1985 w123 headlights problem

[alk]

I own an 85 230e W123 and i am based near London
Headlight reflectors are terrible (and there is some condensation inside) and I am not sure i can find better ones in second hand market. Any thoughts about reconditioning/ improving them? Are there any aftermarket parts i can get? can i resurface the reflectors? Are there any upgrades from later models that can fit?
Any advice would be really appreciated.
thank you in advance

 

[SpikyMikey]

I own an 85 230e W123 and i am based near London
Headlight reflectors are terrible (and there is some condensation inside) and I am not sure i can find better ones in second hand market. Any thoughts about reconditioning/ improving them? Are there any aftermarket parts i can get? can i resurface the reflectors? Are there any upgrades from later models that can fit?
Any advice would be really appreciated.
thank you in advance

If the headlights are able to be dismantled and the reflectors removed, assuming they are metal and not chromed plastic, they can be re-silvered.

 

[alk]

thank you!
has anyone here tried this on a 2nd generation w123 reflectors?

 

[grober]

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Eureka Auto Sdn Bhd (Eureka Chrome)

Youtube: www.youtube.com/goodboy5693 www.youtube.com/TheEurekaChrome No. 61, Jalan Kesidang 1, Kawasan Perindustrian Sg Choh, 48200 Serendah, Selangor, Malaysia

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[alabbasi]

You can buy new aftermarket lights from Depo for just less than a couple of hundred. Swap over the Bosch lenses and you'll be golden.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[alk]

You can buy new aftermarket lights from Depo for just less than a couple of hundred. Swap over the Bosch lenses and you'll be golden.

Pardon our interruption...

Thank you. This product says it will fit all rhd w123 models (76-85) but doesn't specify which style headlights this is so i asked for a photo as i need the newer of the two. this really helps.thank you

 

[alabbasi]

Thank you. This product says it will fit all rhd w123 models (76-85) but doesn't specify which style headlights this is so i asked for a photo as i need the newer of the two. this really helps.thank you

I don't know what you mean by the newer. IIRC, there was two styles, one had two round inserts and the other was more a single piece unit. Seemed to me at the time that single piece unit came on higher spec cars. The depo lights would be in the style of the later

 

[alk]

To the best of my knowledge, in addition to the american style lights which is not available for RHD cars, the early models had indeed the 2 seperate inserts within the square unit. The design changed in around 1982 where the w123 was slightly updated for the last few years of its production. Mirrors changed as well and mechanical injection was instroduced as well as some other improvements.Yes, this probably is the correct product that i am looking for but the description saying : Fits models from 76-85..is not correct.
it's either the correct one for the early or the late models (although maybe works fine on all).

 

[alabbasi]

To the best of my knowledge, in addition to the american style lights

American lights are completely different. Those are two sealed beam units in a housing. The basic model Euro cars got these headlights



These look like the US style lights but they have reflectors and not sealed beam lights

Higher end models like the 280E got a different style of light.


This is what the depo lights look like.

For reference. These are US sealed beam assemblies

 

[alk]

Higher end models like the 280E got a different style of light

I am grateful for your help but this is not correct.
NEWER models got the newer style of light from around 82 until end of production.i cannot see anything in the product description telling us which of the two styles they are selling and I am not sure how you know its the correct one.

the 1st photo is a first generation car.You can tell by the headlights as well as the chrome air intake grills below the windscreen
the black car in your photo was made in or after 82

 

[alabbasi]

Maybe , in not a W123 expert but I have owned a 1980 280TE with those lights and remember several of them growing up with an x reg or earlier having those lights.

IIRC, the later cars all went to the square type.

 

[alabbasi]

I'm definitely going to stand by my comment as I've never seen a 280CE with those round style lights

 

[alk]

I'm definitely going to stand by my comment as I've never seen a 280CE with those round style lights

you made me look into this!
so it seems the "new type" lights became standard in all 82 and later models but, you are right, appearead earlier.How early, i don't know..but
Here is an 83 2 door coupe with the earlier style lights that should't exist..

Used Mercedes Cars For Sale in Surrey - Colin Ferns

Mercedes used cars prepared to the highest standard. Our stock changes frequently. If you are looking for a specific used Mercedes, we may be able to help.

www.colinferns.com

go figure

 

[alabbasi]

That's not a 280CE though. I don't know much about the W123, but I have owned a 200, 240D, 230CE, 280CE and 280TE. There were some slight differences with the up market models, I recall the lights being one of them. As the car neared the end of its production, you started seeing more of the high end differences show up in the poverty spec cars. I expect to clear inventory which is usually what happens at the end of a production run

 

[alk]

That's not a 280CE though. I don't know much about the W123, but I have owned a 200, 240D, 230CE, 280CE and 280TE. There were some slight differences with the up market models, I recall the lights being one of them. As the car neared the end of its production, you started seeing more of the high end differences show up in the poverty spec cars. I expect to clear inventory which is usually what happens at the end of a production run

Going back to my first question: could i ask if you know for sure which of the 2 types Depo is selling? i am not certain just by reading the description.
thanks again

 

[alabbasi]

Going back to my first question: could i ask if you know for sure which of the 2 types Depo is selling? i am not certain just by reading the description.
thanks again

I answered that question in post #9. If you're concerned, it would be best to cross reference part #'s or contact the ebay seller.

My experience is with LHD cars so it pays to double check. I've never seen other style of light being sold by an aftermarket source.