Dublin Pagoda

[David Robinson]

Snapped by my niece in Dublin last week.

[willthomason]

Nice! I love the look of Euro headlights. Question for the group: If you like the look, is it worth the change? I have a 1970 280SL - still all original. How much $$$ if you've done it recently, and how much hassle to change? Appreciate any insights! Thanks

[Jack the Knife]

Nice! I love the look of Euro headlights. Question for the group: If you like the look, is it worth the change? I have a 1970 280SL - still all original. How much $$$ if you've done it recently, and how much hassle to change? Appreciate any insights! Thanks

Reproductions are available for like $2k/pr, and it's a simple five minute job with a screwdriver to switch the lights.

[Vander]

Switching the headlights are easy. The expensive part is if someone added side marker lights previously and you now have to delete them.

[zak]

Vander, how many screw holes for each side marker ? They are ugly things.
I recall hearing that the very early MB side markers were merely reflectors and not lights. Is that true ?
I am glad my euro 250 sl remained original with no side markers.

Yet somehow the Italian market car side markers are a thing of discreet beauty.
I wonder who designed the US ones ? Certainly not Paul Bracq !

jz

[49er]

I recall hearing that the very early MB side markers were merely reflectors and not lights. Is that true ?

Yes, just reflectors on the early 280's. I thought they were pretty ugly too (I had a 250SL prior) but got used to them, finally.

John

[Jonny B]

Two screws per light or reflector.

The reflectors became standard on the 250 SL aft VIN ending in 2790 - when the whole list of DOT required changes were implemented.

[49er]

My 250's VIN was 001133. I always wonder whatever happened to it?

John

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

My German Market 230SL has the "fishbowl" headlights.  I can tell you while looking terrific, they are not very good, almost useless for visibility.  (I use the driving lights to augment)

 It has been on "my list" for years to try to update to something better bulb-wise, but the idea only raises to the top of the list after driving at night, which is almost nil.

I really  need guidance to follow on "how to..."
JB

[DavidAPease]

John,

The subject of headlight upgrades, especially LED, comes up often.  Here's a 4-year old post from me about what parts I used to upgrade to LED headlights (which work great!).  (BTW, I believe I got the basic info from an earlier post by Peter Lesler.)

     https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=33365.msg243547#msg243547

           -David