Fog light glass
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 371
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From: NJ
ML 350-Black=Sold. New 08 C300 4Matic, Black/Black, P1, Ipod, Auto7speed, 10/10 hit 100,000 miles
Fog light glass
Both of my lenses are shattered. I tend to believe it is a glass tenmpering problem. It does not look like a rock hit the lens. It looks like the lamps get very hot and clod road water may be the cause of shattering. Anyone else seem to agree?
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
When my foglight lens broke I first had a small pebble sized hole with a little spider webbing of cracking around it. The next day that turned into a perfect circle hairline crack around the lens. About 2 weeks later the hariline crack must have fully went through and the middle of my glass was missing. I think that it is indeed rocks that cause the cracks. There is no way it is from heat because my tint Lamin-X has caused my foglight glass to get way hotter than without the lamin-x covering and I have had no problems yet...
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20
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From: Killarney, MB
C 300 4matic + BMW 335i Conv + F10 535 xi M
why not try ebay for used parts. I had my driver's side view mirror glass stolen & was quoted $ 1200 from the dealership. Got a used but in excellent condition OEM for $ 150 delivered from somewhere in Poland.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 543
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From: Fort Myers, FL
'09 C300 4Matic Sport
Do a search and you'll find a bunch of us have gone through the same problem...myself included. It's a design flaw...the placement of them makes the lens extremely vulnerable to getting hit with rock and road debris. MB won't cover it under warranty either...several of us have tried.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
While I do agree that the problem is inherent and you have to suck it up. If you have a torx bit, 20 minutes, and a socket wrench, you can change out the foglight for around $90. I ordered it online from one of the discount part stores, and it is oem, I think the site was VIPgermanparts.com. The lens came from mercedes of fort lauderdale I think, and it cost a total of $90 out the door (thats with shipping). I got it 3 days later (live in new york) and I simply removed the mesh around the fog light - 3 torx screws (either t15 or t20, don't remember) and then I used a socket wrench (had to get a adapter for it to hold the torx bit, and removed the 4 torx screws that held the foglight in place from the front, without having to go through the wheel well to access the back of it. It took a little manipulation to get it to fit, but it is much easier, and almost anyone can do it. If you don't have a socket wrench, a very small torx screwdriver will suffice, but I found the socket wrench gave me more leverage, those things are in there pretty tight!
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Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 209
Likes: 3
From: Germantown MD
08 c350
While I do agree that the problem is inherent and you have to suck it up. If you have a torx bit, 20 minutes, and a socket wrench, you can change out the foglight for around $90. I ordered it online from one of the discount part stores, and it is oem, I think the site was VIPgermanparts.com. The lens came from mercedes of fort lauderdale I think, and it cost a total of $90 out the door (thats with shipping). I got it 3 days later (live in new york) and I simply removed the mesh around the fog light - 3 torx screws (either t15 or t20, don't remember) and then I used a socket wrench (had to get a adapter for it to hold the torx bit, and removed the 4 torx screws that held the foglight in place from the front, without having to go through the wheel well to access the back of it. It took a little manipulation to get it to fit, but it is much easier, and almost anyone can do it. If you don't have a socket wrench, a very small torx screwdriver will suffice, but I found the socket wrench gave me more leverage, those things are in there pretty tight!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 3
From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
While I do agree that the problem is inherent and you have to suck it up. If you have a torx bit, 20 minutes, and a socket wrench, you can change out the foglight for around $90. I ordered it online from one of the discount part stores, and it is oem, I think the site was VIPgermanparts.com. The lens came from mercedes of fort lauderdale I think, and it cost a total of $90 out the door (thats with shipping). I got it 3 days later (live in new york) and I simply removed the mesh around the fog light - 3 torx screws (either t15 or t20, don't remember) and then I used a socket wrench (had to get a adapter for it to hold the torx bit, and removed the 4 torx screws that held the foglight in place from the front, without having to go through the wheel well to access the back of it. It took a little manipulation to get it to fit, but it is much easier, and almost anyone can do it. If you don't have a socket wrench, a very small torx screwdriver will suffice, but I found the socket wrench gave me more leverage, those things are in there pretty tight!
In MA we have no deductible for glass. However, although the fog is glass, I'm guessing the insurance won't cover it because the glass cannot be replaced separately (must replace complete fog assembly). Anyone in MA ever submit a claim for it successfully?
Last edited by noka; Feb 22, 2011 at 06:01 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 209
Likes: 3
From: Germantown MD
08 c350
So this can be done totally from the front and does it matter if driver or passenger side with regard to difficulty? I read some threads that said you have to access it from the rear. Do you (or does anyone) have some pics and a DIY write-up?
In MA we have no deductible for glass. However, although the fog is glass, I'm guessing the insurance won't cover it because the glass cannot be replaced separately (must replace complete fog assembly). Anyone in MA ever submit a claim for it successfully?
In MA we have no deductible for glass. However, although the fog is glass, I'm guessing the insurance won't cover it because the glass cannot be replaced separately (must replace complete fog assembly). Anyone in MA ever submit a claim for it successfully?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
Yeah, there is no DIY that I am aware of. When I first replaced my foglight lens, I did it from the front (as I didn't want to get into all the trouble of taking the fender liner out and such). You simply remove the front mesh, reach around back and remove the light bulb, unscrew the 4 torx screws (this part is the hardest). It helps if you have a socket wrench with a torx attachment, or a short screwdriver, but it can be done. Then just put in the new foglight and attach the torx screws, replace the mesh and your done.
But, after I had to replace my sidemarkers (which have to be done through the fender liner), it really isn't that hard. The best method I found for removing the three plastic pins is to use two flathead screwdrivers and pull out from the top and the bottom of each pin at the same time, then, when the pin is removed, put the two screwdrivers on opposite sides of the plastic washer and wiggle it out of the grooves. There are three of these in each fender liner. It is possible to remove them with your fingers, but I found it too hard, cold, and maybe mine were stuck in there good. But never the less, when they come out you pull the fender liner out of the way and you can see the back of the foglight housing. Make sure to adjust the wheels to give you ample space in the wheel-well. (For example: if working on driver side, turn wheels all the way to the right, and for passenger side, turn wheels left.
But, after I had to replace my sidemarkers (which have to be done through the fender liner), it really isn't that hard. The best method I found for removing the three plastic pins is to use two flathead screwdrivers and pull out from the top and the bottom of each pin at the same time, then, when the pin is removed, put the two screwdrivers on opposite sides of the plastic washer and wiggle it out of the grooves. There are three of these in each fender liner. It is possible to remove them with your fingers, but I found it too hard, cold, and maybe mine were stuck in there good. But never the less, when they come out you pull the fender liner out of the way and you can see the back of the foglight housing. Make sure to adjust the wheels to give you ample space in the wheel-well. (For example: if working on driver side, turn wheels all the way to the right, and for passenger side, turn wheels left.
