BenzManNy

2 weeks ago I went to Boston to visit a family member and while there, I checked out Craigslist and found a guy selling the pair for $50 which I negotiated down to $35 no bulb carrier included. Just the lens. I figured that was a steal so I went to meet the guy and "bingo", they were in new condition. Just had them installed this past weekend and in my opinion, they look really good because of the color of the ride.
What you think?

bigigg

Looks great! you intend on doing more "blackout" mods?

BenzManNy

I may black out the shinny part from rear view mirrors and may do the side markers too. I hate shiny things.

victort

If you're a DIYer, I'd recommend changing the black to a dark cherry. Looks much better than black imo

Rodpwnz

also, if you were more into the AMG smoked white tail light strip look, you can find precut vinyl strips for around $15 on ebay.

Sportstick

Too dark....hope you adjust your head restraints properly!

BenzManNy

What are to referring to? Please explain.

victort

If you should ever happen to get rear ended (knock on wood), it'll most likely be your fault since the black tint/colors is illegal since the lights are not DOT approved

BenzManNy

Knock on wood but you know what? I just went to the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles Inspection Station 5 days ago with the 20% tint and the smoked tail lights and it passed inspection.in reality they look black in the pic but they are not as dark as they appear in the pic. The stop light can be clearly seen.

C300Sport

NJ may be satisfied but any lawyer will take a big wet chunk out of your **** if someone happens to run into you.
Modding is fun but I wouldn't mod my car to leave my libel for someone else's stupidity. I couldn't think of much worse than being rear ended by a texting, food eating, soda drinking, book reading fool and then being found at fault due to a little tint job.

BenzManNy

I understand but guess what. I like them and that is what matters. I am 49 and I think I can take care of the situation if it comes around.

Sportstick

With a significant decrease in nighttime rear visibility, you have voluntarily increased your risk of rear impact. In a rear impact, your head is driven rearward in car, resulting in hyperextension of the neck if the head restraint is not properly adjusted. So, feel for the most rearward portion of your skull, and ensure that the head restraint is at or slightly above that point, for you and your passengers. In a rear impact, your body will somewhat ramp up the seatback, so you need the head restraint to be a bit higher than in the nominal position.

As to the poor ******* who didn't see you in time....there's nothing we can do for him.

victort

Then that's all that matters.

Sportstick

You may have met the minimums of a state standard, but the light is undoubtedly reduced from not being tinted. It may also be visible when standing and looking at the car. However, when a 70 year old behind you in a 10 year old Buick, with incipient macular degeneration, and photophobic with oncoming headlamp glare, is more challenged than he might have been with untinted lamps, the state standard will be of little interest.

Sincerest best wishes for you and all around you.

BenzManNy

I understand your concern. Thanks.

RLpolo2014

Looks good! I would black out the emblems to make it flow better but looks pretty good overall.

Desmo Duey

Why do so many people on forums care so much about what OTHER people do to their own car? Worry about your own car and let others do what they want to do, you didn't pay for their car (or payment), so if you don't have nothing good to say, keep it to yourself because no one wants to hear a bunch of whiny girls (most of us have wives for that).

On another note, I saw those tail lights on CL and was going to purchase them also but intended on sanding off the tint and keeping an extra set of lights just in case. I personally ended up tinting my turn signal/reverse lights on my lights but thats because thats the look i personally prefer.

jimbowmanjr

It isn't that people care what other people do to their cars. People come here posting something they did looking for feedback and then get all ticked off when everyone doesn't love what they did.

Or...they point out something that was done that could put the individual's life at risk.

acr2001

I don't understand the anger here. OP posted here. Opinions, in both directions, should be expected. Also, the fact that what he did is factually dangerous, provides a pretty solid backing for anyone pointing that out. Obviously OP is a big boy and can make his own decisions regardless of whether they are right or wrong. My personal opinion is that blacked out tails like that just make the car look ricey. Nothing to argue about though - that's just my opinion and everyone can have their own.

lsks

I actually thought the guys posted their concerns for his safety and that was a stand up thing to do. If anything was weak was the reaction back...

You post in a forum asking what people think then one should be ready for opinions, good or bad. This is not like your girlfriend asking how her **** looks in that dress, at that point maybe best to say fantastic even if a bit in the wide side

bigigg

I've "smoked" my tails on all 3 of my last MB's. Pictures don't do it justice, you have to be legally blind or close to it to not be able to see the brake lights lit up when applying the brakes. Day or night. Also people who "mod" there car are well aware of the risk/danger involved. It's not much different than someone with window tints.

robnyc

Yes

BenzManNy

I just blacked out my rear emblems (star, c300 and 4Matic) to match my blacked out tail lights and I am loving it.