W211 Intelligent Light System restoration/low light emittance
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 46
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
W211 Intelligent Light System restoration/low light emittance
Hello everyone!
I've been following the forums and threads here, but only now decided to register because I have problem to which I was unable to find a solution.
I have a 2008 E 350 T 4-Matic with the Intelligent Light System feature. First of all, I check the extras list using the VIN and it says that it has headlight washers, but in reality only the cutout is there. Has anybody seen something like that before?
The second and main problem is that the headlights have faded. I mean the outer polycarbonate lens are yellow, but that's fine, I'll replace them soon. But the problem is that the projector reflectors are burnt and the light emitted is yellowish-brownish and nowhere as bright as there used to be/should be. I checked on many retrofit forums and everyone talks about replacing them with Hella Evo-X R-s, but I found that every projector can be replaced with those except for the ones in the ILS system. Since I don't want to spend 600 Euros to buy a brand new headlight assembly, and also don't want to get a chinese knock-off, I don't know how to solve this. For now my only idead is taking the entire headlight and projector assembly apart and sending the reflectors to a company to refurbish them. But I don't really know whether they're coated with chrome or nickel, so if anyone knows that please tell me.
If anyone has a better solution to this, please tell me.
Best,
MtimesM
I've been following the forums and threads here, but only now decided to register because I have problem to which I was unable to find a solution.
I have a 2008 E 350 T 4-Matic with the Intelligent Light System feature. First of all, I check the extras list using the VIN and it says that it has headlight washers, but in reality only the cutout is there. Has anybody seen something like that before?
The second and main problem is that the headlights have faded. I mean the outer polycarbonate lens are yellow, but that's fine, I'll replace them soon. But the problem is that the projector reflectors are burnt and the light emitted is yellowish-brownish and nowhere as bright as there used to be/should be. I checked on many retrofit forums and everyone talks about replacing them with Hella Evo-X R-s, but I found that every projector can be replaced with those except for the ones in the ILS system. Since I don't want to spend 600 Euros to buy a brand new headlight assembly, and also don't want to get a chinese knock-off, I don't know how to solve this. For now my only idead is taking the entire headlight and projector assembly apart and sending the reflectors to a company to refurbish them. But I don't really know whether they're coated with chrome or nickel, so if anyone knows that please tell me.
If anyone has a better solution to this, please tell me.
Best,
MtimesM
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Are you sure you just don't need a set of fresh bulbs? HID bulbs lose intensity over time.
Also how do you know only the cutout is there and not the washers? Did you pry it up?
Also how do you know only the cutout is there and not the washers? Did you pry it up?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 46
Likes: 7
2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
As for the bulbs, I don't think it's that but I'll check it. The projector lens themselves seem to have some white dust on them that makes them cloudy but since it's glasss I guess it can just be wiped off. As for the reflector behind, I have'nt opened the assembly yet but I'm guessing it's burnt based on this video:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Try replacing the bulbs first - see if that corrects your issue.
There is no washer button on the dash. It should automatically wash the lights about every 6th time you wash the windshield. Test this for yourself by going out and pressing the windshield wash button about 6-7 times in a row.
There is no washer button on the dash. It should automatically wash the lights about every 6th time you wash the windshield. Test this for yourself by going out and pressing the windshield wash button about 6-7 times in a row.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 46
Likes: 7
2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
Try replacing the bulbs first - see if that corrects your issue.
There is no washer button on the dash. It should automatically wash the lights about every 6th time you wash the windshield. Test this for yourself by going out and pressing the windshield wash button about 6-7 times in a row.
There is no washer button on the dash. It should automatically wash the lights about every 6th time you wash the windshield. Test this for yourself by going out and pressing the windshield wash button about 6-7 times in a row.
And do you think it's only the bulb and maybe the polycarbonate lens? I mean the projector lens glass seems milky (guess I'll clean it when I take it apart), but do you think the reflector is fine? Don't all of these burn after a while and lose their reflectiveness? The car has 250k km-s on it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Thanks for the tip, didn't know that, I'll try it.
And do you think it's only the bulb and maybe the polycarbonate lens? I mean the projector lens glass seems milky (guess I'll clean it when I take it apart), but do you think the reflector is fine? Don't all of these burn after a while and lose their reflectiveness? The car has 250k km-s on it.
And do you think it's only the bulb and maybe the polycarbonate lens? I mean the projector lens glass seems milky (guess I'll clean it when I take it apart), but do you think the reflector is fine? Don't all of these burn after a while and lose their reflectiveness? The car has 250k km-s on it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 46
Likes: 7
2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
Alright, swapped the xenons out (Osram) and changed the polycarbonate lenses, cleaned the projector glass, problem still remains. It's just weaker than it should be. Any ideas on what to do now? Where could I get a hold of a replacement projector? Or is there any way to swap the ILS projector reflector for like an Evo-X reflector? Does any other model use the same reflectors as the ILS? Would really appreciate some help, my lights are kindda unsafe.
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