Euro Headlight Options

[Atazman]

Not saying it's a good idea, but I'm curious whether anyone has removed the driving light reflector in the European headlight system and replaced it with another light/bulb design?

I know there would be mounting problems, and also problems to be addressed to enable "aiming" the lights, but I'm thinking it would be good to replace the reflectors and install high wattage bulbs.  With the condition of my reflectors, I doubt that higher wattage bulbs would provide the benefit I would like.  I currently use 60/55 watt bulbs.

Your thoughts and options are appreciated.

[w113dude]

when I got my car about twelve years ago had the European headlights with big round bulb units, looked like the ones from the US version retrofitted over the rusted reflectors, it worked but you could tell it wasn't right, the new after market reflectors are reasonable and with new halogen bulbs you should have plenty of headlight.

[Atazman]

Can you tell me who has those aftermarket reflectors, please.

Thanks

[w113dude]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-Euro-style-Head-light-reflector-for-Mercedes-280se-w111-w108-w109-w113-/281132009735?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4174c60907&vxp=mtr

You maybe able to get them from Europe for a bit less.

[Atazman]

Got it, Shaun.  Thanks!!

[Bob G ✝︎]

It took me  ten year to search out two different sets of factory Bosch European headlights The have been fitted to  my 1968 280SL
 by Jerry Hjletnesss restoration's looks good no gaps. I am surprised that they are not as bright as the original Salvia headlamps I
took out I did put  modified H-4 bulbs in the lamps before they were in stalled. Perhaps we miss something along the way. any feed
back would be appreciated.
Bob Geco

[Bob G ✝︎]

Are the reflectors on eBay made by Bosch for the Standard European Headlamps or are they remanufactured units?

Bob Geco

[Atazman]

Don't know any details.  Tried to ask questions but they did not go through to the seller.  I'm interested, but don't want to purchase without getting answers.

[Oisin]

Sorry for resurrecting this thread but my main beam is getting a little weak due to the silvering on the reflector wearing thin.  Repro reflectors are available and very reasonably priced compared to resilvering the original- http://www.mbclassics.de/index.php?a=4093&lang=eng - but I think reflectors were LHD/RHD specific originally.  Does anyone know whether there is an easy fix to convert them to RHD?

[Garry]

I dont believe the reflectors are left/right and are all the same but rather the glass lens is the item that throws the bean in the correct direction.  They are available new but you can also have them re-plated. It is normally done in Silver rather than chrome which does not reflect light well.

Garry

[280sl1968]

I think the reflectors are RHD/LHD specific. My headlamps have been converted to RHD recently and I seem to recall that it relates to the position of the small parking/side light bulb. It sits below the main bulb on the LHD and above on a RHD.

It is possible to rotate the LHD reflector but requires a notch to be cut in the reflector for correct main bulb orientation. See Naj's post in this thread:

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=2604

David

[Oisin]

Thanks for the link David,  it sounds like a fix that I could manage.  I was given a quote to re-silver of £150 each (and there's not much competition unfortunately) so I'll go ahead.

[280sl1968]

If your quote is £150 each for resilvering, check with your local MB dealer what the cost of new ones would be.

I bought new RHD reflectors from the dealer for mine and they were £153 each, so you might not be saving much by trying to salvage the old ones.


David

[Flyair]

Coming back on the bulb question, Initially, I was also keen to go for brighter ones and considered at one point a conversion to 70/75 bulbs. However, after reading certain posts about potential side effects on the electrical system, I gave up and settled with the original characteristics. This decision was somewhat helped by the fact that I have the optional Hella halogens installed, which increase the light output when necessary.
 

[zoegrlh]

I have Euro spec, and I replaced my bulbs with Halogen.  Does make a difference.
Bob