'Stock' is the sleek Euro headlight.

The USDOT demanded the crap headlights be fitted to US cars, the rest of us in the world have really good headlights.

Many in the US swap back to the 'stock' Euro lights.

There are many threads about how to swap them over, the connection is different.

 

Hmmm... I'm confused. So then the headlights that came with my car (USA) are NOT what Mercedes typically puts on around the world - the sleek flush style? I'm still learning how to get around this forum. I've yet to learn how to search specific Chassis threads w/o pulling up info on every model. I will figure it out. Thanks for the input.. still a bit confused...

 

Correct. Only cars delivered to the US/Canada market had the style you have (meaning you have a US car). The euro lights are available from a couple of aftermarket suppliers (Depo is one), but the original Bosch lights are preferred by many because of quality and they are the "original" lights. Installation isn't that difficult to do, and the Depo lights come with instructions and a kit, I believe.
If you want to keep your car in US stock condition, I have a couple of headlight "doors" available for sale. PM me for details.

 

It's actually very simple to swap out the US version for the Euro version. Other items to consider are the Euro wipers, valances and motors as they are different too and go together. The whole proposition can get a bit pricey after all is said and done. Or your can just use the US wipers/setup, but it's a hodge podge. Some just opt to take out the wipers and motors altogether to avoid the whole mess.

The only thing you will have to swap out for the headlights is the connector which is very easy and available on ebay for a few dollars. Then take the wires out of the old US connector and put them in the Euro connector (different order). Like I said, you don't have to do all of the other Euro stuff, but it looks a lot better and was meant to be that way.

 

thanks All.. I'm now trying to research Bosch Euro lights and vacuum system. I think if I take it on, I would like to keep the wipers. Perhaps begin ordering parts and wait to make the switch until I have everything for the mod. This is horrible !! I had no idea of Euro anything now in researching Euro lights, I find Euro Bumpers. I'm afraid to keep searching for fear of finding other Euro Stuff to make my car pure Mercedes and not DOT USA certified. Ok.. I must ask... is there a chart by chance showing all the differences between US and Euro for W126? Now my head in spinning on exactly what the differences are between bumpers.. some say 'not much', others say 'a great deal'.. wow... Thanks again everyone !!

 

Good luck on the Euro bumpers. I got mine willed to me by Graftdesign when his car was killed by a street thug.

 

Yeah, it was a very sad day when the car got slammed. I'm glad at least part of it lives in Mikes car!

The worst part in not having a rare SEC anymore. IT took a long time to collect all of the bits to make it even more special much to the help of many here like Dr. Grills and others. There's not too many genuine 91 gen 2 Euro SEC's in the US.

 

There are a few threads on all the differences between North American spec and Euro spec, a google search should do it. The headlights are a pretty easy upgrade that will lend an updated look to the car and better visibility at night. If you want to spend the money, go for it. Though if you add euro wipers, the proposition can get pretty pricey. As for the bumpers, there is no doubt that euro bumpers are sleeker, but I would bet that the N/A spec ones are more robust, and in the event of a minor collision, damage to the body would be less likely.

 

Gen II Euro Sedan Bumpers are easier to come by, than SEC Gen II Euro bumpers. though the rear bumpers are the same sedan or Coupe. Fronts are different due to the SEC fog light being in the bumpers.

 

Surprisingly, the Gen 2 Euro bumper chrome is still available from the dealership... or I should say from parts.com. They can order from Germany. I don't know if the other bumper parts would be available but it's worth a check.

It won't be cheap though.

 

They are and it's not. We did it on Mark's bumpers.

 

Yeah, as I recall the chrome alone will set you back around $800 for front and back. I looked at replacing the chrome on my fronts and decided to paint them body color instead. I can always strip them later if I have a change of heart and re-chrome should they become not available anymore.

Re-chroming ain't cheap either! It was actually cheaper to buy the new chrome bits from parts.com

 

Fewer Gen II 500SEC's too. I feel blessed, (thanks to Bondavi),I have one.
I may have to purchase a front bumper fascia and chrome from MB if I cannot source one in the US or ? But The rest of the car is here patiently awaiting her due TLC.

 

Yes you are very fortunate to have such a rare car and such a great friend!

 

(Pictures from 1997) --1991 560SEC
Full US spec (front)- US headlights already changed to euro, US headlight wipers & motors, light amber corner blinkers, clear foglight lenses, US "park bench" style front bumper :

Full US spec (rear) - US tail lights, (outer corners red), "park bench" style rear bumper :

~~~~

....pictures depicting the same vehicle as it is now in 2012, -- full euro iteration :
(same car, with change to euro-spec ) much of it sourced with help from benzworld members on here)

Full Euro spec (Front) : Euro headlights, Euro headlight wipers & motors, euro dark amber corner blinkers, amber AMG euro foglight lenses, slim euro bumper

Full euro spec (rear) : Euro tail lights (outer corners fully orange) with slim euro spec bumper

with current 2012 Autobahn road tax sticker affixed to its windshield in the correct place:

~~~~~

Original 1991 560SEC for sale in the Mercedes Benz Youngtimer section at Mercedes Benz of Stuttgart, on the other side of the building is the Mercedes Benz museum.

I took these pic's in July 2012 whilst on vacation in europe on an Autobahn driving tour.

Note the original European spec details as above.

The car was offered for sale at what seemed to me like a very ambitious price, 42,950 euros, though it had been there for quite some time.

But looked like a mint original Euro survivor, these are almost nonexistent in Germany, almost all failed the TuV inspection, (newest ones are 21 years old!) or rusted away, junked by now. German roads are heavily salted in the long euro winters. I never even saw one, this year, though in 2001 I saw a few here and there.

 

Gorgeous car you have there.

Also an incredible Euro SEC in Germany.. incredible price too at over $55k US. I wonder how many Km's it had on the clock?

Hope we see those kind of $$$ here someday.

 

Thank you for the kind words, as coming from a discerning w126 enthusiast like you, who owns a similar vehicle, that's a compliment of the highest order.

The car for sale at the Mercedes Benz Youngtimer section between the Stuttgart MB museum and the Stuttgart MB dealer was locked, but was decrribed as "mit "WOW" factor" and had 70,000 kms on the odometer, per the description.

I thought pictures always help, especially for newcomers here..