Did the tail lights grow on you?
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From: Chicago and NorCal
Titleist
I always found the tail lights to be the weak part of the design on an MB, almost a bit odd looking at first. Yet, most of the designs grew on me, or I at least accepted them, over time. The W212 series, however, I liked the tail lights from the beginning.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Not so much that they've "grown on me", in the sense that I've just forced myself to accept them. However, after spending time with them, and studying them, I see the beauty of them (or "it", as I'm referring to the rear end in general) more-so than before, when I just hated them. Also, with mine, I had to do a few little mods back there, to truly love it, which I do now.
In actuality, they're a modern interpretation of the classic M-B rears, especially the W126 era, and the models that that model was an evolution of, IMO.
In actuality, they're a modern interpretation of the classic M-B rears, especially the W126 era, and the models that that model was an evolution of, IMO.
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
Today, I decided to count the number of E classes I saw in my hometown because I was so bored. I counted 28 new E classes in Los Angeles (including coupe, convertibles, wagons, and sedans). After seeing this many per day (including both my neighbors' new E classes) I have gotten used to them. A week after the new E class came out, I still saw about 5 a day and I thought the tail lights were like Toyota(ish). But then, since everyone in LA owns a new E class and they are so ubiquitous, I can't help from notice how nice the LED's look at night 
Every time I see one, they are really neat
Every time I see one, they are really neat
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
M-B's gotta design the E-Classes to wear well to the eyes, as so many damn people buy them. A perfect "E" design is one that looks better the more you see it, and you never tire of it. This is what legends are made of. The previous E's have all passed the test (some more than others, but most have done it well), hopefully the W212 continues this tenfold (for us owners). So far so good.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Unfortunately lots of cars have that type of rear design.
After seeing the 212 next to many others, IMO you can't really mistake it, as the design, although very common in overall styling approach, is still unique to the car, and very much unmistakably Mercedes-Benz. Maybe this is because we identify it with the car now, or maybe it's because we needed time to see it on the road, next to other cars we thought it resembles (the rear), to understand what the Designers were doing. I dunno.
I do hate the rear on the Coupe. The stately, "Sedan" type of rear looks terribly awkward and mismatched on the Coupe. As well, the Sedans proportions allow the rear to have a more purposeful, regal look, while the Coupe's "cuter" proportions, just look off, and wrong with that type of rear, IMO.
Edit: My biggest beef with the our rear end, is how much it slopes downward. It looks great in some angles, and some, it looks totally off, and not so great. However, I understand their is a functional purpose to such a sloping rear, i.e the car having the best aerodynamics of any Sedan of all time (better than any Production car period, aside from the E-Coupe).
After seeing the 212 next to many others, IMO you can't really mistake it, as the design, although very common in overall styling approach, is still unique to the car, and very much unmistakably Mercedes-Benz. Maybe this is because we identify it with the car now, or maybe it's because we needed time to see it on the road, next to other cars we thought it resembles (the rear), to understand what the Designers were doing. I dunno.
I do hate the rear on the Coupe. The stately, "Sedan" type of rear looks terribly awkward and mismatched on the Coupe. As well, the Sedans proportions allow the rear to have a more purposeful, regal look, while the Coupe's "cuter" proportions, just look off, and wrong with that type of rear, IMO.
Edit: My biggest beef with the our rear end, is how much it slopes downward. It looks great in some angles, and some, it looks totally off, and not so great. However, I understand their is a functional purpose to such a sloping rear, i.e the car having the best aerodynamics of any Sedan of all time (better than any Production car period, aside from the E-Coupe).
Last edited by K-A; Dec 14, 2010 at 12:26 AM.
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From: Canada
2011 Mercedes E550 4M, 2003 BMW X5 4.4i
Really, I feel I'm the only one driving an E550 in my city. I've only seen 3 e classes within a year. I don't a lot of W211 either.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I'm in Las Vegas currently, and come here from time to time to visit family. The E-Class is like an exotic in this City, very seldom seen. In SoCal however, it's like we're all zombies who flock to the same car, they've always been everywhere, from the W124 onward (since I was old enough to pay attention).
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2012 CLS63
yeah, I love the tail lights......and that little air nub that sticks out.........
was thinking of putting a super light tint on the red part of them.....(like K-A's)
there are not many things I don't like about this car, it being my first serious car......
was thinking of putting a super light tint on the red part of them.....(like K-A's)
there are not many things I don't like about this car, it being my first serious car......
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From: SoCal
'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
Agree that the F10 tailights are nicer, but that's pretty much the only nice about the F10's (oh and the corona rings on the headlights)
I also tinted the red part of my tailights and I believe I am doing people stopped behind me at night a favor...I was stopped behind another W212, these brake lights are BRIGHT!
I also tinted the red part of my tailights and I believe I am doing people stopped behind me at night a favor...I was stopped behind another W212, these brake lights are BRIGHT!
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Yeah, the brake lights are REALLY bright. It's certainly a safety affect.... What kind of safety (good or bad), I dunno, but you certainly don't want to blind the people behind you. 
F10 does have a nicer rear, it's the only nicer part of that car IMO (to note, I love the F10, and IMO the only actual "weak point" is that flat and flabby nose). However, when I've parked my W212 next to one, I actually liked, and appreciated the classic M-B simplicity and leanness back there, although on its own, the F10's rear seems to be less of a detraction initially.
F10 does have a nicer rear, it's the only nicer part of that car IMO (to note, I love the F10, and IMO the only actual "weak point" is that flat and flabby nose). However, when I've parked my W212 next to one, I actually liked, and appreciated the classic M-B simplicity and leanness back there, although on its own, the F10's rear seems to be less of a detraction initially.
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2012 CLS63
I also tinted the red part of my tail lights and I believe I am doing people stopped behind me at night a favor...I was stopped behind another W212, these brake lights are BRIGHT!
Park423
LOL, I have not had the pleasure of being behind one yet........but I could imagine it's bright back there........and add my led plate lights in there too.......hehe
I do think I'd like a very light tint back there........
what's the recommendation heads?
Park423
LOL, I have not had the pleasure of being behind one yet........but I could imagine it's bright back there........and add my led plate lights in there too.......hehe
I do think I'd like a very light tint back there........
what's the recommendation heads?
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I also tinted the red part of my tail lights and I believe I am doing people stopped behind me at night a favor...I was stopped behind another W212, these brake lights are BRIGHT!
Park423
LOL, I have not had the pleasure of being behind one yet........but I could imagine it's bright back there........and add my led plate lights in there too.......hehe
I do think I'd like a very light tint back there........
what's the recommendation heads?
Park423
LOL, I have not had the pleasure of being behind one yet........but I could imagine it's bright back there........and add my led plate lights in there too.......hehe
I do think I'd like a very light tint back there........
what's the recommendation heads?
IMO, the lack of contrast of tinted red on a black car, isn't that nice, unless it "works" (complimentary mods with it, or a car that just simply works with it).
An all blacked out look would work with tinted tails, but I dunno if you want to go that route.
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'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
Hyperion, for a black car, I highly recommend actually lightly tinting the *white* portion of the rear lights. I've seen it on a black car, and it looked great.
IMO, the lack of contrast of tinted red on a black car, isn't that nice, unless it "works" (complimentary mods with it, or a car that just simply works with it).
An all blacked out look would work with tinted tails, but I dunno if you want to go that route.
IMO, the lack of contrast of tinted red on a black car, isn't that nice, unless it "works" (complimentary mods with it, or a car that just simply works with it).
An all blacked out look would work with tinted tails, but I dunno if you want to go that route.
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From: Socal
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MercedesSport tail lights
"The MercedesSport tail lights lend your Saloon an individual look. The grey lens and the transparent black edging add a sporty touch at the rear. Manufactured in the same way as the standard components, the quality of these tail lights meets the highest standards and they also comply with statutory requirements regarding vehicle lights.
The MercedesSport tail lights are suitable for vehicles with LED high-performance tail lights (vehicles with light package). Quality, material and technology are equivalent to standard lights. The installation of the MercedesSport tail lights is really simple. You have to replace only the standard lights. The MercedesSport tail lights not need to be entered in the vehicle documents. The MercedesSport tail light part numbers are A212 906 1558 for the lefthand drive and A212 906 1458 for the righthand drive."
MercedesSport
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
"The MercedesSport tail lights lend your Saloon an individual look. The grey lens and the transparent black edging add a sporty touch at the rear. Manufactured in the same way as the standard components, the quality of these tail lights meets the highest standards and they also comply with statutory requirements regarding vehicle lights.
The MercedesSport tail lights are suitable for vehicles with LED high-performance tail lights (vehicles with light package). Quality, material and technology are equivalent to standard lights. The installation of the MercedesSport tail lights is really simple. You have to replace only the standard lights. The MercedesSport tail lights not need to be entered in the vehicle documents. The MercedesSport tail light part numbers are A212 906 1558 for the lefthand drive and A212 906 1458 for the righthand drive."
MercedesSport
We don't get that out here? Damn, Euro's have all the fun.
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