Richard2011

Whether you vinyled or painted your stock side markers or have an aftermarket bumper with no side marker opening, how did you hide your side marker bulb or how did you prevent it from lighting up without an error code?

I have vinyled my stock side markers, and I wanted to install them without seeing the side marker lights glow. Some people have said zip-tie them somewhere behind the bumper, but wouldn't the light find some crevice to shine through?

Rodpwnz

I just black vinyl'd them. You can see tiny bits of amber glimmering through but I think its kinda cool and it's only started showing recently, probably due to wear on the vinyl. I paid $5 for the vinyl, cut it myself and applied it. Took 10 minutes and the hardest part was pushing the reflector out of the bumper.

Richard2011

Thanks. I'll probably go with just keeping the bulb in the vinyled side marker like you. I don't think there's a way to block the glow completely, because I have heard that if you zip-tie it inside the bumper, there's some light that leaks out.

AkaSigFreak

Try 2 layers of vinyl. On a previous car- I used vinyl to make an eyebrow effect and used one layer of Silver with White on top- Nothing showed through.
I prefer to have some of the amber show through. It still maintains the safety/DOT regulation but blends in better.

w204_Generic

I figured I would revive a zombie thread and explain the way I got rid of mine.

I simply coded these side markers off and had them color matched to my car.

Richard2011

Interesting. Could you explain how? I haven't heard of this.

ign92

So... what's wrong with the sidemarkers?

w204_Generic

You simply use MB STAR Diagnostic to reprogram the side markers off. The European Model doesn't have side markers so it is therefore possible. Once coded off, obviously it won't illuminate anymore and there will be absolutely no error codes being thrown. Then just find your paint code and have a body shop color match the side markers for you. I also had mine sanded down, because I didn't like the engraved wording on the sidemarkers. I forgot what it specifically said.

@ign92 For a simple answer it is ugly and out of place. Honestly looks like it was slapped on real quick because Mercedes forgot to add it to US model W204s.

angusjohnjones

I love my sidemarkers (wish my Infiniti had big sidemarkers like the w204). But folks love to mod and personalize, so more power to them if that's their thing

aznmode

That's awesome. I have clear markers on and hate that they light up. Too many lights in the front end makes it look tacky.

w204c300jim

@w204_Generic: If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost for the body shop to paint your sidemarkers? Thanks in advance!

Mr.Mango

Solder a diode resistor to 2 connector blades, install in place of the 194 bulbs. Did that for those hideous eyelid lights and no error codes.

ickdeep

I just used plastic dip on them. They have lastest over a year so far

w204c300jim

@ickdeep: but my car is steel grey

w204c300jim

i would assume it would be possible to have the sidemarkers actually painted? i have clear ones right now.

Richard2011

I was wondering if something like this was possible. Do they sell these already made somewhere?

w204_Generic

$150 all together, including labor.

bigigg

Best looking is to paint match the rest of the car, and don't let the bulb shine thru.. easy fix is to tape up the bulb with black electric tape.

Citation Driver

Can you post a picture with the lights illuminated? Do they have the chrome bulbs? I'm interested if they 'show' amber when on. I purchased a pair but haven't found a shop to install them yet. At 76 it's too much for me to tackle. Thanks.

w204_Generic

Here is a picture of mine:

w204c300jim

@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.

aznmode

Looks good Did you black out your headlights too?

w204_Generic

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:

w204c300jim

what exactly did lightwerkz do to your headlights? thats a really clean beam! im jelly O: were your headlights OEM halogen ones?

w204_Generic

Look what I said above. Yes, they were halogen headlights.