W203/CL203 City Light Thread (LED, HID, bulbs) - All you want to know
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
lol - all of this has been done before.
the 194 city lights are pretty easy with the newer high output SMD type LED bulbs. The LED's draw just enough power to not trip the bulb out warning.
The rear brake and turn lights will need resistors, no matter how strong of a LED bulb you get.
Don't even get me and Phil started on the trunk license plate lights. They're the most difficult and also need resistors.
the 194 city lights are pretty easy with the newer high output SMD type LED bulbs. The LED's draw just enough power to not trip the bulb out warning.
The rear brake and turn lights will need resistors, no matter how strong of a LED bulb you get.
Don't even get me and Phil started on the trunk license plate lights. They're the most difficult and also need resistors.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2008
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2002 C240 with Tein S-Tech springs, AMG VI Reps, and Grille Kit
I bought some of the smd lights and they are pretty cool. They are REALLY blue though. I need to put some headlight bulbs that will give me a matching blue. I have some APC bulbs, but they are not really blue. They are more white.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Save your money and buy an aftermarket HID kit and get some 6000 K bulbs. It'll save you the hassle of trying to find the "right" halogen bulb to match. Aftermarket HID kits are super inexpensive nowadays (compared to a long while ago).
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: St. Louis, MO
02' C240 Luxury Model
Then why not be the real post ***** and help people when they ask questions about this instead of just giving the BS "been there, done that" answer? Should I give the same answer and say I knew the things you said as well? Haha, I'm not trying to start something so don't get bent out of shape. I just find it funny when someone gives that copy/paste answer and somehow thinks they've added to a thread...then another guy adds assorted smilies, it's like that little dog Chester that used to bounce around the big dog Spike in the old cartoons:
Haha..anyhow (just razzing you guys..so ease up
) I didn't know if these were a newer bulb that hadn't been used yet. Mine are more on the white purple side..not blue. Maybe it has to do with your halogen headlights. HID's should help level the color across the board. The length also isn't an issue with the side marker light housings as well.
They're very bright at night and even visible in daylight. I'm very happy with these bulbs.
Haha..anyhow (just razzing you guys..so ease up
) I didn't know if these were a newer bulb that hadn't been used yet. Mine are more on the white purple side..not blue. Maybe it has to do with your halogen headlights. HID's should help level the color across the board. The length also isn't an issue with the side marker light housings as well.They're very bright at night and even visible in daylight. I'm very happy with these bulbs.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
Then why not be the real post ***** and help people when they ask questions about this instead of just giving the BS "been there, done that" answer? Should I give the same answer and say I knew the things you said as well? Haha, I'm not trying to start something so don't get bent out of shape. I just find it funny when someone gives that copy/paste answer and somehow thinks they've added to a thread...then another guy adds assorted smilies, it's like that little dog Chester that used to bounce around the big dog Spike in the old cartoons:
Haha..anyhow (just razzing you guys..so ease up ) I didn't know if these were a newer bulb that hadn't been used yet. Mine are more on the white purple side..not blue. Maybe it has to do with your halogen headlights. HID's should help level the color across the board. The length also isn't an issue with the side marker light housings as well.
They're very bright at night and even visible in daylight. I'm very happy with these bulbs.
Haha..anyhow (just razzing you guys..so ease up
) I didn't know if these were a newer bulb that hadn't been used yet. Mine are more on the white purple side..not blue. Maybe it has to do with your halogen headlights. HID's should help level the color across the board. The length also isn't an issue with the side marker light housings as well.They're very bright at night and even visible in daylight. I'm very happy with these bulbs.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Colorado / East Coast
2005 C230 Komp
I got my LED Lights today, is there a DIY on how to install them to replace the city lights? I looked at them and about broke my neck trying to see how to get them out. Am I going to have to take the whole headlight out to put them in. I have stock 2005 C230K SS
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Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
That has to be one of the funniest things I've read ever...
First thing you have to do is remove the cover behind the housing, where the city lights and high beams are. Open the hood, look at the front of the headlight housing, then look inside behind the headlight housing and you'll see the cover.
From there, you take off the cover (and put it aside somewhere it won't fall into the engine bay). The city light housing, from what I remember, just needs to be pulled out. Just be very careful that you don't pull the wiring out of the bulb housing.
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 182
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From: St. Louis, MO
02' C240 Luxury Model
You're correct Drex, they just need a firm tug and they'll pop out. Then just remove and replace. Also note that before you plug them back in to make sure they come on..as you might have the polarity backwards. If they don't come on just take the bulb out of the socket, spin it 180°, and then plug it back into the socket and it should then come on. When they both are the correct polarity, simply pop them back into the housing and remember to put the back cover back on.
Last edited by NG C-Klasse; Sep 21, 2008 at 12:37 AM.
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From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
sneak peek of the newest mod!
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
...but can't really see the tips on the right...LOL
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From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
lol, it's the video. plus the sun was facing me, but new pics soon! once the diffuser is set
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From: the LA-town, CA
a w203 cÖuper
I need to post pics of my car. Just had a couple of updates but the exterior looks way different now than what you saw a couple of months ago. Took off all B emblems/logos. Lowering it this week.
Last edited by kompressorc230; Sep 28, 2008 at 06:13 AM.
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From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
thanks mike! it's legal now too, so i'm definitely happy for that! 
thanks tien
but LOL, it's not under 90 db, but actually 94.5, .5 db from the legal limit. and i wish i can get a kleeman sc..
dooo ettt, i wanna see the new rims! 
it was a mess; it's really cluttered down there, and i have pics on my phone, but i don't have the micro sd readers; it's in riverside, so i'll try to get those up tonight.
but LOL, it's not under 90 db, but actually 94.5, .5 db from the legal limit. and i wish i can get a kleeman sc..
it was a mess; it's really cluttered down there, and i have pics on my phone, but i don't have the micro sd readers; it's in riverside, so i'll try to get those up tonight.
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a w203 cÖuper
