StevE320

My left low beam light went out, Dealer is asking 100+ just to look at the car.

Is this a pretty straight forward job or is that how much Im looking at to get my light fixed?

I looked under the hood and its not as easy as it seems.

dpr333

Do a search there are tons of posts on this, it is quite easy...

Do you have Hid's or no? Driver or pass side?

lkchris

If you have halogen lights, it's so straightforward as to be described in your owners manual.

If you have HID lights, it's a bit more complicated.

SAguirre

If you have relatively flexible hands it is a relatively easy change. Just make sure you don't touch the bulb with your fingers (or if you do you wipe it with isopropyl alcohol).

The key is to avoid changing the bulb when it is very humid out since excess humidity can get in the sealed compartment. Also, you need to make sure you close the lid correctly and placed the H7 bulb in the socket correctly. I Have Xenon lights, but the high beams are still H7s, they look easy to change. You just need to be able to have some feeling in your hands so that you know when the parts fit together or when they are being forced to fit.

I would change both bulbs if I were you and keep the good one packed away somewhere in the trunk as a spare. Both bulbs were on the same amount of time, so the other one could burn out soon too.

Give it a try!

Steve

jbec.keane

Definitely a DIY job if you do not have the HID bulbs. I just replaced one of mine earlier this week. One helpful hint showed to me by my SA is to remove the flexible air hose for additional space.

When I was under warranty, the dealer's service department would replace the bulbs for free. Once warranty ended, I had to supply the bulb, but since it is such an easy job, I just do it myself.

JK

Clinton Horn

I did both sides (halogen) several months ago. The driver's side is tight and it helps tremendously to remove the top wedge fastener that holds the radiator overflow bottle in place. You can push it aside and get a better grip on the bezel that holds the lamp socket. Even with no experience and meaty hands I did it in 25-30 minutes. Sylvania sells a German made bulb (Silverstar) that is better than OEM in my opinion. $40 for the pair.

ohlord

Halogen bulbs H7 high and low beam,the how to is in the manual page 350 or abouts
bi-xenon if you have the optional package maybe best left to someone who has done it.
Halogen h-7 is easy.
Want brighter lights if you have halogen h-7
go to www.danielsternlighting.com
and order the 65watt h7 rally bulbs for both your high and low beam sockets,last longer and throw way more light .

StevE320

Thanks for all the help guys.

I really Appeciate it.

StevE320

So Im looking for H7 bulbs correct?

I feel like such a douchebag, I helped my friend install HID's on my bike but I feel intimidated messing around with my car.

SPNJHockey

You'll only feel intimidated the first time you try the new bulbs. As everyone has said...it's really easy to do. For my first bulb-mod, I went the route of Hoen. I wish I had done it with the DanielStern vendor instead.

StevE320

HAHA!!!! I did it.

I must admit I was ****ting bricks because I wasnt sure if what I was doing was correct.


Im starting to get that itch the same way with my bike, this might be a sign of more goodies to come....

SPNJHockey

Good for you, Bro. Forget about the hundred bucks you saved...doesn't it feel good that you successfully did it yourself?
So which bulbs did you go with, and how do you like their output?

StevE320

I went with Sylvania bulbs. I did remember to be careful with the bulbs so i put new gloves on when i handled them and cleaned before inserting in the socket.

I went ot wal mart trying to save money but all the H7 bulbs were out so I went to the Autozone and picked up the bulbs for $50. theyre the bulbs that are a little brighter than the regular syalvania bulbs.


now the lamp with the high beams is buggin me because of the yellowish tint on it.

SPNJHockey

You didn't have any plans for the remaining 50 bucks that you saved...did you?

gnma

It is. Wait til u try other DIY stuff and realize u're just as good as those MB "experts" (at least in basic DIY). Welcome aboard. U'll look back and realize how great it is to repair things on your own, cuz nobody treats your car better than you.

jimbo1mcm

Bought the OEM halogen at the dealer for around $7. The passenger low beam ( h7) was out. I rotated the black plastic cover counter clockwise about 1/4 turn and took it out. ( used latex gloves the whole time ). I then pulled the plug off the existing bulb. I had a little problem getting the bulb and socket out, until I saw that if you rotate the bulb and socket also a 1/4 turn counterclockwise, the socket comes out. Once it is out, you can easily see that there are two lugs that slide into recepticles at the 9 and 3 o'clock position. Once you have that figured out, the next replacement for me will take about 2 minutes instead of 20.