Ambient lighting

baytownbud · 09-19-2009, 03:39 PM

I've searched around the net and the MB website isn't much help either so I thought I'd ask here:

Is the ambient lighting in the 2010 GL550 customizable (blue, amber, or white) as it is in the 2010 S-Class?

Thanks for any help.

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Kar don · 09-19-2009, 04:10 PM

only S-Class is.

way2evil · 09-19-2009, 08:23 PM

Where is the ambient lighting in the 550? Is there an option to put it on? My E has it but the GL does not.

QuadBenz · 09-19-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by way2evil

Where is the ambient lighting in the 550? Is there an option to put it on? My E has it but the GL does not.

It's new for the 2010 model year.

Kar don · 09-19-2009, 09:10 PM

All GL's have ambient lighting in the footwells, and from the rear view mirror. There is then an ambient lighting pkg which adds lighting in the door handles and front cupholders.

The original poster is speaking of the 2010 waterfall ambient lighting coming from the metal trim strips below the armrests on the door panels a'la 221-S class.

oknish · 09-20-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kar don

All GL's have ambient lighting in the footwells, and from the rear view mirror. There is then an ambient lighting pkg which adds lighting in the door handles and front cupholders.

The original poster is speaking of the 2010 waterfall ambient lighting coming from the metal trim strips below the armrests on the door panels a'la 221-S class.

For 2010 I believe they added the waterfall ambient lighting below dash trim also.

baytownbud · 09-20-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oknish

For 2010 I believe they added the waterfall ambient lighting below dash trim also.

Here is a pic of the ambient lighting. I wish it was also customizable as in the S-Class.

rayleiwu · 09-20-2009, 10:24 AM

Most likey they are just LED tubs embeded in wood trims(7 of them including rear door handles) and hooked to the night ambient lighting circuit. Not a biggy tech but they do make the car stand out. I can see it could be a fairly easy DIY but will be pricy due to the wood trims. .

axchung · 09-21-2009, 03:32 PM

[/quote]

Damn it. I like it.

StevethePilot · 09-22-2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baytownbud

Here is a pic of the ambient lighting. I wish it was also customizable as in the S-Class.

Customizable as in ... color? Brightness? What kind of stuff? Because if this were done as a DIY, hell, you could make it blink and change colors and whatever the hell else you wanted!

I always liked the cars lit from below. They looked like UFOs cruising down the highway. At one point, Ford was selling a kit to do it to my Excursion. Could you imagine, something that big looking like its floating down the highway like that, all lit up? People would call in and say the Hindenburg's flying again!

STP

QuadBenz · 09-23-2009, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevethePilot

Customizable as in ... color? Brightness? What kind of stuff? Because if this were done as a DIY, hell, you could make it blink and change colors and whatever the hell else you wanted!

I always liked the cars lit from below. They looked like UFOs cruising down the highway. At one point, Ford was selling a kit to do it to my Excursion. Could you imagine, something that big looking like its floating down the highway like that, all lit up? People would call in and say the Hindenburg's flying again!

STP

In the S and CL (2010+) models, you can choose between amber (same color GL uses), white, and blue.

axchung · 09-23-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevethePilot

Customizable as in ... color? Brightness? What kind of stuff? Because if this were done as a DIY, hell, you could make it blink and change colors and whatever the hell else you wanted!

I always liked the cars lit from below. They looked like UFOs cruising down the highway. At one point, Ford was selling a kit to do it to my Excursion. Could you imagine, something that big looking like its floating down the highway like that, all lit up? People would call in and say the Hindenburg's flying again!

STP

I added puddle lights ( like the Brabus running boards) that light up when you open/deactivate the alarm and turn off once you close the door (i connected to the dome lights). Looks good , cost me about $40.00 for the lights and about 1 1/2 hours to install.

ksdprasad · 09-23-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axchung

I added puddle lights ( like the Brabus running boards) that light up when you open/deactivate the alarm and turn off once you close the door (i connected to the dome lights). Looks good , cost me about $40.00 for the lights and about 1 1/2 hours to install.

Any instructions and pictures ?

rayleiwu · 09-23-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axchung

I added puddle lights ( like the Brabus running boards) that light up when you open/deactivate the alarm and turn off once you close the door (i connected to the dome lights). Looks good , cost me about $40.00 for the lights and about 1 1/2 hours to install.

Hi AX - Could you describe where you tap the wire into the dome lights?

axchung · 09-23-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayleiwu

Hi AX - Could you describe where you tap the wire into the dome lights?

I connected the wires to the 2nd row dome lights. Ran up the wires up the B pillar , removed the grab handles , pop out the dome light housing, ran the wire inside the headliner and connected the wires directly. Initially it was just a test hook up but it works perfectly so i just kept it at that. The cool thing is that the puddle lights just light the domes dims out gradually(instead of just on/off).

rayleiwu · 09-23-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axchung

I connected the wires to the 2nd row dome lights. Ran up the wires up the B pillar , removed the grab handles , pop out the dome light housing, ran the wire inside the headliner and connected the wires directly. Initially it was just a test hook up but it works perfectly so i just kept it at that. The cool thing is that the puddle lights just light the domes dims out gradually(instead of just on/off).

Thanks AX! This helps a lot!

StevethePilot · 09-23-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axchung

I added puddle lights (...) Looks good

May we have proof of that statement? (i.e. pictures!)

axchung · 09-23-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevethePilot

May we have proof of that statement? (i.e. pictures!)

Pictures don't do justice... Give some time i'll post a video.

Sipclark2 · 09-24-2009, 08:19 AM

I have already looked into installing the water fall lighting on my GL550.
I have spoken to my dealership in MD and they were asking $3300 for the full installation. Which indicates that custom upgrades are available.

This also includes the power cable harness upgrade on doors that allows this lighting hookup.

StevethePilot · 09-24-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axchung

Pictures don't do justice... Give some time i'll post a video.

I look forward to it!

STP

rayleiwu · 09-26-2009, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axchung

I connected the wires to the 2nd row dome lights. Ran up the wires up the B pillar , removed the grab handles , pop out the dome light housing, ran the wire inside the headliner and connected the wires directly. Initially it was just a test hook up but it works perfectly so i just kept it at that. The cool thing is that the puddle lights just light the domes dims out gradually(instead of just on/off).

Hi AX - One more question, how/where did you get the wires out of the cabin in order to power the puddle lights?

09-19-2009, 04:10 PM	#2
Kar don Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: GMT -8 hours Posts: 5,496 Drives: Mercedes-Benz	only S-Class is. __________________ 08 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Iridium Silver/Black Leather - P2, AMG pkg, Parktronic, Ipod 07 Lexus GS350 Smoky Granite Mica/Ash leather - NAV, 18's, Sirius, AFS, ventilated seats, & Rear spoiler (gone!)

09-19-2009, 08:23 PM	#3
way2evil Super Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: da long island Posts: 562 Drives: 1989 Toyota Tercel Coupé	Where is the ambient lighting in the 550? Is there an option to put it on? My E has it but the GL does not. __________________

09-19-2009, 09:10 PM	#5
Kar don Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: GMT -8 hours Posts: 5,496 Drives: Mercedes-Benz	All GL's have ambient lighting in the footwells, and from the rear view mirror. There is then an ambient lighting pkg which adds lighting in the door handles and front cupholders. The original poster is speaking of the 2010 waterfall ambient lighting coming from the metal trim strips below the armrests on the door panels a'la 221-S class. __________________ 08 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Iridium Silver/Black Leather - P2, AMG pkg, Parktronic, Ipod 07 Lexus GS350 Smoky Granite Mica/Ash leather - NAV, 18's, Sirius, AFS, ventilated seats, & Rear spoiler (gone!)

09-21-2009, 03:32 PM	#9
axchung Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 127 Drives: 2008 GL550 Obsidian Black/Black	[/quote] Damn it. I like it. __________________

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09-20-2009, 10:24 AM	#8
rayleiwu Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: WA Posts: 91 Drives: 06 VW Passat 2.0T; 09 GL320 BTC; 03 Nissan Murano SL	Most likey they are just LED tubs embeded in wood trims(7 of them including rear door handles) and hooked to the night ambient lighting circuit. Not a biggy tech but they do make the car stand out. I can see it could be a fairly easy DIY but will be pricy due to the wood trims. .

09-24-2009, 08:19 AM	#19
Sipclark2 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 8 Drives: GL550, CLK320, GS350	I have already looked into installing the water fall lighting on my GL550. I have spoken to my dealership in MD and they were asking $3300 for the full installation. Which indicates that custom upgrades are available. This also includes the power cable harness upgrade on doors that allows this lighting hookup.

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