I agree the bulbs may pull less current but I doubt it will extend the life of the battery. Get a new battery before you run into issues.

Will do...

I've read conflicting statement about changing the battery. Some say it can be done easily, while others mention that it is necessary to go to a MB dealer in order to reset the errors that will appear in the board after replacing the battery. Have you guys had any experience changing it by yourself? Doing it by MB here in Switzerland is going to cost a lot (min. 500 I'd say)

I doubt you will have an issues. I've changed batteries in all of my Benz's. No issues yet. Shop around for a battery with a good warranty - they can crap out unexpectedly. There seems to have been a rash of defective batteries out there that were manufactured in the last couple years. I seem of have gotten one of them - brand new battery for my E-class lasted less than a year - wouldn't hold a charge over night. Replaced for free at Canadian Tire.

For quite a few years now I have decided to simply go to the dealer to get a battery. Are they more expensive? Yes, but it just seems everything works a little better for me. I like marc hanna seemed to get batteries that didn't even come close to their warranty figures so decided to go to dealer for batteries. This goes for all my cars not just the Benz, Ford, Toyota, Infiniti and Mazda all got the same treatments.

Yes you can change it yourself if you work on your own cars... but it is a PIA. Despite the instructions in the manual, you will need to unbolt the seat. There are threads here on doing it. No need to reset anything... I did mine in the parking lot of Autozone on the way to work. All settings and memory was retained.

Most important, since it is in a compartment in the passenger compartment it needs to be an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery. Standard wet batteries can burst and get acid in the compartment. Not good for the electronics and worse if it goes beyond that if you get my drift....

Dealer charges $150 for labor. Battery is around $300. I had my R battery replaced 3 years ago by my local MB dealer because I did not feel to remove to seat, carpet to get to the battery and also need to reset all doors and sunroof.
I always change the batteries by myself for any cars that have owned except this Mercedes.
My wife 's 2015 CLA 250 has the battery in the engine bay which should be easy to replace like any car.

Last time I had a battery replaced at the dealer was about 10 years ago. They charged me $500 in total! About a month earlier I had my indie replace the battery in my other Benz, he charged me $150 total. Exact same battery in both vehicles. Both MB branded batteries.

In reference to the incident in my previous post: I boosted the car; then drove it to Canadian tire where I bought it; removed the battery in the parking lot (less than 5min); walked in with the old and out with the new; reinstalled and I was on my way. It would have taken longer to drive to the dealer and back.

I admit, it would likely take longer to replace the battery in the R-class, but it can't be that much worse.

Just to be clear, I go to the dealer to buy the battery not have it installed also. It'a usually very simple undoing 3-4 bolts at the most. The R poses a more difficult install but when the time comes I will give it a go on my own.

These are AMG calipers from an ML63 AMG. I stamped them with a Brabus logo kust like Brabus does to the ALCON brakes they sell.

Installed a new glow plug controller yesterday. There's a couple of plastic hose clamps on the bracket that were so brittle they just crumbled. I would recommend purchasing these in advance if you're going to swap out your controller.

I got the Dorman controller. It doesn't look as solid as the original, but it is more compact and I haven't heard anything bad about them. The originals should be treated like a consumable item: the elements inside are too fragile to last long-term

Fixed navigation. Tried buying 2 different DVDs thinking that was the problem but it was the actual DVD drive that was bad. I know it's not the greatest navigation and anything on my iPhone is better but I just like to have everything functional.

So the new DVD disc 2014/2015 work with a good DVD drive, right?

Yep. I had purchased two different 2014 map discs. Neither worked in my drive. I was able to snag a drive on eBay with a 2005 map for $160. Installed today and placed the 2005 map disc that came with it and quickly had navigation up and running. Went inside and grabbed one of the 2014 map discs and popped it in. After a short software update it also was working, grabbed the other 2014 disc and that worked also. So now I am keeping one of the 2014 maps I purchased and will try to sell the other 2014 disc as well as the 2005 that came with the working DVD drive.

I didn't want to put them up for sale before because I wasn't sure they even worked but now that I have tested and confirmed they work I feel comfortable selling them onto someone else.

How much do you want to sell for your extra 2014 DVD disc?

I am trying to get $130 shipped. Have it in the for sale forum. Trying to recoup some of the money I spent so far.

Pete S.

It was nice to meet you tonight.
The 2014 DVD Navigation disc works perfect in my 08 R350.

Where can I get the 2014 nav update for my 09?

There is a 2015 update also, which you can get from the dealer.

Stealership no beuno

$225 for 2016 update map DVD from MB stealership.

If you buy it from a Canadian dealership it converts to only $158USD :)

Over two years owning done:
1.Replace leakig seals for oil heatexchanger(long term owners up to at list 2009-2010 know this problem)( Job very big so done by indy shop)
2. Limp mode fixed ( one of possible problem) Replace DPF Pressure sensor (many thanks limp mode post)
3.Replace sagging rear air springs to Arknott ones.
4.Change fog H7 bulbs to high output LEDs.Very tricky job due MB adapter
5.Replace HID D2S bulbs (very disappointed with design of headlights,very difficult to replace

Hi, I ordered from the same seller and got a kit of 18 bulbs. I installed all of them today and am quite happy with the results. Now, a few strange points:

• 5 are still missing, so I suppose not all R class have the same setup. For instance, I also have foot-wells lamps in the backseats (so 4 in total)
• You mention yours were too long (festoons). Well, mines were too short, so I had to bend and adjust the holders each time. Odd.

About the bulbs of the wing mirrors, may I ask how you opened it, did you have to dismantle the whole mirror or is there an easy way?


About my battery, I still didn't change it as it's working well so far. But I ordered a tool to measure the voltage from the cigarette lighter plug. If I see the voltage is too low then I'll change it without hesitation.

Hmm.... what did I do to my R class?????

Traded it in on a new Nissan Altima... convinced my wife she doesn't need a bus... I do all the household errands in my big ol Honda... Why have something so big that we really only use once or twice a year...

With her only driving maybe 10,000 miles a year... I won't have to worry about any repairs and her payment is $75 a month cheaper.... Woo Hoo...

I did an oil change on Saturday. Next weekend, injector seal and new serpentine belt.