Headlights
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
ML350
Headlights
I apologize in advance. I’m new to all this and I’m not at all handy. I’ll need to use an MB dealership, but before I do, I need advice.
I’m 80 so wanting to be safe for everyone. The headlights on my ML are quite dim. The cover on them is very clear. I would like to have them replaced with new, much brighter, but street legal lights (LED?). How should I handle things with the dealership and is this somewhat common for them? Thanks!
I’m 80 so wanting to be safe for everyone. The headlights on my ML are quite dim. The cover on them is very clear. I would like to have them replaced with new, much brighter, but street legal lights (LED?). How should I handle things with the dealership and is this somewhat common for them? Thanks!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 475
Likes: 245
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Originally Posted by yellepk;[url=tel:9247025
9247025[/url]]I apologize in advance. I’m new to all this and I’m not at all handy. I’ll need to use an MB dealership, but before I do, I need advice.
I’m 80 so wanting to be safe for everyone. The headlights on my ML are quite dim. The cover on them is very clear. I would like to have them replaced with new, much brighter, but street legal lights (LED?). How should I handle things with the dealership and is this somewhat common for them? Thanks!
I’m 80 so wanting to be safe for everyone. The headlights on my ML are quite dim. The cover on them is very clear. I would like to have them replaced with new, much brighter, but street legal lights (LED?). How should I handle things with the dealership and is this somewhat common for them? Thanks!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
ML350
Dealer isn’t going to do aftermarket LED lights in my humble opinion (and I’d be stunned if they did!). I’d guess your ML lights are just very “yellowed” over at this point and that is what is killing your brightness. You can try the Cerakote headlight restoring treatment (see my build thread as I did it on my ML63) and that will get a ton of the yellow out and restore clarity. If that isn’t good enough then the dealership will likely push you towards new headlight housings to restore the original headlight performance.
Any other thoughts or suggestions from you or any other members will be greatly appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 475
Likes: 245
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Thanks for your reply! Actually, there is no yellowing of the lens. Strangely enough It is quite clear. About 2 or 3 years ago, I had the dealer replace the bulbs. High beams are great too. That's why I thought replacing the whole housing on each might result in a brighter light. When I drive my wife's 2021 GLE 450 at night I see quite well.
Any other thoughts or suggestions from you or any other members will be greatly appreciated.
Any other thoughts or suggestions from you or any other members will be greatly appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 885
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
This isn't something I'd recommend a dealer for, but I'd start at VLED.com and then find a good indie mechanic to install them if you can't do it yourself. They're not cheap (it cost around $500 to do all 6 bulbs [high, low, and fog beams on my '12 Subaru) but the light output will get you where you want to be. They're about a million times brighter than the halogen bulbs were and the beam pattern is perfect - no pissing off oncoming traffic.
Last edited by rapidoxidation; Dec 24, 2025 at 03:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
ML350
This isn't something I'd recommend a dealer for, but I'd start at VLED.com and then find a good indie mechanic to install them if you can't do it yourself. They're not cheap (it cost around $500 to do all 6 bulbs [high, low, and fog beams on my '12 Subaru) but the light output will get you where you want to be. They're about a million times brighter than the halogen bulbs were and the beam pattern is perfect - no pissing off oncoming traffic.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 885
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the results on your Mercedes should you decide to go through with them. I know they work on my Suby, hopefully you'll have the same positive experience.
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