W124 headlights Really bad

[pookiebear]

I have notived that my 93 E320 headlihts are not as bright as I would like them to be, on inspection it seems as if my lenses are the polycarb units and not glass, does this make a difference. should I just live with this, or change the bulbs to high performance ones?

 

[Will]

I thought that W124 headlamps had glass lenses?

Might be worth cleaning up the headlamp units thoroughly inside/out (sometimes the reflectors get dusty/dull), and thoroughly polishing the lense to remove all cloudiness/minor scratches etc.

Then try some of the premium/upgrade bulbs that are a straight replacement - eg Osram Night Breaker or similar.

Will

 

[pookiebear]

Lenses are definately plastic...This was a Jap import 2nd hand into New Zealand 10 years back, I think they have regs regarding using plastic lens in headlights for padestrian safety in accidents, hence limiting use of high wattage bulbs.

 

[Benzowner]

If it is plastic lenses and they are dirty, they can be cleaned with tooth paste. My son has a Skyline with plastic covers/lenses and thats what he uses.

 

[Frank O' Phile]

Our MX-3 has plastic lenses that turn yellow but a quick go at them with Solvol metal polish brings them back to scratch (pun intended)