Tinted tail lights?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,007
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From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
Looks nice! 
How long was the turnaround time, from the initial removal of the lights to the re-install? Or did you buy another set of tails?
A question to the forum in general, though. Not to be a pansy here, but where does the law stand on this mod, specifically in California? I've had a few run-ins with the law, and considering the fact that I tend to drive a bit fast, I want to at least keep the car as legal as possible. No need to give cops any more reason to pull me over, yanoe?
Again, though, the tails look really nice. The contrast between the tails and the body looks amazing. I think darker (what you got) works well on that car, at least in the pictures.
As for my car, I'm considering a light tint on just the reds, or on the whole thing. I have a white car.
I like the wheels. CSL reps?
How long was the turnaround time, from the initial removal of the lights to the re-install? Or did you buy another set of tails?A question to the forum in general, though. Not to be a pansy here, but where does the law stand on this mod, specifically in California? I've had a few run-ins with the law, and considering the fact that I tend to drive a bit fast, I want to at least keep the car as legal as possible. No need to give cops any more reason to pull me over, yanoe?
Again, though, the tails look really nice. The contrast between the tails and the body looks amazing. I think darker (what you got) works well on that car, at least in the pictures.
As for my car, I'm considering a light tint on just the reds, or on the whole thing. I have a white car.
I like the wheels. CSL reps?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,047
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From: Toronto
2008 C300 Sport 4matic
yup, the wheels are CSL replicas.
I had Jon's Tinted Tails tint my lights.
www.jonstintedtails.com
He's the best around and did my last car too and the quality and durability is just like OEM (even after 7 years of winter weather and buffing and waxing).
He has 5 levels of tinting from Very Light to Very Dark.
I sent my lights via USPS Express next day on Monday and got the light back on Saturday. They were supposed to arrive on Friday, but got delayed due to weather. There is a $55 shipping charge for Express delivery, but considering the tinting only costed $95, the overall cost is still very reasonable.
As for the legality of tinted lights, it is a gray issue just like blue bulbs and license plate covers. Auto accessory stores sells blacked out tail light and headlight covers which are only supposed to the used off road or show only, but you still see people driving around with them on. And there are license plate covers which are tinted or colored which you could barely see the license plate in dim light.
Depending where you live, you could get pulled over for very dark tinted lights. Some car makers have smoked tail light lenses as OEM (such as AMG), so it is something that is hard to enforce. However there will always be a cop with nothing better to do that will make an issue out of it.
I had Jon's Tinted Tails tint my lights.
www.jonstintedtails.com
He's the best around and did my last car too and the quality and durability is just like OEM (even after 7 years of winter weather and buffing and waxing).
He has 5 levels of tinting from Very Light to Very Dark.
I sent my lights via USPS Express next day on Monday and got the light back on Saturday. They were supposed to arrive on Friday, but got delayed due to weather. There is a $55 shipping charge for Express delivery, but considering the tinting only costed $95, the overall cost is still very reasonable.
As for the legality of tinted lights, it is a gray issue just like blue bulbs and license plate covers. Auto accessory stores sells blacked out tail light and headlight covers which are only supposed to the used off road or show only, but you still see people driving around with them on. And there are license plate covers which are tinted or colored which you could barely see the license plate in dim light.
Depending where you live, you could get pulled over for very dark tinted lights. Some car makers have smoked tail light lenses as OEM (such as AMG), so it is something that is hard to enforce. However there will always be a cop with nothing better to do that will make an issue out of it.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 251
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2008 C300 Sport
I sent my lights via USPS Express next day on Monday and got the light back on Saturday. They were supposed to arrive on Friday, but got delayed due to weather. There is a $55 shipping charge for Express delivery, but considering the tinting only costed $95, the overall cost is still very reasonable.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
Did a lot of work on the car this weekend at my brother in law's shop (Promax) over the weekend. Tinted tails to medium. They look cherry and I love em!
I'll post as soon as its done.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 672
Likes: 2
From: 310/305
black c300 sport p1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,007
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From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
Also, what's the CA legal status on this mod? I already get enough stupid tickets as it is for my refusal to affix the front lic. plate.
Don't come to Berkeley/Emeryville/Oakland or go to the City with that mod if it's not legal. Popos're on it like champs. Maybe I can get away with a lighter tint?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
Looks very nice. Is that film or spray? How long did the job take, from tail removal to re-installation? I'm wondering if this is something I can do in one morning/afternoon while I'm down in the LA area, just visiting.
Also, what's the CA legal status on this mod? I already get enough stupid tickets as it is for my refusal to affix the front lic. plate. Don't come to Berkeley/Emeryville/Oakland or go to the City with that mod if it's not legal. Popos're on it like champs. Maybe I can get away with a lighter tint?
Also, what's the CA legal status on this mod? I already get enough stupid tickets as it is for my refusal to affix the front lic. plate.
Don't come to Berkeley/Emeryville/Oakland or go to the City with that mod if it's not legal. Popos're on it like champs. Maybe I can get away with a lighter tint?I was toying with the idea of a two toned caliper scheme like the attached picture, but in the end, common sense got the better of me and painted the whole thing white and stuck on Mercedes Benz CF decal.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5
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2008 C350 P2, Pano, 18", MM/ 2006 GMC 2500 HD Duramax
Section 26101 of the CA vehicle code says you can't modify the original design of the light.
Basically if the mod affects the designed performance of the lighting equipment it is illegal. Keep in mind that tail lenses are also reflectors so tinting the lens and increasing the wattage of the bulb will still not be legal.
Basically if the mod affects the designed performance of the lighting equipment it is illegal. Keep in mind that tail lenses are also reflectors so tinting the lens and increasing the wattage of the bulb will still not be legal.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
Likes: 4
From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
Section 26101 of the CA vehicle code says you can't modify the original design of the light.
Basically if the mod affects the designed performance of the lighting equipment it is illegal. Keep in mind that tail lenses are also reflectors so tinting the lens and increasing the wattage of the bulb will still not be legal.
Basically if the mod affects the designed performance of the lighting equipment it is illegal. Keep in mind that tail lenses are also reflectors so tinting the lens and increasing the wattage of the bulb will still not be legal.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 872
Likes: 105
From: Pacific Northwest
2022 GLE450
It's spray. I heard film can melt and deform or fade where it's closest to the light if placed on inside. Outside, I saw one and didn't like how the edge of the film was showing. I got them removed and sent out to the paint shop that works with Promax and got them back in 3 hours.
I was toying with the idea of a two toned caliper scheme like the attached picture, but in the end, common sense got the better of me and painted the whole thing white and stuck on Mercedes Benz CF decal.
I was toying with the idea of a two toned caliper scheme like the attached picture, but in the end, common sense got the better of me and painted the whole thing white and stuck on Mercedes Benz CF decal.
show some pics of yours
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 672
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From: 310/305
black c300 sport p1
remember audi a6 lights that used to come tinted from the factory?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
Yeah, it'll get dirty faster, which I accepted when I made that choice, but I wanted to keep the white/black theme going and when I get my black faced wheels, it'll offer a true stark contrast. It's honestly not that bad...Just wipe it off once a week usually with a wet towelette. Unfortunately, the lady took my camera with her to hong kong so I'll see about taking some pics with my phone later
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
