Hello, and some first mods to the ML...
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Joined: Nov 2014
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ML350
Hello, and some first mods to the ML...
Hi all, first post here. Owner of a 2012 ML 350...well, my wife's really (I'm an Audi and Porsche guy), but decided to start modding her SUV. First added the AMG pedals, and then today the chrome hood vents. Pics below. Hope you enjoy the pics...
Pedals (sorry for the dirty mats):
And the chrome fins:
Pedals (sorry for the dirty mats):
And the chrome fins:
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From: California
MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
Welcome to MBWorld.
I wouldn't recommend putting LEDs in forward projecting lights in housing not designed to specifically capture LED surface mounted light spread. Even though advertised lumens are high, the distribution is uneven and you end up with light scatter, dark spots, and reduced throw distance. You're still better off with and HID conversion kit and it's not that much harder to do. I see you do have halogen projectors which although is not optimal for HIDs, it is typically good enough and you'll see performance and aesthetic improvements with brighter, whiter HIDs.
Let us know if we can help you out with our plug and play kits.
I wouldn't recommend putting LEDs in forward projecting lights in housing not designed to specifically capture LED surface mounted light spread. Even though advertised lumens are high, the distribution is uneven and you end up with light scatter, dark spots, and reduced throw distance. You're still better off with and HID conversion kit and it's not that much harder to do. I see you do have halogen projectors which although is not optimal for HIDs, it is typically good enough and you'll see performance and aesthetic improvements with brighter, whiter HIDs.
Let us know if we can help you out with our plug and play kits.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
Er... why would you rice out a MB? Just because you can? Would you like a rear spoiler to go with that?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: The Palmetto State
19 E63s, ‘24SQ8, wanting another gas guzzling V8
Just ignore it. It looks like someone is just wanting to argue. It's your car. Do whatever you want to it.
There is a reason cars come in many different colors, shapes, sizes, and...... bling!
There is a reason cars come in many different colors, shapes, sizes, and...... bling!
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Pacific Northwest
2022 GLE450
PS the pedals are nice... they look good on a sport/AMG model and they look good on yours! Enjoy!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
It's an ML Benz, not a Mitsubishi or an Audi... been there & done it myself. And, just wait to see how nice - er, practical - they become once you get a little bit of snow stuck to the bottom of your shoes.
I have more importaint things to do than argue with people about matters of taste. Yes, IMHO they're tacky and ricey, and the OP's first post on MB World is about the mods he did on hid ML. He *asked* and I told him what *I* thought. Since when did this become a forum for a self-congratulatory circle jerk where you either fall in line or shut up?
Enjoy your car in good health... with whatever mods you happen to tack on to it. If you mod it for your own eyes only, great. Once you start posting pics in a public forum for what others think of them... well, you better be prepared to hear opinions that may be different from yours.
Welcome to the forums!
I have more importaint things to do than argue with people about matters of taste. Yes, IMHO they're tacky and ricey, and the OP's first post on MB World is about the mods he did on hid ML. He *asked* and I told him what *I* thought. Since when did this become a forum for a self-congratulatory circle jerk where you either fall in line or shut up?
Enjoy your car in good health... with whatever mods you happen to tack on to it. If you mod it for your own eyes only, great. Once you start posting pics in a public forum for what others think of them... well, you better be prepared to hear opinions that may be different from yours.
Welcome to the forums!
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Joined: Nov 2014
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ML350
Hey, that's fine...you don't have to like my mods, and you're certainly entitled to your opinion.
A classy response woulda been hey, those mods are not my taste, but enjoy nonetheless. You're still giving an opinion without having to add in the a-hole sarcasm in your reply about whether I'd like a rear spoiler to go with it (probably what prompted a couple of nice folks here to post some nice comments), but if hey, that's the way you normally act, congrats...I'm sure you're a real pleasant person to be around.
A classy response woulda been hey, those mods are not my taste, but enjoy nonetheless. You're still giving an opinion without having to add in the a-hole sarcasm in your reply about whether I'd like a rear spoiler to go with it (probably what prompted a couple of nice folks here to post some nice comments), but if hey, that's the way you normally act, congrats...I'm sure you're a real pleasant person to be around.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,745
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From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
Hey, that's fine...you don't have to like my mods, and you're certainly entitled to your opinion.
A classy response woulda been hey, those mods are not my taste, but enjoy nonetheless. You're still giving an opinion without having to add in the a-hole sarcasm in your reply about whether I'd like a rear spoiler to go with it (probably what prompted a couple of nice folks here to post some nice comments), but if hey, that's the way you normally act, congrats...I'm sure you're a real pleasant person to be around.
A classy response woulda been hey, those mods are not my taste, but enjoy nonetheless. You're still giving an opinion without having to add in the a-hole sarcasm in your reply about whether I'd like a rear spoiler to go with it (probably what prompted a couple of nice folks here to post some nice comments), but if hey, that's the way you normally act, congrats...I'm sure you're a real pleasant person to be around.
Your first post on the board is about your 'mods' on a used diesel ML, and you get offended when someone points out that what you're doing is completely ridiculous? Spend the money on your wife, or alternatively on performance mods for your Porsche or Audi (which BTW could certainly use some improvement in a number of areas regardless of what model you have) instead of completely useless bling for a bulbous SUV. It's certainly a half-decent tow mule - I've got one myself - but I am afraid it has the sportiness of an amoeba, so instead of wasting money on pedals I would have spent them on something useful, like maybe buying a model with HIDs for example.
No, I am not being nice... I am being honest. Sorry if it offends you. As I said, enjoy it in good health with whatever mods you decide to do to it. Just don't expect everyone else to "ooh and aah" over your aesthetic prowess.
Last edited by Diabolis; Feb 10, 2016 at 10:41 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 872
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From: Pacific Northwest
2022 GLE450
Don't worry about that guy, it's normal to get a variety of options on any forum. Much like real life not everyone has manners and class. Welcome to the forum, it's a great community, don't let one goof put you off. Hopefully he is done and no mods will have to step in. He probably has a few old 944's at home to be buying parts for on eBay to consume his time anyway.
By the way pedals have boon a topic here before, never seen anyone not like them. They look good on the AMG's an regular models alike.
By the way pedals have boon a topic here before, never seen anyone not like them. They look good on the AMG's an regular models alike
.
Thread Starter
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ML350
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 303
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From: Minneapolis/ St Paul
I have already installed the illuminated star and wired to the fuse box. Light turns on when I lock/unlock the car. and turn on the lights. It also stays on when I turn off the car for about 60 secs.
I have the fins and am being told to install on a warm day above 50 degrees, too bad I live in MN and wont see that until April or May. How did you install, 2 sided 3m tape or did you use Mercedes glue or both. Any suggestions for a clean install?
I have the fins and am being told to install on a warm day above 50 degrees, too bad I live in MN and wont see that until April or May. How did you install, 2 sided 3m tape or did you use Mercedes glue or both. Any suggestions for a clean install?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 32
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ML350
Congrats on installing the illuminated star. I'm sure it looks nice. As for the hood fin installation, I just used the 3M double sided tape, as I didn't want to make a mess with the glue. I actually installed in like 40-ish degree F weather and didn't have a problem. The fins are on good.
When installing, make sure the black grilles that you will apply the fins are on are clean. Then, put all six fins on without removing the backing of the tape. In other words, just place each fin on to make sure they are positioned correctly before securing them so that you don't end up mistakenly plopping one down in the wrong way after taking the backing off. Then, one by one remove the backing and set each fin into place. Push down on each one for a few minutes and then leave it overnight. By the next day, you're good to go! My wife loves em more than the pedals, and you can see them from the driver's view when you are going down the road.
When installing, make sure the black grilles that you will apply the fins are on are clean. Then, put all six fins on without removing the backing of the tape. In other words, just place each fin on to make sure they are positioned correctly before securing them so that you don't end up mistakenly plopping one down in the wrong way after taking the backing off. Then, one by one remove the backing and set each fin into place. Push down on each one for a few minutes and then leave it overnight. By the next day, you're good to go! My wife loves em more than the pedals, and you can see them from the driver's view when you are going down the road.
Last edited by Wewannabenz; Feb 14, 2016 at 05:28 PM.
