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

Replacement Headlight Assembly

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Old Mar 13, 2023 | 05:35 PM
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gl320 cdi
Replacement Headlight Assembly
I have a 2008 GL320 CDI and am looking to replace the damaged driver's side headlamp. I thought about upgrading to one of the HID units but probably won't because I'm on a budget. Any recommendations on a good place for OEM headlamps or HID ones that are bigger friendly?
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Old Mar 14, 2023 | 05:39 AM
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HID ones won't work well as they come with active curve and need additional hardware. You can try Ebay, looking on your local Craigslist, or Car-Parts.com. If you want HID lights, the best option for you would be to retrofit the halogens to HID projectors.
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Old Mar 14, 2023 | 12:11 PM
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Alternatively where you are in the world, junkyard may be an option.
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Old Mar 14, 2023 | 12:17 PM
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gl320 cdi
Originally Posted by Max Blast
Alternatively where you are in the world, junkyard may be an option.
Michigan.
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Old Mar 15, 2023 | 12:24 AM
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Have you tried LEDs??

My wifes 320 has HIDs, so does my Audi A6, I replaced the HID with LEDs (in the Audi), I was amazed on how much brighter they are than the HIDs.
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Old Mar 15, 2023 | 07:24 AM
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gl320 cdi
Originally Posted by Sallad
Have you tried LEDs??

My wifes 320 has HIDs, so does my Audi A6, I replaced the HID with LEDs (in the Audi), I was amazed on how much brighter they are than the HIDs.
​​​​​​
I did purchase a set of Sylvania LEDs but they would have required modifying the clip that holds the bulb in to fit.
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Old Mar 15, 2023 | 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by briansrapier
​​​​​​
I did purchase a set of Sylvania LEDs but they would have required modifying the clip that holds the bulb in to fit.
Clips are made for precisely this purpose. Fitting them, however, is no laughing matter. It is doable but requires patience and probably is best done with the headlight assembly off the vehicle. Many notes about this in my LED headlights threads.

Once it is done, the results are stunning. The H7 reflectors lend themselves to LED bulbs very well.
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Old Mar 16, 2023 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by briansrapier
​​​​​​
I did purchase a set of Sylvania LEDs but they would have required modifying the clip that holds the bulb in to fit.
Sounds like you just purchased the wrong LED bulb. The correct ones are direct replacement. They also should come with a built in chipset to give you error free use.

Cheaper LEDs typically do not have this and you'll get a dash warning light saying the bulb is burnt out.
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Old Mar 17, 2023 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Sallad
Sounds like you just purchased the wrong LED bulb. The correct ones are direct replacement. They also should come with a built in chipset to give you error free use.

Cheaper LEDs typically do not have this and you'll get a dash warning light saying the bulb is burnt out.
The H7 bulb requires a clip to mount to the reflector. This clip is present in the stock headlight assembly.

However, because the halogen H7 is thinner than the LED H7, the stock clip does not fit the LED. You need clips formed with larger center holes.

Unfortunately, the size and shape of these LED-compatible clips is not standard, so making them fit can be quite difficult.

The "chipset" is an in-line resistor to partially bypass the bulb and fool the CAN bus into thinking adequate current is flowing through the bulb. Mount in a well ventilated area; that "ballast" gets hot.
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Old Mar 17, 2023 | 04:32 PM
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You have to get one with a metal base. The plastic base ones are too thick and won't work with stock bulb retainers. I believe they sell an adapter that will work.
Last edited by BlownV8; Mar 17, 2023 at 04:37 PM.
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Old Mar 18, 2023 | 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by BlownV8
You have to get one with a metal base. The plastic base ones are too thick and won't work with stock bulb retainers. I believe they sell an adapter that will work.
Interesting, because the plastic base must have a metal shaft to conduct away waste heat from the LEDs.
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