The US pre-facelift 9004/HB1 headlights are considered poor, and genuine Euro '036' lights are both a functional upgrade and a sought-after part now commanding roughly $4k-5k on their own. The 94-95 factory lights are seen as an acceptable middle ground; correct 500E-specific lens glass is increasingly hard to source.
Euro headlights versus weak US-market units
Mercedes-Benz 500E / E500 (W124) · cosmetic