When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Installed LED Air Vents...Like them BUT with one exception
I bought the LED vents for my car almost a year ago but finally installed them over the holidays. The look actually exceeds my expectations so I'm happy for that. The PNW is dark and I like BLING BLING so these were a perfect fit for me. One thing that stands out more than I had considered is how the different ambient LED colors really stand out with the vents being a different color from the ambient strip below the dash. It doesn't bother me but sometimes having that many different colored lights in the field of view draws attention.
My only disappointment is with the reflection that the vents and lights give off to the side window exactly where I look for my side view mirrors. It reflects right in the wors spot possible on both sides. I took a couple pictures while driving and sitting in my garage but I'm nost sure if it comes across clearly. While it's not a deal breaker, I wish some of the people who had done this mentioned that before. It reminds me of how the top dashboard air vents reflect off the windshield on the W223 right in the middle of my field of view. The first 2 pictures were taken using flash from the phone cam, the second 2 aren't. S63 ambient light window reflection taken with flash S63 ambient light window reflection taken with flash S63 ambient light window reflection no flash S63 ambient light window reflection no flash
Spinny tweeters and vents same color with blue for other ambient lighting. The reflections would drive me nuts. I don't ever see the lit tweeters in any glass at night. Like the black interior with Alcantara headliner.
Looks good but I'd agree that the reflection would be a nuisance to me as well.
It's a nuisance for sure. Not enough to make me go back. What's weird is that nobody has mentioned this before, non on the forums or in the FaceBook groups. I also wonder if that's the very reason they didn't add lights to the vents from the factory. The lighted vints look great on other MB cars too, but I don;t remember seeing that reflection in any pictures or videos.
Originally Posted by JohnLane
Spinny tweeters and vents same color with blue for other ambient lighting. The reflections would drive me nuts. I don't ever see the lit tweeters in any glass at night. Like the black interior with Alcantara headliner.
Thanks for the compliment on the color scheme John! I can;t say that black ws my first choice, but since I buy used I had to make some concessions. But I think it will hold up really well over the long run.
To your point about different colors; kind of cool to have the different colors in the different places, I always have my ambient lighting set to "multi-color-animation" mode. One feature that didn't carry over to the vent lighting is how the light color changes with adjustment to the climate control.
My W212 also has developing reflections from the vents as well. I can also see them on my side mirror as well, I don't have those fancy cool illuminated vents either . Do you have window tint ? If so it could be the culprit as well
My W212 also has developing reflections from the vents as well. I can also see them on my side mirror as well, I don't have those fancy cool illuminated vents either . Do you have window tint ? If so it could be the culprit as well
Thanks, but no tint. My car's glass is exactly as it left the factory.
Are those the ones on ebay? I've always wondered if they would work on my car.
Yes, they are offf Ebay. They work great and installation was fairly easy. The videos on YT show connecting the module through one of the doors but that's not neccesary. Just connect with the connector for the footwell lamp. Just match the colors up and you're good to go. I also have the 2 rear vents lighted and adding ambient lighting to the door speakers, front seatbacks, and front overhead sunglass pocket speakerin the next few weeks. I'm the opposite of Mitch; I want as much "mood" lighting as possible. I'm kind of jealous of BMW for the panoramic roof in-glass lighting they offer. I know I'm on the extreme end of preference for interior lighting. If I could fit a disco ball in the roof, I'd do it.
Thanks for the compliment on the color scheme John! I can;t say that black ws my first choice, but since I buy used I had to make some concessions. But I think it will hold up really well over the long run.
To your point about different colors; kind of cool to have the different colors in the different places, I always have my ambient lighting set to "multi-color-animation" mode. One feature that didn't carry over to the vent lighting is how the light color changes with adjustment to the climate control.
Ahhhh.... additional ambient color features must be a facelift thing.
I’ve changed ambient color once and have essentially forgotten about it. I do like the indirect lighting all over the cabin that is a non-issue for vision at night.
Yes, they are offf Ebay. They work great and installation was fairly easy. The videos on YT show connecting the module through one of the doors but that's not neccesary. Just connect with the connector for the footwell lamp. Just match the colors up and you're good to go. I also have the 2 rear vents lighted and adding ambient lighting to the door speakers, front seatbacks, and front overhead sunglass pocket speakerin the next few weeks. I'm the opposite of Mitch; I want as much "mood" lighting as possible. I'm kind of jealous of BMW for the panoramic roof in-glass lighting they offer. I know I'm on the extreme end of preference for interior lighting. If I could fit a disco ball in the roof, I'd do it.
I was thinking about getting the spinning tweeter ones for mine but I'm not sure the colors would match up since it's not MB parts. I have the facelift model so I can mod it to 64 colors if I want to. I currently have the ambient set to red and blue. It looks beautiful at night. It would be a summer project. At the moment I have over a foot of frozen snow and 2° this morning. It took me 2 full days to dig out my car. Finally freed it up last night. Now my body is crying
I was thinking about getting the spinning tweeter ones for mine but I'm not sure the colors would match up since it's not MB parts. I have the facelift model so I can mod it to 64 colors if I want to. I currently have the ambient set to red and blue. It looks beautiful at night. It would be a summer project. At the moment I have over a foot of frozen snow and 2° this morning. It took me 2 full days to dig out my car. Finally freed it up last night. Now my body is crying
I have the Burmester 3D system so my tweeters are from the factory. You shouldn't have to worry about color matching, LED color protocols are super simple and open source so matching color isn't a problem. I also have the 64 color system and love the setting where colors ar different in areas around the car and change automatically, it's like Christmas everyday in my car...LOL
Reach out to me when you want to add them and I'll talk you through the process.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Jan 27, 2026 at 01:07 PM.
Do the colors of the vents rotate with the changing multi-color animations?
Yes, they are tied into the same color as the footwell color so they always mattch the footwell. I do find it surprising that most of the guys don't enjoy the ambient lighting as much as me. I thought it was a major selling point of the interior. I almost bought a Jaguar XJL several years ago because they were the first to use strips of ambient lights in the interior. It looked amazing!! But that feature also included purple felt lined glove boxes...a little too "pimp" even for my taste.
My favorite feature of your car, the W223, is the animated ambient lighting in the car. You have that feature where the lights blink red, I think in a streaming pattern, on the side where an accident might happen to help warn you of danger. They udgraded the ambient lights to addressable LEDs in the W223. I wish I could code that into my car, but it would also require new hardware.
My favorite feature of your car, the W223, is the animated ambient lighting in the car. You have that feature where the lights blink red, I think in a streaming pattern, on the side where an accident might happen to help warn you of danger. They udgraded the ambient lights to addressable LEDs in the W223. I wish I could code that into my car, but it would also require new hardware.
Yep, I love it too. The refresh W223 looks to have a slimmer strip than I have which is a shame.
Yep, I love it too. The refresh W223 looks to have a slimmer strip than I have which is a shame.
I have considered getting the tweeters for mine
Interesting...It looks like you and I are are out of the norm in appreciating the ambient lighting. Most guys seem to either not care or actually want less lighting. My local friend urns his off, we're good friend but polar opposites on that front. Just checked on the spy shots for the new S-class and they are making some extensive changes inside and out. Hyperscreen plus ergonomic button placement - I guess the market has spoken and they're listening.
I think people do actually like it, otherwise they wouldn't do it. All the MBs I see have all the lighting on. The thickness of the light strip change is just because of the design
While driving at night in the country, I like the interior as dark as possible.
I’m right there with you Mitch.
i love driving in the dark. The “stealth” approach.
Turn off the navigation screen and lower the cluster lighting.
I have even considered asking BenzNinja to develop a way to have the cluster totally dark when I want.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
