Benz CLS Replacement Headlight Price !!!

[csv8]

While most owners work hard not to damage their car, buyers of the new Mercedes-Benz CLS would do well to avoid a front-end impact through fear of damaging the active LED headlights.

If a kangaroo strike or a shunt in traffic damages a headlight, owners may have to be calmly seated and away from loved ones when they get the replacement bill.

The advanced "Intelligent Lighting System" lamps cost "about €3000 each" to replace, which amounts to something in the order of $5000 each.

So, just at the front of the new Benz four-door "coupe" there are about $10,000 worth of lights. Add to that advanced interior lighting and the curvaceous tail lights and this Mercedes-Benz has about a three-door hatchback-worth of lighting on board, amounting to about 10 per cent of its $150,000-plus price tag.

Audi was the first to introduce full LED lights on its latest A8, which it claimed would "herald a new chapter in the history of lighting technology".

But the lights in the new CLS take the technology a step further, able to adjust to oncoming traffic, peer through corners, illuminate more brightly, save fuel and even modify a beam in thick fog.

Each bulb is essentially a tiny patch about the size of a grain of rice, housed within a lens that projects the beam in the required shape and direction.

The lights are more efficient than regular filament globes and even more efficient than expensive xenon beams, which also project a toothpaste-white beam.

Total drain on the electrical system is a little more than 40 watts from each light, helping reduce fuel use. They should also last the life of the vehicle.

Clever lenses and reflectors can direct the lights in the required direction, while computer-operated swivels can adjust the beam from low to high and turn the reflector to turn through corners.

Mercedes-Benz is already working on the next generation of LED headlights.

Crucially, they will be designed to be repaired more easily, meaning front-end damage may not result in such hefty repair bills, which can increase insurance premiums.

The next-generation lights will also use more advanced systems for detecting oncoming vehicles.

[jpd80]

In the USA, the 2011 CLS sells for $73,500 + ORC.

[The G6ET Spot]

Originally Posted by jpd80

In the USA, the 2011 CLS sells for $73,500 + ORC.

Ah yes, but we are in Australia. So bend over please while the government takes what they want.

[Iggypoppin']

I love mercs, but damn that's a bitter pill..two sets of lights for one of these or a set of tyres for a veyron...hmmm..

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by The G6ET Spot

Ah yes, but we are in Australia. So bend over please while the government takes what they want.

You might feel a little pressure as we insert Luxury Car Tax and GST.......

[sxckevo]

Originally Posted by jpd80

You might feel a little pressure as we insert Luxury Car Tax and GST.......

hahahaha someone had to add to his comment

[HLC]

amazing technology. eventually it will break into the mainstream... in like 20 years haha

had a nice good look at one of the new (im assuming) A8's and an R8 in Subi, perth recently, and they definately are a work of art. especially the head/tail light set ups

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by The G6ET Spot

Ah yes, but we are in Australia. So bend over please while the government takes what they want.

Mercs own australian website comes up with the following costs.

Manufacturer's List Price
including GST $131,877.00
Recommended maximum dealer delivery1
including GST $2,692.31
Luxury Car Tax (LCT) $23,130.99
VIC Total Registration2 $689.10
VIC Registration $252.40
VIC CTP2 $0.00
VIC Stamp Duty $7,890.00
Drive Away Price
Base model featured only. $166,279.40


Seems quite funny that people who are smart enough to buy this car, dont wonder why the americans are paying mid 70's for theirs, and australians have to pay 131 thousand (pre luxury tax).

[MexicanBatman]

Wasn't the monaro sold in the uk for 10k less than here?

Probably dearer here because of buying power in the us, and maybe cos we need rhd when most of Mercedes are lhd they want to screw us up the ****, maybe if we had 300 million people in aus things may be a bit cheaper, but I'm happy the way things are or were...

[DJM83]

Headlight design is something that has always fascinated me. Nice set up this one

[Yellow_Festiva]

There was a thread on a UK forum where a very slight front shunt in the new Nissan GT-R cost something in the order of 11,000 pounds.

Under bonnet / bumper sensors made up a lot of it. After the thread went 'viral', and Nissan stepped in (I think?) the repair dropped a few grand.

Technology costs money. New technology costs more to cover the R&D involved.

Anyway... $5000 for a whiz-bang state of the art headlight is not bad considering I was quoted $1800 for a rear window motor for my 04 Citroen....

[20focus05]

But isnt thats what insurance is for? even though the premiums may cost you!

[XR6_661]

Well if you can afford to spend that much on a car, then you can afford to replace the lights if need be.

[TZENU]

Originally Posted by Iggypoppin'

I love mercs, but damn that's a bitter pill..two sets of lights for one of these or a set of tyres for a veyron...hmmm..

Would love to see a veyron on some 165 tyres cruising the EPIC track!

[aussie muscle]

"
But the lights in the new CLS take the technology a step further, able to adjust to oncoming traffic, peer through corners, illuminate more brightly, save fuel and even modify a beam in thick fog."

how does light technology save fuel? it gets power from the alternator which runs whether the lights are on or not... on top gear Audi said they couldn't calculate the fuel savings because it was so low.

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

"
But the lights in the new CLS take the technology a step further, able to adjust to oncoming traffic, peer through corners, illuminate more brightly, save fuel and even modify a beam in thick fog."

how does light technology save fuel? it gets power from the alternator which runs whether the lights are on or not... on top gear Audi said they couldn't calculate the fuel savings because it was so low.

That's on the difference between LED DRL and a 5watt globe. With headlights there will actually be a measurable difference.

[csv8]

Did a quote with AAMI..60% NCB and the insurance is $1702 a year !!!!!!!!!!!

[Peuty]

I guess if you have the cash to buy one in the first place, spare part prices aren't going to be too much of a worry. And besides, if you prang one, insurance will take care of it anyway.

[mrbaxr6t]

this is related but not (kinda) I was trying to get a RWC in Vic here on a ZL fairlane, but the headlight reflectors resulted in a fail and needed replacement, I considered replacing both front lights completely until I was given a price of $575 EACH for a car that is worth 2k at most at the time, this means the headlights are half the value of the car, I opted for just reflectors and even they stung at $150 each these are not new tech or anything but still painfully priced due to them being 'lane/ltd I spose I got it RWC drove it a while realised how much parts were worth and sold it for parts as it was worth 4x as much that way

[Qwik6]

I work in a crash shop that deals with Peugeot's alot, and some of they're headlights are $3000ea. Thats on an $40k ish car.

[TUF_302]

There one headlight you defiantly would want to put covers on lol!

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

how does light technology save fuel? it gets power from the alternator which runs whether the lights are on or not... on top gear Audi said they couldn't calculate the fuel savings because it was so low.

The more things that use an alternator the harder it has to work.

In another life I did a bit of rallying. At idle with all headlights and spotlights on the engine nearly stalled.

This is why spotlight makers like Cibie only used 55w globes, they sucked less power from the Alt hence more power to the wheels.