drexappeal

What's goin' on everybody?

I'm not a newbie. I post mostly in the C Class forum, but my parents have a w210 and I'm going to be replacing their foglight assemblies for them. Sorry to start a new thread and if anybody can point me in the direction of an appropriate "How to replace..." thread, that would be great also.

Based on the search results I got, ("replace fog lamp", "fog lamp replacement", "fog lamp", "foglamp", "fog light", "replace fog light", "replace foglight", etc...), I couldn't find a conclusive "How to" on replacing the entire fog lamp. I found threads on how to swap out the actual bulbs, but nothing really on replacing the entire assembly.

Thanks in advance.

drex

E-Klasse

Just open the flap under the bumper that is below the foglight. Unscrew the mounting screws that hold the foglight assembly on. Unplug the power connector and drop the assembly down through the hole that the flap was covering. Install the new one in the reverse order.

drexappeal

Man, this car is easier than the C Class (w203). Such a pain in the butt to change out anything for the fogs.

Thanks for your help.

drex

f-rod

Did you do it? What replacement did you use?

drexappeal

Probably won't get a chance 'till Sunday. Bought some foglights from eBay. Really didn't make a difference to my parents. My dad just wanted an "inexpensive" replacement and it ended up being cheaper to buy the 2 clear "aftermarket" ones from eBay vs. one of the stock OEM parts from a wrecking yard.

zam2000

The flap is used to replace fog-lamp bulb only. If you want to replace the entire fog lamp, you will either lift the car up, take out the bottom panel (right behind the bumper), and go from there.

If your car is 96-99 W210, you can also remove the headlight and change the fog light assembly from top.

drexappeal

The car is a 2002, so I'm figuring I'll have to jack up the car. Now, for the C Class (w203), there is a center jack point from the front. Do any of you w210 owners know if there is one from the front on the E class also?

The Godfather

I had the clear ones from ebay. BEtter be careful b/c they crack easily. Both of mine cracked in 2 weeks.

raymond g-

I picked up clear lenses from Ebay. The performance was poor in terms of
beam spread. But powered off and sitting pretty, it was very nice. The
vertical adjust was sloppy and the worm gear would jump off track, leading
to limited range of adjustment.

Then again, once bix mains were retrofitted the beam spread just over-
powered the clear fogs. I couldn't even tell that they were turned on.
Seems a steep price to pay to get that clean, clear look which is only
good as long as they were not powered on...even with Blue Visions and
Silverstars plugged in.

drexappeal

Oh damn...hmmm...maybe I should've researched in here before I bought. Oh well, I guess I can just hope nothing happens. My parents aren't that particular, as long as the light is working...

Ah, so they have BIX for the w210?...hmmm...I wonder if my parents would shell out the cash for these...I guess I never paid attention to anything that wasn't related to the w203, as far as Steve (MBenzNL)'s products were concerned.

Thanks again everybody...if I run into any problems, I'll be sure to post more.

raymond g-

Bix on my 99 was done using Depo (Taiwan) clear lens from
Autodynamics.com. E55 bowls from Zam. Used single unit Hella
igniter/ballasts. This retrofit was as near drop-in as it gets
and very little fitting, shimming, cutting was needed.

With your 2002 you can get OEM bix, or from Zam but figure
on shelling out upwards of $900. Do-it-yourself may knock
off $1-200 depending on your shopping skills.

Sure is nice to have when lighting up the road though.
There are other accessories that I pause when spending
out this amount, but improved lighting is high on my list
of must-have.

fju2112

what's the OEM bulb for W210 fog lights? Need to buy two at autohaus...is there a whiter/brighter option than OEM that will work without triggering the lamp defective message?

zx11blade

The foglight assembly will fit thru the opening in the flap. I have had to change out the lens due to a rock shattered the left one and then I had to change out the right one (hazy) to make them both match.

blueC230K

From what I read, the non sport fog lights is H1, sport pkg and AMG bumper ones are H3

fju2112

is there a DIY on here or pictures of this flap? i haven't looked at my wheelwell yet but people are saying on here it's right on the wheelwell or behind it...?

raymond g-

flap should be below the bumper.

ohlord

a line with your finger from the fog light lens down along the bumper underneath to the flap it has two plastic screws,open with a coin.Then look to the fog light case it has a black plastic cover on it that hinges with clips to allow access to the bulb.r/r bulb making sure not to touch the bulbs glass.
getting the side you are working on off the ground a bit helps,and using a good flashlight is always handy.
ohlord
02 may be a little different,but it should give you the main idea.

fju2112

is this something that can be done w/out jacking the car up? seems like the bumper goes a ways back before you can get your hand up and in anywhere.

is there anything special to replacing the fog light wiring harness? i have the parts, they look just like the connectors for the radio, but as far as whether or not i can access the wiring harness and plug both ends in by just using the method you mention, ohlord, will that work? i intend to replace both bulbs and wiring harnesses shortly.

ohlord

heavy duty ramps,drive it up a few inches,no need to go all the way up just enough working height.Chock the rear wheels and work safe.
Why the new harness?02 were already the improved version,I think.Somebody with an 02 chime in.

raymond g-

if you've 'slammed' your car, then you would need to jack it up (or ramped
as ohlord suggested). but you may also want to consider parking your car
perpendicular to the curb (the higher, the better). Let the front bumper
hang over.....thereby allowing you to access the hatch/fog lamp fixture
from below. Should work just fine...and without all the Gumby contortions.

ohlord

selective yellow euro spec bulbs ,longer life at
www.danielsternlighting.com
cut through fog and rain like a knife.

ed austin

Where did you buy the fog light lenses when you replaced them?

fju2112

ohlord - according to the dealership, they came out with an updated part, even for the 02's, for the w210. i've had two wiring harnesses burn out on me on the passenger side fog lamp, and i don't use them all the time like some people, so i'm hoping this does the trick.

also ordered new h7's and h1's from danielstern, and later on will be picking up side markers, directionals, etc for the benz and all the same for the vw