reflectors show up on eBay every now and then, at least for RH traffic on German eBay. About 40 Euros each as I recall.

And Gerry is 100% correct, they snap in. Once the headlight is out of the car you can change the reflectors in about 2 minutes, if you work slowly and take a short break.
It would be a good time to clean the inside of the headlamp (you'd be surprised...) and clean and grease the adjusting screws.
If you have the time... use a Dremal or Foredom rotery tool and deburr all the plastic housings that seem to cut up your fingers when trying to change a lamp (bulb).

DON'T... use any type of abrasive on the plastic chrome EVER, if dirty MAYBE some lense tissue will help, MAYBE; with gentle, very gentle pressure. <- this cannot be stressed enough.

Also clean all the electrical contacts while you're in there and use some dielectric grease on them during reassembly.

Kind Regards,

Ron

 

[bing]

Ron! Just trying to make it right for the next owner . I'll keep the old ones in case it gets sold to someone in mainland Europe.

 

[Christian_K]

DON'T... use any type of abrasive on the plastic chrome EVER, if dirty MAYBE some lense tissue will help, MAYBE; with gentle, very gentle pressure. <- this cannot be stressed enough.

Very true! Have made a negative experience with cleansing the reflectors on my W201 190E (very similar in design). They were completely "dusted" so i tried to clean them with a ultra-soft microfiber towel normally used for wax-removal, i was just pressing slightly but still the chrome did came off and so there were some "blind spots" later-on in the light-beam. So i'm not sure how to clean them properly, but slightly with compressed-air.

 

[bing]

Very true! Have made a negative experience with cleansing the reflectors on my W201 190E (very similar in design). They were completely "dusted" so i tried to clean them with a ultra-soft microfiber towel normally used for wax-removal, i was just pressing slightly but still the chrome did came off and so there were some "blind spots" later-on in the light-beam. So i'm not sure how to clean them properly, but slightly with compressed-air.

Christian, hopefully I won't have to do any of this if you buy it . It's more legal in germany than the UK at the moment I reckon.