I have to be honest as to which look better. I as many do, like the 00-02 tail lights, it gives it such a updated look, but to many other car companies copied the design and now you see them on allot of cars. Where as the 1996-99 design tail lights have a unique look of there own. Have you tried cleaning them then stepping back and judging how they look. Also depending on the color of your vehicle will also determine a nice OEM look with the 96-99 tail lights. I put thin chrome trimming around my own, and now can decide on upgrade or keeping them. In my little opinion, changing them to the 00-02 tail lights only make it look of that year, but when done they do look good. I saw a on this forum a guy upgrade to the crystal clear with different light pattern which on breaking gave his tail lights an even newer look, not a bad option. OK, just my 2 cents. Good luck
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3. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father.
"I would hate to see a VIP car with anything but a Japanese motor. It's like putting fried chicken in your sushi :d2td" Nico Member Comment
On my W210 1996 model I changed the lights for the newer 2002 tail lights which had the black smoked tint at the top, real nice.! The outside larger part of the light fitted striaght on, but the inner boot ones needed to be modified to fit. It didnt take long though just 30 mins to cut a little bit of the corner away of the inner part of the reflector backing to allow it to sit flush with the body work.
I got mine from ebay and had lots of trouble getting them to work. The bulb sockets did not fit in to the light properly so I had lots of 'lamp defective' warnings. I ended up having to bend the contacts so they would touch.
i think the pre-facelift cars look better with the original tailights, and also the tailights bought from ebay are usually cheap plastic, and anyone with a little mb knowledge will be able to tell you have the ebay ones. if you really want to do it, then either buy from dealer or check junk yards for used ones. but i still think your car will look better with the original ones, like sly mentioned before they are unique.
I was okay with the original tails on my 99 for a year. But after spending
some time contemplating, the ovals look out-of-place since there were
no other similar curves on that part of the body. I took ones from an
E55 (smoked) vs from E320 (clear) since they were a better match for
my bordeaux exterior. Am quite happy with the swap out...acknowledging
that it's simply a personal taste issue.
Heres what I did to my own tail lights, Oh it was a $6.00 upgrade...LOL
So, as you can see, I was debating so much as to what I wanted then I realized that I wanted curves in the OEM lights to stand out with out going over board. I still like what I did.
Last edited by slybydesignw210 : 02-27-2008 at 02:07 PM.
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