SL W129
Author
Discussion

paoloh

Original Poster:

8,617 posts

233 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
Do the facelift lights ( IIRC 1996 ) fit directly onto the earlier models?

I am looking to change front/side and rear if possible.

r129sl

9,518 posts

232 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
I think so. The rears were facelifted again in about mid-1998.

paoloh

Original Poster:

8,617 posts

233 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
So, all age 129's have the same lights? Just different colour

r129sl

9,518 posts

232 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
No. But I think the mounting points and internal gubbins are the same. So at the front, one can simply fit updated indicators. I think you could fit updated headlight units, too, but nobody would notice. The side markers just clip on and off. Early cars had orange lenses, middle cars had white rectangular lenses, latest cars have white soft lenses. If going from orange to white, make sure you use orange bulbs. Early tail lamps are chuncky with orange indicators, middle tale lamps are chunky and all red and latest tail lamps are soft and all red. The lenses are a straight swap, I think.

For what it's worth, my view is that stock always looks better. Early cars in particular suit orange front indicators and the chunky rear lamp set up. The earlier design is also functionally superior as the rear lights stay clean.

Obviously xenon lights are more complicated to retrofit.