i could use some advice on whether to get e codes or depo replacement headlights. e codes are twice the price but are they worth it in quality and longevity or is it just for the aesthetic preference? ill link the two products im looking at but has anyone had any major issues with either of them or any info on which is better?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vol...lights#reviews
https://jpauto.com/1993-volvo-240-he...waAr7PEALw_wcB

 

Depo are plastic Asian aftermarket, Ecodes should be glass European, you decide, all things being equal the Ecodes are better but pricier. If you don't want to spend the $ or you can't, then Depo is the way to go. If you are an enthusiast then the Ecodes are for you.

 

assuming you've at least had one or the other, any complaints about them? i can spend the money on the e codes but if it isnt worth it then id rather not. should i be at all worried about glass headlights breaking? ive never really heard of glass headlights

 

Plastic lights are a recent thing, they are cheap to make and easier to work with. They yellow, fade, and deteriorate with time and UV light, that's why classic Volvo people don't like them. When euro cars were modified for the US market the makers had to adapt them in a hurry and so plastics were easier. Glass breaks, sure, so does plastic but glass looks better, cleaner and offers better visibility. I am sure some will argue and probably modern plastics are better since "everybody" is using them now but in 20-30 years time who knows how even these new plastics will age...

 

should i be at all worried about the glass breaking or cracking when installing or just generally being more fragile?

 

FWIW the Depo plastic lights use better plastic than the US Volvo factory lights, and are less prone to UV yellowing and hazing. I've used Depo replacements on both the late 240 "TV Panel" lights, and on a 92 740 which had the single rectangular plastic lights (also on a couple Mercedes model 124's (early 90s E class), and on a Toyota Tacoma). in all cases, the lights fit nearly as well as factory, and worked as well or better than the US DOT lights they replaced.

Glass headlights are indeed a thing, the E code Depos for the Mercedes are glass, as are the stock Mercedes US DOT lights for the pre and post facelift 124's.

 

Well, the OEM lights lasted 30 years, the Asian ones who knows? I doubt they will go that long so any statement about longevity is just an opinion. All new things are shiny!

 

Cars had glass headlights for years so I don't think the glass is any more prone to breakage vs. the plastic. I had a '96 Mercedes S-320 that had glass headlight lenses. I really preferred them over the plastic because the road debris really etches the plastic ones over the years causing them be be less transparent. Glass holds up to this much better. I did have to replace one of them when a car backed into it in the parking lot but I would expect that any plastic lens would have broken just as easily.

 

the OE tv panel headlights on our 87 240 were completely sandblasted and yellowed at 20 years. the depo's I put on in the mid 90s were still clear when the car was scrapped a few years ago at 500K miles (primary reason for scrapping was too much mold from water intrusion in the interior)