You're going to tell me I should have checked all the lights on my 2011 CLS 350 before buying, but guess what I didn't! Now I have the dread message on the dash about the left-hand one being out, and the manual says I only get that message if the whole unit is a goner. I believe this was the first Merc with all-LED lights, maybe they were experimenting? Replacement price new, around £1000, even second-hand on ebay, £500. Obviously I'm hoping there is some cheaper solution, are any components of the headlight individually replaceable?

 

Hi and welcome!

I moved your post to the W218 forum for help from fellow owners. Good luck!

Bob

 

oh man

 

Not 100% sure, but i had something that made me research about headlights, and got to find out there are 3 main components of the system - the ballast, also called module, the headlights and the sensors. Did you pull the codes with a Star system (SDS)? Does it work at all when you turn it on? I mean by looking at headlight, not just what the message says. I'd start by checking the module at a indy shop you'd trust, since a module is cheaper (at least here, in US). A new headlight it is indeed about $2000, here in US. Used won't be that far off, since it's still a pretty new car, especially if you have adaptive headlight system.

Regards

 

Many thanks Ghostty, I am having them checked out tomorrow by a guy who likely will check codes to get to the bottom of it. Thanks for the breakdown of components, I've also seen 'igniters' listed on the secondhand market, not sure whey they fit in. Looks like I have full beam on one side and dip on the other.

 

They might be referring to same thing, since there are only so many parts involved. I'll attach couple links for you to check. You can see the price difference yourself.

https://xenons4u.co.uk/blog/mercedes...e-malfunction/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-LED-He...4383.l4275.c10

Regards