fabbrisd1

I "drowned" my backup daily-driver/airport Mercedes AMG during a torrential downpour racing to the airport to catch last-flight-out for the West Coast Funeral of a dear friend.

I got to the airport courtesy of a friend with a King Ranch - flight was delayed -
since it was the last day of April and I am a MB guy - I called my minions at the dealership and sold myself a new 16 C300 that had been hanging in inventory - and had them deliver it to the airport so when I got back I'd have a fresh backup/daily-drive/airport car.

I will use this C300 for some little fun stuff - figured it would be helpful to try some of the small-fun-aftermarket stuff - and report to W205 owner's here on the forum.

MB Logo "Puddle Lamp Projector" - Puddle Lamp feature illuminates the ground when you step out of the front doors
On 2017 MB SUV's GLE's and up - MB has this "logo projector" built into the SUV models which light up coming from the bottom of the side mirrors.
The W205 doesn't have side mirror puddle lamps - for the W205 the puddle lamp is built into the lower front door panel - this door panel light is often called "courtesy light"
The China guys make replacement "courtesy lights" with the LED logo projector built-in - with the MB logo China can make this kindof stuff cheap since they are not officially licensing the MB logo.
What you want to know - is there "cheap" but good quality - and will it be fun !
I ordered thru Amazon from a China guy with what looked could be a decent MB logo - and wanted to check if good/fun.
Under $20 without Expedited Shipping will take about 4 weeks - plug n play - very good quality - and YES good and fun !
Link to the Amazon vendor - and photo below

netboy

the amazon description did NOT list w205 C class. it will fit c class ?

sean1.8t

You have a "gaggle of MB's"?

And you bought a '16 c300 JUST to be your airport car?

WUT?

MASSC450

If he is indeed affluent enough to own a "gaggle" of MB vehicles, why would he settle for cheap Chinese knockoffs of these door projectors?

He should be installing the real deal. Notice the heat sinks on the OEM projectors, something the crappy knockoffs don't have...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-OEM-...-/282282139803

removedCFGaccount

Why doubt him, his motives or his net worth?

dieseldoc

He is very helpful. He works for a MB dealer

removedCFGaccount

Who does?

auditoamg

So the oems fit a c class?. What about the coupe?

Sam Manuel

There is too many wealth people who are frugal like this but I think it's about how much a person cares about the subject.

for example not saying I'm well off but I don't think I have spent more than 20$ on shoes for the last 7 years

MASSC450

No clue...you'd have to check that part number at your local MB dealership.

All I do know when it comes to these door projectors for the W205 C Class...

C-Class sedan (W205) from 03/2014 code 876 - only in use with interior light package

C-Class T-Mmodel (S205) from 09/2014 code 876 - only in use with interior light package

fabbrisd1

Frankly - I get as kick "testing" the knockoff stuff for the W205 - China has their W205's .

My techs pop it in - then it's a vote.. the eBay projector lamp is on Amazon - same vendor different listing $15 - now I think that is damn cute..

removedCFGaccount

So, do you think the Chinese version will last?

fabbrisd1

Ob eBay now under another listing - same supplier - for like $15....

Frankly with LED's for courtesy lights - should last forever....

MASSC450

I guess that's what Mercedes thought too of the W205's door handle LEDs...

...and we all know how that story ends. I've had all four replaced on my 2015 C300, and all four replaced on my C450.

I'm not picking on you, and I'm glad there's people like you who "experiment" with aftermarket parts for the W205, but personally...I've usually had bad luck buying crappy Chinese knockoffs.

JBMCL

I'm on the fence about puddle lights. Has anyone retrofitted it and what's your verdict?

removedCFGaccount

Know the feeling of pride when you see or drive your car? Well, when you see the image, it is even better.

Gungaslow

I purchased the actual mercedes puddle lights and they fit perfectly.. easy install took 5 minutes.. and they have a heat sink built in.. fake copy's don't have the heat sink

removedCFGaccount

Lovely.

auditoamg

Funny, though...
Looks like Mercedes bought cheap knock-off's, as well!!!
LOL!!!!

I'm wondering if a heat sink would be necessary on LEDs that run inherrantly cooler than incandescent bulbs....
Overkill much????

auditoamg

I just ordered the AMG version for my coupe.
Seller claims compatible....
We shall see!!!

fabbrisd1

Hey - I said from the start from my side this was a "fun" test platform - it's my 8 mile daily driver and airport car - and for me I don't have to sweat installs since I have a whole gaggle of techs for free install.

1. The Mercedes projector runs at a much higher voltage - stepped up - to "drive" the LED's for higher "white" content and higher detail on the image - think of it as a mini-LED headlight conversion using the German engineered MB projector courtesy light. The SUV's do not have the higher/voltage projector system in the side mirrors - they have standard voltage LED's

2. Hey - for $15 and 10 minutes time - it was fun - and the mock MB "Blue Wreath" is fun "match to my Lunar Blue C300

Frankly - the colored $15 projector to me gives a "better" courtesy/puddle lamp - really - than the OE pissy yellow.

I will post today's "fun" project - metal speaker grilles to base system in a new thread.

Where this comes from - and I am not talking about "jeweled" clock ring (and I mean clack) or "jeweled" start button ring - or "mock carbon fiber_ start button cover...

C-Class in China is catching a wave of popularity - and "most" of the minor trim accents in North American C's is absent in their's - and at the same time there is some stuff that can be inexpensive "fun"... that's the platform testing I am doing... all correctable to "OE" and literally pocket change stuff...