Big Jimbo

I had to replace the front bumper cover on my 2012 C63 Coupe so I ordered one from a Mercedes dealer. I got the part in the huge MB box, got it painted and assembled, and while installing it I noticed it did not have the side markers! I asked the dealer why it was missing the side markers and they said they ordered the part using my VIN number and it was the correct part. I zip tied the wire and bulb inside the bumper so I wouldn't get the check bulb message, and finished the installation. I actually think it looks better without the markers, but was wondering if anyone has ever seen a bumper without the markers?

raphman

Mine doesn't have them - but i bought it (used) that way =)

Adi-Benz

yea; Raphman doesn't have them for a different reason but euro models and maybe Canada doesnt have them. And of course it looks better ^^

m a x i m u s

Replacement OEM doesn't have the holes for the markers, the shop would have to drill for that. This is my experience in the USA.

tpliquid

amg probably only makes 1 style, and for us cars they cut hole to fit the markers

roadkillrob

That would me my guess, probably marked on the back of the panel for cutting - just be happy - yours is better!

Alex.currie44

Mine does and it's a Canuck car.

Big Jimbo

Thanks for all the information, I really appreciate it. It doesn't surprise me that you need to cut out the spot for the marker lights as I discovered that some of the AMG bumper parts seem to be more "hand made" than the regular production pieces. The small frame that holds the grill in front of the right fender oil cooler (below the running light) is made of two pieces, the top piece is the non-AMG frame that has been sawed in half (you can see the saw marks) and then the bottom is a molded U shape with no part number on it. This arrangement allows air to flow through to the oil cooler.

tpliquid

yeap. when i had my w202. i got original C36 bumper. didnt fit car well at all and needed work to fit . felt like a aftermarket bumper.

Bob Fakhoury

on the

Alex.currie44

My W204 C63 AMG and I parted company but your tale is interesting. Here is why I say that.
Of course here in NA side markers have been with us for decades so when I picked up a 2001 SKL320 which came out of Japan it had no side markers just reflectors stuck on the body.
I did a wee boo boo and lightly crunched the right front corner of the bumper. These bumpers covers have an insert which broke and while I was able to get everything back in place ok the insert was not repairable and I had to order one so I took it off. Under the insert the bumper cover had holes for the side marker boxes. I was very concerned now that I would have to either get side markers and let them just be for show if I could not get the right part number.
Turns out I got the right replacement part, had it painted and in 30 sec you would never know as there were not side marker holes in the new insert. In other words they used a universal bumper cover on the R170s but different front bumper inserts to meet market specs.
My point in telling you this is to pose a question. Is it possible that your car was from a market where side markers are not required but came to the US in the gray market and someone retrofitted it to have them? Is there any evidence of areas being molded into the back of the cover where the markers would be to act as a template for the cover to be modified to accept the marker that were in your previous cover? Wilder things have been known to happen with DB. 12 cars of different types in the last 32 yr has taught me DB can be really creative at time - and really dumb at others. Cheers.

Jasonoff

Plug bulb into socket then zip tie socket with working bulb out of the way.

Alex.currie44

I hear you but a better way would be to determine the resistance of the side marker bulb and buy a water-resistant resistor into the circuit with soldered joints and heat shrink over it otherwise the bulb will burn out and the OP or next owner will be searching for a bulb that is hidden behind the fender liner and the bumper cover where it cannot be seen. DB remember does not leave us with much in excess lengths of wiring although I guess you could splice more on and put the bulb in a more visible space. Personally I would trick the system with a different load that it will see that is not a bulb.

Jasonoff

I couldn't get a resistor to work.

Alex.currie44

I calculate a 5W bulb (not LED) will run about 0.42A at 12v. Resistance therefore is 12/.42 = 28 Ohms. Since the bulb runs all the time it should work. The system doesn't know what is in the wire. Maybe 35 or 40 Ohms would work and compensate for any resistance in the base of the bulb socket. Was the resistor well grounded in the same way the socket was?

Jasonoff

I believe I tried a 35 Ohm wire-wound 5W resistor since the bulbs are rated for 13.5V, 5W.

Alex.currie44

Well that's poopy!
I reached out on another forum but also wondered, how about he sub an LED in there. They will last way longer and since they run cold he can cover them so not light shows and be done. Not perfect but...?

Jasonoff

I think the SAM is expecting the see the inrush current which wouldn't happen with a resister. You'd probably just need to copy whatever circuit design is in those CANbus error free led bulbs.