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Puddle door lights (those that shine the MB logo on the ground from the lower door) are not available for the R231 pre- facelift) Our lights that shine down on the ground are under our side mirrors and not on the bottom of our doors like many cars are. Although some brands have those logo/ lights placed under the side mirrors, MB does not. At least for the R231pre that is. I have checked into this option for years as I have always had logo lights on prior cars, or have added them myself when they did not come with the car. I do have someone that is working on developing those types of lights, but I have not received an update yet.
As for the bling push button stop/start. You will likely find them at online auction sites, but you could just add the bling yourself. Removed the button, buy a bedazzler from Wally World and jewel it up. Replace button when finished. Not my thing, but to each his/her own.
Originally Posted by compaddict
Renee wants! TIA,
Vince
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; May 10, 2023 at 07:34 AM.
.............on the bottom of our doors like many cars are. .
Never been able to grasp the purpose of them. Once you get to the car and open the door the interior lights come on......(and you’ve stood on the dog turd). The lights in the mirrors make a lot more sense.
Correct.
The puddle lights (lower door versions) were good on paper, but not practical. Our mirror lights function well and have purpose. Can’t wait for the mirror logo lights to hit the market for our cars. I absolutely love those. Bright, crisp and clear and just nice looking IMO. I know they are not for everyone though.
Originally Posted by rorywquin
Never been able to grasp the purpose of them. Once you get to the car and open the door the interior lights come on......(and you’ve stood on the dog turd). The lights in the mirrors make a lot more sense.
Correct.
The puddle lights (lower door versions) were good on paper, but not practical. Our mirror lights function well and have purpose. Can’t wait for the mirror logo lights to hit the market for our cars. I absolutely love those. Bright, crisp and clear and just nice looking IMO. I know they are not for everyone though.
The projector lights were supposed to be on the facelift models and I believe they eventually showed up a year or so later in the US. We didn't have them on our FL SL550 and that was fine with me. We have them on the AMG and the GLE but am ambivalent about them. Ok to have them but I wouldn't retrofit them.
I used to think they were tacky but this is now very subtle given that light carpets, illuminated logos and LED ground effects are common fare
I ordered mine in Sept 2016 and it arrived March 2017 (so a very early FL). Strange that the UK models had the light and the USA didn’t. I’d have thought that the side mirrors (housing) were identical for all markets (our mirrors do not have that warning in them).
I didn't realise that they were fitted and would not have ordered as an option (also considered them tacky) but like Wolfman, have grown used to them and at least they do serve a purpose unlike those under the door.
Never been able to grasp the purpose of them. Once you get to the car and open the door the interior lights come on......(and you’ve stood on the dog turd). The lights in the mirrors make a lot more sense.
um, when I EXIT the vehicle, the light illuminates the curb, the puddle or mud, or anything else I don't want to step in or trip over; do you only enter your car in the dark and not exit? now I could do without the logo, which a previous owner installed in my ML (aftermarket), but my SL and GLC have beautiful, logo-free lighting and I like it.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
My 2019 SL450 has the logo projector lights. I don’t care for the lights and would have preferred to not have them. They are a gimmick, in my opinion, like the light up grille stars on the SUV’s. They found it necessary to add these ridiculous lights, years into production, but couldn’t/wouldn’t fix the audio issue for the entire eight year run of the car, when they KNEW, within the first year of production that they had a problem. Couldn’t add a heated steering wheel either, which would have been SO welcome in a roadster, but we got puddle lights. Go figure.
um, when I EXIT the vehicle, the light illuminates the curb, the puddle or mud, or anything else I don't want to step in or trip over; do you only enter your car in the dark and not exit? now I could do without the logo, which a previous owner installed in my ML (aftermarket), but my SL and GLC have beautiful, logo-free lighting and I like it.
Ok, so when you get out, the under door light is “useful” ????? (putting aside the fact that the interior lights light up), but when you approach the car in the dark the light under the door is useless.
Yep...got it!
Logo is there (imo tacky) however, I’m probably the only person that notices it but cést la vie.
Last edited by rorywquin; Dec 21, 2022 at 05:56 PM.
Ok, so when you get out, the under door light is “useful” ????? (putting aside the fact that the interior lights light up), but when you approach the car in the dark the light under the door is useless.
Yep...got it!
Logo is there (imo tacky) however, I’m probably the only person that notices it but cést la vie.
we respectfully disagree. I open the door and only the puddle light lights the GROUND, whether I’m entering or exiting. Now I don’t have the logo lights on my SL, and I don’t like them on my ML; they’re not only tacky IMHO but they are less bright.
we respectfully disagree. I open the door and only the puddle light lights the GROUND, whether I’m 1) entering or 2) exiting. Now I don’t have the logo lights on my SL, and I don’t like them on my ML; they’re not only tacky IMHO but they are less bright.
Forgive my confusion with your statement. I believe that what happens is:
1) At night, entering the car (with the puddle light installed under the bottom of the door), - no interior or puddle light is visible until you physically open the door?
2) At night, exiting the car (with the puddle light installed under the bottom of the door), no interior or puddle is visible until you open the door?
Perhaps there a problem with your interior lights? Every other car I’ve owned, none of which had “puddle lights”, cast more than enough light (from the interior) outside the car to clearly see the ground.
Forgive my confusion with your statement. I believe that what happens is:
1) At night, entering the car (with the puddle light installed under the bottom of the door), - no interior or puddle light is visible until you physically open the door?
I walk up to a dark car, key in pocket, and reach for door handle; upon contact with the inside of the door handle the door unlocks, and I open the door. The puddle light illuminates the ground I must traverse to enter the vehicle, and the interior light illuminates the cabin. I am therefore informed of any obstacles that may be on the ground or left on my seat (lol).
Originally Posted by rorywquin
2) At night, exiting the car (with the puddle light installed under the bottom of the door), no interior or puddle is visible until you open the door?
I push the start/stop button to shut off the engine and open the door. The interior lights, IIRC, "dim up" gradually while the puddle lights fully illuminate immediately. I am therefore informed if there are any obstacles on the ground, as well as if I may be forgetting something in the car as I exit.
Originally Posted by rorywquin
Perhaps there a problem with your interior lights? Every other car I’ve owned, none of which had “puddle lights”, cast more than enough light (from the interior) outside the car to clearly see the ground.
I'm not suggesting you need to install puddle lights, and I don't believe you're suggesting I remove mine but trust me: more light = better visibility, especially for my 64-year-old astigmatic eyes. I suppose I did survive over 40 years of driving without puddle lights, so technically they may not be required to avoid, say, stepping into a surprise sinkhole I inadvertantly parked adjacent to but, again, trust me: at night, brighter is better.
Last edited by eddieo45; Dec 22, 2022 at 08:56 AM.
I like the Puddle Lights, The lit front grille emblem is ridiculous...
I think we can all agree on that one
I agree, though there's one in my neighborhood and it is more subtle than I imagined, but still totally unneccessary. I'm reminded that I lusted after Mercedes since before I got my drivers license in 1975, and the symbol of that affection was the three-pointed star hood ornament. When I finally got my first Mercedes - a 2000 C280 Sport in 2004 - among the most popular mods then was to replace the ornament with the flat emblem, which I did. Now I debadge and avoid extra ornamentation as much as possible.
I walk up to a dark car, key in pocket, and reach for door handle; upon contact with the inside of the door handle the door unlocks, and I open the door. The puddle light illuminates the ground I must traverse to enter the vehicle, and the interior light illuminates the cabin. I am therefore informed of any obstacles that may be on the ground or left on my seat (lol).
I push the start/stop button to shut off the engine and open the door. The interior lights, IIRC, "dim up" gradually while the puddle lights fully illuminate immediately. I am therefore informed if there are any obstacles on the ground, as well as if I may be forgetting something in the car as I exit.
I'm not suggesting you need to install puddle lights, and I don't believe you're suggesting I remove mine but trust me: more light = better visibility, especially for my 64-year-old astigmatic eyes. I suppose I did survive over 40 years of driving without puddle lights, so technically they may not be required to avoid, say, stepping into a surprise sinkhole I inadvertantly parked adjacent to but, again, trust me: at night, brighter is better.
"I walk up to a dark car, key in pocket, and reach for door handle".............and step on a dog turd.
However, as long as it works for you.
I started driving before cars had interior lights.....>50 years now.
IMO puddle lights (particularly those under the door) are a gimmick. I've never thought to myself.... mmmmm wouldn't it be great (and I’d pay more) if the car makers found a way to light up outside my car door, for the few times I was out and about at night, in a place without streetlights or other lighting, and needed to get into my car.
Pretty much like a phone with a folding screen. Is it better, do I need it, could I live without it?
Like them or don’t like them.. opinions vary. I like them so I decided to replace my “plain” ones with a logo. Chased down the part #s for a later model r231and made the swap. My car is a 16 in iridium silver. Here are the parts I ordered.
I feel the same as you.
I love mine and if someone else does well thats great, but if it’s not for them well great. Each night when I see them I smile. Logo and wording on mine though, I wanted the word. I’ll post a pic tonight, if I can remember.
As promised.
Well done!
Originally Posted by Kapitan
Like them or don’t like them.. opinions vary. I like them so I decided to replace my “plain” ones with a logo. Chased down the part #s for a later model r231and made the swap. My car is a 16 in iridium silver. Here are the parts I ordered.
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Jul 4, 2023 at 10:17 PM.
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.
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