WANTED Help with some parts

[alexreta]

Sorry if I’m posting this in the wrong section I’m still learning how to navigate the forum.


I recently bought a 1993 500E and I’m trying to freshen up a few original parts while keeping the car as OEM as possible.


My Bosch headlight lenses are very pitted and hazy from years of road wear (see photos). Is it possible to replace just the glass lenses, or do I need to replace the complete headlight assemblies? If replacement lenses are available, where is the best place to buy genuine OEM or high-quality replacements?


I’m also looking for a pair of OEM black mirror base covers (the black triangular mirror caps). Mine are faded and I’d like to replace them with new ones if possible.

And one wheel if anyone has it in good shape I have 3 missing one.

Any recommendations on the best vendors or part numbers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[gsxr]

The correct 500E USA headlight plastic "doors" have been NLA for years, and are nearly impossible to find used. You can get 500E Euro headlights, but those are ungodly expensive (like, $4k USD for a NOS pair... plus extra cost for the matching Euro headlight wipers & panels). You can get aftermarket standard 124 plastic lenses to replace yours, but they won't look the same, and you will lose your "extra high-beam" functionality.

The door mirror boots are still available new last I checked, something like $250/pair from your favorite online discount dealer. Search the forum for details & part numbers.

 

[alexreta]

Thanks for the information! This really helps me a lot. I appreciate you taking the time to explain it.

 

[alexreta]

The correct 500E USA headlight plastic "doors" have been NLA for years, and are nearly impossible to find used. You can get 500E Euro headlights, but those are ungodly expensive (like, $4k USD for a NOS pair... plus extra cost for the matching Euro headlight wipers & panels). You can get aftermarket standard 124 plastic lenses to replace yours, but they won't look the same, and you will lose your "extra high-beam" functionality.

The door mirror boots are still available new last I checked, something like $250/pair from your favorite online discount dealer. Search the forum for details & part numbers.

Thanks again for all the information.
I was hoping to get your opinion on another question. I currently have three brand-new AMG Monoblock E wheels, all 18x8 ET31, along with 245/40R18 tires.
Would you run a square setup with four 18x8 ET31 wheels, or would you recommend finding an 18x9 ET35 for the rear and going with a staggered setup instead? My goal is to keep the car looking as close to factory-correct as possible while still using these AMG wheels.
I’d really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[gsxr]

Thanks again for all the information.
I was hoping to get your opinion on another question. I currently have three brand-new AMG Monoblock E wheels, all 18x8 ET31, along with 245/40R18 tires.
Would you run a square setup with four 18x8 ET31 wheels, or would you recommend finding an 18x9 ET35 for the rear and going with a staggered setup instead? My goal is to keep the car looking as close to factory-correct as possible while still using these AMG wheels.
I’d really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

Either setup will work fine... just a slightly different appearance with staggered. Square all around would be closer to stock. Totally depends on your personal preference.

 

[TerryA]

@alexreta,
On the mirror boots try some Mother’s “Back to Black”. It should darken them up.

Also I have a set of stock 93 500E headlights that came off of my car that I am willing to sell for $300.00 plus shipping from Orange County’ CA.

The plastic doors have some pitting but not as much as yours. I can dig out the pics tonight.

 

[Bogeyman]

Are the USA headlights also NLA?

 

[alexreta]

@alexreta,
On the mirror boots try some Mother’s “Back to Black”. It should darken them up.

Also I have a set of stock 93 500E headlights that came off of my car that I am willing to sell for $300.00 plus shipping from Orange County’ CA.

The plastic doors have some pitting but not as much as yours. I can dig out the pics tonight.

Please text me some pics at 916-715-2159

 

[alexreta]

@alexreta,
On the mirror boots try some Mother’s “Back to Black”. It should darken them up.

Also I have a set of stock 93 500E headlights that came off of my car that I am willing to sell for $300.00 plus shipping from Orange County’ CA.

The plastic doors have some pitting but not as much as yours. I can dig out the pics tonight.

Please text me some pictures at 916-715-2159

 

[TerryA]

@alexreta,
Here are the front pics. I'm having a problem getting the backside pictures. These came off of my car sometime in 2005 when I switched to the Euro E-Codes. They were working perfectly when I removed them. If your interested I will try again tomorrow for the backside pics.

Note that there is some pitting in the plastic doors.

 

[gsxr]

Are the USA headlights also NLA?

Yes - both the entire assembly, and the plastic bezel/doors have been NLA for years.

Even the standard 124 (non-500E) plastic bezels are NLA, with NOS OE/OEM selling for >$500/pair on eBay now. (!!) Aftermarket is available for <$200/pair though.

 

[Bogeyman]

I have my original set that I took off when I got the euro lights. I haven't tried it but I bet the plastic doors could be sanded down and polished back to original.

 

[TerryA]

I have my original set that I took off when I got the euro lights. I haven't tried it but I bet the plastic doors could be sanded down and polished back to original.

@Bogeyman,
It’s possible to sand the plastic down if you know what you’re doing. I did that for a living back in the 70s. Worked on aircraft windshields and canopies for jet aircraft and was good enough to get sent to Edward’s AFB to work on actual aircraft on the flight line that pilots were complaining about distortions but you have to have the right kind of wet sandpapers and sanding cloth.

 

[alexreta]

@alexreta,
Here are the front pics. I'm having a problem getting the backside pictures. These came off of my car sometime in 2005 when I switched to the Euro E-Codes. They were working perfectly when I removed them. If your interested I will try again tomorrow for the backside pics.

Note that there is some pitting in the plastic doors.

I will buy them easier reach out to me at 916-715-2159

 

[ArauzMotoring]

I’ve been looking for headlights for my 500e for ever but apparently not making enough noise about it…