Khagan

I have a Mercedes-Benz S550 4 matics from 2015. I noticed there was some damage to the rear tail light outer covering and my mechanics recommend me to get a new tail light. When I asked about w222 tail lights at my local dealer, they have the post-face lift tail lights for 2018-2020 Mercedes S Class S560. Will the post-facelift S560 tail lights work on the pre-facelift S550? Will the installation be more complicated using S560 tail lights on S550 model?
I heard for the head lights, the bumper has to be changed in order to install S560 head lights onto S550. Not sure if this also applies for the tail lights.
The S560 tail lamp model is 2229067204. The S550 tail lamp model is 2229065701. I found some 2229065701 online but they are ULO brand instead of Mercedes-Benz brand. Will that be just as good as the original Mercedes-Benz tail light lamp?

Outer glass broken

kafklatsch

Typically when you see the facelift tail lights for sale it is accompanied by either facelift bumper parts OR instruction saying the bumper will require some attention to make the light fit

I am not sure to what extent with regard to the bumper or bumper cover or what have you

So im almost certain it's not a drop in replacement

S_W222

I would try to get a used one from ebay or so..

kafklatsch

because of the high level of technology in the head and tail lamps, I have zero confidence that the aftermarket will be equal. The beam intensity and technology is in the stratosphere... the aftermarket will mimic the appearance but not the tech ... IMHO

Top condition used or new OEM suggested

DaveW68

The OP is looking for taillights, not headlights. I agree that the headlights are complicated and I probably wouldn't buy aftermarket brands of those. But the taillights are not complicated and many of the aftermarket ones are every bit as good as the OEM. Just make sure they are DOT certified.

Although in the case of the OP, he should be able to find pre-facelift used OEM tails on Evil-bay as there are plenty of people who swap out the original pre-facelift OEMs for post-facelift OEM or aftermarkets and are looking to sell the originals. But if new aftermarket are cheaper than used OEM's, I'd go with the aftermarket.

kafklatsch

I guess I just happened to notice that I can see the tail lights reflect off things that are several blocks behind me but maybe this is MB overkill and thus you are probably correct

For me I would want that same intensity in my taillights and confidence in longevity.. We all know that when an LED operated at its Max rating it has the shortest life as opposed to operating at say 50% of raring....cheaper installations typically use the lowest rated acceptable LED... they then max it out with the trade off being a shorter life..but it may match the MB LED intensity initially

But of course we all have choices, and your good point is well taken