Upgrading rear lights on facelift W164 ML?

[nictry]

Other than a couple of small niggles with my recently purchased ML the one thing i knew I wanted to change was the rear lights as mine came with the 'standard' old style bulb type and I would really like the LED versions.

Having done quite a bit if research it seems if I go OEM (part numbers MA164 820 27 64 and MA164 820 28 64 I believe) they are a straight swap over with no more than a few bolts and connections to change, has anyone attempted this and is it as easy as implied? Also any idea of whether only the dealer can get these or are there other perhaps more price friendly options to buy?

I also saw that in eBay there are sets of presumably aftermarket versions for around £180-190 which seem pretty good price and look good but no idea whether these are straight replacements or whether bulb issues and warning messages will come from these if installed in place of the existing ones?

Any advice appreciated?

 

[Deane x]

Other than a couple of small niggles with my recently purchased ML the one thing i knew I wanted to change was the rear lights as mine came with the 'standard' old style bulb type and I would really like the LED versions.

Having done quite a bit if research it seems if I go OEM (part numbers MA164 820 27 64 and MA164 820 28 64 I believe) they are a straight swap over with no more than a few bolts and connections to change, has anyone attempted this and is it as easy as implied? Also any idea of whether only the dealer can get these or are there other perhaps more price friendly options to buy?

I also saw that in eBay there are sets of presumably aftermarket versions for around £180-190 which seem pretty good price and look good but no idea whether these are straight replacements or whether bulb issues and warning messages will come from these if installed in place of the existing ones?

Any advice appreciated?

Sorry I can't help but I am intrested in finding out , I am also looking to put facelift rear lights on my s class and there led ..good luck

 

[lordlee]

If you want to keep it original then these guys were half the price of MBUK and the parts are genuine. http://www.kunzmann.de/shop/en/tuni...iginal-rear-lights-facelift-grand-edition.htm

 

[nictry]

If you want to keep it original then these guys were half the price of MBUK and the parts are genuine. http://www.kunzmann.de/shop/en/tuning-styling-mercedes-benz-ml-class-w164-original-rear-lights-facelift-grand-edition.htm

Thanks for this link, all inclusive with delivery £358 seems pretty reasonable, don't suppose you know how easy (or not) it is to swap them over? Especially worried about needing any recoding etc. which would then add to the cost if I have to visit a dealer etc.

 

[lordlee]

I think you will need to factor in the recoding with STAR. Have a read of this W164 Lighting upgrade II: LED Tail light installation. Step-by-step procedure - Mercedes-Benz Forum

 

[nictry]

I think you will need to factor in the recoding with STAR. Have a read of this W164 Lighting upgrade II: LED Tail light installation. Step-by-step procedure - Mercedes-Benz Forum

I had found that but as it was a pre facelift and the 2010 onwards came 'standard' with LEDs if option chosen I had assumed (hoped) that the facelift wouldn't need any recoding etc?

 

[lordlee]

This looks like its a facelift and it still needed the STAR recode. http://www.mercupgrades.com/Retrofit+W164+ML+Rear+LED+Tail+Lights-article-79.html

 

[gIzzE]

You need to code it, or you might be able to but a resistor on it to trick it into thinking there is normal bulbs fitted.

 

[nictry]

You need to code it, or you might be able to but a resistor on it to trick it into thinking there is normal bulbs fitted.

Damn, don't really want ripping off by a dealer on top of the cost of the lights, shame as just replacing them seemed a fairly easy job.

 

[gIzzE]

Well reading that article, it says there was no problem with them throwing errors or flickering when he fitted them to his, so may it is fine.

There must be an independent that can code them for you locally? They will probably charge you 30 minutes to do it.
You might not even have to code them.

 

[nictry]

If you want to keep it original then these guys were half the price of MBUK and the parts are genuine. Original Mercedes LED Rückleuchten ML-Klasse W164 Facelift

I managed to get a local MB dealer to match the euro price for the lights which was a bonus but they are convinced it needs a recode which will add an hours labour on top (£120+ vat!!!) so now weighing up whether i want to end up spending nearly £550 just to make my rear end look a little more modern

 

[lordlee]

Love the way MB drop their prices so much when questioned - they certainly have plenty of margin to work with.
I'd phone an independent and check their recoding price before dismissing it completely.

 

[nictry]

Love the way MB drop their prices so much when questioned - they certainly have plenty of margin to work with. I'd phone an independent and check their recoding price before dismissing it completely.

I thought that too, in reality I think I could have pushed a but harder as he dropped to match almost immediately!

I am still considering the upgrade but am also looking at getting a remap which is another £350-400 so need to work out my priorities

 

[nictry]

So ended up going ahead, but with the German supplier as they confirmed I could order the Grand Edition versions which are even nicer looking on a Black version of the ML (they are slightly tinted with side leds) for the same price as I would pay for the standard - they also explicitly confirmed no recoding needed and totally plug and play (We shall see!)

So £359 incl fex fees and hopefully here early next week and will then confirm whether was as straightforward as implied!

 

[nictry]

Better pictures here:

 

[nictry]

Impressed so far lights shipped via UPS and due for delivery Friday

 

[nictry]

Lights arrived today, 15 minutes later all replaced and no error codes or problems so job done, very impressed and looks so much better than the original lights too

 

[lordlee]

Top job Nic - Kunzmann are a good outfit arent they. Got any good daylight pics?

 

[gIzzE]

Looks great.

 

[gIzzE]

That is so much better looking than the new model imho.....

Even in white it looks good, and I am not a fan of white if I am honest.

The new one looks far to Amercian.