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Just got my W204, 2013 C300 in August and today I discovered a small stone chip on my Driver's Side Front LED Daytime Running Light. And there is already condensation happening inside of the light. Not even a month and the pesky New York roads are doing damage to my awesome car.
Now the car is new, how much is the stealer gonna charge me to replace that lamp? And also I know that if its an LED the entire unit may have to be replaced as opposed to the plastic casing, which I'm hoping is not too expensive to fix.
I have no idea that these lights are prone to cracking. Any ideas? Thanks!
You need to replace the entire unit, mine also had a crack and accumulated moisture but it was located on top of the lighting unit, I got a new one under warranty.
If you have a sport you can repace the lamp in under 5 minutes.
You need to replace the entire unit, mine also had a crack and accumulated moisture but it was located on top of the lighting unit, I got a new one under warranty.
If you have a sport you can repace the lamp in under 5 minutes.
Yeah i'll mention that the car is under warranty because thats not something that should crack like that. It is the Sport Sedan body styling with the Large 3 Star Emblem on the Grille.
Just a question...the LEDs are the same on the Sport and they are on the Luxury. Does the "5 minute" change out apply to Luxury W204 as well?
Thanks.
From what I believe I think the 2012 and 2013 model are the facelifted W204s. So that should be the same "5 Minute" change as well. I'll just take it to the dealer and have them take care of it since the car is new. Only thing thats different with the 2013 Model is the C300 engine which is larger than the 2012 engine.
From what I believe I think the 2012 and 2013 model are the facelifted W204s. So that should be the same "5 Minute" change as well. I'll just take it to the dealer and have them take care of it since the car is new. Only thing thats different with the 2013 Model is the C300 engine which is larger than the 2012 engine.
Let us know how it goes. I always wondered how durable and DIY friendly those LEDs are. The dealer probably keeps quite a few in stock.
Yes, the same lighting unit but big difference in swapping them out between Lux and Sport.
The sport has four T20 screws holding the entire cover, just unscrew and pull out,
with the lux you need to access the unit from behind, and if it is the left one youre out of luck due to the washer fluid tank, if that is the case you need to remove the bumper shell.
Yes, the same lighting unit but big difference in swapping them out between Lux and Sport.
The sport has four T20 screws holding the entire cover, just unscrew and pull out,
with the lux you need to access the unit from behind, and if it is the left one youre out of luck due to the washer fluid tank, if that is the case you need to remove the bumper shell.
Wow, that is nuts! The fender and bumper meet at the same place on both the Sport and Lux. So four screws let you take out the black/LED panel for Sport, but Lux, with the same design, is different? Is it actually due to a structural difference? Any idea WHY the washer fluid tank is in a different location on Lux vs. Sport? Or am I reading that wrong?
Wow, that is nuts! The fender and bumper meet at the same place on both the Sport and Lux. So four screws let you take out the black/LED panel for Sport, but Lux, with the same design, is different? Is it actually due to a structural difference? Any idea WHY the washer fluid tank is in a different location on Lux vs. Sport? Or am I reading that wrong?
Yeah its weird that the Sport version is "easier" to replace. The bumpers to me look identical, anyway I scheduled an appointment with the dealer on Monday to bring it in, I'm hoping the glass portion could be replaced but it seems like based on what everyone is saying the entire unit has to be changed.
Only thing that concerns me is the moisture problem because the hole is small enough to allow air and moisture inside and thus resulting in condensation. I'll take a picture and post it here tomorrow during the day if I can. And the worst part is that its supposed to rain for the next two days, I just hope it doesn't exacerbate or cause anymore issues. Also the weird thing is I don't even think a stone may have chipped this because of the location in which the light is, it looks like something that may have happened spontaneously. The only other time I remember this occurring is when it happened to my side markers on my W203, 2002 C240, was a much cheaper fix though.
Wow, that is nuts! The fender and bumper meet at the same place on both the Sport and Lux. So four screws let you take out the black/LED panel for Sport, but Lux, with the same design, is different? Is it actually due to a structural difference? Any idea WHY the washer fluid tank is in a different location on Lux vs. Sport? Or am I reading that wrong?
The tank is located in the same place on all models, but as you need to remove the light from behind on the lux this is not possible without first removing the bumper.
Ok so just to update you guys on the situation with the crack, the part was not covered by warranty because it was considered "damaged". So they're asking me like 500 to install it. I mean the light still works so I could live with it but its just one of those things that bothers me, lol. Just got the damn car for it to already have that blemish on there. Anyone know where I can get a used one for relatively cheap and I can simply install it myself?
Here's a picture of the crack:
I'll edit this thread shortly when the link for a larger resolution image becomes available. ImageShack sucks haha.
Have you checked your comprehensive auto insurance coverage? Here in MA comprehensive is 0 deductible and I have had fogs and other lenses replaced with no hassle.
I have comprehensive coverage but the deductible is 500.00 which is the cost of the damn repair lol. Totally not worth it not to mention the rising cost of the premium.
Bump in the hopes OP DIYed the repair and took pics. I just picked up a good sized rock hit during a 600-mile drive yesterday. A week prior to the trip I had the DRLs (as well as the bumper, headlights, hood and mirrors) covered in Xpel Ultimate; the Xpel at least held the LED's lens in place.
Bump in the hopes OP DIYed the repair and took pics. I just picked up a good sized rock hit during a 600-mile drive yesterday. A week prior to the trip I had the DRLs (as well as the bumper, headlights, hood and mirrors) covered in Xpel Ultimate; the Xpel at least held the LED's lens in place.
Just made the fix. Took all of 10 minutes and cost $150 for a used unit from a recycler. Would've taken a few minutes less had I not been swatting at mosquitoes throughout.
I took pics and can post them in this thread or start a separate thread whichever is best.
Just made the fix. Took all of 10 minutes and cost $150 for a used unit from a recycler. Would've taken a few minutes less had I not been swatting at mosquitoes throughout.
I took pics and can post them in this thread or start a separate thread whichever is best.
How do you remove the lighting unit? It wont slide off and I don't want damage anything else.
You have to use a flat screw driver to remove the lense because they are stuck in the black housing mount with a plastic. Show is a picture of where it's stuck because I'm pretty sure it's where the plastic is holding the lens in place.
Oh yeah, the famous cracked LED DRL. Seriously, mine cracked within 6 weeks of ownership. I ignored since there's no leak or condensation.
Seems like the driver side is the favorite pick.
Had my 2012 Driver Side LED DRL go out and noticed it was cracked & had condensation in it. Looking to order a replacement and not having a ton of luck on eBay. There are tons for 2009-2011, but not many for the 2012+. Will the below part from CarID work?
Had my 2012 Driver Side LED DRL go out and noticed it was cracked & had condensation in it. Looking to order a replacement and not having a ton of luck on eBay. There are tons for 2009-2011, but not many for the 2012+. Will the below part from CarID work?
If you buy a single aftermarket unit although it will fit you can't guarantee that it will match the OEM original as regards colour tone and light output.
So this happened the other day and I didn't even notice. I tried looking for a diy fix since the service department operator told me that warranty doesn't cover this....mostly see replacement videos on this.
Also don't mind the bugs on the bumper. Just did a road trip to Portland over the weekend haha
The prices for the OEM stuff on these DTL's is ridiculous. I cannot guarantee this information, but I think the MB part numbers for the LED light units are 204 906 8900 (Right?) and 204 906 9000 (Left?). These numbers are for the strip of LED's that fit in the little vent/grill holder. Prices on ebay are about 40 USD.
The faux vent grill plastic holder is a different part number, these too are available after market.
Former '02 S class owner trying to learn the tricks of the trade on a 2013 E350 with the AMG "trim package".
So this happened the other day and I didn't even notice. I tried looking for a diy fix since the service department operator told me that warranty doesn't cover this....mostly see replacement videos on this.
Also don't mind the bugs on the bumper. Just did a road trip to Portland over the weekend haha
Damn I feel bad. I would've given you my daytime running lights from my old front bumper, I told them to just throw them out...
I will call the body shop today to see if they still have them. If they do, you can have them for free as long as you pay for shipping.
Last edited by w204_Generic; 01-23-2017 at 10:12 AM.
10-09-2013, 01:58 PM
