cost of headlight doors

[rmmchl]

why are they so expensive?---I saw 275.00 each on e-bay and thats not including the guts, that have the bulbs and wiring connections-they crack so easiy at the top--does anyone know if they still make the guts to these, and what is a REAL price one should pay--------i would love new ones because the plastic gets foggy on the old ones-

[Dave Gallon]

You don't' say but are obviously talking about US version headlights. There were originally three versions of this part:
1) all 230SLs, all 250SLs, and 280SLs up to 005607 (clear lower section)
2) 280SL from 005608 through 011947 (amber lens behind clear lens in lower section)
3) 280SL from 011948 (amber lower section)
Also, the first two versions have provision for a foglight while the third version has the foglight eliminated. Each of the headlight versions was available either as the rim only or the rim and socket assembly. The last time I checked, MB was only supplying the third version complete assembly: 113 820 02 66, suggested June 2009 US list $630 and wholesale $505.

Why are they so expensive? You are driving a car that would cost something like $100K today if in production and the part was last used only on US version models over 38 years ago. Instead, I suggest you marvel that you can buy the part at any price.

Obviously, there are some aftermarket sources for these parts in various versions. I have heard some reports of poor quality so perhaps (I emphasis perhaps) what we see on ebay are parts that failed quality control inspections. I recently supplied a pair of third version assemblies to a customer from Mercedes and they were perfect.

[abe280SL]

I have a 1973 BMW E9 3.0CSI..and I am one of those who curses at part prices for my 68 280sl & Porsche 83SC. However, I curse even more about the limited number of  parts for the BMW.  There are very few new parts if any, and most are canabalized from other cars.   That is when you become grateful to get parts at any price!
abe

[mdsalemi]

I guess not everone realizes that Mercedes-Benz are generally considered luxury vehicles, and command high prices.  That being said, the parts will not be inexpensive--not for old cars, or new.

Arguably one of the least costly Mercedes Benz cars in recent year is the C class.  A headlight assembly, or "door" as we come to call them, for a 2008 C300 lists for $1,250, and sells for about $800.

Even equivalent headlamp assemblies for pedestrian Toyota Camrys, Honda Accords, Ford Focus, etc. push $300 today.

So, an "equivalent" for a 38+ year old car costs about the same?  I'm with Abe.  We're darn lucky we can get them.

[scoot]

The "regular" price on ebay from two different vendors seems to be $248  +/- a little for the headlight door (first version) without the back guts.  To the best of my knowledge, the back guts stuff isn't really too likely to need replacing.  $248 isn't much if you think about what you are getting.

A poster mentioned 3rd party parts -- I am not aware of these.  If someone knows how to avoid third part headlight doors (what to look for, who is selling them) I would appreciate the info.

[mdsalemi]

Scoot,

Depending on what model your car originally had, (items 1 & 2 from Dave Gallon's post) if you replace the front headlight door assembly (only #3 is available today), you will need new stuff in the back.  The parts don't fit properly and the wires sure don't either.

Been there and done that.

[scoot]

Mine has item 1 from Gallon's post.  But I see on ebay that the fronts are available from multiple sellers - see ebay items 300326738972 and 220429565069.   The ones on my car are pretty good, but I just purchased one new one that has a minor scratch for $180 and I think I want another new one so that the gloss and clearness match.  So if if I do that, I think I only need the front stuff and I can re-use the back stuff from my existing ones.  So I think one of the ones in either of those ebay listings gets me what I want, right?

Scott

[mdsalemi]

Scoot,

If Dave G. is correct, I don't think those are appropriate for you.  I'm used to referring to them with the suffixs, which I think are -LE and that's the real way to refer to them.

You said you have #1, which is clear lower section.  The ones on those eBay items have amber behind clear.

[scoot]

I misspoke.  The ones I have have the small amber turn signal under the fog light which is clear.  They look like ebay item 330339763378, which is an item I just purchased to replace one of mine, and now I want another matching new one for the other side.  My somewhat faded ones look like 330339763378.  330339763378 contains all of the electrics, but since my electrics are basically all there, it seems that one of the two that are the fronts-only would work for me.  Now have I got it right?

thanks
Scott
ps - I don't think I've seen one that has NO amber in it at all. 

[Benz Dr.]

The one used on 250SL's are no longer available and haven't been for quite a while. You might get lucky and find one now and then but I haven't seen anything in a while. I think this is the AN type.
 AC is for 230SL and AJ is for 280.

[scoot]

The one used on 250SL's are no longer available and haven't been for quite a while. You might get lucky and find one now and then but I haven't seen anything in a while. I think this is the AN type.
 AC is for 230SL and AJ is for 280.

So where can I find a picture of AC?  Or does it look the same as AN, but inside there is a foglight on AC and not on AN?  If I have the backs of an AN, can I put the front of an AC on it?  Are the fronts that I reference in the ebay auctions above ANs? 

[scoot]

The one I bought on ebay is "AC".  It looks like the ones on my car.  I need to see of the front ones that are currently on ebay are AC or AN.  Do they look the same except for the stamping?

[Bob G]

European headlight  assemblies have climbed in price in just 3 year from $1,500 a set to $3,500 a set. It is all part of the journey of owning a renowned classic touring car from Mercedes-Benz. Be  thankful you do not own a 300SL gullwing or Roaster. We are small fries compaired to the Gullwing group in spending.

Bob Geco