Clear Side Markers?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 262
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From: Tampa, Florida
2007 ML 320CDI
Clear Side Markers?
I still can't get any rest thinking about the ridiculous yellow side bumper markers day and night. I noticed that many people prefer body color, but I will tell you that with silver for example, one can still see the light through the painted marker. I guess the paint layer is too thin. Also, you can never quite get the clean looks of a Euro bumper. That's why I am in favor of clear ones. If you like clear like myself, let's get together as a group and have someone make a mold and produce 100-200 of those if possible. It can't be that difficult; most clear lenses on EBAY come from SouthEast Asia and sell for pennies. If we don't take initiative, it will take 2 years before we see them on the market...Anyone know how lenses are made? I guess having a mold would be a good start...
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
W221-S550
These side markers are my pet peeve. First, in the C219, there is no Euro rub strip as in the E class W211. It is a BIG job to change the whole front end just to get rid of those dang orange markers.
I agree also that clear markers are better than body color in North American spec cars. I mean the cut out is already there. As I said in another post earlier, don't hold your breath for clear markers. I had a '03 W211-E55 and I search the internet constantly for them and there is none. None I have moved on to the CLS55 already.
If you look at sites where these clear markers are sold, NOW they are just coming out with some choices for the W210 model, almost 3 years after they stop production.
I am all in if aniantchev wants to pursue getting some custom made. I am definitely IN!!
With the body color side markers, I believe one can get "dummy bulbs" where basically its a resistor to create a resistance so that the ECU will not read a burnt bulb-if one decides to have the side markers not lighted up by pulling the bulb out. Other fixes I've read include wrapping the bulb in heat resistant tape, but it appears to be a non satisfactory fix to me
I agree also that clear markers are better than body color in North American spec cars. I mean the cut out is already there. As I said in another post earlier, don't hold your breath for clear markers. I had a '03 W211-E55 and I search the internet constantly for them and there is none. None I have moved on to the CLS55 already.
If you look at sites where these clear markers are sold, NOW they are just coming out with some choices for the W210 model, almost 3 years after they stop production.
I am all in if aniantchev wants to pursue getting some custom made. I am definitely IN!!
With the body color side markers, I believe one can get "dummy bulbs" where basically its a resistor to create a resistance so that the ECU will not read a burnt bulb-if one decides to have the side markers not lighted up by pulling the bulb out. Other fixes I've read include wrapping the bulb in heat resistant tape, but it appears to be a non satisfactory fix to me
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
I've never seen a well-made good quality aftermarket clear marker. I believe body color is a superior solution and will stay in your bumper a lot longer than a clear one. If the light shining through at night bothers you, paint the back of the lens with black paint before installation. Not that difficult to solve.
And a good body shop could fill the hole and spot paint it (I've seen good painter spot paint stuff and match perfectly... and I am pretty picky, which is why I settle for something lower quality... it's just too tough to get good work done without good recommendations). That would be cheaper and a lot less work than a new bumper. Well, I don't think it's that much work to change the bumper, but a lot of people are fazed by it.
-s-
And a good body shop could fill the hole and spot paint it (I've seen good painter spot paint stuff and match perfectly... and I am pretty picky, which is why I settle for something lower quality... it's just too tough to get good work done without good recommendations). That would be cheaper and a lot less work than a new bumper. Well, I don't think it's that much work to change the bumper, but a lot of people are fazed by it.
-s-
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
W221-S550
I think changing th ebumper may not be a big job, but it may be quite expensive, especially in a car like the CLS where the whole front end is molded from one piece
Painting the back of the lens black is a good idea to prevent the light from shining through, although it may not be idea for a light color vehicle, as in silver. What about lining the inside of thelens with foil?? Sort of like how marijuana grow ops cover their windows with foil so light cannot get in or out.
Have anyone seen or use these load equalizers fro LEDs
http://superlumination.com/equalizers.htm
Painting the back of the lens black is a good idea to prevent the light from shining through, although it may not be idea for a light color vehicle, as in silver. What about lining the inside of thelens with foil?? Sort of like how marijuana grow ops cover their windows with foil so light cannot get in or out.
Have anyone seen or use these load equalizers fro LEDs
http://superlumination.com/equalizers.htm
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by flaw
I think changing th ebumper may not be a big job, but it may be quite expensive, especially in a car like the CLS where the whole front end is molded from one piece
Painting the back of the lens black is a good idea to prevent the light from shining through, although it may not be idea for a light color vehicle, as in silver. What about lining the inside of thelens with foil?? Sort of like how marijuana grow ops cover their windows with foil so light cannot get in or out.
Have anyone seen or use these load equalizers fro LEDs
http://superlumination.com/equalizers.htm
Painting the back of the lens black is a good idea to prevent the light from shining through, although it may not be idea for a light color vehicle, as in silver. What about lining the inside of thelens with foil?? Sort of like how marijuana grow ops cover their windows with foil so light cannot get in or out.
Have anyone seen or use these load equalizers fro LEDs
http://superlumination.com/equalizers.htm
The resistors used to create load to trick the bulb check function actually put out more heat than the bulbs... the energy is converted directly to heat in a resistor; in a bulb, some of it to light, some to heat. The total output must be the same.
-s-
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