Thinking about tinting my front headlights...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 422
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From: Lafayette, LA
2011 E550
Thinking about tinting my front headlights...
Thinking about doing it professionally with one layer looking like this pics below of the new 5 series...
what do you guys think? Would this effect my bright light output much?
I'm also having my middle lower lip being CF wrapped too...
what do you guys think? Would this effect my bright light output much?
I'm also having my middle lower lip being CF wrapped too...
Last edited by Yosheego; Oct 18, 2011 at 09:47 PM.
Out Of Control!!
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Thought about it too, problem is, even slightly too dark and it looks ghetto/cheap/cheesy to me. Not to mention, even with VERY light Tint, you will diminish light output, tried and tested by me (my W220 had tinted headlights for a short bit, also my old Mustang had CF Tinted covers over its headlights). If you have halogens, they're already low output enough, and with HID's, you're hampering those expensive and beautiful crisp lights to perform like or worse than halogens.
IMO, if you do it, get the lightest tint possible, however, don't be surprised if you see a purple or pink or brown hue (they vary) to the tint.
If you're serious about it, do it the real way, i.e the way M-B does it on the E63: Paint the inside housings black. Only drawback to that is potentially messing up sealing it back up, and inviting in dust/dirt/condensation in there.
IMO, if you do it, get the lightest tint possible, however, don't be surprised if you see a purple or pink or brown hue (they vary) to the tint.
If you're serious about it, do it the real way, i.e the way M-B does it on the E63: Paint the inside housings black. Only drawback to that is potentially messing up sealing it back up, and inviting in dust/dirt/condensation in there.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 422
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From: Lafayette, LA
2011 E550
Yeh I thought about taking it apart, but I wasn't experience enough to do it. Never took that color hue into consideration. I'm going to talk to the painters and see if they know about the possible colors.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Bay Area
2010 E350 Sedan
I had mine tinted...but the tint has a tad of a yellow hue. I don't have the HID package, so lights are pretty dull. I'm planning to add HID's and replace the current tint with the clearer smoked tint (no yellow)...the yellow hue just annoys me...I do like the look...
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Why would you want to diminish your vision just to look "cool?"
Just to make sure that you know, but any covering on your headlights violates FMVSS 108 - the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Specifications.
Just to make sure that you know, but any covering on your headlights violates FMVSS 108 - the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Specifications.
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From: Mercer Island, WA
E500 "The Diplomat" W211
It wont affect light output very much if you paint the inside of the light itself, like the pic I attached. If you put a tint film over the whole light itself tho it will affect some of the output. If you are going to do it, paint the inside it looks way greater!
http://www.gotbroken.com/2007-art-gt...t-details-view
http://www.gotbroken.com/2007-art-gt...t-details-view
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
I'd steer clear of the tint..........the 63's are nice because of why KA mentioned....
them being painted inside, thus also conforming to the DOT rules......
that reminds me, I'm up for inspection on my 550......these side markers might trip me up a little when it comes to passing, maybe I'll just go find some reflective orange tape, cover 'em, and hope they don't say chit about them, haha
them being painted inside, thus also conforming to the DOT rules......
that reminds me, I'm up for inspection on my 550......these side markers might trip me up a little when it comes to passing, maybe I'll just go find some reflective orange tape, cover 'em, and hope they don't say chit about them, haha
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
I'd steer clear of the tint..........the 63's are nice because of why KA mentioned....
them being painted inside, thus also conforming to the DOT rules......
that reminds me, I'm up for inspection on my 550......these side markers might trip me up a little when it comes to passing, maybe I'll just go find some reflective orange tape, cover 'em, and hope they don't say chit about them, haha
them being painted inside, thus also conforming to the DOT rules......
that reminds me, I'm up for inspection on my 550......these side markers might trip me up a little when it comes to passing, maybe I'll just go find some reflective orange tape, cover 'em, and hope they don't say chit about them, haha
Please report back
MBWorld God!
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
already got it passed
wasn't an issue, I did have to show him how to start it and put it gear though...makes me nervous as hell when non benz drivers drive, or might drive my car....LOL.......
wasn't an issue, I did have to show him how to start it and put it gear though...makes me nervous as hell when non benz drivers drive, or might drive my car....LOL.......
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Joined: May 2010
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From: So. Cal.
Current: 2011 W212 Previous: 2008 W211 2006 550 2001 Rover 1997 W210
That bimmer looks sick. Had a 550 when it first came out and loved it. Didn't even find the need to mod it as it was sporty enough for me.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Yeah that's a nice F10. If I had an F10 it would look just like that, except for the Tinted headlights and black wheels (basically, it would be an exact packaged replica of my current car in Bimmer form. 
).
The F10 is like the W211, a bit dull and passive in normal guises, but with the highest exterior Option setting, and some slight clean-up mods, it brings out the dynamic elements.
).The F10 is like the W211, a bit dull and passive in normal guises, but with the highest exterior Option setting, and some slight clean-up mods, it brings out the dynamic elements.
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2005 Audi S4 MT6
In the Audi crowd we have a thing called the "Joey Mod". Weird name I know but it's named after the first guy to do it. Basically you separate the lens from the housing and you paint all the chrome bits black or well, any color you want.
Not sure if you want to try this on a brand new car, but I say do it. Someone needs to do something bold on the Mercedes world!!
Not sure if you want to try this on a brand new car, but I say do it. Someone needs to do something bold on the Mercedes world!!
Member
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From: Mercer Island, WA
E500 "The Diplomat" W211
That new F10 BMW is one of the sexiest cars ive seen in a long time (except my w211). I guess they are making up for lost time because the old 5 series was ugly as a mo fo
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
is it for looks I am guessing? I am getting my headlights painted and swapping out the lens for a acura TL or S2000 lens for better output for $300. I think that would be your best bet. These tints can hurt your headlights also by leaving sticky stuff...Mine are currently tinted so I know. Will be painting mine Euro gunmetal over winter
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 422
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From: Lafayette, LA
2011 E550
hmmm...maybe i will do it! i mean, i did pull apart my brother's Honda Accord headlight, doing the TL conversion (didn't go to well), so same concept i guess, just a little scared because mine has the turning headlights and all the goodies vs the accord lights....plus it will keep my lights nice, bright and crisp.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Especially if you have P2 (on an aesthetic level, as with P1 Halogens, tinting your headlights is incredibly foolish on a functionality/safety level), you don't want to turn your expensive and crisp Xenons into dull Halogens by putting cheap tint over them. I'd go the paint round, if you can stomach it (you don't want to mess up those light$$$$).
Think of it this way, if you do mess up the lights, then it's a perfect excuse to get E63 headlights, as they're tinted the right way (black painted inner housings).
Or, just tough it out for a couple more years, and wait until M-B releases the facelifted E-Class, which will inevitably have highly designed, LED headlights as the P2 Option (following suit with their latest offerings).
Think of it this way, if you do mess up the lights, then it's a perfect excuse to get E63 headlights, as they're tinted the right way (black painted inner housings).
Or, just tough it out for a couple more years, and wait until M-B releases the facelifted E-Class, which will inevitably have highly designed, LED headlights as the P2 Option (following suit with their latest offerings).
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E550 2010
I think its lame. Style over substance is not cool in my book. You are diminishing your cars function and you're treating it like a civic.
