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I'd like to get clarification on what the non-AMG W166 ML''s have for standard headlights. Mercedes' brochures do not specifically mention the standard lighting technology but reference "bi-xenon" in regards to the Lighting Package. Based on this, as well as searching on forum threads, I'm assuming that the standard lights are simply halogen. Is this correct?
I've been looking to purchase an ML350 for the past few months, but seems that 80-90% of used (as well as new) ML's do not even have xenon lights. I would like to believe that a Mercedes -- let alone any vehicle in this class and price range -- would have HID as standard. It's a shame that the standard lighting is no different then what's on my 2010 Honda Odyssey.
Today, I talked to a Mercedes salesman who told me that the standard ML lights (as well as on other Mercedes) are "HID" but the "xenon" option is for BI-XENON lights. As far as I know, HID lights use xenon gas bulbs...so either he has been misinformed or has no idea what he's talking about.
Pic for reference (left=standard, right=bi-xenon):
Last edited by DishoomX2; Aug 31, 2015 at 04:31 PM.
Salesman spouting uninformed sales pitch. Those are standard H7 halogens in non lighting package, not HID. Obviously the lighting package is superior to the non-lighting package, but as the non-lighting package has halogen projectors, many opt to do a simple HID conversion which is a big cost savings. Comes down to your budget. More extreme will retrofit true HID projectors which would be the proper way of doing things, but for the time and effort of doing so, might be worth just ordering the lighting package to begin with. Usually it's those purchasing second hand or in stock availability models at good deals who will look into that though.
No doubt, the Lighting Package is a definite must-have as part of features I'm looking for. Considering that an ML would be our family vehicle, I do not even want to risk reliability of an after market HID solution.
Here's an example of a vehicle that's loaded up with options, but leaves out an important one...no lighting package!!
Don't be fooled by the lighting package. The bi xenon still leave a lot to be desired. Worst thing about our ML is the headlights. I am still considering a LED light bar or nudge bar with driving lights.
Don't be fooled by the lighting package. The bi xenon still leave a lot to be desired. Worst thing about our ML is the headlights. I am still considering a LED light bar or nudge bar with driving lights.
You might have them looked at. I have the lighting package on mine and when I drive down my street at night, it's lit up like daylight.
I'd like to get clarification on what the non-AMG W166 ML''s have for standard headlights. Mercedes' brochures do not specifically mention the standard lighting technology but reference "bi-xenon" in regards to the Lighting Package. Based on this, as well as searching on forum threads, I'm assuming that the standard lights are simply halogen. Is this correct?
I've been looking to purchase an ML350 for the past few months, but seems that 80-90% of used (as well as new) ML's do not even have xenon lights. I would like to believe that a Mercedes -- let alone any vehicle in this class and price range -- would have HID as standard. It's a shame that the standard lighting is no different then what's on my 2010 Honda Odyssey.
Today, I talked to a Mercedes salesman who told me that the standard ML lights (as well as on other Mercedes) are "HID" but the "xenon" option is for BI-XENON lights. As far as I know, HID lights use xenon gas bulbs...so either he has been misinformed or has no idea what he's talking about.
Pic for reference (left=standard, right=bi-xenon):
Very common misconception/expectation that people have when it comes MB and BMW. Creature comfort things like Xenon headlights, leather, nav, etc are options on these vehicles. I tell people if you want them standard, go look at Acura, Lexus, etc. Toyota/Lexus are able to do so by using the same basic engine/design for the past 10+ years. W/ MB or BMW, you can't expect the advancements in the suspensions, engines, safety systems, etc that are standard on the German vehicles, still have xenons (or LED's), nav, blind spot monitoring, and at the same time maintain the same price point.
Sales guy is wrong, HID/xenon is the same technology and part of the lighting pkg. Standard headlights are halogen. if you can, get the lighting pkg. I drive a lot on well lit city streets w/ the standard lights and still wish I had gotten xenons. Have them on my BMW now as well as my previous Acura. There is a difference and it's worth paying the premium.
Very common misconception/expectation that people have when it comes MB and BMW. Creature comfort things like Xenon headlights, leather, nav, etc are options on these vehicles. I tell people if you want them standard, go look at Acura, Lexus, etc. Toyota/Lexus are able to do so by using the same basic engine/design for the past 10+ years. W/ MB or BMW, you can't expect the advancements in the suspensions, engines, safety systems, etc that are standard on the German vehicles, still have xenons (or LED's), nav, blind spot monitoring, and at the same time maintain the same price point.
Sales guy is wrong, HID/xenon is the same technology and part of the lighting pkg. Standard headlights are halogen. if you can, get the lighting pkg. I drive a lot on well lit city streets w/ the standard lights and still wish I had gotten xenons. Have them on my BMW now as well as my previous Acura. There is a difference and it's worth paying the premium.
The current X5 has xenon standard. The upgrade to LED is about $1900. Things are slowly changing.
I'd like to get clarification on what the non-AMG W166 ML''s have for standard headlights. Mercedes' brochures do not specifically mention the standard lighting technology but reference "bi-xenon" in regards to the Lighting Package. Based on this, as well as searching on forum threads, I'm assuming that the standard lights are simply halogen. Is this correct?
I've been looking to purchase an ML350 for the past few months, but seems that 80-90% of used (as well as new) ML's do not even have xenon lights. I would like to believe that a Mercedes -- let alone any vehicle in this class and price range -- would have HID as standard. It's a shame that the standard lighting is no different then what's on my 2010 Honda Odyssey.
Today, I talked to a Mercedes salesman who told me that the standard ML lights (as well as on other Mercedes) are "HID" but the "xenon" option is for BI-XENON lights. As far as I know, HID lights use xenon gas bulbs...so either he has been misinformed or has no idea what he's talking about.
Pic for reference (left=standard, right=bi-xenon):
Left one is standard projector but non HID headlights. I've had both in a 2012 and my current 2014. I retrofitted aftermarket bulbs in my 2012 when I couldn't get HID as an early adopter. It was ok but not great. The factory lighting package is excellent. I know led headlights too since I had a 2012 a6 with led headlights. Those were great perfect illumination everywhere. My dad has a 2014 s550 with the led headlights and I have to admit the Audi ones were much better. There are some dark spots with his headlights. I drove his car sometimes for weeks at a time. The MBZ headlights do turn with the steering wheel and that might account for the dead spots. Whereas the Audi doesn't Turn but it didn't need to since it covers everything uniformly.
Left one is standard projector but non HID headlights. I've had both in a 2012 and my current 2014. I retrofitted aftermarket bulbs in my 2012 when I couldn't get HID as an early adopter. It was ok but not great. The factory lighting package is excellent. I know led headlights too since I had a 2012 a6 with led headlights. Those were great perfect illumination everywhere. My dad has a 2014 s550 with the led headlights and I have to admit the Audi ones were much better. There are some dark spots with his headlights. I drove his car sometimes for weeks at a time. The MBZ headlights do turn with the steering wheel and that might account for the dead spots. Whereas the Audi doesn't Turn but it didn't need to since it covers everything uniformly.
Not sure what you mean by dark spots. The LED's on our S550 are excellent and so are the Bi-Xenons. Of course, MB headlights are dumbed down for the US as the DOT is behind the times (same for BMW laser light and Audi Matrix right functions).
In the US btw, the ML Bi-Xenons don't have cornering lights like other MB's. Somewhat annoying...
Don't be fooled by the lighting package. The bi xenon still leave a lot to be desired. Worst thing about our ML is the headlights. I am still considering a LED light bar or nudge bar with driving lights.
Bi-Xenons work great, at least in the US & Europe. Since you are driving on the other side of the road, your car may have a left/right setting in the lighting menu. Having that set wrong would make all the difference.
Here is an example of the SL we are just driving in southern France
I don't see the issue. I am 68 years old and the standard headlights on our 2015 ML350 work fine.
...and you're just as engaged with a 1/2 carat engagement ring as you are with a 3 carat ring.
Halogens are acceptable and meet the lower level of standards for night driving. Bi Xenons far exceed the lower level of illumination, and are vastly superior.
I question the value of the lighting package for vehicles used in the big city. However, out here in the country where I live there are no street lights for many miles. The forests are cut close to the roads and deer abound. I am sure the bi-xenons on my 2012 ML350 prevented one accident with deer and probably two. I may get an Eclass sedan next year when my ML goes out of warranty and I am going to have to check out what lights are available for the Eclass. But if it does not have bi-xenons or something at least as bright with as wide a throw, I will have to look at another sedan. It is a deal breaker for me because headlights are that important out here where I live.
I question the value of the lighting package for vehicles used in the big city. However, out here in the country where I live there are no street lights for many miles. The forests are cut close to the roads and deer abound. I am sure the bi-xenons on my 2012 ML350 prevented one accident with deer and probably two. I may get an Eclass sedan next year when my ML goes out of warranty and I am going to have to check out what lights are available for the Eclass. But if it does not have bi-xenons or something at least as bright with as wide a throw, I will have to look at another sedan. It is a deal breaker for me because headlights are that important out here where I live.
Next year the e class will have LED that are better then the Bi-Xenons
I see the 2016 has LEDs too but it is a $1500 option as part of the lighting package. Probably standard in 2017 as it should be for a car of this type.
The issue I have with our xenon lights is that they are not a very 'white' light, don't penetrate far up the road. When driving on open road with them in the Auto position, there is a sharp cut off at the top of the beam, so you go from brightly lit into black. It can't figure out what to do when driving over hilly terrain and cornering. Compared to the BMW's lighting package, this is very poor.
I preferred the aftermarket HID install I did in my previous Holden SSV (Pontiac G8) projector lenses in all aspects when compared to the MB.
The issue I have with our xenon lights is that they are not a very 'white' light, don't penetrate far up the road. When driving on open road with them in the Auto position, there is a sharp cut off at the top of the beam, so you go from brightly lit into black. It can't figure out what to do when driving over hilly terrain and cornering. Compared to the BMW's lighting package, this is very poor.
I preferred the aftermarket HID install I did in my previous Holden SSV (Pontiac G8) projector lenses in all aspects when compared to the MB.
Something doesn't sound right here. The xenons on our ML are easily as good as the xenons on our 2012 BMW 750li. Might want to have them checked out by the dealer. Are your high-beams set to auto?
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