Help with headlamp assembly parts

[robertcedgar]

Hello,

I recently acquired a 71 280SL with 81,000 miles and am in the process of restoring it to showroom shape.  A piece of the plastic portion of the left headlamp assembly just above the headlight itself has broken off.  I understand that I willl have to purchase the entire assembly to make this perfect and am wondering where to do so?  My research has been that to do so will cost between $800 and $1,300 for the plastic, which includes the signals, bezel and the entire housing.  Is there a recommended place to purchase this item?  Can it be done at a lesser cost?  Please advise me of your recommendations.

Regards,

Rob

[mmizesko]

Rob,

Just did this last year.  I think your best shot is ebay, but you may need to be patient. When you say showroom condition, I'm not sure what you mean.  Your other one will have some road wear, so you will probably have to match it.  This means finding a used one.  I regularly find "headlight doors" on ebay.  If you are replacing both sides, New Old Stock (NOS) will cost you $1200 per side.  I'm not sure what Mercedes charges from the parts dept, but you may try to contact one of our fine vendors on this site.  If you put a new one on one side, with a "buffed" one on the other, it will look weird.

If you want to do used, there are two ways to go.  One is the complete assembly with the door, chrome, and turn signal modules attached.  I was lucky enough to find the plastic door only, which I could fit my electronics into.  Of course, the complete assemblies are more expensive.  I think I paid about $350 landed for my door.

Hope this helps.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

[robertcedgar]

Mike,

Thank you very much!  I appreciate the advice and will follow suit.

Rob

[KevinC]

Best advice on the "good used" part search. I have noticed that no matter how good an original part might look on one side, its hard to add something brand new and have them look "matched". 

[robertcedgar]

Kevin,

That's an excellent point and thank you!  It appears as though this will be a long term search for just the right pieces.

Rob

[pj]

Hello Robert
and welcome to our community.
Did you say whether you need the U.S. or the Euro style?
I had my equally-worn U.S. headlight assemblies replaced with Euro assemblies 4 years ago, and still have the U.S. parts in a box.

[robertcedgar]

Hi PJ,

I am looking for the US version lights, type AJ, which have the full amber turn signal area as opposed to the small lower turn signal area for earlier models.  I would be interested in potentiallly buying your old assemblies if you're looking to sell them.  Also, I was thinking of going with european headlamps but didn't know if it was a complicated mess electronically to do so.  Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Rob

[sandcrab59]

Go to
vintageeuroparts.com
They have the lenses.
They are about $400each.
The german lense is about $1000 each.

I am looking for a right lens for my 250SL if I ever restore it.
While I was at the German classic center in Germany last August they informed me that a german lense will cost $1000
each side.
I have the part # they gave me if you need it.
Tom mrowka

[Garry]

Just as an aside, I have recently replaced my Euro glass lenses with the polycarbonate ones.  It is near impossible to tell the difference and they are half the price of glass ones.

Garry

[66andBlue]

Same here. My Euro glass lenses on the 280SL are in storage and polycarbonate lenses are on the car.
Less prone to chips caused by gravel bombardment.

[stickandrudderman]

I've heard that repro complete headlamps are available but none of my usual suppliers have them. Anyone know of a European supplier?
I have seen them on ebay.com in the US.

[66andBlue]

Send Memmo a PM, he might know the supplier: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=20431.