W124 300ce24v RHD to LHD Headlamps

[DavidS2]

Hi,

I have recently moved to France and taken my 300CE RHD with me.

In a few months I will need to register the car and wonder if anybody knows if it is possible to simply re-adjust the headlamps (to LHD) or what parts I would need to convert them?

I know I could put 'beam benders' on the front of the lights, but this does not seem to be the best long term solution.

Thanks

David

 

[landover]

The only long term solution is change the headlamp glass . you will be able to pick these up from someone who has brought a car from france and is useing it over here.[.or try euro car parts ]

 

[DavidS2]

Hi landover,

Would you know if it is headlamp lens that I would need to change or the reflector that sits behind the lens?

I have seen the reflectors on ebay in Germany, there are also several complete headlamps units for sale (which are not too expensive).

Thank you for your help

David

 

[Spike]

Pretty sure its just the lense + adjustment- but I could be wrong.

I believe the lenses are only about £30 each or something from Eurocarparts or GSF but you may even get a better deal by going direct to Hella..... lemme find their catalogue.

Ahh....

http://www.hella.com/toc/en/DUEEZEZB0NI2CFVV20XVTNQ.srv?view=VIndexJsp

Tricky to navigate but you can look up the model of car and get the exact part number...looks like they do a complete assembly. (make sure that you select a left hand drive country before choosing or you'll get the wrong part number.

If your feeling flush, why not upgrade and get E500 lights with the chrome rather than grey back plate.

 

[114 072 22]

Reflectors & H light glasses are Definately both needed.

I remember doing this for someone a few years back and gave them too many parts out of a new headlight that we had in stock. Only to find these parts were not available seperately white plastic ball pivots)

 

[190]

You may also have to rewire the n/s/r lamp to take the fog light because i think there is only one light on this model and it's on the off side.

 

[NDavies4]

Funnily enough I've got a LHD 300CE-24 (cabrio) I've imported from Luxembourg and am wanting to do the headlight conversion the other way. Could probably do a direct swap if you wanted to and where back over near SW London in the near future.

Was surprised your replies talk about needing to do adjustments and/or needing to replace the reflectors. I posted on another forum requesting advice on converting LHD->RHD and was told by the experts there that it was only the lenses.... Who's experts are correct?

One thing to note from the replies I had:

"The only thing that you will need to specify when ordering is whether they are for the pre or post facelift style W124.

This isn't always obvious from the year of manufacture as quite a few early W124 E class cars (especially the coupes) will have subsequently had the 'facelift update' treatment -the later style bonnet, grille and lights having been retro fitted.

The pre facelift style is distinguishable by a tall fairly narrow grille with the star attached to the top of the grille itself. Post facelift W124 cars have a wider, lower and slightly more streamlined grille with the star being bonnet mounted.

The headlight assemblies are actually the same across the board but the post face lift lenses are made with a recessed section to accommodate the later style wider grille, the earlier lenses being completely flat faced. Don't try and fit the flat pre facelift lenses on a car that has the post facelift bonnet and grille - they could break if the bonnet is closed too vigorously."

Mine is a pre facelift - i.e. the star is mounted on the top of the grille.

 

[DavidS2]

Hi Neil,

Unfortunately already moved to the Paris else that would have been ideal.

My car is the 1991 300ce24V (pre facelift).

A friend of mine knows a Mercedes specialist in France, I will try and talk to him this weekend and find out what exactly needs to be done.

The W124 being such a common car on the continent I am sure I will be able to source them here, prehaps from a breakers yard. Afterwards, might be able to ship you the complete units or lens (what ever it needs to convert) and perhaps half the costs between us (buying LHD headlamps here and shipping RHD units to you)?

In any case I will let you know how I get on.

Best Regards,

David Selzer

 

[NDavies4]

David,
Have you made any progress with this? I did mail you directly but heard nothing back.
Cheers,
Neil

 

[DavidS2]

Hi Neil,

Sorry for the delay, also I did not receive your email, but not to worry.

I bought two LHD headlights about two weeks ago (unfortunately after-market) on ebay, they were only 75euros a piece delivered from Berlin.

If you are still interested I could find how much it would cost to send the olds ones to you? I paid 26euros delivery from Berlin, which seemed cheap, I am not sure how much it would cost to send from France to the UK.

They are currently in Burgundy (Bourgogne) - but I could get them back in a couple of weeks.

In terms of payment I still have a UK bank account, or if you use ebay, I could list them and then let you know immediately, so you can "buy-them-now" via ebay.

They are the originally fitted headlights made by bosch, a little dirty as you can imagine having been on the car for 13yrs, but they have no damage at all.

Let me know.

Email address: davidselzer@btopenworld.com

Would charge only postage and packaging and a "drink" for my time, afterall I have no use for them.

Best Regards,

David

 

[NDavies4]

Was a 'private message' within this forum that I sent before, but not to worry. Will email you externally....