HID Headlight and Halogen Fog Lights H7 not H11
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,020
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
HID Headlight and Halogen Fog Lights H7 not H11
So the last time that, I changed my HID bulbs was a few years ago, and they look dim compared to my X5M that has LED's.
So I bought new D1S HID, and had my tech install them, as it is difficult for me to get the drivers side in as the coolant reservoir is in the way.
I went with 6000K, as the OEM are 4300K and just didn't seem bright enough to me. Now this is were the fun starts.
I ordered a set of H11 fog lights bulbs in 4000K from Napa, pick them up and went to install them. Wrong bulbs, the wiring harness will not connect up.
The owners manual even says H11, well H11 didn't work. So now I have to go back to Napa, they look it up in their computer and suggest 9006 bulbs.
But this didn't work either, so i go back a third time, with the old bulb this time. And discover the bulb is actually a H7, and they didn't have them is stock.
But another Napa store 4 miles down the road did. So I went there and picked up the bulbs and installed them yesterday. And what I difference it made, so much more projected light.
So the moral of the story is, change your worn out headlight and fog light bulbs, but make sure your purchase D1S and H7.
And don't waste your time making four trips to the auto parts store like me.
So I bought new D1S HID, and had my tech install them, as it is difficult for me to get the drivers side in as the coolant reservoir is in the way.
I went with 6000K, as the OEM are 4300K and just didn't seem bright enough to me. Now this is were the fun starts.
I ordered a set of H11 fog lights bulbs in 4000K from Napa, pick them up and went to install them. Wrong bulbs, the wiring harness will not connect up.
The owners manual even says H11, well H11 didn't work. So now I have to go back to Napa, they look it up in their computer and suggest 9006 bulbs.
But this didn't work either, so i go back a third time, with the old bulb this time. And discover the bulb is actually a H7, and they didn't have them is stock.
But another Napa store 4 miles down the road did. So I went there and picked up the bulbs and installed them yesterday. And what I difference it made, so much more projected light.
So the moral of the story is, change your worn out headlight and fog light bulbs, but make sure your purchase D1S and H7.
And don't waste your time making four trips to the auto parts store like me.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,020
Likes: 532
From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
I was getting so dam frustrated, with running back and forth to Napa Auto Parts for a set of fog lights. So, I pulled out the whole fog light assembly and found that the bulbs was an actual H7 and not the H11 that’s in the owners manual.🤔 The H7 is an actual bulb and not the whole plug assembly. I can guarantee you that I won’t make this mistake again. My big mistake was looking for an H11 that had the whole assembly that the wiring harness plugs into. 😩
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 748
Likes: 93
From: Dhahran, KSA
2020 E 300 Coupe and 2019 GLS 400
This is usually the case with Mercedes fog lights from that decade. All AMGs use H7 for the fog lights (204, 209, 211, 219, 164, 171.....).
Non-AMGs use H11. The user manual is of no help and many bulb suppliers are confused because of this fact where they keep recommending H11 instead of H7.
Non-AMGs use H11. The user manual is of no help and many bulb suppliers are confused because of this fact where they keep recommending H11 instead of H7.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,020
Likes: 532
From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
This was so dam frustrating, running back and forth, to the f**cking Napa store 🥴. Now, I’m looking to replace my high beam bulbs, but the owners manual says their H7. I learned my lesson, I’ll pull the bulb out to see what it is. The problem with the owners manual is that it’s for the entire E Class line (E350, E500, E550 and E63) and they all have different lights depending on the model.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,020
Likes: 532
From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
The funny thing about HID bulbs is, that they become dimmer over time.
So for about the first 2 1/2 yrs they bright, after that they start to gradually dim.
Not dramatically, but they do dim. The Halogen fog light bulbs not so much unless they really old.
So for about the first 2 1/2 yrs they bright, after that they start to gradually dim.
Not dramatically, but they do dim. The Halogen fog light bulbs not so much unless they really old.
