550 Maranello headlight surround

[Ian Roberts 86]

I am looking at a 1999 550, the car is LHD in Germany and in very good overall condition however the rubber seal around both front headlights has perished so much it almost crumbles to the touch. While it all looks they are going to need replacing soon. Does anyone elses 550 suffer from this or is it a known issue or is it just one of those things ?

[johnnyreggae]

My recollection is they are not very well located so they flap about and perish - about a hundred quid each I believe - actually thinking about it that may be the 575 so it could be the seal on the 550 is not a separate item (and it as changed when xenon introduced)

Edited by johnnyreggae on Thursday 2nd October 09:37

[grondo]

My 1999 550 has the same problem. Parts available from Eurospares £100 per side.

65515300 LH
65515200 RH
Listed as 575 seals but are applied with double sided tape and fit the 550.
I have left the original seals on and tided the edges with a razor blade for the time being and they seem fine.

[Ian Roberts 86]

Perfect thanks guys, anyone have a 550 close to Chelmsford. It would be good to have a look and compare with the German one before I commit......probably next week ?
Cheers

[johnnyreggae]

Simon Furlonger might have one in their Colchester showroom

[roygarth]

grondo said:

My 1999 550 has the same problem. Parts available from Eurospares £100 per side.

65515300 LH
65515200 RH
Listed as 575 seals but are applied with double sided tape and fit the 550.
I have left the original seals on and tided the edges with a razor blade for the time being and they seem fine.

But do they look OK? Mine have slight cracking and I don't see how they could be cleaned up with a razor blade? If you buy the £100 a side parts do they simply replace to perished parts?

Thanks.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I'm in Leavenheath and bought a 550 from Germany a month ago. Mine has the same issue - pop by if you want and take a look.

[Ian Roberts 86]

Hi luke, I would love to come over. You are less than an hour away. Would it be cheeky to see it later today if you are around ?
Cheers Ian

[Chris722]

Hi Ian, I am just south of Colchester and am in this afternoon if you don't get reply from Luke.

[Ian Roberts 86]

Nice one Chris, thanks for the support. Is yours RHD or LHD. How do we contact each other I'm reluctant to put numbers on the open internet ?
Cheers Ian

[Chris722]

Mine is RHD, I did send you a pm I think earlier, guess you didn't get! It said it had sent you an email?

[Anjum]

Chris, for what its worth, they all perish (as does all of the rubber seals around glasswork). It's totally worth replacing the headlamp seals - and any other seals as and when you can - they're not cheap - but transform the look of the car. As is mentioned in the thread - they do not not sit "flush" or seat perfectly. Part of the joy of ownership!

[Cool Hand Luke]

Hiya,

Did you see Chris's yesterday? Sorry I missed your reply. I work from home and am around most of the time if you wanted to pop over.

[roygarth]

Anjum said:

As is mentioned in the thread - they do not not sit "flush" or seat perfectly.

Do you mean the originals or the replacements?

[Ian Roberts 86]

Hi luke, yes I saw it....fantastic thanks Chris.

Luke, I have PM'ed you.
Cheers Ian

[1 PST]

Ian Roberts 86 said:

I am looking at a 1999 550, the car is LHD in Germany and in very good overall condition however the rubber seal around both front headlights has perished so much it almost crumbles to the touch. While it all looks they are going to need replacing soon. Does anyone elses 550 suffer from this or is it a known issue or is it just one of those things ?

Hi Ian, only just seen this thread, I run the Simon Furlonger Showroom at Colchester and have two UK 550's here at the moment if you would like to have a look. Office number here is 01206 808257.
And yes, its a very common problem.

[Ian Roberts 86]

Hi 1 PST, thanks for the invite to the showroom. I was pretty confident of the car I was looking at and after the good feedback here and seeing Chris's car at the weekend yesterday I commited to it in Germany.....and will have it in 3 weeks. Very happy man indeed.
Cheers Ian

[Ian Roberts 86]

Just an update guys I finally brought my new 550 home from Dortmund on Thursday, it took a few weeks longer than I thought due to some business commitments taking my time. I had a great drive home taking in the whole experience....magic. Thanks to Chris and Luke for their help and advise before the purchase. Its a 1999 silver with black leather....perfect