Anyone have the lighted door sills? I'm looking to install them on my 99 E class but dont know if the ones sold online are factory or a cheap flimsy imitation. Need to know where to look and if anyone has had any problems Thanks!

 

the OEM illuminated sills have one piece metal sill, in which each letter is cut and the
electroluminescent panel is taped to the underside of the sill.

the aftermarkets have large rectangular cut out. within this cutout, a small metal
panel with the lettering cut out, is taped to the EL panel. this allows for very
cheap swap out of lettering panels to the customer's order and preference.

in other words, where the OEM illum sill is one piece metal, with EL taped beneath,
the aftermarket is two piece metal and with EL taped beneath. the OEM is cleaner
in appearence, whereas the aftermarket has metal sill, inner rectangle cutout, and
beneath that, the metal plate with lettering.

the difference is several hundred dollars. natch, i got the aftermarket ones. :-)
I didn't like the blue lighting as it was too space age and out of place compared
to the OE lighting on the dash. so I purchased EL panel in orange/amber and
placed it beneath the metal letter plate. i've not installed it yet so no pics yet.
they are very robust in construction so i have no worries and initial testing shows
good lighting and fit