Manufacturer defect in brand new OEM fog lights?

[linjam]

I just bought from Europe brand new OEM fog lights (two left and two right) made by Magneti Marelli.

Take a look at these photos. Surely this must be a manufacturer defect?

The two plastic housings do not meet in a flush manner at all, and the interior core is not centered in the opening behind the fog light lens. All four of the lights I bought have the same issue.

Does anyone have any new Mercedes branded Genuine fog light against which to compare these photos? Much appreciated. If they are bad, I have only a short window in which to return them,

Jamie

 

[ace10]

Since you have two of each, if you swap the lens and the body, are the irregularities identical?

 

[linjam]

Since you have two of each, if you swap the lens and the body, are the irregularities identical?

I haven't tried that, but they all have the identical issue. I'm imaging a bad production run?

 

[Twilling]

That´s normal...I guess...never saw them in other condition from MM or AL

 

[linjam]

Thanks, Twilling. Would be nice to see an MB Genuine set to compare.

UPDATE: Just found this post from @gsxr which shows an MB Genuine light to look the same, from what I can tell. Can it be a design flaw from the beginning affecting all fog lights?

Complete Fog Light Assemblies | Body Shop

Does anyone sell a complete fog light assembly? I am hoping to get a better price than ordering and assembling all of the piece parts. FYI. GSXR mentioned in this closed thread (http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6198) that some places were selling complete assemblies for $120...

www.500eboard.co

 

[Twilling]

I have both in my Private Stock. They look all the same.

 

[gerryvz]

Mmmmmm....... Private Stock(TM)

 

[TerryA]

I remember just buying new Bosch lenses a long while back. Seemed like I paid $60.00 each on e-Bay. they fit perfectly. No leaks. If your insides are OK try that. Just be careful with the old plastic tabs. I broke one.

 

[gsxr]

Don't lose sleep over it, and paying more for OE will likely result in the same product with a different label. Remember that *nobody* will see this when they are installed on the car. Slap Lamin-X on the glass, adjust the beam correctly, and forget about it.

Similar issue with headlight lenses/buckets and rear covers, btw.

 

[Jlaa]

I remember just buying new Bosch lenses a long while back. Seemed like I paid $60.00 each on e-Bay. they fit perfectly. No leaks. If your insides are OK try that. Just be careful with the old plastic tabs. I broke one.

New plastic tabs can break very easily as well! I broke a NEW plastic tab putting on a new lens (but the old tabs on the old lenses didn't break!"

 

[Jlaa]

I just bought from Europe brand new OEM fog lights (two left and two right) made by Magneti Marelli.

Take a look at these photos. Surely this must be a manufacturer defect?

The two plastic housings do not meet in a flush manner at all, and the interior core is not centered in the opening behind the fog light lens. All four of the lights I bought have the same issue.

Does anyone have any new Mercedes branded Genuine fog light against which to compare these photos? Much appreciated. If they are bad, I have only a short window in which to return them,

Jamie

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@linjam -

These are photographs of my old 27 year old foglights when I had them out to replace the lenses. Note the presence of the gaps where the housings meet and the non-centered nature of the projector.

BTW - when you install the new foglights, please don't forget to apply Lamin-X!

 

[linjam]

@linjam -

These are photographs of my old 27 year old foglights when I had them out to replace the lenses. Note the presence of the gaps where the housings meet and the non-centered nature of the projector.

BTW - when you install the new foglights, please don't forget to apply Lamin-X!

View attachment 104581

View attachment 104582

Thanks, Jlaa. Lamin-x is definitely in the cards!

I don’t know about you, but it seems to me they (Mercedes) cut some corners in this manufacturing spec. I mean the core light is not even centered in the opening, which has to affect at least a little bit the directionality and reflectivity of the light.

Anyway, at least I don’t have to send these back, it would seem.

New plastic tabs can break very easily as well! I broke a NEW plastic tab putting on a new lens (but the old tabs on the old lenses didn't break!"

Another good example of cheap design.

J

 

[linjam]

Similar issue with headlight lenses/buckets and rear covers, btw.

Interesting, Dave, Thanks.

 

[gsxr]

Photos of new OE MB fogs at link below, manufactured by AL:

Index of /images/W124_headlights/500E_foglights

 

[linjam]

Photos of new OE MB fogs at link below, manufactured by AL:

Index of /images/W124_headlights/500E_foglights

Yes. I believe those were the photos you posted in the link I referenced above in post #5?

 

[linjam]

By the way, have you ever come across the fog lamps with the yellow cores which Arnt posted photos of? I'd love to find a set of those. See here:

 

[linjam]

Otherwise, there is always these:

Mercedes E-Class (92-95) Fog Light Covers

Looking to tint the fog lights on your Mercedes E-Class (1992-1995) ? Lamin-x Fog Light Tint is custom cut to match the shape of your Mercedes fog lights. Available in 9 colors and made in the USA.

lamin-x.com

 

[gsxr]

I don't know anything about the yellow-insert fog lights; or if they were avaialble from MB, or only aftermarket. The yellow Lamin-X seems like the easy method, plus it's simple to remove if desired. I was never interested in yellow fogs, but that's just me...