My W212 LED DRL progress thread
07-08-2011, 03:15 PM
#1
My W212 LED DRL progress thread
Hey guys, now that the bulk of my studying is over for my mcat (exam Jul 16th, wish me luck...), I am inputting less and less hours and focusing more and more on syncing my body to waking up in the morning for my exam, and tying up some loose ends with regards to concepts. I have been able to think more and more about my LED DRL project and I can confidently say that it is underway as we speak.
Why did I choose the Mercedes Benz E350/550/coupe LED DRLs... My options were the following: Audi S6 LED DRLs--although they do look phenomenal, I felt that the lower bumper openings (regardless of year and model) did not accommodate the curvature and length of the LED module very well. Although after viewing Roger555's set up, I was swayed in my thoughts, however. But, I knew I didn't want to retain the fog light because there would be too much going on down there. Simplicity was key. The Mercedes Benz S-class and C-class LED DRLs. I was very close to purchasing those since they are very simple and subtle. Consisting of only a few small leds, they looked like they would work in tandem with the lower openings but I wanted a more aggressive looking light module, so I eventually pulled the trigger on the E-class LED DRL. With the hockey stick shape, it made the front fascia of the bumper very very aggressive, and it went along with the down angle of the type-s bumper very very well.
The next step was to find a proper housing for the lighting unit, as the rest of the LED module would be visible. See below:
I had several options for the housing.
There became a housing available for only the W204 C-class and I considered this.
But I thought it looked too plain, being that it was only a matte black. I was looking more for a honeycomb mesh grille. Then I looked at the options for the car that this LED DRL module was made for: the A207 E-class coupe, or the E-class sedan. To make things worse, there are 2 different grills for both the E-class sedan and the coupe:
The grill housing for the E550 sedan:
This was on my list of acceptable, as it conformed to the angle in the lower bumper opening on the type-s bumper. But it looked a little too big to fit...
The grill housing for the E350 sedan:
This grill housing is a bit shorter in height and more wider. Less aggressive. Wasn't for me..
The grill housing for the E350 coupe:
This housing is very very similar to the one directly above. Not aggressive enough.
The grill housing for the E550 coupe:
BINGO! This looks of a perfect size. The angle on the left side of the housing is going from 11 o'clock to 5 o'clock. This is what I was looking for. Compare:
So after endless hours of research, I found a dealer that was willing to help me out with the part #s, as they also were very confused at all the differences. I ordered them, and received them.
Today, I received a new TL type-s bumper and the grills.
Some barriers I have to over come: The vertical bar the separates the lower fog housing and the mesh grill must be removed. Some of the material in the lower corners must be removed to properly fit the grill housing snug. Since there obviously are no mounting points on the bumper for this grill, alignment was key so I do not blind oncoming drivers, and so the grill will not look slanted left or right, so it will accent the lines of the front fascia very well. With all this in mind, I sat down and discussed with my body shop my thoughts. He said it will come out OEM and that I chose the right grill.
The grill was the most important part, as that is what mounts the LED module right behind it. The grill has mounting points so mounting the grill itself onto the bumper was very crucial.
Here are a few photos of the module lit up... I should also mention that it was a PAIN IN THE ASS getting the LED modules because apparently you can't just order them from the Benz dealer since they do not stock them. Let's say that they were in different countries until they arrived at my house
Keep in mind, these lights are VERY, VERY bright... you cannot look directly into them, they will make you sneeze..
Here is when I first bought one of the E class coupe grills, I decided it was too long so I opted for the shorter aggressive ones.
The bumper and grills are now in the body shop as we speak.
Will I install a front lip eventually? Yes. I will be going with the type-s front lip, but it will be modified to simplify the look. All the matte black plastic material that spans across the lower bumper opening by the fog housing will be removed, so there is a giant gaping hole. The more open black holes there are down there, the more aggressive the front fascia will look.
A theoretical end result:
Why did I choose the Mercedes Benz E350/550/coupe LED DRLs... My options were the following: Audi S6 LED DRLs--although they do look phenomenal, I felt that the lower bumper openings (regardless of year and model) did not accommodate the curvature and length of the LED module very well. Although after viewing Roger555's set up, I was swayed in my thoughts, however. But, I knew I didn't want to retain the fog light because there would be too much going on down there. Simplicity was key. The Mercedes Benz S-class and C-class LED DRLs. I was very close to purchasing those since they are very simple and subtle. Consisting of only a few small leds, they looked like they would work in tandem with the lower openings but I wanted a more aggressive looking light module, so I eventually pulled the trigger on the E-class LED DRL. With the hockey stick shape, it made the front fascia of the bumper very very aggressive, and it went along with the down angle of the type-s bumper very very well.
The next step was to find a proper housing for the lighting unit, as the rest of the LED module would be visible. See below:
I had several options for the housing.
There became a housing available for only the W204 C-class and I considered this.
But I thought it looked too plain, being that it was only a matte black. I was looking more for a honeycomb mesh grille. Then I looked at the options for the car that this LED DRL module was made for: the A207 E-class coupe, or the E-class sedan. To make things worse, there are 2 different grills for both the E-class sedan and the coupe:
The grill housing for the E550 sedan:
This was on my list of acceptable, as it conformed to the angle in the lower bumper opening on the type-s bumper. But it looked a little too big to fit...
The grill housing for the E350 sedan:
This grill housing is a bit shorter in height and more wider. Less aggressive. Wasn't for me..
The grill housing for the E350 coupe:
This housing is very very similar to the one directly above. Not aggressive enough.
The grill housing for the E550 coupe:
BINGO! This looks of a perfect size. The angle on the left side of the housing is going from 11 o'clock to 5 o'clock. This is what I was looking for. Compare:
So after endless hours of research, I found a dealer that was willing to help me out with the part #s, as they also were very confused at all the differences. I ordered them, and received them.
Today, I received a new TL type-s bumper and the grills.
Some barriers I have to over come: The vertical bar the separates the lower fog housing and the mesh grill must be removed. Some of the material in the lower corners must be removed to properly fit the grill housing snug. Since there obviously are no mounting points on the bumper for this grill, alignment was key so I do not blind oncoming drivers, and so the grill will not look slanted left or right, so it will accent the lines of the front fascia very well. With all this in mind, I sat down and discussed with my body shop my thoughts. He said it will come out OEM and that I chose the right grill.
The grill was the most important part, as that is what mounts the LED module right behind it. The grill has mounting points so mounting the grill itself onto the bumper was very crucial.
Here are a few photos of the module lit up... I should also mention that it was a PAIN IN THE ASS getting the LED modules because apparently you can't just order them from the Benz dealer since they do not stock them. Let's say that they were in different countries until they arrived at my house
Keep in mind, these lights are VERY, VERY bright... you cannot look directly into them, they will make you sneeze..
Here is when I first bought one of the E class coupe grills, I decided it was too long so I opted for the shorter aggressive ones.
The bumper and grills are now in the body shop as we speak.
Will I install a front lip eventually? Yes. I will be going with the type-s front lip, but it will be modified to simplify the look. All the matte black plastic material that spans across the lower bumper opening by the fog housing will be removed, so there is a giant gaping hole. The more open black holes there are down there, the more aggressive the front fascia will look.
A theoretical end result:
Last edited by bforbrian; 07-08-2011 at 03:20 PM.
07-08-2011, 03:32 PM
#2
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
Very interested to see the outcome!
Big kudos for trying something different =)
Big kudos for trying something different =)
07-08-2011, 03:51 PM
#4
Registered 3.5L Member
Wow Dr. Brian!!! That's a complex and seemingly expensive undertaking...Can't wait to see the finished product!!!
07-08-2011, 07:38 PM
#6
Team Owner
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Wow Bri-VERY creative. Best of luck with the mod and your test!
07-08-2011, 07:54 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Nice work Doc! Can't wait to see the end result!
Can't wait to see the end result!
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07-11-2011, 11:26 PM
#13
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Brian excellent work sir! I look forward to seeing this project come together and be completed!
Good luck with your test, just stay off of Acurazine and you'll do fine
Good luck with your test, just stay off of Acurazine and you'll do fine
07-12-2011, 03:43 PM
#20
2014 Jeep SRT
Can't wait to see the end result.
Good luck on your mcats.
Good luck on your mcats.
07-12-2011, 11:27 PM
#22
takin care of Business in
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looking good B
looking good B
07-13-2011, 04:02 PM
#35
Thanks brother, the bumper will be finished friday.. I'll take my test on Sat and will prob do some heavy drinking to the point I won't remember the day after my mcat, and i'll begin mounting the lights and wiring them sometime next week.
