Clear or orange indicator lenses?

[Rydal]

My 124 230CE has got the original orange lenses at the moment:

but having just gone in for a service, the chap proudly informed me that he had changed them to clear for me. I don't know which I prefer - what's the general opinion, keep the car original with orange or update to clear??

 

[jibcl500]

unless you buy the clear ones from MB then yes the ones for sale on ebay dont fit properly and are of por quality. They also fall out shortly after fitting them.

Personally I'd keep it original it look better that way.

jib

 

[Rydal]

In fairness they are genuine MB lenses, just not sure about the look, tend to feel the car should be kept original.

 

[FIBAMAN]

With clear lenses you will find that over time the orange bulbs need replacing because they lose the coating and begin to appear white, which could lead to an mot failure. The original orange lenses tend not to fade so you only change when the bulb blows. It all depends on the "fashion" at the time.

 

[dave.robbo]

Can we see a picture with the clear lenses on?

 

[crammy69]

I bought my car came with the clear lenses already fitted, but bought a set of the original orange ones off an Ebay breaker in case I want to return the car to original in the future. I like the clear lenses, and think they look better but I can easliy imagine changing them back in the future..

 

[Geezer]

Clear looks better to me.

 

[noops]

With clear lenses you will find that over time the orange bulbs need replacing because they lose the coating and begin to appear white, which could lead to an mot failure. The original orange lenses tend not to fade so you only change when the bulb blows. It all depends on the "fashion" at the time.

I have the clear lenses on my mine, but I bought a set of Philips silver indicator bulbs for about £10, which gives a very nice clean look, I do know that Mercedes do sell their own version of this bulb for a similar price.

 

[dave.robbo]

Personally, I prefer the clear ones...

 

[whitenemesis]

Yep! Clear for me too

 

[tricky100]

Clear look best but you should keep it original , if that makes any sense .

 

[Xtractorfan]

So clearly clear is the winner and it gets my vote as well ..looks much smarter ...is the garage guy looking for a sale or is he swopping you lenses ..

 

[Silver Arrow]

Did he swap the rears to match?

I have the later coupe with clear lenses.
I bought a pair of rear lenses from a member of this site as spares and put them on a shelf in the garage. You made me go and look at them properly. The ones on the shelf have amber lenses, those on my car have clear ones.

 

[Rydal]

No the rears haven't been changed. I think he just happened to have some clears from a 124 he was breaking and thought I would appreciate them. I think I'll leave the clears on for the moment and see how if they grow on me. Thanks for all your comments.

 

[DougCLK320]

I put clears on mine (W124 saloon) and was delighted with the improvement.
Doug

 

[crammy69]

Given clear lenses were standard equipment, albeit for later model years i dont thinks its too much of a 'crime' to update it. Were it a case of Lexus style lights that were never original, that would be somewaht less justifiable!

Cheers

 

[GeorgeA]

Clear lenses make the car look modern which is a contradiction for an older car


At least now you have a choice:smile:

 

[Boris_w202]

I prefer clear lenses. You can also get silver coated bulbs which flash orange from Halfords etc.. to put in to make it even better looking.