[AcemyBenz]

I found these on the Bay and was considering the option:

R129 1989 2002 Projector Headlight Headlamp R8LOOK Chrome for Mercedes Benz LHD | eBay

Seller said they cannot fit the Halo ring on this model, but IMO it still looks really cool.

On another hand, I found a CL guy who is willing to sell me the complete HID OEM set for $600.

Not too sure which way to go, any advice?

 

[cliffyk]

Since you have asked for opinions, here's mine:

I think they would look like crap on an r129; just like that front bumper in your other posting...

 

[AcemyBenz]

Since you have asked for opinions, here's mine:

I think they would look like crap on an r129; just like that front bumper in your other posting...

I think you made your point. Don't forget beauty is in the eye of the beholder though.

 

[luigi4]

if your asking.
then you can not see the beauty. LZ

 

[AcemyBenz]

Sorry, I disagree!! Eventually I was expecting some more constructive criticism, but I see where this is going.

 

[loooney2ns]

Get the oem lamps. I just don't like those lamps. They don't fit the look of our cars. They look like they should be on a lowered Honda Civic.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[AcemyBenz]

Get the oem lamps. I just don't like those lamps. They don't fit the look of our cars. They look like they should be on a lowered Honda Civic.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

Thanks! That's a fair statement. I was thinking just about the same thing. They look kind of cool to me, but also may be too much for the R129 and take away some from its classy lines.

I always loved the look of the OEM HID and wished mine already had it so in the end that is what I would ended up doing anyway.

 

[SL BRABUS]

For $700 is best to spend elsewhere.....:wink...

 

[wlb50]

I just saw a great segment of Jay Leno's garage -

. He made it the way I like a resto-mod - it "looks" stock but there are probably a dozen little changes on the outside. Jay made the comment that generally when people chop the roof or change the fenders it usually detracts from what the car looked like coming out of the factory. There was a team of designers all with degrees from design schools producing the product that goes on the showroom.

Tim, who at one time worked for GM, did make an interesting comment - that many times because of production cost considerations what the designer deemed "perfect" will be compromised.

Never seen a "Kustom Korvette" that looked better than stock.

Personally I think the R129 looked pretty good once signed off by Bruno Sacco's team and put into showrooms.

My opinion is just mine of course and each owner can do what they want with their own cars (as if they needed my permission :wink

I would just tread very lightly when changing bumpers or body panels but then that is just me.

 

[cliffyk]

Sort of related to this discussion, this is a great critique of contemporary automotive design.

With no doubt I refer to it as "great" because I agree with every word. I find the styling of most modern cars to be at best showy and ostentatious; and at the extreme just plain disagreeable...

 

[Poundy]

I think the R129 looks best with euro headlights, frosted corners and chrome bulbs. I could never justify the price difference for HID's and the standard US headlights look pretty crap with the big rubber seal and what appears a very ill fitting unit. but to each his own :nerd I have a pair of new MM corners us $110 shipped

 

[LWB250]

The worst part about the US spec headlights is not the cosmetics, but the function. These are, by far, the very worst headlights I have ever encountered on an MB, or for that matter, any car.

They work so poorly that a relatively low speeds you're overdriving, that is, going faster than the headlight can project ahead of the car.

While i would love to have a set of xenons for my SL, I'm eventually going to convert them to Euro headlights just to make the car safe to drive at night.

Also, when converting to a non-xenon headlight, be sure to rewire the system using relays to get full current to the lamps. it will make a difference as well.

Dan

 

[macysum]

Agree Dan. I can drive with high beams on at night and nobody in the oncoming lane cares. If AcemyBenz is looking to upgrade his lights so he can see at night I'm all for him! Those eBay units do have a bit of snarl to them but at least he might be able to see further than the distance it takes for his brakes to stop.

Biggest issue to fitting these is vehicle resale to old farts like many of us here. We'd never consider this a tasteful mod but the current generation of young buyers (as large a population as Baby Boomer generation) grew up with the trends highlighted in CliffyK's blog and they think it's cool.

 

[IDrinkNitro]

Agree Dan. I can drive with high beams on at night and nobody in the oncoming lane cares. If AcemyBenz is looking to upgrade his lights so he can see at night I'm all for him! Those eBay units do have a bit of snarl to them but at least he might be able to see further than the distance it takes for his brakes to stop.



Biggest issue to fitting these is vehicle resale to old farts like many of us here. We'd never consider this a tasteful mod but the current generation of young buyers (as large a population as Baby Boomer generation) grew up with the trends highlighted in CliffyK's blog and they think it's cool.

Haha, I don't think you guys need to worry. No one in this age bracket thinks it looks good either.

As for these lights it may have worked out better if they had come up with a more fitting bulb style. Our cars aren't curvy so the curved led strip doesn't fit well into the design. If they came up with something that was made to be effective instead of "stylish" it'd be worth it for someone to take a risk.

I'd hold off until you can find a euro pair. The euro is tanking right now so it's great to buy parts from Europe.




Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[Pete S]

The lights posted by the OP simply do not fit with the lines of the car, sorry they are just going to look completely tacked on, too modern for the classic lines of the R129.

I know the Xenons give off better light but for me I don't really like how they look on the car either, the round projector stands out like a sore thumb to me. For me the best looking headlight on the R129 is the Euro Spec version. My .02

 

[cliffyk]

The lights posted by the OP simply do not fit with the lines of the car, sorry they are just going to look completely tacked on, too modern for the classic lines of the R129.

I know the Xenons give off better light but for me I don't really like how they look on the car either, the round projector stands out like a sore thumb to me. For me the best looking headlight on the R129 is the Euro Spec version. My .02

I agree, the Xenon light do to my eye look out of place on the 129--I suspect that had then been available when the car was first styled it would be different as they would have made the form follow the function.

I would like a set of the Euro spec headlights, but not enough to prise $400+ out of my wallet.

I find the DOT lights to be much better after getting them properly aligned, or perhaps more correctly aligning them to my specs. There was far too much overlap in the center so I opened up the "spread", swinging the left light a bit more to the left and the right a bit "more" more to the right. Then raised both a bit. No complaints from on-coming traffic in a year now...

 

[loooney2ns]

I'm saving for Euro lamps now, and a new soft top. I also have to send Klaus my front cylinders. I had the money for everything and then I had to pay for an unseen expense, so now I'm saving again. At least none of these things will keep me from driving.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[AcemyBenz]

Ok, I'm definitely getting the drift and agreeing for the most part.

I'm middle of the road, been 45. I'm certainly not a fanatic "purist", but also not entirely attracted to some of the new, futuristic lines & trend. I read the article posted by CliffyK and, although I can see their point and recognize certain truth, I don't find myself agreeing entirely with it.

I don't like anything that is "too much". For instance I would never slam an SL to the ground, but would definitely lower it just a bit. I wouldn't use spacers, but definitely like 18" or 19" rims.

At first look I did find those lights kind of cool, but then, on a second thought, I realized it may have been "too much" for the clean & classy look of the R129 and way too modern looking. That's also why I asked for an opinion here. I was looking for pointers and I probably got more than I bargained for

As far as the OEM HID, I thought a complete set for $600 was actually a good deal price wise and I still do entertain that idea. I already have one of those conversion HID kit 6000K with Hi/Lo so visibility it's not an issue, but merely a matter of look. Then again, been there's quite a few things I'm considering for this car, maybe I'll wait a little longer and think about it some more.

The frosted corners that Poundy mentioned for example, where do you get those?

Thanks for all the input.

Will

 

[LWB250]

Ok, I'm definitely getting the drift and agreeing for the most part.

I'm middle of the road, been 45. I'm certainly not a fanatic "purist", but also not entirely attracted to some of the new, futuristic lines & trend. I read the article posted by CliffyK and, although I can see their point and recognize certain truth, I don't find myself agreeing entirely with it.

I don't like anything that is "too much". For instance I would never slam an SL to the ground, but would definitely lower it just a bit. I wouldn't use spacers, but definitely like 18" or 19" rims.

At first look I did find those lights kind of cool, but then, on a second thought, I realized it may have been "too much" for the clean & classy look of the R129 and way too modern looking. That's also why I asked for an opinion here. I was looking for pointers and I probably got more than I bargained for

As far as the OEM HID, I thought a complete set for $600 was actually a good deal price wise and I still do entertain that idea. I already have one of those conversion HID kit 6000K with Hi/Lo so visibility it's not an issue, but merely a matter of look. Then again, been there's quite a few things I'm considering for this car, maybe I'll wait a little longer and think about it some more.

The frosted corners that Poundy mentioned for example, where do you get those?

Thanks for all the input.

Will

$600 is a very good price for the stock HID lights.

I am curious - did you find any significant difference in the beam and coverage with the HID conversion kit?

I ask because I have considered them as an interim fix until I can pony up the $$ for a set of Euro lights from the guys in eastern Europe that a number of forum members have purchased from.

Dan

 

[AcemyBenz]

The HID conversion kit gives you an unbeatable combination of price and improvement. With the $35.00 Xentec price tag you can't go wrong. You do get better light coverage and better visibility given the brighter output.

This is pretty much the same kit Neoken and others have mounted as well and discussed in other threads and I'm not unhappy at all with the performance. I think it's a great improvement over stock.