MBWorld.org Forums

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

Replacement Headlight Assembly

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 13, 2023 | 05:35 PM
Share
  #1  
briansrapier's Avatar
briansrapier
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
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?
Reply
0
Old Mar 14, 2023 | 05:39 AM
Share
  #2  
Tsumi's Avatar
Tsumi
Super Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 114
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2006 R500
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.
Reply
1
Old Mar 14, 2023 | 12:11 PM
Share
  #3  
Max Blast's Avatar
Max Blast
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 784
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Alternatively where you are in the world, junkyard may be an option.
Reply
0
Old Mar 14, 2023 | 12:17 PM
Share
  #4  
briansrapier's Avatar
briansrapier
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
gl320 cdi
Originally Posted by Max Blast
Alternatively where you are in the world, junkyard may be an option.
Michigan.
Reply
0
Old Mar 15, 2023 | 12:24 AM
Share
  #5  
Sallad's Avatar
Sallad
Senior Member
Veteran: Army
Veteran: Canadian Forces
5 Year Member
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 411
Likes: 122
From: Kelowna, BC
08 GL320 CDI
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.
Reply
0
Old Mar 15, 2023 | 07:24 AM
Share
  #6  
briansrapier's Avatar
briansrapier
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
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.
Reply
0
Old Mar 15, 2023 | 08:16 AM
Share
  #7  
eric_in_sd's Avatar
eric_in_sd
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 630
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
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.
Reply
1

Trending Topics

Old Mar 16, 2023 | 09:01 PM
Share
  #8  
Sallad's Avatar
Sallad
Senior Member
Veteran: Army
Veteran: Canadian Forces
5 Year Member
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 411
Likes: 122
From: Kelowna, BC
08 GL320 CDI
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.
Reply
1
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 01:52 PM
Share
  #9  
eric_in_sd's Avatar
eric_in_sd
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 630
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
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.
Reply
0
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 04:32 PM
Share
  #10  
BlownV8's Avatar
BlownV8
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,214
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
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.
Reply
0
Old Mar 18, 2023 | 10:07 AM
Share
  #11  
eric_in_sd's Avatar
eric_in_sd
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 630
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
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.
Reply
0
Back to Subforum
GL Class (X164)
View Next Unread
Oil: 229.51 vs 229.52

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes, average.
Show Printable Version
Email this Page

Advanced Search

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:02 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE