Bi-xenon blowout
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 168
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From: Connecticut
R500 + SLK55 AMG
Bi-xenon blowout
The driver's side headlight on my R500 has been drifting from the normal whitish OEM 4300K color temp towards a pinkish cast for a while now. This morning, less than a mile from the house, it finally died. My car has the factory Bi-xenon package and the car has about 40,000 miles on it. I was a bit surprised to have the bulb blow this early.
So, I call the dealer and find out the OEM replacement bulb is $145 + $66 to install + tax. I do some research online and find a Phillips bulb is around $99 from Amazon. Then I see all the warnings about high voltage in the manual and in some articles on the web. And I know from experience that auto engineers seem to delight in making headlights as difficult as possible to service.
In the end, I decided to pay the ransom rather than skin my knuckles and risk a shocking experience while swearing like a drunken sailor. But $220 for a bulb replacement is frucking ridiculous. Just part of the prestige experience I suppose.
So, I call the dealer and find out the OEM replacement bulb is $145 + $66 to install + tax. I do some research online and find a Phillips bulb is around $99 from Amazon. Then I see all the warnings about high voltage in the manual and in some articles on the web. And I know from experience that auto engineers seem to delight in making headlights as difficult as possible to service.
In the end, I decided to pay the ransom rather than skin my knuckles and risk a shocking experience while swearing like a drunken sailor. But $220 for a bulb replacement is frucking ridiculous. Just part of the prestige experience I suppose.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Blasting off!
CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
Had the same thing on my R500, on the road Orlando. I was able to save some money, and Indy made the change for about $130 or so. Part of ownership.
