m500

As we all know the low beam on ML just suck. Without the support of fog light we're pretty much blind at night or at dawn condition.

The Xenon its a bit too much of an upgrade and I don't want to loose my high beam.

Is there another alternative to greatly improve the low beam without inflicting any potential damage to the car? Please advise...

Swiss Nick

I fortunately have Xenon lights on my ML, but on previous cars I changed the bulbs for higher wattage. I assume on the ML (pls correct me if I am wrong) that the dipped/full beam use the same bulb, with dual filament. All I did was to replace the standard bulb, with a high wattage bulb.

Nick.

m500

Swiss Nick,
I was thinking about that as well but afraid this will cause melt down on the wires & fittings around the light. This happen on my other cars fog light. So, I kind of skeptical to do this again until someone can confirm its do able and no harm will done to my baby.

GregW / Oregon

Unfortunately, the bi-xenons are the only good way to go. I am glad I did it on my '98. You can also easily wire it so the halogen inner lights come on with the high beams for extra oomph.

Here's a comparison of the old and new headlights:

springerfever

Probably doesn't apply in your case, but on my 99 ML430 I upgraded all headlight bulbs to the PIAA H1 high beam 55/110, PIAA H7 low beam 55/110 and had the fog H3 enabled with PIAA 55/85 ION/CRYSTAL bulbs. These bulbs use the same current draw but have much greater output. These upgrades as well as Hella 1000's mounted on the front grill guard using a seperate Hella wiring harness going directly to the battery improved the lighting immensely.......have had no wiring/overload issues.....

m500

How much a bi-xenon upgrade will cost me? How involve is the installation if I try to do it myself?

LVDell

Bi-Xenon upgrade is $1-$1.3K depending on vendor

or

Non-xenon projectors at $3-500 depending on vendor.

I just upgraded my 2000 ML430 to 04 lights and it took a grand total of 15 minutes. I was amazed as to how easy it was. Simply open hood, move lower light cover (painted body mental) to the side, unscrew 3 screws, repeat backwards, and VOILA!

Kar don

m500,
Bixenons will set you back 700-1200 dollars depending if you buy new or find a used set. They are way brighter than the halogen units that you currently have. Installation is simple just like LVDell said; however, the 2002+ models need to have the computer set to XENON=PRESENT by the dealership or else the lights will not function... they will flicker on and off if you do not have this done. Also the connectors may be slightly different but I believe this issue has been resolved.

m500

$700 plus for bi-xenon sound outrages to me not that I couldn't afford it, just doesn't make any sense to me for a simple light upgrade.

Would I ran into problem if I go with aftermarket xenon upgrades? Like warning on the dashboards or flickering ects. What do I need to what out for?

m500

I may have a solution for my quest to powering up the low beam for driving. Check out the new ultra slim and powerful LED light from PIAA. The only problem is I don't know where to mount them since I already mounted 2 big PIAA on my bar. Any suggestions?

Swiss Nick

Just one question regarding Bi-Xenon upgrades. In Europe, ALL cars fitted with BI Xenon lights must have a jet wash fitted to clean them,, and perhaps ,more importanlty have a leveling gyro, so regardless of the load in the car or the angle of the car, the lights will always project themselves at the same point. Do the US models need this?

Nick.

GregW / Oregon

You're driving at least a $45k vehicle and you can't afford $700? I spent $1,500 on mine and don't regret it. Taking the cheap route with an HID retrofit will no doubt give you more light, and likely everyone in front of you (glare) as the optics are not designed for the lamp.

GregW / Oregon

OEM systems in the US have these features, but many retroift without them. No laws or inspections I know of prevent this.

m500

I believe there is a law now at least in CA that make fitting any aftermarket HID on your vehicle illegal. The only problem is Cops don't really care or know much about how to spot them out.

m500

Greg, I did mention that I can afford it but just can not justify the cost for a simple light upgrade.
HID was the feature I has to have at purchasing my car but unfortunately my dealer told me the only way for me to get HID option on my ML500 is by purchasing a $3500 Sports package plus $880 for HID. My dealer told me HID is only available when combine with Sports package. So, HID is only a option to me at $4300.00 at the moment and naturally I opt out of it since I'm putting on brush guard which won't fit with Sports bumper anyway.
Bottom line is that HID should be a Standard option on any vehicle exceeding $30,000.00 price tag.

Kar don

your dealer was wrong, that was only the case in 2001. In 2002 on the ML was available with bixenons on any model.

saturnstyl

Yeah well I can't afford it cause all you cheap DIY people won't spend any money at the dealer!!!!!

GregW / Oregon

You're right about HID needing to be standard, and eventually it will, but I bet it will take a few more years. Your dealer did a disservice by not letting you know it's a stand-alone option. If you plan on having your current vehicle 3 or mor years, I would still advocate for the upgrade. It's that much better.