Everythings great about the new ML except the headlights. I can't get over it but at the same time we couldn't wait for a later production date. I am sure atleast 75% of the new ML owners have an issue with the halogen bulbs.

Has anyone found a solution to this? (Not ebay hid kits)

 

There is no other solution. It's either eBay or another kit. Either way it's a kit that will never be OEM, but for me ok for now. Definitely what I want long term. I'll have to wait 2 years to get it factory with my next lease.
I did finally find the oem color bulb this week. So I am finally somewhat satisfied.
It is definitely no match for the all led headlights of my 2012 a6 but there is no other option.
Retrofit of factory parts when theyr'e available won't work either due the complexity of the auto high beam and turning (I believe?) Even if it's just the auto leveling, that requires sensors on the suspension, so if possible would be a minimum $2000 upgrade just for parts alone.

 

I give up, what's the problem with the headlights?

 

Lack of xenon

 

I still cant get ovet that the HID's were not standard on the ML. I'm seeing Nissan Muranos with HID's in them straight from the Factory....a little disheartening after grabbing a $60,000 vehichle.

 

Oh well..

 

Aftermarket HIDs are great. I have them on all my vehicles that didn't come with them standard. Easy plug and play installation. My Prius was the hardest because I had to remove some stuff to get to the headlight. MyML should be in next week(its already built) and if I find I don't like the headlights I will just replace them with HID's.

 

I'm having a bit of a problem installing some after market HIDs.

First: how do you take the door off from the wheel well? Do you have to pull out the plastic rivet first then push the door up?

Second: where did you mount the ballast?

 

Door has a plug you pull out from the bottom, then door slides up. See manual

Ballast,I put tied up with some zip ties behind the lighting housing

Update,
I found a good oem 4300k bulb finally!!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-HID-Bulbs-...-/260735114683

 

What would the bulb type be?

 

H7 4300k

 

You can buy a new reflector that holds a Halogen bulb. Much more light. Custom Chrome has them.

 

Could you give some details? This sounds interesting. Link(s)?

 

for those that have the aftermarket HID kits installed - do they flicker at all and do the headlights turn on like OEM when the setting is on AUTO?

 

Got it. Next set of questions:

How do you remove the bulb from the clip?

Also, where did you route the wires (did you cut a hole in the round cover or some other way)?

I went with the 6000k bulbs.

Thanks!

 

It pulls straight out, it's hard if I remember right.
I cut a slit in the round plastic cover and then sealed it with silicone.

 

Dude, its just lights what you trippin for. I know hyundai elantras with real leather - Most ML350 don't have real leather.

Plus, why you looking at Nissans anyway - They make the Nissan Juke you know?

 

Stock housing holds a halogen bulb.?! Reflector housings have more glare so with an bid bulb would have even worse glare.
I will post my YouTube video soon

 

I dont think the aftermarket HIDs are going to work... been trying for a week now to iron out this problem with 4 different kits, one made for canbus vehicles. issue lies with the auto on headlights going from light to dark and back on, then when you have the vehicle in reverse with the brake on... it is causing the lights to strobe.

caps, relays, 4 different kits, 4 styles, doesn't work all the time.

Just a 411, so if someone has a kit that works 24/7 let me know... please provide video proof though... because at this moment in time, I am calling the BS flag.

 

Only the top LE model comes with HIDs, which means you pay over $9k over base model to get them and may get other things you have no interest in. MB's method of making them a sandalone option is far superior. What's the problem with that?

 

I am one of those owners who purchases 3-4 hid kits to troubleshoot for the right kit. I found a digital slim plug-in-play(no relay kit) canbus 55w kit with additional warning cancelers that do not flicker or trigger errors. The ONLY issue I have with this kit is that 10% of the time, with Auto on, the passenger side hid bulb blinks 2x and then remains lit. Not a major issue considering all my other hid kits that flicker, strobe, blink alternately-then shuts off! Honestly, I only notice the 2x blinking 1 out of 10 times when I pull into the garage(triggers Auto on). The cost was $150 with lifetime warranty from Ebay. Also, I selected the 6000k for the h7 and they are super white with a very slight hint of blue at certain angles. If your interested, email or private message me and I'll refer you to him. Let me know.

 

same here with the flicker, but it is unacceptable. i threw it on a meter and seen that it steps down the voltage when it is light outside causing the issue. I am going to make a regulator today and see how well it works. definitely going to have the HIDs come on with relays at the front relay and fuse box.

 

To jbondox,

I even tried hooking up the relay kit directly to the fuse box(under hood, main red power wire with thickest gauge) as well and had one of the OEM headlamp plugs trigger the relay when the lights are turned on. This did not work for me since I couldn't fool the other headlamp plug since the resistance/amperage/voltage(sorry about my lack of expertise in this area) must be different from the other plug when triggering the relay. As a result, the OBC would SHUT OFF all power(after blinking the hid bulbs 2-5x) to the headlamps; so my ML wouldn't have any headlights! Very dangerous and I don't want to chance that at all when my self or wife is driving the vehicle at night.

So, the kit I described in my earlier reply only blinks the passenger side 1 out of 10 times or so when i pull into the garage with Auto On. It never blinks when I start the car either in the garage. I even drove the car for a 1 hr trip each weekend during the night and the remain lit, nice and bright, without much scattered light at all. I also do not have any melting issues due to the higher wattage.

My other kits would flicker/strobe, blink 2-5x then remain lit 50% of the time, blink 2-5x then SHUT OFF the headlamps altogether(Yikes!), and the darn relay kit was a failure for me as mentioned above.

Yes, you have to slide the inner wheel-well up from front tire side, after you pull out the stubborn plastic rivet that I broke, then twist the bulb 1/8 to the left and pull out. The OEM metal clip is what holds the bulbs in so you have to reuse this metal clips with the hid bulbs.

I hope this helps and go ahead and PM or email me if you want info on the $150 kit that I purchased from ebay. the seller agreed to allow me to release to individual buyers outside of Ebay to help save you and him some $.

 

I have a great source of kits believe me.

I will be looking into it some more tomorrow though

 

My set up works search my thread where I posted all the parts I got through eBay. Except last hid bulb true 4300k that I got after that original post