There are 2 "styles" european headlights for w123. Round ones and square ones. Which one is better for light output? Why are there 2 styles of euro headlights?

For those of you that have cracked your glass or had it pitted, how much was the bosch replacement glass? Can it be ordered from the MB dealer? I know most dealers parts departments are not familar with european equipment for a 20yr old car. Thanks in advance...

they are both superior than the sealed beams. It is really a personal choice

the square ones make the car look more modern where as the rounds make it look classic. you can also stay with the US spec lights and replace the sealed beam with a 7" round hella light that takes an H4 bulb if you love your plastic covered us specs...


the glass for the squares ones can be found for 125$ each side.

Hi the don,

What I meant is, are the "euro rounds" compared to "euro squares", which one offers better light output?

oh, I don't know... I'm just happy my light output is better than the sealed beams

The round ones are supposed to be the superior Euros because of something to do with the parabola.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

The "lesser" models had the round lights while the premium models got the squares.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Hmm interesting...

The "lesser models" get the "euro roundies", but they have better light output than the "euro squares", haha, shows you how ironic things are sometimes

So how hard is it to get replacement glass lenses for the "euro roundies"? How much do those cost and do you have a part number?

$125 for euro squares lens is not too bad, considering they last much longer than those plastic american counterparts for $60 that crack every few years.

You should also take another factor in consideration for your purchase decision (particularly if you purchase a second-hand set eurolights).

Avoid UK(and Japan, Malaysia, Hongkong, Australia,...) and France Headlights. The fist illuminate the wrong side of the street and the latter is completly yellow (so unless you like it, be aware that it illuminates less than the whities, but you are more visible).

Square euro lights are easier to find that euro-rounds if that is a factor.

I like how the square look on a 116 or a 126 on the 123 i would prefer the rounds.

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Aquilae non capunt muscas! (Eagles don't hunt flies!)


1979 300SD Black/Black MBtex239000mi
1983 300TD euro-NA. White/Olive Cloth-MBtex 201000mi. Fleet car of the USA embassy in Morocco
1983 240D Labrador Blue/Blue MBtex 161000mi

So wait a minute, are the US spec lights round as well?
I'm confuzzled as to which lights I have right now.

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1984 300DT turbo 138k mi

Still hauling me to school and back.

Handy Site:
http://www.dieselgiant.com/

I have the round Euros in one 240 and the square ones in another 240 and they BOTH do an amazing job. I have both protected by "Stone Gaurd". Its not cheap, think I payed around $40 ea, but its done a good job and has held up well. I payed around $80 for the round euros, The square ones came in my euro "85" car, including the vacuum hight adjustment.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

The round Euros are known as "low-spec". I think the rounds give a more focused, less spread out light. (I currently only have the rounds and the US DOT.) Either style of Euros should do well for you.

IMO, the round look better on the gold or champagne color, while I think the squares (will) look better on the slightly darker petrol color.

The squares make the front look squater and wider because of the horizontal vanes under the lights.

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1982 300CD Petrol/Black Leather

So where do you guys buy the replacement glass for the "euro roundies"? And how much?

It seems like everywhere I look, they are for the "euro squares" only.

It would be kinda pointless to buy "euro roundies" if I cant get parts for them.

That's wierd. Over here in Europe squares are much more scarce than round ones...

As a lot of guys mentioned the squares were for the high end ones and here basically 90% of W123s got the round ones.

I am not sure about which one is better, so I'd decide by the looks. Well, that's what I did with mine, anyway. I couldn't stand rounds - probably because they are so common over here - and switched them to squares, which look way better, I think.

So, I'd suggest getting squares, anyway, even if you could find parts for both, but up to you!

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previous:
1977 W123 200D - the slowest car I've ever driven, 500k+ miles when sold
1992 W124 250D - 257k miles when sold
2002 VW Polo 1.4 - 100k miles when sold
current:
1987 W124 300D Turbo - 320k miles

By "euro roundies", do you meen E-code replacements for US sealed beams or a totally different headlight assy?

I am planning to replace my 7" US sealed beams with Cibie H4 domed lens e-code replacements. They are about $62 each.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html

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Ron Schroeder
'85 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
'83 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
Some former WVO vehicles since ~1980:
'83 Mercedes 240D
'80 Audi 4000D
'83 ISUZU Pup
'70 SAAB 99 with Kubota diesel
'76 Honda Civic with Kubota diesel
'86 Golf
Several diesel generators
All with 2 tank WVO conversion
LI NY

From work I got a brand new set of euro roundies that are now in my 300D, and I also have for parts....Also have a set of euro squares up forsale.

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1982 300DT *4-speed*// proper 617 donor for conversion // W126 big brakes // front wagon swaybar // european lights & bumpers // rear headrests // lumbar support // warning triangle // overdrive water pump pulley & 9 blade fan // Too many more to list Dark blue/ Palomino.

1983 300D euro no longer a 4 speed. . swap/parts carr