jdc1244 - 5/8/2006 6:36 PM

The US market headlight assemblies are dreadful, what with the plastic frame and fog light.

Frankly, I’m also not sure where to buy Euro wipers. Partly because I don’t need them in Florida, you don’t need them in Southern California, either. Remember that Euro market cars came w/o the wipers as well so the ‘clean’ look is original too. I do know the Euro wipers are hard to find used. I’ve read that the wiper arms alone go for about $60 each new and an entire new assembly including the motors and under light panel can cost about $260 a set. Remember that the hole for the motor arm is not located in the same place as the US market panel. Below are some images of Euro cars one with wipers and two with out.

1996_S500 - 5/8/2006 10:19 PM


But my thing is, why wouldn't you want to have something extra, that others cars don't have?.

jdc1244 - 5/8/2006 7:29 PM



That’s a great point and I don’t want to discourage anyone from getting Euro wipers. My personal feeling is that the expense does not justify the installation because I’ve no mud or snow or ice to wipe from the light.

The Euro wiper won’t work on a DOT light assembly because the glass part of the light is recessed from the plastic frame and would jamb. The shorter, almost right angle of the DOT wiper is to clean only the glass part of the lens. The Euro light with the DOT wiper looks really strange. If I find a pic I’ll post it.

Nutz - 5/8/2006 7:36 PM

 

Here you go 1996_S500

 

1996_S500 - 5/8/2006 10:45 PM

...where do I get these painted strips to go under the headlights?

jdc1244 - 5/8/2006 7:56 PM



I know Katmac sells them with their after market Euros and gives you a source to buy the paint to paint them, but I don’t know how that would turn out. I think Katmac will sell just the panels. Others find the panels from parts cars, clean and repaint. Mercedessoruce sells them unpainted as well but they are more expensive than Katmac. Best bet is to take the unpainted panels to a good body shop with your paint code and have them do it.

I’m going to take a stab at painting the panels myself, may turn out decent and save me some money.

No problem with the help; I enjoy talking about these great cars.

1996_S500 - 5/8/2006 11:10 PM

In your opinion, which is better Bosch, or Katmac?

Also, how much do those strips cost from Katmac, and how much from Mercedessource?

1996_S500 - 5/8/2006 11:54 PM

yea, I found the MercedesSource ones. $50 for that!

http://www.mercedessource.com/store/item.php?item=126%20CHASSIS%20B...

Yep, Google Katmac, they have their own site, they may sell the panels alone for less.

jdc1244 - 5/8/2006 9:14 PM



awww. great. I checked their website, AND...

Problem 1:
"Sorry we have a $50 minimum transaction amount."

Problem 2:
"Sorry, we are currently sold out of 'W126 Under Headlamp Trim Panels No Holes (Pair)'. Please check back later."