W203 C class front fog lamp bulb - H7 not HB4

[ccp]

The nearside front fog light of my 04 plate C class (facelift model - clear headlight and foglight lenses) failed recently.

I though it would be a fairly easy job to remove the bottom part of the wheel arch liner and change the bulb. So I looked in my manual and duly bought the bulb recommended (an HB4)

So imagine my suprise to find that once I had removed the old bulb it was actually a standard H7 in a right angle holder that looks like a larger version of a HB4.

Fortunately I had a spare and the old H7 simply pulled out of the holder and the new bulb plugged in easily. Refitting the wheel liner needed me to lower the engine under tray slightly by removing two bolts.

Has anyone else had to replace their foglight bulb and found this or have I got an odd car? Incidently, my local Halfords didn't have any HB4 bulbs so I tried the Merc dealer only to be told that the foglight was a sealed unit (confirmed by the central tech support dept)... but what do they know?

 

[whitenemesis]

Yep, found this on my clear fogs. Standard H7 in a right angled holder!!

Owner's handbook stated HB4...

 

[Horsepipes]

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong!!!

It is NOT an H7 bulb! But a 9006 HB4! I purchased H7 bulbs off eBay on the basis of this false information and when I took apart the wheel arch lining and unclipped the bulb guess what! No H7 holder! but a HB4 Sylvania bulb with a rubber ring to prevent moisture so don't believe this post!

 

[superb]

There are two different fog lamps fitted to these cars. MB never go on model year but chassis number. Some have clear lens others are ribbed (extra pleasure !!!!)

Dont believe all that you read (handbooks)

 

[whitenemesis]

Right, Right, Right!!

I originally had ribbed lens fogs on my car, they took the HB4 bulbs. I then swapped the fogs for the clear lens type and they took the H7 in the right-angle holder.

So as superb says there are two types of foglight.

Are yours clear or ribbed?

It is NOT an H7 bulb! But a 9006 HB4! I purchased H7 bulbs off eBay on the basis of this false information and when I took apart the wheel arch lining and unclipped the bulb guess what! No H7 holder! but a HB4 Sylvania bulb with a rubber ring to prevent moisture so don't believe this post!

 

[Dave Richardson]

I bought a pair of H1's & found mine to be H4B's in a right angled holder.
Found this seller on E Bay, who has a good deal on the lamps which were quickly delivered.

HB-4 9006 ICE WHITE XENON HEADLIGHT FOGLIGHT BULBS on eBay (end time 22-Feb-11 13:55:36 GMT)

 

[Wizeng]

My 54 reg W203 has got the HB4 type, as I found out after buying the H7's as recommended by my (usually) good spares shop.

 

[Alscoob]

My W204 has clear lens and they have standard H7's in a larger housing with a rubber seal for the back of the light junction.... When I asked was told they were HB4's and in the handbook there is no mention of fog lights yet they are standard on my sport!! good job I looked before I bought!!

 

[corned]

Sorry to resurrect a thread, but I was searching for fog lamp problems.

Today my car (S211) was in for service work, and while the undertrays were off I asked for them to fit some replacement (white light) lamps. I bought H7s which the owner's manual stated.

The mechanic couldn't fit them as he said they were a different shape. So I now assume that I must have HB4 lamps, not the H7s as advertised in the car's manual. Or have I got something else again? The Halfords site states H11s for my car reg.

So I now have to find the correct lamps and then wait until the next service, as I have no means of raising the car to get the trays off. I have a set of ramps, but the nose is sufficiently low to foul on the ramp before the wheels reach the slope.