apg231

It's hard to believe but it's been 2 weeks since I took delivery of my E550 and after 1500+ miles, last night was the first time I drove it at night. The LED lighting package is amazing. From the adaptive high beams to the corner curve feature this car never ceases to amaze me. It had some many "Automatic " features, Set the climate control to auto and pick a temperature you want and it does it automatically, set the wiper to the first row of "..." and it automatically does the wipers for you. Set the headlights to auto and push the turn signal stalk forward and the running lights/headlights come on automatically. With the adaptive high beams they will come on automatically as needed as the light conditions change on the road. If anyone is thinking of buying a W212 I can attest that the LED Lighting package is worth every penny.

KEY08

And the DRL arrows are pretty damn sexy I might add!

apg231

When Audi first came out with the "eye brow" DRL's I thought they were pretty cool. And a year and a half ago when I started my 2014 E Class search the DRL's on the E350/550 with the lighting package really got my attention. That was one of the first options I knew I had to have. There are so many C300's around here with the standard DRL's, making mine really stand out.

tresean1

Agreed. Full LED Lights is a must-have!

zeemob

I have a 2012 with P2 Package. It comes with Bi-Xenon Adaptive High Beam Assist Headlights with Active Curve illumination. They are amazing when driving in dark. My question is, how is it different from the facelift LED Lightning Package?

tresean1

You answered your own questions. I bolded the differences above.

jahquan3

They're very similiar in many ways except the LED's are said to be brighter and more costly to fix if something goes wrong. Although I've read it's the other way around on some blogs. So it's very hard to completely tell what is better with so much misinformation. Bi-Xenon are definitely nothing to sneeze at for sure especially if you have the full package.

DubVBenz

On the W213 forum they state that the active curve illumination for the LEDs simply means additional LEDs light on the sides when the steering wheel is turned, rather than the bulb/fixture pivoting as with the Bi-Xenons of the pre-facelift and W211. Is that the case with the W212? Does active curve illumination mean that some additional off-center LEDs illuminate, or does the actual fixture pivot?

I'm hoping it's the latter, as I imagine it's much more precise.

blegthbloo

Pivoting means more parts that could break. Cost-saving bean counters at any car manufacturer's design HQ would probably opt for the cheapest solution... but I don't know the answer to your question.

jahquan3

I have them and it seems that additional off center lights illuminate w/ active curve illumination. I could be wrong but that's what it appears like from inside the vehicle. Maybe someone has tested it outside of the car.

I've read that it is much more expensive to replace Bi-Xenon in most places but I've also read the opposite so I gave up lol.

raja777m

I can make a video out of it, but, I don't have a tripod yet. so, I'll try my best possible way.

KEY08

I had the full package on my 2010 and this 2014 full LED now. They both do the start-up dance by dipping and then swinging side to side. I assume the LED is pivoting mechanically like the Bi-Xenon.

jahquan3

Ahhh, you're right it does do the rolling eyes thing on start up. It always seems so bright then but once you turn wheel it seems to be a different light even more of an amber look to it.

raja777m

I like those dancing lights every time I start up

DubVBenz

It does mean that there's more to break, but it works better. Also.. have you ever heard of it breaking on the W211 or W212 forum? I have yet to see a post, and mine has been flawless over 10 years and 120K.

DubVBenz

If yours is a pre-facelift bi-xenon, the xenon bulb should actually be pivoting. At lower speeds, especially in fog, it's very apparent.

DubVBenz

Those are likely your "Cornering Fog" lights. I have them on mine too, and it means at low speeds your left or right fog light will pop on when you turn the steering wheel in that direction. Total gimmick and it almost looks like you have an electrical short when it happens.

DubVBenz

That's great, thank you for the information.

jahquan3

Bingo I think you're right. I was thinking the same thing if it was a short or if something was wrong. I've only noticed when I'm parked and I play around with the steering wheel and turn far left or far right. Good to know, Thx.

Tump43

I have the LED package and love it. Active curve illumination looks like the light beam is moving from the driver's perspective and auto high/low beam adjustment is priceless in the suburbs. They are definitely expensive, though. My passenger headlight was damaged and had to be replaced. OE cost for a new LED light housing assembly with the electronics is about $4,500. The bumper needs to be removed before you can access and change out the LED light assembly, so labor adds up. I'm thankful I did not have to pay for the assembly or replacement.

The G Man

Couple of advantages LED headlight have over xenon, one is the color, it is whiter, not brighter but just whiter. The other is the lumens as the light age, xenon bulbs will decrease in brightness as it age, LED less so or none at all. As far as auto high beam, its kind of useless unless in are driving in pitch dark. Any source of external light will switch the auto high beam back to low.

tresean1

I have the full LED Lighting Package and I can attest that the actual LED unit does pivot, just like the xenon unit did/does.
Yes I agree, it is much too sensitive, IMO. It looks like a little kid is in the car messing with the switch, flipping the high-beams on and off; drivers behind me must be saying "what an idiot"...lol

aty

Download the Mercedes-Benz W212 Light from the App Store and see how it works. You should be able to change the language from German to English.

tresean1

Interesting. I didn't see that in the Google Play Store. Must be an apple exclusive thing. What exactly does it do?

aty

tresean1, I'm trying to figure out how to upload the video here or some photos at least.