mig888

There's the man - great DIY . Guess what you're helping me with haha. Bro, you have to check out my garage when we're doing MJs bumper on Wednesday!

drexappeal

We should use the ramps for that install.

drexappeal

Okay, so I managed to take better pics, using my camera phone. Now, a pre-warning for those of you that attempt this, I HIGHLY suggest testing the wires prior to crimping down the barrell connectors. You may end up doing something like I did and basically wire the brighter filament for the running lights on the passenger side taillight. If you're not sure how to "test" the wires or which wire represents the dim vs. bright filament, I'd suggest not doing this or having somebody electrically inclined help you.

Now that it's all fixed, it looks great and runs perfectly. Here are the updated pics:

Rear Foglight not on:



Rear Foglight on:



I will be doing the custom wiring to have dual rear foglights eventually, however, I'm wondering if it can be programmed through Star Diagnose without losing any other functions.

MJ50

drex... that looks cool (pic sux tho)...
u know i want that done on mine....
help me out next time we meet...

drexappeal

You know that's no problem, MJ. Sent u a text.

Gotta pick that other stuff up from you anyway.

drexappeal

Here is the package for the 1157 sockets that will need to be purchased in order to do this:




You will need 4 of these. They cost around $5.99 each from Pep Boys. They are white sockets (not in picture, cuz they're obviously on my car). And you will also need 4 1157 bulbs. Remember, the reason for this is to have all 4 lights at the same brightness AND to keep the functionality of the rear foglight (possibly dual to be done w/o Star Diagnose programming).

360_iti

After about two years having these so-called S-class tail lights on my car, I started to think they looked too fake, too Chinese made and unoriginal. Suddenly my car looks like an insecure person who needs to put fake stuffs to look good.. LOL .. I know.
So what do you think guys? Keep them or change them back to stock ?

drexappeal

It's up to you. If you feel that way about them, then change them. It's funny because I'm wondering what bothers you more. What you yourself thinks about them or what OTHERS think about them. I don't live my life by what other people tell me "looks good" because majority of the time, they're wrong...LOL...err...they've got their own opinion.

I love them after I did the taillight wiring!

360_iti

Yeah, and I'll keep on eating fast food because they taste good. I really don't have to care about what other people (or magazines, or health reports) might say about its consequences. But thats OK, it's your opinion and I value it, thanks. But on the other hand, some people are just curious about others' opinions, that's why we have polls, that's why we ask questions like this.

drexappeal

I'm just letting you know that your responses are probably going to be 50/50. Some people like the OEM look. Some people like the S-Class taillight look.

If they had these in an OEM setup, I definitely would've gotten OEM. Since they don't, I got the ones from ebay. They look very nice IMO and especially since my running lights are wired like the 2005 models and I kept the rear functionality of my rear foglight. They function just like OEM and at night, it's really difficult to tell the difference until the blinkers go on.

NO_WUR_E

Drex,

Long time no chat! Hope all is well. Congrats on the taillight wiring. Great write up.
I've had my non-led lights on for awhile now.
You know, I was driving my MX-6 (soon to be donated) and following my wife driving the 230. I noticed a difference in brightness when she made the brake lights turn on. When the brake lights light up, it almost makes it look kind of neon red (pinkish maybe?) . I don't know if that's the best way to describe it, but can definitelyspot my car from a distance when those brake lights are on. I guess I'll haveto play around with different bulb.

drexappeal

YO! What's up Arnold! How are things?

If you're donating the MX-6, I know a great place that sometimes gives cash and receipt so you can use it for tax purposes.

As for the taillights, yeah, that seems to be a common thing. Switch them to RED 1156 bulbs. It makes a difference for sure.

Noticed it on MJ's car, so I bought 1156 red bulbs to see if it'll look better. From up close, didn't look different, but from further away, definitely 10X's better with red bulbs.

Oh and if you decide to do the wiring thing for your car, just hit me up on my cell or txt me. Or pm me on here, whichever is easiest. After all, your car is a 2005, so it should look like that anyway.

BlackLiquorish8

S class tail lights look so sick on the w203 imo after doing that and adding the C55 AMG spoiler my whole rear end on my car looks updated and a lot more agressive compared to the stock tails and no lip spoiler

ctC230K

are u kidding? you must have bought the wrong ones cause mine look like a million bucks!

actually, every time i see my car as i'm walking out to the parking lot i take a look at the rear and think to myself "is this really my car? wow it looks hot"

drexappeal

ct, you can do my 2005 taillight wiring to your LED versions also. Main difference will be that your top lights will be the LED's. In fact, some of the newer LED taillights I've seen on ebay seem to have this setup already.

ctC230K

thanks drex, looks real nice but cutting wires isn't for the faint of heart. i'm happy with mine the way they are and the last thing i want is an electrical nightmare. i am turning in the car with these tails so i doubt they will be ok with custom wiring and sockets.
lets just hope they don't ask too many questions about the signal lights! i had enough trouble getting that all working haha

360_iti

Those are the same tail lights I have. Except mine aren't LED because I was fed up with dead bulbs. Do they have a more reliable LED version these days that I don't know about?
The background of your pic is awesome, was it in Newport RI ?

ctC230K

I've had mine for 1 year now and no problems at all with the LEDs, got them from eBay and even had insurance pay for them and the MB shop install them for me while my car was there getting fixed after someone hit it.
Thanks, yes it is Newport, RI from the big meet we had there a couple months ago.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Newpor...&t=h&z=17&om=1

360_iti

Newport is one of my favorite places in the new england area, the mansions are jaw-dropping. You should drive up there again and take pictures of your car with fall foliage background.

ctC230K

lol ok i'll put that on my to-do list!

drexappeal

Okay, so here are some "better" pics. One of them still came out blurry, but I couldn't tell on my display. Anyways, these give a much clearer picture of what it looks like. I successfully did this on MJ's car (he just hasn't posted pics yet). Anyways, take a look:

S Class taillights w/ 2005 style running lights (w/ flash) - Rear Foglight off


S Class taillights w/ 2005 style running lights (w/o flash) - Rear Foglight off


S Class taillights w/ 2005 style running lights (w/ flash) - Rear Foglight on


S Class taillights w/ 2005 style running lights (w/o flash) - Rear Foglight on

ctC230K

drex, i'm going to go buy u a camera buddy! looks nice though, reminds me of an SL55 or something

phranksmbz

Looks good

MJ50

drex wired mine up over the weekend...
now the tails look like OEM...
thx drex!

drexappeal

Thanks for the offer CT . When I first bought this camera, it was so expensive, thinnest one on the market, 7.0 megapixels, etc, etc...Thought I was getting a good deal (especially cuz I just need a point and shoot). But if you're not holding it completely still and it can't auto focus the image. pictures come out horrible, especially night shots.

Anyways, at least these were better than my phone camera pix.