What is required to convert ‘stock’ W124 headlamps to E500E spec

[JC220]

I am thinking of DE-facelifting my 500E. Given that the complete euro LH traffic E500E headlamp assemblies from MB are now NLA I have a question:

My cars need headlamps for LH Traffic / UK. So if I have a pair of good original LH traffic ‘stock’ w124 headlamps all I need to do is swap in the correct 500E (Chrome inner) glass lenses?

Or do I need to also change out the stock W124 headlamp reflectors for E500E items?

It is my preference to keep my new pair of MB E500 style headlamps alone and put them away in storage hence this question on how to convert stock w124 headlamps to 500E spec. I have many spare sets of LH traffic original w124 headlamps – but only one pair of the new E500 headlamps currently installed in my 92 500E.

I am aware that the E500E difference is also that the fog lamps become driving lamps….. however I am not sure if the actual Fog Lamp / Driving lamp reflector differs in that instance or only the lens pattern?

Any advice or input on this would be most appreciated. I have been offered to purchase 500E headlamp lenses / with reflectors too. But not sure if I need the reflectors – it will possibly cost more to ship the bigger package (with reflectors) than they are worth….

Joe

 

[samiam44]

I'm a bit confused in your email Joe.

"Stock" w124 headlamps? I presume you are talking about all model except the 500E? Yes the difference that has been stated for the facelift cars- is the glass is different with the chromed plastic. But the inner light is a high beam instead of a fog light as on other models. Hope I go that right.
On the early style I cannot tell you if the reflector is different between the 500e and other models. Perhaps- you can get the p/n off the reflector and compare it to your non-500e reflector. Then again, if they are different- how much effect is does using the wrong reflector w/500e fernel lens?

 

[gsxr]

Besides the lenses, the inside lamp has a minor difference; on the E500E lamps there is no metal shield over the H3 bulb. I assume this could be removed from a "standard" lamp assembly. The shield over the H4 bulb may be slightly different as well?

I don't know if there are other differences with the reflectors, have you compared the p/n's in the EPC to see if the other internal parts are 036-specific?

 

[JC220]

I'm a bit confused in your email Joe.

"Stock" w124 headlamps? I presume you are talking about all model except the 500E? Yes the difference that has been stated for the facelift cars- is the glass is different with the chromed plastic. But the inner light is a high beam instead of a fog light as on other models. Hope I go that right.
On the early style I cannot tell you if the reflector is different between the 500e and other models. Perhaps- you can get the p/n off the reflector and compare it to your non-500e reflector. Then again, if they are different- how much effect is does using the wrong reflector w/500e fernel lens?

Thanks - and yes I got a bit tongue tied trying to explain the information I’m after. I will re-align into one sentence!

Is is it possible to fit 500E headlamp lenses onto stock w124 headlamps without any other parts being needed?

what I mean by ‘stock’ is euro non E500E headlamp units. The spare 500E lenses I am buying are pre-facelift. I already have new E500 complete MB headlamps so it is an option to swap the 500E lenses onto them.... but id rather leave the new headlamps alone

 

[JC220]

Besides the lenses, the inside lamp has a minor difference; on the E500E lamps there is no metal shield over the H3 bulb. I assume this could be removed from a "standard" lamp assembly. The shield over the H4 bulb may be slightly different as well?

I don't know if there are other differences with the reflectors, have you compared the p/n's in the EPC to see if the other internal parts are 036-specific?

OK thankyou for the pics and reply Dave. When I get home tonight I’ll check through EPC and see what parts differ

 

[JC220]

When I get home from work in a couple hours I will pop a lense off one of my spare original MB Euro lamps and post a pic to compare with Dave’s. Just to see what is different at a glance

 

[Glen]

Thanks - and yes I got a bit tongue tied trying to explain the information I’m after. I will re-align into one sentence!

Is is it possible to fit 500E headlamp lenses onto stock w124 headlamps without any other parts being needed?

what I mean by ‘stock’ is euro non E500E headlamp units. The spare 500E lenses I am buying are pre-facelift. I already have new E500 complete MB headlamps so it isn’t an option to swap the 500E lenses onto them.... but id rather leave the new headlamps alone

Yes, '94 U.S. or euro lenses both fit a euro housing with no other items needed. My silver car has early W124 euro housings with level adjustment and I've had my stock '94 lenses on them in the past, currently have '94 euro lenses on them.

 

[gerryvz]

You really shouldn't fit 500E or E500 (pre or post facelift) lenses on a standard W124 headlamp body. The inside light is different (different purpose) and I think the reflector is different.

Also, for the UK (right drive) countries, there is a totally separate lamp for the E500E than the left-drive countries, which I think has reflectors and lenses that are optimised for that traffic flow. I do not know if those UK spec lamps and/or lenses are still available from MB.

The best thing to do would be to enquire as to whether 500E (pre facelift) and/or E500 UK-spec lamp assemblies are still available from MB; if not perhaps you can find a used one. Failing that, perhaps a re-aimed Euro-spec lamp would be appropriate; and failing that an "adapted" standard UK 124 lamp with a 500E lens on it. That would probably be the order of things I'd pursue.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[JC220]

Just to clarify on the traffic handed situation. All parts & headlamps, including the 500E lenses I am buying are LH traffic specific so that does not come into the mix.

The 2x variables as I see it are;

Wiring pin outs
Reflectors being E500E specific

Thats what I will look into when I get home including opening up a spare LH traffic stock headlamp

 

[JC220]

Got to my garage briefly & did some comparisons. My E500 Headlamps are Hella and look (unsurprisingly) Just like Dave’s pics above.

Next I popped the cover off a spare Bosh Headlamp. Now both bulbs have little shrouds over them – looks different. Not sure what impact (if any) that would have on ultimate light output – but it’s different than the E500E lamps.



The larger Bosch shroud does clip off however:



I have new Hella ‘Pedestrian’ W124 headlamps so I took one of them out & popped the lens off:



Ah – Ha! The main bigger lamp now looks the same with the same type of bulb shroud. This side of the headlamp serves the same function as per the E500E Hella unit so I have no reason to doubt it is the same.

BUT the fog lamp is different (As I had anticipated because we know this side of the E500E headlamp serves as a Driving Lamp) It has a shroud over it that is not removable.

I will wait until I get the 500E lenses first as I am buying them regardless and after that I’ll look up the part number of the E500E driving lamp reflectors and see if they are available to order. It is always still an option for me to swap over the 500E lenses onto my E500 housings. But I will pursue a 'proper' conversion on spare stock lamps first.

 

[gsxr]

Joe, the shrouds are pretty much as I expected. You could probably Dremel off the H4 shroud if it's not removable.

The EPC indicates the H3 reflector is the same for all non-USA 036 (same for RHD/LHD). I have a feeling the reflector p/n's are different than standard 124 because of the shrouds.

The main (H4) reflector is different for RHD vs LHD and I don't know why - are they shaped differently? The good news is, these are the same for all non-USA 124's!

So.... this means you can PROBABLY create a set of 500E Euro lights using standard LHD housings, by removing the H3 reflector shrouds, and mounting the correct 036 lenses.

 

[JC220]

So.... this means you can PROBABLY create a set of 500E Euro lights using standard LHD housings, by removing the H3 reflector shrouds, and mounting the correct 036 lenses.

Dave – I agree & this is what I will have a crack at doing.

What I will add is the E500 LH Traffic Headlamp assembles are NLA from MB. I was lucky and unknowingly bought one of the last pair over a year ago. I am not sure about the stock availability of a complete 500E 036 Headlamp but I would hazard a guess they are also NLA.

So this method of retrofitting 036 Lenses onto Euro headlamp housings may be the only way forward for E500E’s which do not sport the correct headlamps. Unfortunately many E500E’s I see for sale , particularly in the UK do not have the correct 036 headlamps.

Also – the Bosch H3 bulb shroud does un-clip. No need for a Dremel.

 

[outrbnks]

Attached is screenshot of EPC, PN's used to convert the LHD headlights on Ms Bornite to RHD. EPC showed the same PN for smaller high beam reflectors, just the larger reflector are different, as they actually point differently, you can see the difference, however subtle it is when you set them side by side. The RHD reflectors were fortunately still available new and I purchased a pair.

So If I follow your line of thought, the larger headlamp reflectors that I changed out are not specific to 500E's. So all 124's that use a pre-face lift European style headlight, share the same larger reflector?

Looking at the attached PDF document, the drawing at the bottom shows in pink hilite the reflectors I took out and have no use for. The part numbers in yellow are now installed in the original headlight housings.

The lens were obviously changed out as well, RHD to LHD. (I also purchased a spare new set of RHD lenses and put them on the shelf, who knows if they'll go NLA or not).

The headlights on Ms Bornite look factory new right now, new reflectors and lens...

 

[jaymanek]

I do not know if those UK spec lamps and/or lenses are still available from MB.

Pre Facelift 500E lamps have been NLA for some years for UK models.

I had thoughts of returning back to original spec with my car but lack of parts made it a problem!