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Aftermarket or pre facelift headlights in 2019+ C63s
I'm probably being way too critical about this, but I just noticed the headlights on cars without the external lighting package look much different. To me they don't look as clean and the amber is annoying. I did some research on here and found you cannot upgrade the headlights and get the functionality of the other ones. What about going to a pre facelift headlight? Or are there any aftermarket solutions?
I'm probably being way too critical about this, but I just noticed the headlights on cars without the external lighting package look much different. To me they don't look as clean and the amber is annoying. I did some research on here and found you cannot upgrade the headlights and get the functionality of the other ones. What about going to a pre facelift headlight? Or are there any aftermarket solutions?
I'm not sure about aftermarket packages or the possibility of installing the pre-FL ones, but I did test drive one C63S (in the night) without the exterior lighting package, and the LED lighting did light up the road (dark unlit sections) very well. The one that is the exterior lighting package is even more brighter IMO (and that's the one I have), but honestly I didn't mind it either way.
IIRC, you placed an order right? Is the order already in the system at a point you can't make any further changes?
I'm sorry to say but the new headlights without lighting package looks weird. Kind of reminds me of the eyes of a fly (magnified). Hope no one gets a c63 without lighting package or performance exhaust.
I'm sorry to say but the new headlights without lighting package looks weird. Kind of reminds me of the eyes of a fly (magnified). Hope no one gets a c63 without lighting package or performance exhaust.
I agree. That's why I'm trying to figure out how to change this now. It's too late to change the order (so my salesman says) I was told that 6 weeks ago and it won't be built for another 2 weeks.
the lighting pac seems to have a tint from factory that helps with the overall appearance.
if you sent them out to a company: https://oneightynyc.com/ they'd be able to do amber delete and tint for probably less than a new set would cost (they can do whatever under the moon to headlights really).
amber delete alone is a huge difference and can be diy'd.
The amber is there, either way. That's one of those questionable outdated DOT regulations. Over on the Audi forums, a popular aftermarket modification is switching out the US headlights for the equivalent EU headlights w/o the amber. That's an expensive mod to just get rid of the amber, but to each their own. The looks of the new standard headlights was definitely one reason I opted for the external lighting package, but I mainly opted for it for the tech behind it. It's a nice perk that the upgraded lights look a lot cooler, though. I suppose the pre-facelift headlights probably are a one-to-one replacement. There are no smarts in those. They just have low and high beam LEDs and are not tied into the camera etc., so I guess it should be possible, but as always the devil is in the details.
I suppose the pre-facelift headlights probably are a one-to-one replacement. There are no smarts in those. They just have low and high beam LEDs
For what it's worth the pre-facelift isn't one to one replacement. The Intelligent headlight LED's have a motor that swivels left and right while the regular LED's are static.
For what it's worth the pre-facelift isn't one to one replacement. The Intelligent headlight LED's have a motor that swivels left and right while the regular LED's are static.
I'm not talking about the Intelligent headlights. The pre-facelift also had two headlight types. Standard static (don't think they were LEDs actually now that I think about it) and the upgraded Intelligent LED headlights part of the previous external lighting package. So my thinking was that one could replace the standard facelift static LED headlights with the pre-facelift static non-LED headlights.
Oh you mean the static pre-facelift swapped with the static facelift headlights... That might work of wiring matches. Might look better but still don't get rid of the ugly amber
Oh you mean the static pre-facelift swapped with the static facelift headlights... That might work of wiring matches. Might look better but still don't get rid of the ugly amber
Exactly and yes that's why I said the amber is there either way even with the upgraded headlights. The pic I posted above are the upgraded facelift intelligent LED headlights. They also have amber. The pic is from my car. All US spec cars need amber reflectors in the front. It's the law, so those have to be either removed afterwards, or one can try to order the EU spec headlights which don't have the amber.
Last edited by superswiss; Sep 3, 2019 at 06:30 PM.
Exactly and yes that's why I said the amber is there either way even with the upgraded headlights. The pic I posted above are the upgraded facelift intelligent LED headlights. They also have amber. The pic is from my car. All US spec cars need amber reflectors in the front. It's the law, so those have to be either removed afterwards, or one can try to order the EU spec headlights which don't have the amber.
Thanks! Got it. The amber isn't that big of a deal I guess. So... how would I find out if the pre-facelift headlight would fit? Any way besides buying one and trying it?
Thanks! Got it. The amber isn't that big of a deal I guess. So... how would I find out if the pre-facelift headlight would fit? Any way besides buying one and trying it?
I doubt anybody has done this yet, so yes you would have to volunteer as a guinea pig and try it. The service manuals would perhaps be a good start to see if the connections are at least compatible. This will quickly go from relatively simple to expensive and complicated if the wiring harnesses are different in the facelift.
facelift w205 has new electrical architecture, wiring may be a direct swap, BUT, CAN messages are different and you most likely will get error codes due to missing messages or incorrect messages from the older headlights. I can help retrofit the newer headlights to your car if interested PM me. It wont be cheap though. Headlights alone usually cost $3-4000 new with modules unless you can find them used. then you have wiring and coding. also if you want the auto features such as auto bright, you would need to install camera and that is a ton of extra coding as well. its possible but expensive. I wouldn't do aftermarket as you will most likely get codes since all modern headlights are CAN controlled. SO unless a company figures out all the messages to send back to stock system, you will 100% get codes with aftermarket lights. Then again, to even get lights to function they would need to understand can messages. best to get oem lights or find a good retrofitter to change the led and lense in original casing but that would be equally expensive and less reliable.
NorCal. SF area. I'll call a parts department tomorrow. They could probably check easily and see if the harness is the same.
headlight harness is part of the body harness. there isnt something in the parts list that says headlight harness. they won't find anything for you.
you need to download electrical schematics to compare. i can get them for you for a price or you can buy a 24 hour account on startek info for the wiring diagrams.
to do any of this work yourself you will need to be proficient in automotive wiring and electrical architecture and understanding the system. nothing is plug and play.
facelift w205 has new electrical architecture, wiring may be a direct swap, BUT, CAN messages are different and you most likely will get error codes due to missing messages or incorrect messages from the older headlights. I can help retrofit the newer headlights to your car if interested PM me. It wont be cheap though. Headlights alone usually cost $3-4000 new with modules unless you can find them used. then you have wiring and coding. also if you want the auto features such as auto bright, you would need to install camera and that is a ton of extra coding as well. its possible but expensive. I wouldn't do aftermarket as you will most likely get codes since all modern headlights are CAN controlled. SO unless a company figures out all the messages to send back to stock system, you will 100% get codes with aftermarket lights. Then again, to even get lights to function they would need to understand can messages. best to get oem lights or find a good retrofitter to change the led and lense in original casing but that would be equally expensive and less reliable.
Ouch. Not worth that much to me. May be worth buying some older lights and seeing if they work, they can be found pretty cheap on ebay. I think anything more than that and it would almost make sense to order another car. There are a few other options I'm not thrilled about also.
Ouch. Not worth that much to me. May be worth buying some older lights and seeing if they work, they can be found pretty cheap on ebay. I think anything more than that and it would almost make sense to order another car. There are a few other options I'm not thrilled about also.
i have 2 pre facelift static LED headlights I can sell you. pm me if interested. they would be the only ones that "may" be a direct swap.
Any updates on this? I am currently working out a lease for a 2019 c63s coupe and it has the standard lights which I would consider swapping out if it's possible. I too find the headlights to be a little weird looking.
Just a option for you guys that don't like the amber portion of the headlight. You can always just put tint film over that specific part of the headlight so all you see is black. A lot of people with our cars do it. I just tinted my whole headlights, so i can confirm you don't see the orange anymore.
Just a option for you guys that don't like the amber portion of the headlight. You can always just put tint film over that specific part of the headlight so all you see is black. A lot of people with our cars do it. I just tinted my whole headlights, so i can confirm you don't see the orange anymore.
Any photos? Does it affect night-time visibility due to the tinting of the lights?
Any photos? Does it affect night-time visibility due to the tinting of the lights?
Yes it makes your night visibility worse (around 35-50 percent). Keep in mind that I tinted my entire headlight and not just the amber portion. If you just tint the amber you'll be fine.
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