LED Headlight on W245?

[JacksonT]

Hi,

I want to replace the halogen headlight bulbs in my 2009 Mercedes B180 (W245) with LED headlights. Has anyone here done a similar upgrade?
If so:

• Which LED brand/model did you use?
• Did it fit without modifications, or was a CANbus adapter required?
• How has the experience been with the brightness, beam pattern, and overall visibility?
• Any issues, like flickering?
• Will conversion pass the MOT test?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[rf065]

Illegal, the reflectors for halogen lights will not work with LED bulbs, you blind everyone in front of you.

 

[Gollom]

Seriously though, probably the best you can do for a car of that age is to fit Osram Nightbreakers - makes a big difference

 

[Gazwould]

The dipped halogens are in a refector or projector housing ?

 

[Gazwould]

 

[DSM10000]

Seriously though, probably the best you can do for a car of that age is to fit Osram Nightbreakers - makes a big difference

Agreed.

Plus polish the plastic covers

 

[JacksonT]

Illegal, the reflectors for halogen lights will not work with LED bulbs, you blind everyone in front of you.

They're projectors not reflectors

 

[JacksonT]

The dipped halogens are in a refector or projector housing ?

Projectors

 

[Gazwould]

That's the thing projectors don't have the light output compared to reflector housings .

You can get LED but the trick is to get ones that are canbus error free .

 

[Gazwould]

Pops didn't have canbus on his old i40 so it was an easier choice .

Tried a few performance halogen before he settled for the LED .

 

[Gollom]

What a difference! Worth posting the part numbers of the ones you got?

Are they OK for MOT or do you have to swap over just for MOT?

 

[SpikyMikey]

That's the thing projectors don't have the light output compared to reflector housings .

You can get LED but the trick is to get ones that are canbus error free .

Projectors are pretty rubbish. My old Passat estate had them and even with upgraded bulbs it was like having two tea lights stuck on the front bumper.

 

[DSM10000]

What a difference! Worth posting the part numbers of the ones you got?

Are they OK for MOT or do you have to swap over just for MOT?

I believe that as LED bulbs are not Type approved for the headlamps they are a technical fail for the MOT, however if the beam pattern is within the testing limits it is unlikely to fail.

 

[Gazwould]

Projectors are pretty rubbish. My old Passat estate had them and even with upgraded bulbs it was like having two tea lights stuck on the front bumper.

Tell me about it , stock bulbs were frightening in my old one too , upgrade or die

 

[DSM10000]

I found the HID based Headlights on my previous W211 to be the best I have had so far.

Like all bulbs though the output drops of with age so relatively regular replacement is recommended

 

[Gazwould]

What a difference! Worth posting the part numbers of the ones you got?

Are they OK for MOT or do you have to swap over just for MOT?

Pops were EKLIGHT a H7 LED model they called V12 .

MOT all good .

 

[SpikyMikey]

View attachment 165775


Tell me about it , stock bulbs were frightening in my old one too , upgrade or die


View attachment 165773

View attachment 165774

Oh look, snap!!

 

[SpikyMikey]

I found the HID based Headlights on my previous W211 to be the best I have had so far.

Like all bulbs though the output drops of with age so relatively regular replacement is recommended

HID projectors are a different story and tend to work pretty well. The trouble with the Passat was it was a halogen bulb and as Gaz says, just not enough reflector area. On main beam it was ok, but dropping to dip was like switching the lights off.

 

[markjay]

I believe that as LED bulbs are not Type approved for the headlamps they are a technical fail for the MOT, however if the beam pattern is within the testing limits it is unlikely to fail.

In practical terms, it will only fail the MOT if spotted by the tester, and as said above, as long as the beam pattern is fine, it's unlikely that the MOT tester will investigate any further.

Personally, I am sure you can find the right H7 to LED conversion kit out there, that will fit in the current headlamps, won't overheat, won't dazzle oncoming traffic, and have the correct beam pattern - but my worry would be insurance.

I have always declared every single modification to my insurer, and I wouldn't be at ease with a modification that I can't declare because technically it renders the car unroadworthy and voids the insurance. However, not everyone minds driving around with undeclared mods that potentially invalidate the insurance.

BTW, if I was living in a country where Halogen to LED conversions are legal, then I would look at Philips LED conversion bulbs.

 

[JacksonT]

Thank you all.

I was looking into getting the Osram Night Breaker LED Smart H7. Before that, I planned to go to my garage and ask them about doing this conversion and if it would pass the MOT test.