Just installed updated taillights
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 687
Likes: 26
From: So Cal
07 GL450, 91 NSX, 12 Prius
Just installed updated taillights
Just installed a set of updated taillights 2003 style.
Got it on ebay. $180 shipped.
Simple to install. but you will need a phillips screw driver, 8mm socket, and Torx bit to remove the LED array.
Here is a simple write up.
1. Pull trunk liner panel to gain access to the tail light.
2. unplug the black rectangular harness.
3. remove the 4 x 8mm nut.
4. carefully pop out the OEM taillight.
5. Transplant all the bulb & socket to new taillight.
6. Transplant the LED array panel.
a. remove OEM light LED array cover Torx screw
b. pop out array from the 2 electrical contact.
c. reinstall in new taillight in reverse order.
7. reinstall new taillight on car.
8. tighten the 4 bolts. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.
9. Plug in black harness
10. reinstall trunk liner.
Repeat to on the other side.
Should take about 10min a side.
Got it on ebay. $180 shipped.
Simple to install. but you will need a phillips screw driver, 8mm socket, and Torx bit to remove the LED array.
Here is a simple write up.
1. Pull trunk liner panel to gain access to the tail light.
2. unplug the black rectangular harness.
3. remove the 4 x 8mm nut.
4. carefully pop out the OEM taillight.
5. Transplant all the bulb & socket to new taillight.
6. Transplant the LED array panel.
a. remove OEM light LED array cover Torx screw
b. pop out array from the 2 electrical contact.
c. reinstall in new taillight in reverse order.
7. reinstall new taillight on car.
8. tighten the 4 bolts. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.
9. Plug in black harness
10. reinstall trunk liner.
Repeat to on the other side.
Should take about 10min a side.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 524
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore/DC area
2014 E350S4
Originally Posted by fkong777
Just installed a set of updated taillights 2003 style.
Got it on ebay. $180 shipped.
Simple to install. but you will need a phillips screw driver, 8mm socket, and Torx bit to remove the LED array.
Here is a simple write up.
1. Pull trunk liner panel to gain access to the tail light.
2. unplug the black rectangular harness.
3. remove the 4 x 8mm nut.
4. carefully pop out the OEM taillight.
5. Transplant all the bulb & socket to new taillight.
6. Transplant the LED array panel.
a. remove OEM light LED array cover Torx screw
b. pop out array from the 2 electrical contact.
c. reinstall in new taillight in reverse order.
7. reinstall new taillight on car.
8. tighten the 4 bolts. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.
9. Plug in black harness
10. reinstall trunk liner.
Repeat to on the other side.
Should take about 10min a side.
Got it on ebay. $180 shipped.
Simple to install. but you will need a phillips screw driver, 8mm socket, and Torx bit to remove the LED array.
Here is a simple write up.
1. Pull trunk liner panel to gain access to the tail light.
2. unplug the black rectangular harness.
3. remove the 4 x 8mm nut.
4. carefully pop out the OEM taillight.
5. Transplant all the bulb & socket to new taillight.
6. Transplant the LED array panel.
a. remove OEM light LED array cover Torx screw
b. pop out array from the 2 electrical contact.
c. reinstall in new taillight in reverse order.
7. reinstall new taillight on car.
8. tighten the 4 bolts. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.
9. Plug in black harness
10. reinstall trunk liner.
Repeat to on the other side.
Should take about 10min a side.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 687
Likes: 26
From: So Cal
07 GL450, 91 NSX, 12 Prius
Originally Posted by Incendiary
Pics of before and after?
Didn't think I needed pics since the updated taillight is OEM looking.
BTW my take on the new taillight compare to old aesthetically.
Given that the four stripe light looks newer, I noticed...
It made the W220 looked wider and longer. In a good way of course.
I suppose the 4 horizontal stripes do something to the eyes.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
I couldn't agree more!!
Originally Posted by fkong777
BTW my take on the new taillight compare to old aesthetically.
Given that the four stripe light looks newer, I noticed...
It made the W220 looked wider and longer. In a good way of course.
I suppose the 4 horizontal stripes do something to the eyes.
Given that the four stripe light looks newer, I noticed...
It made the W220 looked wider and longer. In a good way of course.
I suppose the 4 horizontal stripes do something to the eyes.
Now for a quad exhaust, for a real mean look
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
I once tried taking off the tailight, not to replace or upgrade, but just clean out some debris inside.
I had the 3 nuts and bolts removed and the wire harness unplugged, but no matter how hard I budged, the tailight wouldn't come off. Any harder, and I was afraid I was gonna snap the assembly.
I had the 3 nuts and bolts removed and the wire harness unplugged, but no matter how hard I budged, the tailight wouldn't come off. Any harder, and I was afraid I was gonna snap the assembly.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 687
Likes: 26
From: So Cal
07 GL450, 91 NSX, 12 Prius
Originally Posted by newton22
I once tried taking off the tailight, not to replace or upgrade, but just clean out some debris inside.
I had the 3 nuts and bolts removed and the wire harness unplugged, but no matter how hard I budged, the tailight wouldn't come off. Any harder, and I was afraid I was gonna snap the assembly.
I had the 3 nuts and bolts removed and the wire harness unplugged, but no matter how hard I budged, the tailight wouldn't come off. Any harder, and I was afraid I was gonna snap the assembly.
there are 4 bolts to undo.
Last edited by fkong777; Dec 8, 2005 at 07:14 PM.
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Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 1
S500
thank god u did not keep pushing, u could have broken something 
If u look at the side of the tailight from the outside... the bolt connects on the side of it from the inside. You have to pull the carpet back a little bit further...u will see it.
I also updated my tails..and WOW, it makes a huge difference
If u look at the side of the tailight from the outside... the bolt connects on the side of it from the inside. You have to pull the carpet back a little bit further...u will see it. I also updated my tails..and WOW, it makes a huge difference
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 1
From: USA - CT
2002 S430
I just recieved my tail lights.
I notice that the original poster said that you have to take the LEDs out of the old tail lights and but them in the new ones.
Mine come with LEDs already in them. the people that already did this, did your come with the LEDs already in them?
I notice that the original poster said that you have to take the LEDs out of the old tail lights and but them in the new ones.
Mine come with LEDs already in them. the people that already did this, did your come with the LEDs already in them?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,319
Likes: 1
From: OC
AMG E55, Stage 1, Strait Pipe from Primary Cats
I just recieved my tail lights.
I notice that the original poster said that you have to take the LEDs out of the old tail lights and but them in the new ones.
Mine come with LEDs already in them. the people that already did this, did your come with the LEDs already in them?
I notice that the original poster said that you have to take the LEDs out of the old tail lights and but them in the new ones.
Mine come with LEDs already in them. the people that already did this, did your come with the LEDs already in them?
Last edited by Vader55; Jan 10, 2007 at 01:11 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 1
From: USA - CT
2002 S430
Yes, mine did and if someone got them without they got jacked. Mark, there are 4 post screws on your new tail lights. you need to remove/unscrew 1 of them to install them ...there are 4 nuts on your your existing lights to be removed. .. when you yank the old ones out you will see what I mean.. you also with have to remove the bulb twist holders from your old lights and install them in the new ones..
What about the LED part? My new one comes with the LED lights in it I think or does it just look that way? I only looked at them real fast.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
I bought OE Mercedes from Performance Auto Parts several years ago; they had the LEDs in already. They also cost around $350. I have read that some (but not all) Asian products require transfer of the LED panels from the OE lights, but don't know which. Leaving the LEDs out probably helps get the price to the $180 mentioned. If you install taillights that don't have any LEDs, you'll get a warning of a burned out LED cluster (or bulb) on the instrument panel.
Last edited by Skylaw; Jan 11, 2007 at 08:50 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 1
From: NYC/FT Lauderdale
W220 M113K
are ur guys oem or aftermarket? i got mine on ebay oem in a mercedes box, for $302 shipped. you can tell if there real or not cause they have the mercedes symbol in the corner bottom by the trunk lid
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 1
From: USA - CT
2002 S430
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=110073246838
These are not OEM but should work out ok. I am installing them later today or tomorrow.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 1
From: NYC/FT Lauderdale
W220 M113K
I paid 142.50 for mine. Here is the link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=110073246838
These are not OEM but should work out ok. I am installing them later today or tomorrow.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=110073246838
These are not OEM but should work out ok. I am installing them later today or tomorrow.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 1
From: USA - CT
2002 S430
OK all done!
I had to first supper glue the black plastic strip that you can see from the trunk to the light on one of the lights!!!!!!
And also had to trim some plastic in order to get one of the bulbs in.
Mine came with the LED lights in already and with the main bulb.
However, for $142.50 it looks nice.
So my mods to-date:
Tail lights, side mirrors and wood **** knob.
I had to first supper glue the black plastic strip that you can see from the trunk to the light on one of the lights!!!!!!
And also had to trim some plastic in order to get one of the bulbs in.
Mine came with the LED lights in already and with the main bulb.
However, for $142.50 it looks nice.
So my mods to-date:
Tail lights, side mirrors and wood **** knob.
Last edited by Mark_K; Jan 12, 2007 at 06:05 PM.
I'm a fatty lover, I know. But, everyone who's done the mod, your cars look great. I guess I'm just not that cool. 
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 1
From: USA - CT
2002 S430
