SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Third tail light
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 361
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From: Rancho Mirage
2011 E63, 2018 AMG GT Convertible
Third tail light
The "third" tail light that sits in the trunk lid - is the red plastic replacable by itself, or do I have to get a whole new unit? Thanks! 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
Nothing is that simple---replace only the plastic. You must buy the entire unit.. I replaced mine at a cost of approximately $200. I did the installation myself. It was tedious, required patience and really not that difficult. Count on some skinned up hands if you do it yourself.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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sl55
i started to do it myself,,,,,,,i open up the trunk, and don't know where the heck i would start at
Nothing is that simple---replace only the plastic. You must buy the entire unit.. I replaced mine at a cost of approximately $200. I did the installation myself. It was tedious, required patience and really not that difficult. Count on some skinned up hands if you do it yourself.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
It is pretty easy. Reove the plastic trim that is around the trunk latch. I don't remember the size but it is a torq bit. Once this is off pop the under trunk liner off. It is attached at a number of points to the trunk lid. As you move around the liner you will be able to feel where it is attached. All that you have to do is pull the liner away from the trunk and it will pop loose. When this is done you will be able to feel where the light is. To make it easy on yourself there is a cable that runs close to the light. Remove the nut that holds the cable on to give yourself room to work. There are 2 10mm nuts that hold the light in. Remove them and then remove the bracket that keeps the light tight. You can then pull the old light out of the car. Do it from the ouside of the trunk, pull the light out, unplug the connectors, plug the connectors to the new light and reverse the steps to install the new light. I know it is less painful to take it to the dealer but doing it myself eliminates the the possibility of the dealer screwing up something else as they normally do.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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SL600 190SL
First, I have a nearly new assembly removed from an SL600 w/6500 miles. It's yours for $95 plus shipping if you want it. MB box and all.
Also, to do the install, it's easier, I believe, to do as follows:
Start top lowering system until trunk lid is verticle. Then climb in rear trunk and unsnap the felt decklid liner. You don't need to remove anything, just pull it down enough to get a 10mm extended socket on the two retaining nuts. Pretty quick and easy.
PS: I've got the two rear tail lights for sale if anyone's interested.
Also, to do the install, it's easier, I believe, to do as follows:
Start top lowering system until trunk lid is verticle. Then climb in rear trunk and unsnap the felt decklid liner. You don't need to remove anything, just pull it down enough to get a 10mm extended socket on the two retaining nuts. Pretty quick and easy.
PS: I've got the two rear tail lights for sale if anyone's interested.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Vancouver Canada
07 ML63 Silver Dead at 85k, 14 RS5, 05 SL600
If you are replacing the third light you might consider getting the clear smoked AMG version. That and the smoked rear lights really update the rear end IMO.
