New with a Question!
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 50
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From: Washington DC
2007 ML500
New with a Question!
Hi, I have a 2003 ML 500 Inspiration Edition. We didn't order this car, but picked it up off of the dealer's new inventory lot last year. My brother has been driving it for a year, but he just ordered a BMW M3, so the ML500 will become mine soon. Because the car was on the dealer lot, our dealer said it was rare that they ordered ML's with the Bi-Xenon option unless it was a ML55 (which was still being sold at the time - last year). When I take the ML from my bro, I want to add on the Bi-Xenon headlights. I already have the updated/projector style (since mine's 2003).
my question is, what do I need to buy to do a Bi-Xenon retrofit? How much should I be paying for it? Will it be a plug-n-play installation or will I have to do modifications? Has anybody ever gotten a Benz dealership to do this retrofit? Or a body shop? Costs??
my question is, what do I need to buy to do a Bi-Xenon retrofit? How much should I be paying for it? Will it be a plug-n-play installation or will I have to do modifications? Has anybody ever gotten a Benz dealership to do this retrofit? Or a body shop? Costs??
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,374
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From: NYC
2002 ML320
Yes it can be done.
There is very little chance that a dealer will do anything of the sort (in terms of installing the HIDs). However, you can get the HID module itself and install it.
MB changed the headlight setup in the 2002 facelift, so ML's made prior to 2002 need a little adapter to work. While the 2002-onward ML's do not need the adapter, they need something else for the HID's to work - the AAM (on-board computer) needs to be updated - by the dealer. So you can physically install them yourself and then you'll have to go to the dealer to have them program the computer to adjust.
In terms of pricing, I haven't been on the lookup for the HID's for quite a while, so I don't know the current pricing situation. Perhaps someone else knows better.....also, I remember someone writing up a little tutorial with pictures on how to install the units - I'll try to find it...
There is very little chance that a dealer will do anything of the sort (in terms of installing the HIDs). However, you can get the HID module itself and install it.
MB changed the headlight setup in the 2002 facelift, so ML's made prior to 2002 need a little adapter to work. While the 2002-onward ML's do not need the adapter, they need something else for the HID's to work - the AAM (on-board computer) needs to be updated - by the dealer. So you can physically install them yourself and then you'll have to go to the dealer to have them program the computer to adjust.
In terms of pricing, I haven't been on the lookup for the HID's for quite a while, so I don't know the current pricing situation. Perhaps someone else knows better.....also, I remember someone writing up a little tutorial with pictures on how to install the units - I'll try to find it...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
From what I understand you can do it but the self leveling will not work as more parts are required for that and they are difficult if not impossible to retrofit
