The Mercedes S class W221 has won numerous awards across multiple categories. In 2005, it won the ACI Eurocar Body Award; in 2006, it won the Golden Steering Wheel Award in the Luxury category and the British Insurance Car Security Award; in 2007, the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study had it tied with Audi A8 in first spot for fewest quality problems in the industry and it won Popular Mechanics’ Automotive Excellence Award for Safety as well as the What Car? Safety Award – the list goes on. Unsurprisingly, the S Class W221 has been used extensively for policing and transport of key government figures. With the W221 remaining in production 2005-2013, the lighting technology used in these cars is however 15-20 years old today.
Factory-fitted options included H7/H7 halogen and D1S bi-xenon headlights, both made by Bosch/Automotive Lighting.
The halogen version features an H7 projector that produces an average light beam even when new. In many cases, its light output has been further compromised as bulb heat and general ageing cause the reflective layer to peel off.
The bi-xenon setup features a 3.0-inch projector, designed in the late 90s. These projectors are known to lose their reflective layer right to the point where they become black inside, causing dangerously low light output.
Needless to say, buying new or used original headlights for your Mercedes S W221 is not recommended. But there is fortunately no need for that. Whether your car was factory-fitted with H7/H7 halogen or D1S bi-xenon headlights, there are upgrade kits that will fit inside your existing headlights.
These complete retrofit kits not only provide you with superior brightness and durability; they are also more affordable than average Mercedes S W221 xenon headlights with bulbs and ballasts, and since all components are brand new, they come with a 2-year warranty. Additional benefits over OEM headlights include Canbus-proof designs and effortless halogen-to-xenon conversions. What’s more, the levelling systems will work without any adjustments to the headlight connectors, and you can use any ballasts that you might already own to save further on xenon upgrades.
No matter which retrofit upgrade kit you pick, you will improve the light output considerably, making for safer and more enjoyable driving. And, of course, your Mercedes S W221 will look awesome with the luxurious bright light of the latest xenon technology.
