1973 Mercedes SLC
Discussion
I'm hoping someone might be able to offer some advice.
My car is RHD and I am considering getting it Lux-registered. That is no mean feat in itself, and I'll need to switch the beam of the headlights. The obvious options are new lights, but these are much spenners.
I was wondering whether new lenses might work; does anyone know? Is it the glass or the reflectors that angle the beam?
I have seen these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Headlight-Lens...
Will they do the trick? Any other thoughts or suggestions?
Or these US-spec-looking ones? Ugly, but they might do the job.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-R107-Headlight...
My car is RHD and I am considering getting it Lux-registered. That is no mean feat in itself, and I'll need to switch the beam of the headlights. The obvious options are new lights, but these are much spenners.
I was wondering whether new lenses might work; does anyone know? Is it the glass or the reflectors that angle the beam?
I have seen these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Headlight-Lens...
Will they do the trick? Any other thoughts or suggestions?
Or these US-spec-looking ones? Ugly, but they might do the job.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-R107-Headlight...
I believe that the cut off is in the lenses and not the assembly and you might be able to get away with swapping lenses. I can't promise this however. The US spec lights will bolt right in but you might have to do something with the wiring as I remember having to do so when I converted a couple of cars to Euro lights.
As is always the case with our cars it would appear there is more expense involved than just the glass, with the reflector bowls needing swapping too. That said there is talk of a slight bodge in this not-quite-conclusive-but-leaning-towards-more-expense-themed thread which involves the mount being changed rather than the whole reflector.
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/headlight-glass....
Worth getting on the specialist forums and asking if anyone needs to swap their headlights the other way - there will be someone out there trying to do just that.
Oh, and: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1237730
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/headlight-glass....
Worth getting on the specialist forums and asking if anyone needs to swap their headlights the other way - there will be someone out there trying to do just that.
Oh, and: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1237730
Edited by paulyv on Friday 3rd July 01:59
AlpinaB5 said:
Two years ago I registered my Golf in Trier. Yes I needed to get new headlights but also in Germany you need a manufacturer 'Certificate of Conformance'. I work in Luxembourg as well but not sure if you need that here too?
I understand that a Certificate of Conformity is not needed for classics but is, as you note, for more modern cars. I needed it to get my other car registered.If I can't find a sensible solution for the lights I fear I may have to sell the car. Alternative is to keep it UK-legal and registered and just keep it herr with occasional use, but I really do want to be legal and the end of EU reciprocity will only complicate matters.
alabbasi said:
I believe that the cut off is in the lenses and not the assembly and you might be able to get away with swapping lenses. I can't promise this however. The US spec lights will bolt right in but you might have to do something with the wiring as I remember having to do so when I converted a couple of cars to Euro lights.
Thank you. It's certainly something to investigate if all else fails, but I confess that I am rather dismayed by the looks. paulyv said:
Worth getting on the specialist forums and asking if anyone needs to swap their headlights the other way - there will be someone out there trying to do just that.
Thanks for that. I think you're right about the specialist clubs, I'll join and engage. A swap may indeed be possible. I'm sure that some of the continental-based owners and folk must have ideas that cost less than 800 euros per light!
€1,600 for a pair of headlamps is no doubt bonkers, but as long as you don't damage them they should still be worth that plus if you move to, say, Portugal, you only need do it once. Plus you'd have a pair of RHD headlamps in stock.
However, I would also be exploring better value avenues.
However, I would also be exploring better value avenues.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
If I can't find a sensible solution for the lights I fear I may have to sell the car.
If selling the car is not your priority then slapping a pair of unattractive US lights on is surely a course of action worth considering? You can't see them when you're in the driving seat. I suppose selling your headlights to fund the swap would also be an option? Then doing the reverse if the car ever came back to these shores. When the full units do come up on Ebay they never seem to sell for the £800 or so being asked...I recall they tend to go for around half that. Not to be sniffed at but less of a risk.
I have to be transparent and state that keeping you in this car at all costs is of utmost importance to me as the more people I have to commiserate with on here the better. Right now my worn sunroof cable is firmly stuck in the tube as a result of my trying to pull it out as per the numerous maintenance guides which state 'then simply pull it back out through the sunroof'.
So far as I can tell from the parts catalogue, only the lens differs for RHD: the reflector is the same on both LHD and RHD cars, as is the rest of the assembly. Back in the day when I owned a 380 SL C that I regret selling, I swapped the pitted and worn out headlamp lenses for new ones. I seem to recall they were about £40 each at the dealer. No doubt they are £4,000 each now. Anyway, it was easy enough to accomplish.
t, but they only $7 to replace.CharlesdeGaulle said:
And that just about brings us up to date. Yesterday I experienced the bum-clenching thrill of the first drive of a new car. I'd owned it for a few months but, apart from a very short test drive with the mechanic after some initial work, had barely seen it, let alone driven it. Yesterday was collection day.
There were a couple of givens: fuel reserve light lit, check; unsure of route home, check; cash in a brown envelope, check; and the number of the recovery firm close to hand, natch. But, despite the trepidation, we made it and it now sits on my drive.
First impressions were positive, but there's no escaping the fact it's very evidently a 70s car. Ride is excellent and the big fat tyres really soak-up bumps. Visibility is terrific. It sits comfortably at 3-figure speeds and goes pretty well. I also noticed that there is a lot of wind noise and the fuel economy is laughable. I think I'm going to like it! The rest of the first day was spent with cleaning products.
I've always like the SLC but interested in your comment, "That there is a lot of wind noise" is this a problem with them or is it something you've cured? I loathe wind noise so this alone if its something they suffer from would put me off. Look forward to hearing, thanks.There were a couple of givens: fuel reserve light lit, check; unsure of route home, check; cash in a brown envelope, check; and the number of the recovery firm close to hand, natch. But, despite the trepidation, we made it and it now sits on my drive.
First impressions were positive, but there's no escaping the fact it's very evidently a 70s car. Ride is excellent and the big fat tyres really soak-up bumps. Visibility is terrific. It sits comfortably at 3-figure speeds and goes pretty well. I also noticed that there is a lot of wind noise and the fuel economy is laughable. I think I'm going to like it! The rest of the first day was spent with cleaning products.
nigeleyre said:
I've always like the SLC but interested in your comment, "That there is a lot of wind noise" is this a problem with them or is it something you've cured? I loathe wind noise so this alone if its something they suffer from would put me off. Look forward to hearing, thanks.
I don't think it's a problem with them in general, but door seals and poorly-aligned windows make many old cars noisier than we're used to I guess. I had my windows properly set-up and don't find the residual wind noise in any way excessive, but it's certainly noisier than its Lexus stablemate! I really wouldn't let it put you off as they are terrific cars. I really enjoy mine, although may be soon putting it up for sale because I've bought a LHD 124 Spider of similar vintage. A RHD car over here is a little inconvenient, but the alternative to just keep it in my garage is a tempting one too, although it offends me to have a car that I rarely use.
The thread popping-up again reminded me that I'd neglected to update after the recent service. Usual fluid changes, plus the oil leak and the heater fixed. The garage have neglected to bill me yet but are on the lookout for headlights. Concurrently, a colleague has arranged an appointment with a classic garage-iste over the border in Germany who has it on good authority that new headlight lenses will get the car through the CT. I'm going to take it to him tomorrow afternoon for him to have a look.
Northbrook said:
You bought the 124? Do you have plans for how to get it from Bordon to Lux? I'm not a million miles from Bordon...
To say what I have is a 'plan' would be over-stating it. I currently have a problem!It's possible that a PH-er might look after the parts which would mean it's a more simple task. I've posted the job on Shiply but only one quote so far and it wasn't a good one.
You've got previous for driving cars on the continent ...
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