500e headlamp lenses

[talbir]

Got a shock today when trying to order what i thought would be simple headlamp lenses.

MB parts allegedly have no more stock of 500E lenses for 500E's in the UK (which is a limited number, left-side traffic). 500E lenses being different from all other w124s means that other w124 lenses are not appropriate....even so, the price quoted for stock w124 headlamp lenses is now £77 + vat EACH lense !!!!!!

MB require that the ENTIRE headlamp is purchased in order for me to receive the required 500E lense !!!!

What i need is a simply a set of new 500E lenses for both early and facelift versions. Can anyone guide me here please on where to source at reasonable prices...these items used to be circa 40 quid each ? And they are all made by Hella.

cheers
talbir

 

[talbir]

ECP also no longer do these 500e lenses !

But they supply the stock w124 lenses at almost half the price !!!!!

All you 500e owners, pray you don't destroy your original 500e lenses.

Ridiculous situation !!!

 

[SilverSaloon]

whats different between a standard 124 lense and the 500E one? i'm imagining it cant be much - could one be used anyway with minor modification? of course being a 500E u would probably want it to remain standard/original etc etc for value reasons

 

[talbir]

Big differences :

* 500e has main beam section next to grille rather than fog lamp

* 500e lenses have chrome lining on the inner surround rather than dull grey plastic



cheers
t

 

[SilverSaloon]

Big differences :

* 500e has main beam section next to grille rather than fog lamp

* 500e lenses have chrome lining on the inner surround rather than dull grey plastic



cheers
t

ah i see - useful info to know.... looks like your wallet is about to take a turn for the worse then

 

[talbir]

No way, no way i'm ordering entire headlamp units from MB !

I've ordered standard w124 lenses from ECP....but the long term impact for 500e owners is what worries me.



talbir

 

[d w124]

Talbir:i don`t know if this helps cos he is selling them each,but check item nr 320376669010 on ebay.

 

[SilverSaloon]

No way, no way i'm ordering entire headlamp units from MB !

I've ordered standard w124 lenses from ECP....but the long term impact for 500e owners is what worries me.



talbir

will that not cause the beam pattern to be wrong and fail the mot?

woudl it be worth putting whole standard W124 light units and lenses in place (not sure if wiring block behind is the same?)

i bet you could get a pair of whole standard light units pretty cheap from a breaker.

 

[talbir]

That's a German unit, so the lense is still wrong pattern.

Note the headlamp unit for a 500e is IDENTICAL to a stock w124....the only difference is a metal delector that sits in front of the fog lamp bulb on the stock w124....on the 500e, you just unclip that deflector out.

It's the lenses that are the big issue.

talbir

 

[talbir]

will that not cause the beam pattern to be wrong and fail the mot?

woudl it be worth putting whole standard W124 light units and lenses in place (not sure if wiring block behind is the same?)

i bet you could get a pair of whole standard light units pretty cheap from a breaker.

No, it won't be an MOT failure, as MOT does not test front fog or main beam.

Yep, that's what i have to do, use standard w124 lenses....infact all 500E owners in the UK will now have to use stock w124 lenses if they ever lose their originals !

cheers
t

 

[jaymanek]

did you try another dealer.. I get this sort of info all the time and simply ring around.. did they check all UK dealers for old stock? finally have you tried euromerc?

 

[talbir]

did you try another dealer.. I get this sort of info all the time and simply ring around.. did they check all UK dealers for old stock? finally have you tried euromerc?

They checked MK and Germany....and ECP have nil stock as well.

I haven't tried Euromerc....who are they ?


t

 

[jaymanek]

euromercwebstore

 

[Dee-124CAB]

Get into contact with MB dealer, Jacksons of Poole, or alternatively ring their classic parts specialist Mervyn Wright on 01202 641855.

Jacksons are the 'officially appointed supplier of classic MB parts'...

They probably have the largest inventory of 'classic parts' in the UK dealer network.

Worth a punt & good luck!

Dee