SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Middle Brake Light Replacement

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Old Jul 16, 2020 | 05:21 PM
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Middle Brake Light Replacement

My Sl500 as a cracked but still usable middle tail light. So I decided to look for a replacement. Whoa! Are they nuts? Anyway I stumbled on this website from China which sells a wide variety of products. Not many if any Mercedes Parts. But to my amazement they sell the Middle Tail Light Assembly for 35.99 with some 6 dollar discount. My order was placed on June 18th I received it today. I have to wonder if the company which produced this part is producing them for all the other websites that sell it for hundreds. Maybe a great opportunity for an ebay seller LOL. CES does not have great reviews so I was surprised at getting the light in the first place. So I only provide this information to my fellow SL Owners to take advantage. Best of Luck

https://www.cesdeals.com/product/led...0-01-12-356772



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Old Jul 18, 2020 | 02:19 PM
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So I just bought one off ebay for 47.00 its complete garbage, its the same one you pictured.. The lense will break off as soon as you try to tighten the bolts.you can get a brand new oe one for 145.00 shipped. Now I have to do the job 2x.
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Old Jul 18, 2020 | 02:42 PM
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there is always glue I will take my chances and tighten softly and maybe some super glue before installation. Do you really think a Chinese Company made them just for EBAY?
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Old Jul 18, 2020 | 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 1bad540
So I just bought one off ebay for 47.00 its complete garbage, its the same one you pictured.. The lense will break off as soon as you try to tighten the bolts.you can get a brand new oe one for 145.00 shipped. Now I have to do the job 2x.
I had a similar experience but on OEM lol
might be a trick to fit it. being very careful and gentle
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Old Jul 18, 2020 | 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by pmercury
I had a similar experience but on OEM lol
might be a trick to fit it. being very careful and gentle
And plenty of surface behind the outside of the lens for super glue.
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Old Jul 19, 2020 | 01:06 AM
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My SL600 had a cracked red third brake light, I had heard it could be from slamming the trunk lid shut? I ordered an AMG third brake light that cost about $140 if I recall. Genuine AMG, grey in color till you step on the brakes then it lights up in red. Not very fun to replace!! My hands got cut and hurt for a few days. But the end result was great. I wouldn't use a chinese made light at all... I would expect it to quit working at some point, and the work involved to replace I do not wanna do that job ever again!!
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Old Jul 20, 2020 | 02:26 PM
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2003 SL500 just replaced by 3rd brake light, suggest buying OEM, couple reasons, one its a minor project to replace, two you have a properly Mercedes marked oem part. there are other things to skimp on but this is not one
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Old Jul 20, 2020 | 02:41 PM
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I used an Ebay one on my E55. It did not quite look OEM in light output and i also got occasional warning messages about bulb failures on the dash. If I have this problem again I will go OEM or secondhand OEM if available.
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Old Jul 20, 2020 | 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Rawhide
I used an Ebay one on my E55. It did not quite look OEM in light output and i also got occasional warning messages about bulb failures on the dash. If I have this problem again I will go OEM or secondhand OEM if available.
ouch
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Old Jul 24, 2020 | 09:20 AM
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Well just letting you know there is no trick, its garbage and will break. If your talking super glue on a benz...wtf. Plus the inside falls out of place w the lense cover popped off. Unless you plan on glueing the lens to the actual body of the car to save 100.00 and ruin the trunk lid. I sent mine back and will replace w oe.
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Old Jul 24, 2020 | 09:37 AM
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I have not done this yet but you can superglue the red lens to the grey plastic body. So it will not come off the body of the light. Also again not sure but doesn't the studs hold the light in place not the red lens. As for Superglue and a Mercedes relax it is not your Mercedes.
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Old Jul 24, 2020 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Gene Fiorot
I have not done this yet but you can superglue the red lens to the grey plastic body. So it will not come off the body of the light. Also again not sure but doesn't the studs hold the light in place not the red lens. As for Superglue and a Mercedes relax it is not your Mercedes.
Yea so I already did it, there is not enough surface to hold the lens well. I used gorilla glue after it broke and it also didnt hold. The hold down bolts are a real pain to get to and to do it 2x stinks. Plus be very careful w the trunk liner as you can push too much and knock the side curtains off the gear. Im extremely handy and although not a hard job a pain. So to try to save $100.00 I did it 3x, once to install, 1x to reinstall after i glued it and 1x to put an oem part. If anyone needs an oem lens w a crack free to pik up in Ny b4 I toss it.
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Old Jul 24, 2020 | 11:38 PM
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Wow this sounds worse than ABC issues. SO glad I have coil overs
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