How did you hide your side markers?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 87
From: San Jose, CA
2010 c300
Thanks guys, my headlights are OEM ones. I just had them worked over at by a company called LightWerkz(http://www.lightwerkz.net) all the way up in New Jersey.
The performed an S2000 Projector Retrofit(considered best for light output) with HIDs 6000k, as well as they painted the interiors of the headlights Satin Black with extra sealant. So far, no water/condensation issues.
The light output looks like this:
The performed an S2000 Projector Retrofit(considered best for light output) with HIDs 6000k, as well as they painted the interiors of the headlights Satin Black with extra sealant. So far, no water/condensation issues.
The light output looks like this:
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
$1,500 for all the retrofits, labor, painting, and etc. Then $600 for the brand new halogen headlights he bough off of eBay to perform the retrofit on. He didn't want to be without a car for a while, (no headlights) so he sent over a brand new pair to be worked on.
He never installed them on his car, (he totaled his car) so I got brand new awesome headlights for a hell of a deal.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
2009 C300 4Matic
Well I bought it off a member here for $900, but the total price was $2,100.
$1,500 for all the retrofits, labor, painting, and etc. Then $600 for the brand new halogen headlights he bough off of eBay to perform the retrofit on. He didn't want to be without a car for a while, (no headlights) so he sent over a brand new pair to be worked on.
He never installed them on his car, (he totaled his car) so I got brand new awesome headlights for a hell of a deal.
$1,500 for all the retrofits, labor, painting, and etc. Then $600 for the brand new halogen headlights he bough off of eBay to perform the retrofit on. He didn't want to be without a car for a while, (no headlights) so he sent over a brand new pair to be worked on.
He never installed them on his car, (he totaled his car) so I got brand new awesome headlights for a hell of a deal.
Last edited by Mr.Mango; Jun 3, 2014 at 05:02 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 87
From: San Jose, CA
2010 c300
Well I bought it off a member here for $900, but the total price was $2,100.
$1,500 for all the retrofits, labor, painting, and etc. Then $600 for the brand new halogen headlights he bough off of eBay to perform the retrofit on. He didn't want to be without a car for a while, (no headlights) so he sent over a brand new pair to be worked on.
He never installed them on his car, (he totaled his car) so I got brand new awesome headlights for a hell of a deal.
$1,500 for all the retrofits, labor, painting, and etc. Then $600 for the brand new halogen headlights he bough off of eBay to perform the retrofit on. He didn't want to be without a car for a while, (no headlights) so he sent over a brand new pair to be worked on.
He never installed them on his car, (he totaled his car) so I got brand new awesome headlights for a hell of a deal.
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
From: D/FW, TX
2013 C250 Sport and 2015 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech
@w204_generic: wow! yours look really nice. especially with the black headlight housings. im thinking about doing the black housings when i get my new wheels!
@citation driver: I actually took the bulbs out of mine right when i installed them haha i like the look it has without illumination at night and i don't really mind the error messages. I want to get them color matched soon though.
@citation driver: I actually took the bulbs out of mine right when i installed them haha i like the look it has without illumination at night and i don't really mind the error messages. I want to get them color matched soon though.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
To the original question....I don't.
They were actually put there for a purpose, because real data showed they reduced side impact at night, which is why they became a regulatory requirement from NHTSA. Why would I not want that benefit? Even uglier than a side marker is crunched sheetmetal or the possible results of repair.
BTW, seat belts don't look that great either and they do wrinkle clothes, but I wear those too!
They were actually put there for a purpose, because real data showed they reduced side impact at night, which is why they became a regulatory requirement from NHTSA. Why would I not want that benefit? Even uglier than a side marker is crunched sheetmetal or the possible results of repair.
BTW, seat belts don't look that great either and they do wrinkle clothes, but I wear those too!
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
To the original question....I don't.
They were actually put there for a purpose, because real data showed they reduced side impact at night, which is why they became a regulatory requirement from NHTSA. Why would I not want that benefit? Even uglier than a side marker is crunched sheetmetal or the possible results of repair.
BTW, seat belts don't look that great either and they do wrinkle clothes, but I wear those too!
They were actually put there for a purpose, because real data showed they reduced side impact at night, which is why they became a regulatory requirement from NHTSA. Why would I not want that benefit? Even uglier than a side marker is crunched sheetmetal or the possible results of repair.
BTW, seat belts don't look that great either and they do wrinkle clothes, but I wear those too!
Catless is illegal
Tail light Tint is illegal
Custom exhausts are illegal
The list can go on......
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
And, there are lots of mods which are perfectly fine. It's not a matter of the ticket...it's the possible outcome. Take your preferred chances and choose your consequences. Catless has some clean air impact. Custom exhaust is some added noise. But, being hit at night by someone else with compromised vision who didn't see a blacked out car in time, whether tinted on the side or rear, is a different calculation. Low frequency of occurrence perhaps, but possibly very high consequences if it happens.....therefore, a poor risk and not worth it.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
And, there are lots of mods which are perfectly fine. It's not a matter of the ticket...it's the possible outcome. Take your preferred chances and choose your consequences. Catless has some clean air impact. Custom exhaust is some added noise. But, being hit at night by someone else with compromised vision who didn't see a blacked out car in time, whether tinted on the side or rear, is a different calculation. Low frequency of occurrence perhaps, but possibly very high consequences if it happens.....therefore, a poor risk and not worth it.
When you put on a spoiler with tape and drive 60mph consecutively, there is a risk it might come loose.
There is a risk for everything, but in this case with the side markers painted and coded off, I believe the risk is lower than aestheticly pleasing looks.
After all, these cars come without sidemarkers in Europe:
_Classic_sedan_03.jpg)
Last edited by w204_Generic; Jun 8, 2014 at 11:54 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 477
Likes: 124
2016 S550
I think he understands everything is a risk, but this mod is adding more to the risk, making it riskier? For instance, deciding to drive to dunkin' donuts is a risk, but less riskier than driving to dunkin donuts without your seatbelt. That's the point he's making with the side marker deletion.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Everything is a risk. When you decide to wake up in the morning and drive to the nearest Dunkin Donuts you risk your life.
When you put on a spoiler with tape and drive 60mph consecutively, there is a risk it might come loose.
There is a risk for everything, but in this case with the side markers painted and coded off, I believe the risk is lower than aestheticly pleasing looks.
After all, these cars come without sidemarkers in Europe:
When you put on a spoiler with tape and drive 60mph consecutively, there is a risk it might come loose.
There is a risk for everything, but in this case with the side markers painted and coded off, I believe the risk is lower than aestheticly pleasing looks.
After all, these cars come without sidemarkers in Europe:
I think he understands everything is a risk, but this mod is adding more to the risk, making it riskier? For instance, deciding to drive to dunkin' donuts is a risk, but less riskier than driving to dunkin donuts without your seatbelt. That's the point he's making with the side marker deletion.
We are just drawing the line a bit differently for the risk/benefit calculations we all do. Going about daily life, getting food, etc. all entail some risk. Evolution has helped those of us with more adaptive skills survive, although each year, Darwin Awards are still given to those who's lack of foresight did themselves in. I don't know anything about your demographics, so don't personalize the next sentence. Neurological research has shown that judgement and risk-assessment changes after ages 25-30, as the development of each of our frontal cortices becomes complete. One reason why folks on each side of that age group either can't understand why the other would take such risks, or conversely, why older folks seem so risk-averse. I go out to eat and risk traffic, but I wear the seat belt. But, I don't do the kind of rock climbing that doesn't use ropes...just gloves and special shoes. Somewhere in-between falls most of life. I do use urethane for my spoilers as the added burden is so minimal compared to the risk avoidance of a loose part. The aesthetic benefit of covering the side marker lights, which have been demonstrated to provide a statistically significant difference in reducing night time side impacts, is so small compared to the outcome if an impact were to occur, that it doesn't make it worth it in my mental calculator. However, the data is real and the risk is an external constant, regardless of how any of us attempt to analyze it, and attempts to dismiss it by looking at European cars, is merely rationalization.
Last edited by Sportstick; Jun 9, 2014 at 10:52 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
I see your view upon the situation here. I never realized that you were trying bring up the fact that the side markers entail so much of a safety feature, so I apologize for that. I like the way you used almost the idea of a "Cost/Benefit Analysis" but in this case, a "Risk/Practicality Analysis." However, would you happen to hold any forms of positive observations in our nation, from the safety features of the side markers; maybe a graph or chart?
Also where I live, the roads are heavily lit with street lights. Now, I do not know if this takes into consideration, but maybe these side markers are implemented mainly for the reason of individuals living in areas of the nation that are not heavily lit up?
Furthermore, I rarely do any after hours driving. So I understand that this lowers my chances of a side collision with another motorist from happening, as well as still admiring the beautiful W204 chassis without the "out of place" reflective side markers. In addition to that risk, I decided to get 30% tint film to cover my entire windshield, followed by limo tint around my car. I knew I rarely, if not any, do any nighttime driving, so I decided to op for this.
Also where I live, the roads are heavily lit with street lights. Now, I do not know if this takes into consideration, but maybe these side markers are implemented mainly for the reason of individuals living in areas of the nation that are not heavily lit up?
Furthermore, I rarely do any after hours driving. So I understand that this lowers my chances of a side collision with another motorist from happening, as well as still admiring the beautiful W204 chassis without the "out of place" reflective side markers. In addition to that risk, I decided to get 30% tint film to cover my entire windshield, followed by limo tint around my car. I knew I rarely, if not any, do any nighttime driving, so I decided to op for this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
I see your view upon the situation here. I never realized that you were trying bring up the fact that the side markers entail so much of a safety feature, so I apologize for that. I like the way you used almost the idea of a "Cost/Benefit Analysis" but in this case, a "Risk/Practicality Analysis." However, would you happen to hold any forms of positive observations in our nation, from the safety features of the side markers; maybe a graph or chart?
Also where I live, the roads are heavily lit with street lights. Now, I do not know if this takes into consideration, but maybe these side markers are implemented mainly for the reason of individuals living in areas of the nation that are not heavily lit up?
Furthermore, I rarely do any after hours driving. So I understand that this lowers my chances of a side collision with another motorist from happening, as well as still admiring the beautiful W204 chassis without the "out of place" reflective side markers. In addition to that risk, I decided to get 30% tint film to cover my entire windshield, followed by limo tint around my car. I knew I rarely, if not any, do any nighttime driving, so I decided to op for this.
Also where I live, the roads are heavily lit with street lights. Now, I do not know if this takes into consideration, but maybe these side markers are implemented mainly for the reason of individuals living in areas of the nation that are not heavily lit up?
Furthermore, I rarely do any after hours driving. So I understand that this lowers my chances of a side collision with another motorist from happening, as well as still admiring the beautiful W204 chassis without the "out of place" reflective side markers. In addition to that risk, I decided to get 30% tint film to cover my entire windshield, followed by limo tint around my car. I knew I rarely, if not any, do any nighttime driving, so I decided to op for this.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/regr...te/806430.html
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
This isn't exactly pleasure reading, but it serves as a reference:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/regr...te/806430.html
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: NJ
2018 GLS550
Well I bought it off a member here for $900, but the total price was $2,100.
$1,500 for all the retrofits, labor, painting, and etc. Then $600 for the brand new halogen headlights he bough off of eBay to perform the retrofit on. He didn't want to be without a car for a while, (no headlights) so he sent over a brand new pair to be worked on.
He never installed them on his car, (he totaled his car) so I got brand new awesome headlights for a hell of a deal.
$1,500 for all the retrofits, labor, painting, and etc. Then $600 for the brand new halogen headlights he bough off of eBay to perform the retrofit on. He didn't want to be without a car for a while, (no headlights) so he sent over a brand new pair to be worked on.
He never installed them on his car, (he totaled his car) so I got brand new awesome headlights for a hell of a deal.
