GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

Headlight Upgrade?

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Old Jan 28, 2021 | 08:17 PM
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'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Headlight Upgrade?

Just something I ran across, no real knowledge of specifics

https://www.retrofitlab.com/vehicle/...307#cardetails
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Old Jan 29, 2021 | 08:36 AM
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They are selling as a kit but this can be done for much less sorting the parts yourself.
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Old Jan 29, 2021 | 02:07 PM
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The EVO-X projectors are a great upgrade to the stock headlights. Very easy to retrofit and they're available for $120 for the pair: https://lightwerkz.net/collections/h...oto-evox-r-2-0 I'm not sure what they're offering beyond the projectors because the only other thing you need is something to reseal the lens like: https://lightwerkz.net/collections/b...r-butyl-glue-1 Assuming your current lights still work, you can reuse your D1S HID bulbs, but I'd recommend some newer, better bulbs to get the best results. HID bulbs lose output as they age and an original X164 bulb is definitely down some lumens by now. Stick to Philips and Osram - far better bulbs that the cheap stuff like Morimoto. They're not cheap (figure on $150, but you get what you pay for with HID bulbs)

The install just requires opening up the headlight (easy since they're sealed with butyl), and replacing the projector, which basically bolts right in. I'm a little fuzzy on details, but I think it only required drilling a new hole or two into the mounting plate for the mounting screws to attach to. Well worth doing if you have an older X164. The difference was night and day with mine - the stock projector bowls were shot and the light output and cutoff were dramatically better with the new projectors and there is far more high beam output. The EVO-Xs have a significant hotspot and if you have the option that moves the projectors side to side with steering input, it becomes very obvious.




Last edited by EWT; Jan 29, 2021 at 02:22 PM.
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Old Jan 29, 2021 | 11:30 PM
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https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...x-r-2-0-a.html
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Old Jan 30, 2021 | 11:05 AM
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https://mbworld.org/forums/r-class-w...-retrofit.html

A far better option than the EvoX-R in my opinion. Yes, it takes a bit of grinding but it is not difficult and little risk. Just ignore the initial disassembly part, the housing that the projector sits in is the same on all of our cars. This method also gives you the option using LED projectors like the Morimoto M-LED 2.0.
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Old Jan 30, 2021 | 05:46 PM
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Interesting alternative. I don't mind the extra light up front at the cost of less width with the EVO-Xs, but that's entirely personal preference. M-LEDs would be pretty cool - I'm thinking about reopening the headlights on another car and putting those in place of the RX350s I currently have.
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