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I have a 2007 MB Gl450 and I have the factory headlight housing for the normal bulbs (I forget what they are called). I changes them out for HID bulbs and it was better but even with the HID bulbs my wife is not happy with the lights. I don’t know if it’s cause she is comparing it to newer cars but I can admit it’s hard to see.
What are my options? Are there any new technologies that have come out for the bulbs?
How much would I have to change out if I wanted actual factory HID or Xenon?
I’ve been looking at changing my bumper so if that’s all that is involved I would be open to it.
When you added the HID bulbs, did you re-aim the projectors? I found them to be set very low from the factory. Did you change them out for HID bulbs that utilize an ignitor/ballast or are they just labeled as "HID bulbs?" Were they installed correctly?
When you added the HID bulbs, did you re-aim the projectors? I found them to be set very low from the factory. Did you change them out for HID bulbs that utilize an ignitor/ballast or are they just labeled as "HID bulbs?" Were they installed correctly?
I thought I did but it’s also possible the aim is broke now I have to check. The HID bulbs do have the ballast and they work. I don’t know if I have false expectations comparing them to my nissan maxima
Replace the stock halogen projectors with better HID projectors. You will end up with significantly better lighting than a halogen light with rebased HID bulbs. EVO-X projectors mostly bolt in to the stock headlights on X164s with stock HIDs, not sure about halogens, but I'd guess it isn't difficult.. I and others have posts on the topic. Searching for "projector retrofit" should bring them up.
Depending on the plug used, you may or may not be able to use the ballasts that came with the HID bulbs you bought. You'll also need some D2S HID bulbs since HID bulbs modified to work in a halogen light won't work in a projector designed for normal HID bulbs.. I'd recommend sticking with Osram or Phillips bulbs. The factory HID headlight units would probably cost quite a bit, and won't drop right in due to wiring/plug differences (the HID headlights have a flat connector with ~ 6 wires) and the need to provide a high beam signal to the projector shutter in the HID lights so they function as a bi-xenon, rather than just a xenon. Also, if you find a used set, there is a pretty good chance at this point that the projector bowls have lost reflectivity and would not provide very good lighting. I put new projectors in both my former X164 and current W164 and the improvement in lighting over stock HID lights was significant. In either case, the bumper cover needs to come off at least partially to get the headlights out.
lightwerkz.net and theretrofitsource.com are good sources of parts.
Even with the factory Xenons I never felt my headlights were all that impressive either and as I get older it seems I need those brighter headlights. Any time I'm somewhere that doesn't have overhead streetlights I simply use the driving lights as well and that helps a bit.
Replace the stock halogen projectors with better HID projectors. You will end up with significantly better lighting than a halogen light with rebased HID bulbs. EVO-X projectors mostly bolt in to the stock headlights on X164s with stock HIDs, not sure about halogens, but I'd guess it isn't difficult.. I and others have posts on the topic. Searching for "projector retrofit" should bring them up.
Depending on the plug used, you may or may not be able to use the ballasts that came with the HID bulbs you bought. You'll also need some D2S HID bulbs since HID bulbs modified to work in a halogen light won't work in a projector designed for normal HID bulbs.. I'd recommend sticking with Osram or Phillips bulbs. The factory HID headlight units would probably cost quite a bit, and won't drop right in due to wiring/plug differences (the HID headlights have a flat connector with ~ 6 wires) and the need to provide a high beam signal to the projector shutter in the HID lights so they function as a bi-xenon, rather than just a xenon. Also, if you find a used set, there is a pretty good chance at this point that the projector bowls have lost reflectivity and would not provide very good lighting. I put new projectors in both my former X164 and current W164 and the improvement in lighting over stock HID lights was significant. In either case, the bumper cover needs to come off at least partially to get the headlights out.
lightwerkz.net and theretrofitsource.com are good sources of parts.
I just put these in m6 2012 GL 450
.
I have used this brand in a different vehicle for many years.
Here is the difference with the AutoOne H7 Led bulbs on the left and standard H7 bulbs on the right. I really have significantly more light vision at night. With the AutoOne H7 bulbs in place. Not fully plug and play however. You have to mash to small house tabs flat on each bulb holder for proper fitment into light housing
The ring grove is wider on the standard H7 so right where my thumbnail is that little tab and the one directly across from it have to be flattened. Then the AutoOne bulb will sit flush and be able to be turned and locked in to the headlight housing. After that no warnings or issues use lights as normal.
I just put these in m6 2012 GL 450
.
I have used this brand in a different vehicle for many years.
Here is the difference with the AutoOne H7 Led bulbs on the left and standard H7 bulbs on the right. I really have significantly more light vision at night. With the AutoOne H7 bulbs in place. Not fully plug and play however. You have to mash to small house tabs flat on each bulb holder for proper fitment into light housing
The ring grove is wider on the standard H7 so right where my thumbnail is that little tab and the one directly across from it have to be flattened. Then the AutoOne bulb will sit flush and be able to be turned and locked in to the headlight housing. After that no warnings or issues use lights as normal.
do these days time to warm up? I got some HID bulbs that take a moment to heat up
Now with the AutoOne H7 bulbs in place for over one week. They are working well however the warning message for the right low beam appear at times even though the bulb are is on and working. Arrow up disregards the message and I will live with that for now.
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So they are not fully plug and play in the GL450.
They also may not be full recognized by the GL450 system. For those reasons I would not recommend them to others. Even though I will totally use them myself as both issues so far do not bother me enough,
as the brightness of them is worth it to me so far.
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