Thanks for the diagrams sleepwalker, I new there had to be a trick to get those lights out without removing the support for the radiator and the airbox...should make this a plug and play operation!

 

In another Merc forum (Am I allowed to say that ?) they reccomended a product to polish the plastic lens.,.... I ordered it...... If it works, I'll post it here

 

I ordered a headlight polishing kit for plastic lenses. It is basically a series of sandpapers that you use in progressive order from grit 220 up to 12000 wet sanding at right angles to each other and finishing vertically. Then after taking the defects out you use a cloth with some microfiber liquid in it and apply it vertically.
I would say that it helped a lot (maybe 70% better) but its not perfect and it is a fair amount of work and time. It took me about 3 hours for the 4 headlights.... some were worse than others.
If anyone is interested in trying it, let me know and I'll dig up the Web link where you can buy the kit - about $21.

 

I guess you need to use it before the headlights get too bad?

 

LET ME KNOW HOW YOU MADE OUT WITH YOUR HEAD LIGHTS. I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY E420 [1997]. THANKS

 

The name of the polishing kit I used is
ACRYLIC HEADLIGHT LENSE RESTORAL KIT
from Micro-Surface
1217 W. 3rd Street
Wilton IA 52778
800-225-3006 or 563-732-3240

You can do a Google search and find their web site

 

I just replaced mine. Ordered from www.autopartsreplacement.com. No commercial plug intended !
There are several sources on the web based on a search on Mercedes headlamps.
Mine took about 5 days to come in via UPS ground.
Headlamps arrived fine; same OEM Quality !! Markings refer to Hella.
Cost from dealer $432.00 each outsourced cost total $387 including shipping.

Ed

 

It does not make sense replacing the head lights for $387 a piece just because they are cloudy and buying a polishing kit for less than 100 buck?
By the way, is your head lights plastic or glass and the polishing kit good for both.
Thanks

 

I dont know if the polishing kit is good for glass..... I only tried it on my car and it has plastic lenses. It worked fairly well and certainly better that spending $3++ for new headlights. The kit I think costs like $20 so its worth trying it before buying a new set of headlight covers..... but it's up to you I have no affiliation with the Co. that sells it

 

THANKS, BUT IT THERE AN EASY WAY TO FIND OUT IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE PLASTIC OR GLASS?