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Also, interestingly, in my All-Terrain's window sticker cut-and-pasted below, it says "DA4 Exterior Lighting Package".
Which is exactly what it states within the "Digital light Package" coded as "DA4". So I am wondering if the LED turning-off etc are already happening within my existing All-Terrain lights, and I may have been unaware of it. Or maybe this DA4 is a Version-2, while mine is a Version-1, since it is a 2022.
I know that in case of the ISG, what they have in the 2024 etc is a Version-2 (from the dealer spec of my car), while I am guessing my 2022 All-Terrain etc have a Ver.1 of the ISG.
All-Terrain's Headlights Crop of a picture of the All-Terrain's window sticker
Last edited by Roweraay; Jan 25, 2025 at 11:14 PM.
For reference, my '21 AMG 53 has "DA4 Exterior Lighting Package - Intelligent Lighting System, Adaptive High Beam Assist," a $900 standalone option in '21.
It's Euro coded by RJ Automotive, essentially ILS+.
Also, interestingly, in my All-Terrain's window sticker cut-and-pasted below, it says "DA4 Exterior Lighting Package".
Which is exactly what it states within the "Digital light Package" coded as "DA4". So I am wondering if the LED turning-off etc are already happening within my existing All-Terrain lights, and I may have been unaware of it. Or maybe this DA4 is a Version-2, while mine is a Version-1, since it is a 2022.
I know that in case of the ISG, what they have in the 2024 etc is a Version-2 (from the dealer spec of my car), while I am guessing my 2022 All-Terrain etc have a Ver.1 of the ISG.
All-Terrain's Headlights Crop of a picture of the All-Terrain's window sticker
You don't have digital lights, you have LEDs. That's what your Monroney says.
For reference, my '21 AMG 53 has "DA4 Exterior Lighting Package - Intelligent Lighting System, Adaptive High Beam Assist," a $900 standalone option in '21.
It's Euro coded by RJ Automotive, essentially ILS+.
Lights off, camera flash reflections.
The All-Terrain lights have a LOT more going on in there, than the lights shown above, which means not all DA4s are the same.
But that may be just an adaptation for the specific vehicle, to not be an annoyance to other drivers on the road. The E-class being a car with the lights sitting lower to the ground (less chance of annoying other drivers), versus the GLE being an SUV with its lights sitting higher.
I am personally perfectly happy with the multi-beam intelligent LEDs and the incredible performance it offers, for the car's lighting. Absolutely fantastic throw (broad and long) when the high-beams come on (2133 ft etc). This 2133ft is the maximum throw allowed by the DOT, and the digital lights will not add a single additional feet to it.
While driving on corners or twisty roads, it swivels onto the path the car is turning into, and lights up that path. This is exactly what I am looking for. Essentially a match for what comes on my All-Terrain Wagon. An absolutely huge upgrade over the High performance LED (the reflector LED based lighting) that my GLE450 came with.
The additional bling from the digital lights, does not matter at all to me, to be quite frank. And being someone who leans to the longevity end of the spectrum (keep my cars for well over 200K miles), I prefer less complexity, especially when the additional bling does not add much to my driving needs.
Last edited by Roweraay; Jan 26, 2025 at 01:25 PM.
The All-Terrain lights have a LOT more going on in there, than the lights shown above, which means not all DA4s are the same.
But that may be just an adaptation for the specific vehicle, to not be an annoyance to other drivers on the road. The E-class being a car with the lights sitting lower to the ground (less chance of annoying other drivers), versus the GLE being an SUV with its lights sitting higher.
An advantage of the ILS lighting is that it adjusts for height above pavement. It also adjusts for reflections from the pavement, signs and more.
The housings are different, but I doubt that there's much difference in the innards.
I took the picture in total darkness. It's difficult to get a good photo in any case.
Certainly not one that's able to identify the internal structure of a headlight.
I am personally perfectly happy with the multi-beam intelligent LEDs and the incredible performance it offers, for the car's lighting. Absolutely fantastic throw (broad and long) when the high-beams come on (2133 ft etc). This 2133ft is the maximum throw allowed by the DOT, and the digital lights will not add a single additional feet to it.
While driving on corners or twisty roads, it swivels onto the path the car is turning into, and lights up that path. This is exactly what I am looking for. Essentially a match for what comes on my All-Terrain Wagon. An absolutely huge upgrade over the High performance LED (the reflector LED based lighting) that my GLE450 came with.
The additional bling from the digital lights, does not matter at all to me, to be quite frank. And being someone who leans to the longevity end of the spectrum (keep my cars for well over 200K miles), I prefer less complexity, especially when the additional bling does not add much to my driving needs.
I had a GLE450 with "High Performance LED" and wanted to upgrade and found it to be cost prohibitive. I was told it required new headlamps, control modules and vehicle level sensors. I got rid of the vehicle and replaced it with a GLE63S that has the Multibeam. Had the ILS+ enabled and it is great.
The only difference I see between the ILS+ and the YT video "Digital" lights are the animations?
My S580 has a different set of Multibeam headlights that have cornering lights the GLE Multibeam does not. I do not think they are the "Digital" ones though and ILS+ is not activated on the S580.
I had a GLE450 with "High Performance LED" and wanted to upgrade and found it to be cost prohibitive. I was told it required new headlamps, control modules and vehicle level sensors. I got rid of the vehicle and replaced it with a GLE63S that has the Multibeam. Had the ILS+ enabled and it is great. The only difference I see between the ILS+ and the YT video "Digital" lights are the animations?
My S580 has a different set of Multibeam headlights that have cornering lights the GLE Multibeam does not. I do not think they are the "Digital" ones though and ILS+ is not activated on the S580.
Mercedes video on digital lights. I don't know what models they're available on, or if their performance is actually better than ILS, but there's a big difference in technology. https://group.mercedes-benz.com/inno...IVE%20strategy.
I had a GLE450 with "High Performance LED" and wanted to upgrade and found it to be cost prohibitive. I was told it required new headlamps, control modules and vehicle level sensors. I got rid of the vehicle and replaced it with a GLE63S that has the Multibeam. Had the ILS+ enabled and it is great.
I will confirm back if the upgrade works well. The lights will come in today, and the install is planned for Wednesday at my local dealership. The Multi-beam LED units (driver-side and passenger-side), costed me around 2400$. Installation I am guessing another 300-400$ ?
The only difference I see between the ILS+ and the YT video "Digital" lights are the animations?
When they say millions of pixels, I assume the Digital lights are using micro-LEDs, rather than say 80 LEDs per bulb etc like with the multi-beams. I could be wrong. And they then digitally turn-on and turn-off the pixels, depending on the specific animation needed or the application.
My S580 has a different set of Multibeam headlights that have cornering lights the GLE Multibeam does not. I do not think they are the "Digital" ones though and ILS+ is not activated on the S580.
Yes, my E450 All-Terrain's multi-beam, also have the cornering lights. I believe the new 2024 version of the refresh, bought in cornering functionality to the GLE multi-beams (as shown by the OP's video several posts above this), and I will confirm back, once the lights get installed.
Last edited by Roweraay; Jan 27, 2025 at 12:30 PM.
I will confirm back if the upgrade works well. The lights will come in today, and the install is planned for Wednesday at my local dealership. The Multi-beam LED units (driver-side and passenger-side), costed me around 2400$. Installation I am guessing another 300-400$ ?
When they say millions of pixels, I assume the Digital lights are using micro-LEDs, rather than say 80 LEDs per bulb etc like with the multi-beams. I could be wrong. And they then digitally turn-on and turn-off the pixels, depending on the specific animation needed or the application.
Yes, my E450 All-Terrain's multi-beam, also have the cornering lights. I believe the new 2024 version of the refresh, bought in cornering functionality to the multi-beams, and I will confirm back, once they get installed.
How are your new yet-to-be-installed Headlights different from the factory $900 optional equipment?
Sounds like they're the same thing.
They won't add to resale value. The stock ILS upgrade doesn't either.
How are your new yet-to-be-installed Headlights different from the factory $900 optional equipment?
Sounds like they're the same thing.
They won't add to resale value. The stock ILS upgrade doesn't either.
I would never go by the upgrade cost from the factory, since that cost is based on a variety of things. Including long-term revenue from the post sales servicing, and future parts sales that Mercedes expects from the “upgrades” that are built into the new car sale. If you have a need to replace your lights (say something damaged the lights etc), and you go through insurance to get that done, the cost would be around 8K$+, once parts and labor are factored in (the same replacement costs for the “High Performance LED” would be around 3750-4000$).
As someone who keeps my cars for 200K miles and beyond, what I am looking for is not “resale value”, but the utility during the decade+ of ownership. I assumed during my GLE purchase that the “LED High performance lights” are LED lights from Mercedes, and comparable to my All-Terrain’s lights (no night driving done during the purchase). Clearly, a mistaken assumption. Hence changing that situation, than “struggling through it”.
I look at having excellent headlights as a safety feature, and not just a bling aspect.
I would never go by the upgrade cost from the factory, since that cost is based on a variety of things. Including long-term revenue from the post sales servicing, and future parts sales that Mercedes expects from the “upgrades” that are built into the new car sale. If you have a need to replace your lights (say something damaged the lights etc), and you go through insurance to get that done, the cost would be around 8K$+, once parts and labor are factored in (the same replacement costs for the “High Performance LED” would be around 3750-4000$).
As someone who keeps my cars for 200K miles and beyond, what I am looking for is not “resale value”, but the utility during the decade+ of ownership. I assumed during my GLE purchase that the “LED High performance lights” are LED lights from Mercedes, and comparable to my All-Terrain’s lights (no night driving done during the purchase). Clearly, a mistaken assumption. Hence changing that situation, than “struggling through it”.
I look at having excellent headlights as a safety feature, and not just a bling aspect.
I'm in the same boat. I just want better lights for safety. I don't particularly like the updated lights but I noticed how the OP's updated lights seem to follow curves unlike the pre-facelift lights. It's just tough to swallow the ~$3k just for this but in your case, it makes much more sense--even more so when you do the ILS+ coding upgrade because it's essentially like driving with high beams on all the time without fear of dazzling other drivers. One thing to note, the OP got the Euro-spec lights and therefore doesn't have the amber reflector. In a past thread, I believe RJ Automotive alluded to that part of the light being responsible for the curving lights in euro cars vs US lights with the amber corner light and therefore no curving effect but this statement was made pre-facelift so I'm not sure if it applies to the 2024+ multibeam led lights.
I've had the digital lights in EQS and EQE loaners and that's the reason why I really want these curving lights. It's very noticeable in those cars and I found them to be fantastic at night.
IOne thing to note, the OP got the Euro-spec lights and therefore doesn't have the amber reflector. In a past thread, I believe RJ Automotive alluded to that part of the light being responsible for the curving lights in euro cars vs US lights with the amber corner light and therefore no curving effect but this statement was made pre-facelift so I'm not sure if it applies to the 2024+ multibeam led lights.
The vendor from whom I bought these 2024-2025 lights, also had the Euro-spec 2024-2025 lights (my lights minus the amber sides), listed for slightly less than the lights I bought.
I asked them the difference between the 2 (since they sold several of either type) and the only difference from their experience, was the amber sides, but no performance difference between the US-spec and the Euro-spec at all. They did not mention anything about the curving aspect, which I believe would have come up, if that were an issue. So I decided to stick to the US-spec one, since I did not want any kind of compliance issues later on. Either way, I will update here, once I get mine installed and coded.
Interestingly, prior to ordering from eBay, I did call the dealer, and asked them about ordering the lights brand-new. Of course their price was well over double what I paid, and thus I skipped that option. And they did state that even if they wanted to, they could not order the Euro-spec version of these lights (probably a block from MBUSA from being able to do that).
So, yes, you are just bringing your lights up to the DA4, $750 - $900 option. An expensive resto-mod!
"Best Available" lighting is about the only feature that I'm Inflexible about.
Hope it completes your long term car.
Now get them coded.
My 2022 All-Terrain's upgraded lights were a 1050$ option.....the 900$ you are talking about, is back from 2021 - essentially ancient history. Those prices are long gone.
This new light will cost me roughly 2800$, including installation. I am expecting to eBay off the 2024 "High performance LED" lights that come off (not a single scratch or mark on them, at around 3500 miles), for around $1800-2000 (the vendor I bought it from, sells it for around 2100$).
But I think you are making the best out of a wrong-optioned purchase.
In retrospect, I should have done a similar thing with my Macan, which I traded and took a depreciation hit because I didn't like the seats. Loved the car, and I should have just bit the bullet and bought different seats.
Hope the ones you get are actual Intelligent Lighting System units. I didn't see any ILS offerings on that site - you must have gotten the last ones.
You can improve your performance (on both of your cars) by aiming the headlights as I showed in post #41 above.
Last edited by mikapen; Jan 28, 2025 at 11:20 AM.
Reason: 41
Actually the math is very straightforward. It is an option being added in, with zero dollars net increase (or something close to that) over optioning it thusly from the factory, when all is said and done. Of course getting it from the dealer as new units, would have been a totally different ballgame, cost-wise.
Thanks for the headlight aiming tip. That was certainly useful.
PS: Looking at the lights that came in, the units look enormous. Never knew that the lighting units were that big ! Packaged inside boxes 4 times as large, that kept the lights cuccooned under gobs of vibration absorbing material. One more day to go, and the lights should be on the car.
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