bensitto

So I've been researching and reading about various ways to get the 2010-13 w221 headlights (facelift) to work on 07-09 models...

I wanted to see from people that have made the retrofit, what works best, is most cost effective, and has anyone done it with Night Vision? I have OEM 2007 night vision and curve illumination, and cornering lights.

I already bought the 2012 headlights with night vision.

Here are the methods:
1) Wiring harness, 2010-13 Front SAM, Central Gateway Module + coding
2) MBSCA (Chris the Swede) wiring harness with magic black box
3) DCT/SonicMS wiring harness

UPDATE: There is a "plug and play" system now that works with Night View Assist! Under 1K on eBay. (seller "fishcake321")
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Facelift-LE...item282c403b24


Thanks!

ducatista4life

I am also interested in this, it seems to be cheaper rather then buying the actual facelift headlights. Which are also hard to find with night vision... But really, do we even need night vision? Does it just not work if the headlights are not night vision compatible or does it cause an error code/headlights not to work? Just curious..

S500 Man

I can get the plug and play modded night vision headlights and you can use your old ballast and bulbs...for 2000.00 shipped anywhere in USA

bensitto

That would be great but I already have the 2012 night vision OEM headlights. Just trying to see what method is more reliable for the retrofit and get peoples feedback who have done the mod. I have an email out to Steve K, the pro on these things as well.

Thanks!

bensitto

You only need the night vision version if your car already has Night vision. The headlights have emitters in them that work with the night vision camera.

WHPH28

Staying tuned...

njsdavis

So you described a NON night vision example .....Anybody have a night vision solution.


S500 MAN .. more details on your post. what does all that consist of? I kind of a novice when it comes to that headlight stuff, but I do know I have nightvision and that's why I haven't done my lights yet.

bensitto

I know lots of member have made the headlight retrofit, please pitch in with your experiences.

Thanks!

romanowski15

maybe this may work for you...
http://www.mbscashopen.com/s-class/w...sen-adapterkit

DaveW68

This all seems like a ridiculous amount of money to spend just to update the style of the headlights.

Nuru

Well yeah, but for some it is cheaper than purchasing an S600. The S600 owners are so lucky (spoiled LOL!).

bensitto

It's looking like Chris the Swede's method might be the best way. I can get the front SAM and new central gateway way cheaper, but then I need someone to version code it... and sounds like lots of refining through SDS is needed. Not sure I can find a tech that will know what to do around the DC area.

james510

I just finished my ILS retrofit too after 3years of having them on car but not fully working (cornering and dynamic light did work) ILS funcion like highway mode and enhanced fog lights did not work, now they do and I used the genuine way. Currently Im retrofiting on my pre faclift 2007 s550 Active lane assist, Active blind spot assist, IHC - high beam assist... I also already retrofitted the facelift airmatic which is better choosing your self if you want airmatic sport or comfort.

Polar Bear

What parts did you need to add these options? Did you update the VeDoc or manually code the car? I have a 221.176 so it has everything available on 07-09, but the Active Lane Assist and ILS and Active Blind Spot Assist would be interesting options to add.

njsdavis

Any comments on these lights for sale. I have the nightvision. I know drivers out there know what brand/manufacturer is good andwhich one are crappy and leak/water, poor quality etc etc.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150916667858?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Jason B

None of the aftermarket work with nightvision that I know of. I can get them all, and there are some great quality units i can get you, but nightvision isn't supported if I remember.

Magnus Rostadmo

Sorry for somewhat "hijacking" this thread but i have a problem with my headlight retrofit and do not know how to fix it.
I hope that someone of you which seem to have extended knowledge about these lights can share some wisdom :-)

I live in Norway have recently bought my S550 from Japan with full S63-facelift including the new headlights.
I don`t know which brand the new headlights are but they`ve got LED for the cornering illumination if that can give someone a clue of the brand.

My car has no ILS or Night Vision, but has option code 619 Cornering illumination and those LED`s work as they should ie they lit up to the side one are turning the steering wheel at an amount - but only when a gear is engaged.
And finally slowly fading out some seconds after the wheel is turned in the opposite direction

Since my car also has optioncode 616 Bi-Xenon with Active Curvelight i believe that the innermost lamp should swivel some degrees from side to side when turning the wheel but they do not.
Maybe this new headlamps does not have this functionality built in - which i do not know, but do the units on sale often come with this function ?
At least not i can`t get them to turn when looking at them when car is stationary even if a gear is selected - and i do not think they work when driving.

Should they swivel when stationary - only with gear selected - or only when driving ?
Could it be there are some programming that is not performed ?

I also have found the adjusting screw so my previous maladjusted right low beam is now ok - the high beam xenon also ok.
But the H7 halogen additional high beam is way too high on the right side after my adjustment . left side ok.
Is there any way to adjust this H7-additional high beam separately from the bi-xenon ? - manually or with STAR ? - up/down + sideways ?

I have searched this board and learnt a lot from the threads but can not find any explanation about how they should work. So I hope someone with knowledge can "shed some light" on this matter for us out there who is wondering about this.

Regards from northern Norway - above the Polar Circle - a land which are soon to be almost completely dark - day and night for some months now..

Thanks !

Magnus

DaveW68

I would be very surprised if those after-market lights had a swivel feature. They are usually pretty basic architecture. None of the kits are available with night vision.

Here are the lights that you likely have. They are all made in Asia.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Facelift-LED...9X5Zt5&vxp=mtr

If you want the swivel feature, you're likely going to have to pick up a used pair of pre face-lift lights and install them.

bensitto

There IS finally an aftermarket Night vision plug and play system.

I have them installed on my car, every feature is included as OEM, Cornering LED lamps, and Active cornering headlamps. Here's where I got mine from: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Facelift-LED...item282c403b24

Here's my installation thread with photos:
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...plugnplay.html

Lots of w221 headlights out there do not have all of these features. Read before you buy. Good luck!

DaveW68

Does your car have Night Vision? Because everything I've seen shows that none of those kits have Night Vision projectors in them.

dlafever

Curious about this as well, it seems from the eBay listing that it does.


* Brand NEW set (2 pieces, Left & Right) and Never been used

* Chrome Housing Neo Modern Diamond Cut Crystal Housing Headlights, Give you the latest Mercedes Look

* If you have the Night Vision model and your Infrared (IR) Reader is on your "Windshield," this headlight will fit your model and you will retain the Infrared Night Vision Feature.

DaveW68

I remember checking it this a while ago on another eBay ad that contained the exact same language. It turns out that the headlights need to have IR projectors in them in order to retain Night Vision, which these units do not....and that having the reader on your windshield will not make them work.The ad is deceiving.

dlafever

Very good point. And unfortunately from the eBay listing it is not clear whether these units have IR projectors. I may convince myself to buy a pair and if need be retrofit the projectors into the new housings if they are not there. This may require considerable adult beverage consumption.

sinstrex

I ordered these. Currently in transit from New York to Dubai. Very excited about them. The seller has confirmed to me several times that on my 2009 s63 with AFS and Night Vision these will be plug and play. No coding required.
Guys do note that these are not just Depo but actually custom made by Depo for ReviMoterwerks. I have been researching on these lights for 4 months now since they had to be shipped to me in Dubai. Check out Revi moterwerks on YouTube. They do explain how their custom made Lights are different. They use a BMW example.

Anyway still not 100 percent Vouching for them until I install them. will try to get some pictures and report back

sinstrex

So I got my headlights and they look amazing and work great. No error what so ever.
- these have the h9 non infrared bulbs. So when you switch on the lights u will see them switch on above 20kph. That's how it's supposed to work but the original bulbs are infrared so u will have modify your h11 bulbs to fit in there.
- the fitment is okay. Not that great as it has to be pushed and pulled to fit.
-the Led amber indicator is too bright. You can see the sign boards illuminating but honestly I like it.
- the projectors are all over the place. No matter how much u adjust they will never be a straight cutoff.

All in all for the price I paid I am very happy. They are good value. They are a direct fit - plug and play. Just couldn't convince myself to spend over $1k.
please note that I am the only one judging my car. To everybody else around me they are perfect and nobody can tell the difference between these and the OEM.

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