clear headlights for the W202 ?

[John Peerce]

has anyone done such a mod ? i noticed when the c-class w203 was facelifted the headlights changed to clear .. looks nice with the xenons and all..

I am just wondering if the glass in the w202 headlight lamp can be changed to a clear version and whether it it would look nice or not (any pics from members or elsewhere would be good)...

 

[altreed]

Yes, I'd be interested in such a mod

 

[Shude]

The w202 headlamp reflectors require the textured lenses to control the beam. The headlamps almost definitely wouldn't work with clear lenses, you'd need to totally change the way the headlamps work.

EDIT: wow that sounds really negative doesn't it?! I wondered about changing the reflectors etc and then swapping the glass lenses for clear plastic headlamp "protectors". Not sure how well that would work though.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

You can get clear corner lights


HERE

 

[Shude]

You can get clear corner lights


HERE

Yeah but they make the headlamps look old fashioned.

 

[Alps]

i think there was a thread on club202 a while back on this, i think they even gave up!

If you put a bi-xenon unit in it doesnt use the reflective lens, but you do need the clear glass!

 

[John Peerce]

The w202 headlamp reflectors require the textured lenses to control the beam. The headlamps almost definitely wouldn't work with clear lenses, you'd need to totally change the way the headlamps work.

Ok, would that still be the case if the xenons are already fitted (ie as in the case of my car ?). I have seen the later models of the SL W129 (which was also a 1990's model as was the W202) with clear headlights and xenons, yet mine has xenons but textured glass...

Even if the a whole new headlamp unit is needed rather than simply changing the glass of the old lamp, i am surprised that no third party company has made such a complete unit (simply i.e replace the entire old headlamp unit including glass, reflectors, lamps).

P.S. can any photoshop "boffins" here perhaps post a pic of how would a W202 with clear headlamps look like ? I can imagine it would update the look notably, just as the avantgrade grill has done to many of our cars already.

 

[Alps]

yours wont be bi-xenon so you will be able to see the bulb. Bi-xenon is a complete unit (little dome type thing), this dome controls the light direction.

I dont think there is a way of doing what you want!

 

[Dieselman]

You can't change just the lens on the front of the lamp. The reflectors are simple parabolic reflectors and need the lens to aim the beam.

New clear lens units have a complex parabolic reflector or a small projector lamp so don't need the lens.

 

[Steve_Perry]

P.S. can any photoshop "boffins" here perhaps post a pic of how would a W202 with clear headlamps look like ? I can imagine it would update the look notably, just as the avantgrade grill has done to many of our cars already.

Shude, has already done this Photoshoppery many many moons ago, can't seem to find a link to the post though. Here's an old post from me on a similar subject...

Linky

S.

P.S. The short simple answer to your question about clear lens headlights for the W202 is no...

I would imagine this mod being prohibitively expensive. I know what you mean about the last model R129 SL's but as the guys above have mentioned the clear lens projector style headlights have never made it to the W202 and I doubt they ever will, maybe some obscure Japanese styling company will prove me wrong.

There was a member at BenzSport that was working on this mod which was a totally homemade solution, I don't know if he ever finished his project. May have looked nice but I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of his beam pattern.

 

[John Peerce]

P.S. The short simple answer to your question about clear lens headlights for the W202 is no...