HIDS on my 08 ml350.... smart idea?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 ml 350
HIDS on my 08 ml350.... smart idea?
I am currently not satisfied with my headlights on my car. Im thinking of putting aftermarket hids on my low beams and fogs. Has anyone done this before? Is it a smart idea?
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
2008 ML350 4matic
I have had them almost 2 years now, love em, couldn't imagine driving without them. I did not do the fogs, the low beams were plenty bright enough. I got a cheap pair of chinese junk fog light bulbs of eBay for like 10 bucks to match the white color(5000k). They look great, still going. You should consider matching the parking lights too for the full front end look. I also changed my license plate lights to LEDs to match the all white light look.
#5
Super Member
I will be doing this on my 2007 soon, I have the kit, just don't have the time to do the install, life get's in the way sometime......lol
I will post pics, once I have it completed, however it will be at a minimum of one month from now.....going to try and have it done before the snow starts to fly.....
I will post pics, once I have it completed, however it will be at a minimum of one month from now.....going to try and have it done before the snow starts to fly.....
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: N.Jersey and New York, stationed in Germany
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
W164 ML500,SMART For two,1994 C280(5speed manual) 1999 C230k station wagon
I will be doing this on my 2007 soon, I have the kit, just don't have the time to do the install, life get's in the way sometime......lol
I will post pics, once I have it completed, however it will be at a minimum of one month from now.....going to try and have it done before the snow starts to fly.....
I will post pics, once I have it completed, however it will be at a minimum of one month from now.....going to try and have it done before the snow starts to fly.....
#7
Super Member
I purchased my kit from the USA, from AZN Optics, he does a lot of advertising here, has led's as well for that no error install, and is a great guy to deal with, my first kit came to me damaged, probably by postal workers, I told Mike about it and he mailed me the replacement part without any questions or charges......
look at this thread - https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...your-w164.html
.
look at this thread - https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...your-w164.html
.
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 ml 350
I'm thinking about ordering mines online as well somebody at a shop quoted me $250 for my low beams and fogs but I think that's too good to be true and its probably a cheap kit..... and I don't wanna put that crap on my car
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: N.Jersey and New York, stationed in Germany
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
W164 ML500,SMART For two,1994 C280(5speed manual) 1999 C230k station wagon
I purchased my kit from the USA, from AZN Optics, he does a lot of advertising here, has led's as well for that no error install, and is a great guy to deal with, my first kit came to me damaged, probably by postal workers, I told Mike about it and he mailed me the replacement part without any questions or charges......
look at this thread - https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...your-w164.html
.
look at this thread - https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...your-w164.html
.
#10
Yes highly recommended. I use $37 eBay kit with capacitors and not a hiccup. Also did this for a buddy with new e350. Drivers side was a real pita though. On w164 it's relatively easy.
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 Ml 350, 2000 Ml 430
So is the installation simple, is there any drilling or anything of that nature since there is a ballast i assume it has to be attached to the side or something no?
#13
Senior Member
WTF....
"Most roads don't have street lamps?" in Germany? Are you serious?
Ok, Aubtobahn and Bundesstrasse don't have "street lamps", but everything else is illuminated brightly. Post a pic of an inner city street not FULLY illuminated in Germany and I'll pay you 500k$
"Most roads don't have street lamps?" in Germany? Are you serious?
Ok, Aubtobahn and Bundesstrasse don't have "street lamps", but everything else is illuminated brightly. Post a pic of an inner city street not FULLY illuminated in Germany and I'll pay you 500k$
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MI
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
2024 G63 AMG, 2022 GLE 63S AMG
WTF....
"Most roads don't have street lamps?" in Germany? Are you serious?
Ok, Aubtobahn and Bundesstrasse don't have "street lamps", but everything else is illuminated brightly. Post a pic of an inner city street not FULLY illuminated in Germany and I'll pay you 500k$
"Most roads don't have street lamps?" in Germany? Are you serious?
Ok, Aubtobahn and Bundesstrasse don't have "street lamps", but everything else is illuminated brightly. Post a pic of an inner city street not FULLY illuminated in Germany and I'll pay you 500k$
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: N.Jersey and New York, stationed in Germany
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
W164 ML500,SMART For two,1994 C280(5speed manual) 1999 C230k station wagon
Compaired to the States, German roads are poorly lighted, and I was not refering to inner citys, its a no brainer that citys would be well lighted.
#16
Everything is plug n play. BUT I had to drill a hole just big enough for rubber grommets to fit snuggly on headlight cover to slide the bulb through, then use plastic epoxy to get a nice seal. This ensures I don't have condensation in the headlights.
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 Ml 350, 2000 Ml 430
DO you have the seller because i spoke to my auto guy where i got my tints done and other work and he said he can do it for 250$ including installation. i find alot of websites online i am just not sure whats legit and how long they will last.
#20
Paying $250 for HID's is not necessary. If this is your first time it'll take 1.5-2 hours max with total cost less than $80 This is not a tutorial but here are some tips.
First of all get H7 adaptor like this one on ebay. This will make your life alot easier... for me it was. It's difficult enough using oem adaptor. This will save alot of time when your bulb goes bad in the future.
Brand of HID kit I don't think it really matters at this price range of less than $40. Unless you like to been seen as a civic with purple HID's I suggest you go with 4300K or max 5300K bulb to get as close to OEM color as possible. Buddy's E350 has slim kit. I noticed slim ballasts give out slightly bluer color compared to regular thick ballast from experience on same bulb. So I prefer older non-slim design. I had to lift the car and go through fender lining for the driver side... real PITA.
Once you install the grommet it should look something like this. If you get lucky and don't make to hole too big you can get a tight seal and thus no need to apply epoxy but why take chances... just do it the right first time. It should look something like this
You can see here with one side HID and halogen on the other.
Hardest part was installing the bulb. It was just a real PITA to seat it properly. You'll spend a good 30 mins at least on this part. Once you get the bulbs in correctly everything else is easy. Your beam pattern should be same as before like this. This pic is from my previous 08 ML350
Remember to use 2200 uF, 35V capacitors. You can search for a tutorial on this forum. I think it's older E-class section. I HIGHLY recommend soldering all connections. I used crimp connectors or T-taps and they weren't really good as some got loose and some just didn't provide good connection. I had this setup on our old '06 C230SS and '08 ML350, then now '11 ML350. This setup lasted 3 years before a bulb went out, not bad for $80. Good luck!
First of all get H7 adaptor like this one on ebay. This will make your life alot easier... for me it was. It's difficult enough using oem adaptor. This will save alot of time when your bulb goes bad in the future.
Brand of HID kit I don't think it really matters at this price range of less than $40. Unless you like to been seen as a civic with purple HID's I suggest you go with 4300K or max 5300K bulb to get as close to OEM color as possible. Buddy's E350 has slim kit. I noticed slim ballasts give out slightly bluer color compared to regular thick ballast from experience on same bulb. So I prefer older non-slim design. I had to lift the car and go through fender lining for the driver side... real PITA.
Once you install the grommet it should look something like this. If you get lucky and don't make to hole too big you can get a tight seal and thus no need to apply epoxy but why take chances... just do it the right first time. It should look something like this
You can see here with one side HID and halogen on the other.
Hardest part was installing the bulb. It was just a real PITA to seat it properly. You'll spend a good 30 mins at least on this part. Once you get the bulbs in correctly everything else is easy. Your beam pattern should be same as before like this. This pic is from my previous 08 ML350
Remember to use 2200 uF, 35V capacitors. You can search for a tutorial on this forum. I think it's older E-class section. I HIGHLY recommend soldering all connections. I used crimp connectors or T-taps and they weren't really good as some got loose and some just didn't provide good connection. I had this setup on our old '06 C230SS and '08 ML350, then now '11 ML350. This setup lasted 3 years before a bulb went out, not bad for $80. Good luck!
Last edited by KA8; 11-16-2011 at 04:57 AM.
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2011 C300 Sport 4Matic
Brand of HID kit I don't think it really matters at this price range of less than $40. Unless you like to been seen as a civic with purple HID's I suggest you go with 4300K or max 5300K bulb to get as close to OEM color as possible. Buddy's E350 has slim kit. I noticed slim ballasts give out slightly bluer color compared to regular thick ballast from experience on same bulb. So I prefer older non-slim design. I had to lift the car and go through fender lining for the driver side... real PITA.
Once you install the grommet it should look something like this. If you get lucky and don't make to hole too big you can get a tight seal and thus no need to apply epoxy but why take chances... just do it the right first time. It should look something like this
You can see here with one side HID and halogen on the other.
Hardest part was installing the bulb. It was just a real PITA to seat it properly. You'll spend a good 30 mins at least on this part. Once you get the bulbs in correctly everything else is easy. Your beam pattern should be same as before like this. This pic is from my previous 08 ML350
Remember to use 2200 uF, 35V capacitors. You can search for a tutorial on this forum. I think it's older E-class section. I HIGHLY recommend soldering all connections. I used crimp connectors or T-taps and they weren't really good as some got loose and some just didn't provide good connection. I had this setup on our old '06 C230SS and '08 ML350, then now '11 ML350. This setup lasted 3 years before a bulb went out, not bad for $80. Good luck!
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MI
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
2024 G63 AMG, 2022 GLE 63S AMG
What kelvin is that in the E and in the ML? Are you using 4300k in both those cars? Is it 35 or 55w? I am thinking of getting a 55w 5000k kit and 5000k leds to match my lights. I don't think a 55w kit at that kelvin would be blue because would't that wash out a lot of the color and have just a pure white look? I can't make up my mind as to what kelvin to get.
#25
I'm getting the DDM kit 55W, what parts do I need because it's asking me at checkout?I thought the HID "kit" includes everything? I've heard I'll need the error eliminator but what about the rest?
HID Harness
Error Eliminator
Adaptor cables
HID Harness
Error Eliminator
Adaptor cables