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Hello, despite what most owners think, I actually prefer the PFL headlights over the FL ones. The double bulb design just looks so clean and so..Mercedes. So I was wondering if anyone has done a reverse swap, swapping the FL headlights with a PFL one on a 2020 C63s. From what I understand, it probably won't be simple plug and play, but I would still like to try it out.
⏱️ 700HP Facelift converted C63 S Coupe with Drexler 3.06 plated LSD
Originally Posted by NattyDread
Hello, despite what most owners think, I actually prefer the PFL headlights over the FL ones. The double bulb design just looks so clean and so..Mercedes. So I was wondering if anyone has done a reverse swap, swapping the FL headlights with a PFL one on a 2020 C63s. From what I understand, it probably won't be simple plug and play, but I would still like to try it out.
Hello, despite what most owners think, I actually prefer the PFL headlights over the FL ones. The double bulb design just looks so clean and so..Mercedes. So I was wondering if anyone has done a reverse swap, swapping the FL headlights with a PFL one on a 2020 C63s. From what I understand, it probably won't be simple plug and play, but I would still like to try it out.
Hello, despite what most owners think, I actually prefer the PFL headlights over the FL ones. The double bulb design just looks so clean and so..Mercedes. So I was wondering if anyone has done a reverse swap, swapping the FL headlights with a PFL one on a 2020 C63s. From what I understand, it probably won't be simple plug and play, but I would still like to try it out.
Welp, I had a similar type of question back in 2020 (but for a C 43 instead of a C 63 S), I ended up just keeping my pre-facelift 2017 C 43... https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...ights-pfl.html
The taillights is easier I heard the headlight not so much plus you also lose the 84 LED multi-beam you get for the facelift headlights (unless you currently have the non multibeam one with the double stacked reflector, standard).
Just my opinion but the facelift Multi-beam headlights or the standard headlights fits the C 63 S more than how the pre-facelift did, it is more sportier and more aggressive in a way (imo), fits it much more compared to a C 43 facelift (imo). not sure if this helps but maybe the side amber reflector (only on cars in the North American market) is what is bothering you? you could wrap it or delete/make it clear, I think you would enjoy the more advanced technology the facelift headlights brings once you get used to the design.
So just out of curiosity, but which headlights do you have on your FL and which PFL lights are you talking about? I don't remember exactly if the standard and optional ILS lights were visually different on the PFL, but the standard lights on the FL are very different from the optional multibeam lights. I totally agree with you on the standard FL headlights. I think they look terrible, but the multibeam headlights are a different story. Even at night they look much cooler with the illuminated patterns and the blue hue, not to mention they turn night into day.
So just out of curiosity, but which headlights do you have on your FL and which PFL lights are you talking about? I don't remember exactly if the standard and optional ILS lights were visually different on the PFL, but the standard lights on the FL are very different from the optional multibeam lights. I totally agree with you on the standard FL headlights. I think they look terrible, but the multibeam headlights are a different story. Even at night they look much cooler with the illuminated patterns and the blue hue, not to mention they turn night into day.
It was very minor difference (for the PFL), the first upgrade (after the standard halogen) were the static lights (so non ILS), the main difference is as you know it does not move and instead of two bulbs, there is only one and a reflector in place of that missing bulb. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...b5ed9debc5.jpg
It was very minor difference (for the PFL), the first upgrade (after the standard halogen) were the static lights (so non ILS), the main difference is as you know it does not move and instead of two bulbs, there is only one and a reflector in place of that missing bulb. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...b5ed9debc5.jpg
Thanks for the link. I forgot about the halogen. So yeah, back to my point, OP you may want to be more specific with all the different head light choices.
Thanks for the link. I forgot about the halogen. So yeah, back to my point, OP you may want to be more specific with all the different head light choices.
For visual comparison:
PFL FL
You're very welcome and thanks for posting the facelift comparison for OP.
So just to boil it down in terms of difficulty and challenges as to why it matters which lights we are talking about. Going from the standard FL LED lights to either the PFL Halogen or standard LED would probably be straight forward as those are basic lights w/o any intelligence. However, the PFL Full LED and the FL multibeam require camera and other integration for the adaptive high beams and their ability to move left to right in case of the PFL and adapting the light beam using the 84 LED matrix in case of the multbeam. The FL multibeam don't physically move anymore, instead they have a much wider beam and can shape it buy controlling which of the 84 LEDs is turned on or off. In Europe or if you get it activated by a third-party they can also darken the areas of oncoming traffic as not to blind them.
I have the full LED on my FL and I'm talking about the full LED for the PFL.
There are a few reasons why I think the PFL looks better than the FL:
The DRL being separated from the turn signals. Now the car just has an awkward blank spot above the DRL where the turn signals used to be, and older turn signals looked nicer when it lit up, unlike the generic LED turn signals that every other modern car has now days.
The angle in which the DRL goes into the body line. In the PFL models, the angle at which the DRL continues into the bodyline that goes down the side of the car flows perfectly, forming a uniform line that starts from the front of the car, going all the way to the tail lights. The FL DRL have changed the angle of the line.
The blue hue of the FL LEDs, I actually find it to be quite distracting from the rest of the car. My car has the magno charcoal paint, with red calipers and yellow seats. When nothing else on the car even having a hint of blue, I would rather have the headlights to be not blue as well.
The shape of the bulbs within the headlights. The PFL had four very distinctive "eyes" within the headlights, with each trimmed with silver trim pieces. The FL loses that aggressive look with the softer looking (albeit better functioning) bulbs.
I have the full LED on my FL and I'm talking about the full LED for the PFL.
There are a few reasons why I think the PFL looks better than the FL:
The DRL being separated from the turn signals. Now the car just has an awkward blank spot above the DRL where the turn signals used to be, and older turn signals looked nicer when it lit up, unlike the generic LED turn signals that every other modern car has now days.
The angle in which the DRL goes into the body line. In the PFL models, the angle at which the DRL continues into the bodyline that goes down the side of the car flows perfectly, forming a uniform line that starts from the front of the car, going all the way to the tail lights. The FL DRL have changed the angle of the line.
The blue hue of the FL LEDs, I actually find it to be quite distracting from the rest of the car. My car has the magno charcoal paint, with red calipers and yellow seats. When nothing else on the car even having a hint of blue, I would rather have the headlights to be not blue as well.
The shape of the bulbs within the headlights. The PFL had four very distinctive "eyes" within the headlights, with each trimmed with silver trim pieces. The FL loses that aggressive look with the softer looking (albeit better functioning) bulbs.
I believe it is doable as long as you can code it, it doesn't seem like the connector is different, I didn't really look too much in to it back in 2020 since it was heavily discouraged by forum members to buy a new facelift W205 and then put older headlights and taillights. Anyways fast forward to 2023, I found this video on youtube and hope it helps you: youtube.com/watch?v=X1y68jWEDC8
The blue accent you are talking about first appeared on the W213 E-Class I think then it appeared on the pre-facelift W205 plug-in hybrid models (or the other way around): https://paultan.org/image/2017/03/Me...350e_Ext-1.jpg
I have the full LED on my FL and I'm talking about the full LED for the PFL.
There are a few reasons why I think the PFL looks better than the FL:
The DRL being separated from the turn signals. Now the car just has an awkward blank spot above the DRL where the turn signals used to be, and older turn signals looked nicer when it lit up, unlike the generic LED turn signals that every other modern car has now days.
The angle in which the DRL goes into the body line. In the PFL models, the angle at which the DRL continues into the bodyline that goes down the side of the car flows perfectly, forming a uniform line that starts from the front of the car, going all the way to the tail lights. The FL DRL have changed the angle of the line.
The blue hue of the FL LEDs, I actually find it to be quite distracting from the rest of the car. My car has the magno charcoal paint, with red calipers and yellow seats. When nothing else on the car even having a hint of blue, I would rather have the headlights to be not blue as well.
The shape of the bulbs within the headlights. The PFL had four very distinctive "eyes" within the headlights, with each trimmed with silver trim pieces. The FL loses that aggressive look with the softer looking (albeit better functioning) bulbs.
Personal preference can't really be argued against. We like what we like. I find the FL multibeam look the part and the blue hue is a nice accent. My car is black with the yellow interior, so I hear you that there's nothing else in blue, but it signifies the technology in the head lights. BMW does the same with their laser lights. I'd say I'm much more bothered by the amber reflectors.
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PFL headlights onto FL model
