[W126 Coupe] Enlightening question

[Josh Allen]

 From what I've seen in other cars, I would suspect it's more in the 
reflector than in the lens. 
That being said, I haven't worked on changing out the pattern on a w126, 
so MB could have managed it otherwise.
In some (Subaru for instance) the pattern is formed by a shield over the 
bulb that doesn't allow the light to hit the reflector outside a certain 
pattern on the bottom, which is reflected high as the shadowed pattern 
dipping the light to one side or the other.

-Josh

Mister McGoo wrote:

> I have been asked a question about the "European" headlights.  The 

> specific question pertains to an SEL, but would be apply to the SEC 

> also. 

>  

> The "European" headlight throws illumination that noticeably "flares" 

> away from the oncoming traffic.  For instance, in countries where 

> (sober) people normally drive on the "right" side of the road, 

> (Canada, USA, Germany etc) the light flares to the right side.  In 

> countries where people drive on the "wrong" side, (Britain, Australia, 

> Japan) the light flares also to the wrong side.

>  

> (The lights also "dip" away from oncoming traffic:  low beam setting.)

>  

> IF you import a car (or replacement European headlights) from the 

> "wrong" country, in Canada you are required by law to change the 

> headlights so they "flare" (and "dip") the right way.  Mercedes W126 

> models OEM headlight assemblies have replaceable lenses.

>  

> The question for our knowledgeable friends world-wide here is:  To 

> change the "flare" pattern, must you change the entire headlight 

> assemblies including the reflector and bulb holder, or just the front 

> glass lens?  In other words, is the headlight light pattern only due 

> to the cut of the lens, and the rest of the assemblies are all identical?

>  

> -Bellamy