rear glass

[jano]

I understand the rear glass on the e500 is different from the other w124 models of the same era. For purposes of tinting, does the rear glass take the same template as the other w124s?

 

[gsxr]

Yes. The only difference is the heating wires are nearly invisible on the 500E glass. But otherwise it's identical in shape and fitment.

 

[gerryvz]

Just a smidge of further clarification on the topic......

Indeed, all 124 sedan glass will physically fit the hole in the body and will connect to the defrost electrical circuit.

However, in reality, there were several different types of 124 rear window glass available, even for different varieties of the cars available in the same model year. These differences were/are based on the tint levels, the type of glass used (single sheet vs. compound glass), as well as the configuration/size of the defroster wires embedded in the glass. There was even glass available that was untinted.

For example, the normal 300E/E320 cars (124.032) used a different rear glass pane (part number 124 670 33 80) while the E500E used part number 124 670 10 80. The US-spec 400E/E420 in fact used the same glass as the normal US 300E/E320 cars, whereas the E500E used the uprated compound/tinted/heat-absorbing glass with the smaller defrost wires embedded.

Of course there were more glass options available for non-US cars than for cars delivered here.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

Gerry, I believe that for USA-spec sedans, there were only two rear glass types available... the 500E type with smaller defrost wires, and the standard type. There are other types available worldwide, but in the USA there were just the two part numbers for all years W124... AFAIK. I'd need to double check in the EPC though.

For the purpose of installing aftermarket window tint film, they should all be identical in size/shape.

 

[gerryvz]

Aye, there were two types used for US-spec cars (indeed, the two part numbers I quoted above) and I believe a couple of other types for non-US cars. However I believe there were differences between the two types in terms of the structure of the glass, not just the wires themselves. MB has not superseded them down to one (at least, not yet).

I don't know what the situation is with regard to currently available aftermarket rear glass though. I bought a new windshield for my E500 exactly two years ago and it was a Pilkington (OEM) product. I'd assume that they also make rear glass as I know you can't buy Sigla rear glass here in the US.

Cheers,
Gerry