2 broken fog lights on 2008 C300
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Joined: Oct 2011
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2008 CV300 4MATIC
2 broken fog lights on 2008 C300
I would like to hear from anyone who is having a problem with broken fog lights. I have randomly found 4 other people within 4 miles of home and office with the same broken light pattern. The dealer claims damage by rocks. I think this may be a design issue because the lights are not sufficiently protected on the sides from minor stress that may be caused by any number of other things. When I called my service rep at MB of Alexandria, VA he said they are constantly replacing these lights. To me this speaks volumns. I have never had to replace my fog lights in the 25 years of driving luxury cars.
Please let me know of any similar problems
Thanks,
tellthetruth
Please let me know of any similar problems
Thanks,
tellthetruth
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 757
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From: LI, NY, U.S.A.
2013 GLK 350 4M (Iridium Silver), 2010 E350 Coupe (Iridium Silver)
Went through two already. One broke, literally, the day after I fixed it.
So. Infuriating.
MBZ will take no responsibility. I can only imagine how many they had to replace in their "2 million" miles of test driving. (iirc it is simulated)
So. Infuriating.
MBZ will take no responsibility. I can only imagine how many they had to replace in their "2 million" miles of test driving. (iirc it is simulated)
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 580
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C300 Sport 6MT
While I kicked myself for not protecting the fogs from day one (Ventureshield protected now!), examining the broken light reveals things that could support both sides of the argument.
On the side of MB in that it must be road debris caused - the glass itself is very thick (1/8th" +). VERY thick by foglight glass stds IMO. My Volvo's fogs feel like cheap/thin plate glass.
On the side of "design flaw" - the glass is not just a sheet of glass plced in front of the bulb, like how a Mag Lite (remember those before LEDs?) cap had it. Instead, it appears the entire light assembly had the glass heat-formed over it, i.e. it enshrouds the whole thing and the glass extends over an inch below the face of the light. I wonder if this process of forming the glass "cap" put more pressure on it, so any little rock would easily crack it? Probably grasping at straws here, but this is the first car I've seen that's had so many reports of broken fog glass that it makes you wonder...
On the side of MB in that it must be road debris caused - the glass itself is very thick (1/8th" +). VERY thick by foglight glass stds IMO. My Volvo's fogs feel like cheap/thin plate glass.
On the side of "design flaw" - the glass is not just a sheet of glass plced in front of the bulb, like how a Mag Lite (remember those before LEDs?) cap had it. Instead, it appears the entire light assembly had the glass heat-formed over it, i.e. it enshrouds the whole thing and the glass extends over an inch below the face of the light. I wonder if this process of forming the glass "cap" put more pressure on it, so any little rock would easily crack it? Probably grasping at straws here, but this is the first car I've seen that's had so many reports of broken fog glass that it makes you wonder...
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
While I kicked myself for not protecting the fogs from day one (Ventureshield protected now!), examining the broken light reveals things that could support both sides of the argument.
On the side of MB in that it must be road debris caused - the glass itself is very thick (1/8th" +). VERY thick by foglight glass stds IMO. My Volvo's fogs feel like cheap/thin plate glass.
On the side of "design flaw" - the glass is not just a sheet of glass plced in front of the bulb, like how a Mag Lite (remember those before LEDs?) cap had it. Instead, it appears the entire light assembly had the glass heat-formed over it, i.e. it enshrouds the whole thing and the glass extends over an inch below the face of the light. I wonder if this process of forming the glass "cap" put more pressure on it, so any little rock would easily crack it? Probably grasping at straws here, but this is the first car I've seen that's had so many reports of broken fog glass that it makes you wonder...
On the side of MB in that it must be road debris caused - the glass itself is very thick (1/8th" +). VERY thick by foglight glass stds IMO. My Volvo's fogs feel like cheap/thin plate glass.
On the side of "design flaw" - the glass is not just a sheet of glass plced in front of the bulb, like how a Mag Lite (remember those before LEDs?) cap had it. Instead, it appears the entire light assembly had the glass heat-formed over it, i.e. it enshrouds the whole thing and the glass extends over an inch below the face of the light. I wonder if this process of forming the glass "cap" put more pressure on it, so any little rock would easily crack it? Probably grasping at straws here, but this is the first car I've seen that's had so many reports of broken fog glass that it makes you wonder...
Wayne
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From: Long Island, New York
2013 C300 Sport Black Darth V3.0
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'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
This subject has been discussed here at great length since 2007.
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Joined: Jan 2012
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From: N. California
2010 C300 RWD Auto, 2010 Prius, 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera
Dang, sometimes a good whining is so satisfying! I will get Lamin-X. Any suggestion on which one? It looks like one sheet of 6"x12" would be enough. How about thickness? I guess clear, so it'd be one of these... Clear (8 mil) Clear (12 mil) Clear (40 mil)
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Joined: Jan 2012
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2008 C300 Sport 4matic
My 08 C300 Sport's fog lights have been fine until last week. After 40 minutes driving in interstate highway 87 in New York State, driver's side fog light shattered from debris on the road. It was chilly rainy day and lots of road debris here and there...
When I found shattered fog light, my dealer was just 3 minutes away and just drove there. While waiting for them to replace the fog light, I did quick online search and ordered this one.
http://www.headlightarmor.com/08-11-...ction-kit.aspx
I plan to put it tomorrow. Anyone has an experience with this product?
Anyway I paid stealership whopping $261 even after 10 percent part and labor discount. I hope this film protects me from future incident. If it does, it was an expensive lesson for the type of problem...
When I found shattered fog light, my dealer was just 3 minutes away and just drove there. While waiting for them to replace the fog light, I did quick online search and ordered this one.
http://www.headlightarmor.com/08-11-...ction-kit.aspx
I plan to put it tomorrow. Anyone has an experience with this product?
Anyway I paid stealership whopping $261 even after 10 percent part and labor discount. I hope this film protects me from future incident. If it does, it was an expensive lesson for the type of problem...
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
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From: N. California
2010 C300 RWD Auto, 2010 Prius, 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera
Looks like Lamin-x makes precut film for W204. I didn't see it earlier. Unless someone has a recommendation to go with one of the tinted 12mil films, I'll probably go for the clear 20mil.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
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From: N. California
2010 C300 RWD Auto, 2010 Prius, 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera
Looks like I made a bonehead mistake. The picture on Lamin-X product page has 2 black fog light cover silhouettes, as well as this post above, led me into thinking Qty of 1 means 1 pair for ~$22 ($17.95 + S/H). I got my order today and there is only 1 cover. Looks like I need to place another order for a 2nd one...
Could someone confirm that this is the case? It should be about $40 for a pair from Lamin-X?
Could someone confirm that this is the case? It should be about $40 for a pair from Lamin-X?
Last edited by cardalums; Feb 6, 2012 at 11:55 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 16
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From: SF Bay Area
2009 C300 Sport
Looks like I made a bonehead mistake. The picture on Lamin-X product page has 2 black fog light cover silhouettes, as well as this post above, led me into thinking Qty of 1 means 1 pair for ~$22 ($17.95 + S/H). I got my order today and there is only 1 cover. Looks like I need to place another order for a 2nd one...
Could someone confirm that this is the case? It should be about $40 for a pair from Lamin-X?
Could someone confirm that this is the case? It should be about $40 for a pair from Lamin-X?
http://www.lamin-x.com/Mercedes-C-Cl...rs-p/mb426.htm
If this is also what you purchased, you should have received 2 covers.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: N. California
2010 C300 RWD Auto, 2010 Prius, 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera
I purchased these last August and received 2 covers.
http://www.lamin-x.com/Mercedes-C-Cl...rs-p/mb426.htm
If this is also what you purchased, you should have received 2 covers.
http://www.lamin-x.com/Mercedes-C-Cl...rs-p/mb426.htm
If this is also what you purchased, you should have received 2 covers.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: N. California
2010 C300 RWD Auto, 2010 Prius, 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera
A question about installation... I applied my Lamin-X and they're too big to cover just the fog light lense. The size is approx that of the thin flat ring of the bezel. So, I applied it to adhere to the fog light in the middle of the Lamin-X film; however, on the outer edge of the Lamin-X film, it is adhered to the bezel. Is this correct? Or should I be forcing the film inside to try to touch only the fog light lenses?
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2009 C300 Sport
A question about installation... I applied my Lamin-X and they're too big to cover just the fog light lense. The size is approx that of the thin flat ring of the bezel. So, I applied it to adhere to the fog light in the middle of the Lamin-X film; however, on the outer edge of the Lamin-X film, it is adhered to the bezel. Is this correct? Or should I be forcing the film inside to try to touch only the fog light lenses?
