Which Bulb

[PaulPJ]

Hi Chaps, my car is telling me the left hand dipped beam has gone on my 2007 C180K. Could someone please tell me what bulb I need and whether it is easy to change. My previous car was a Rover and the bulbs where a nightmare to change. Many thanks. Paul

 

[Yugguy]

Stick your reg in the eurocarparts searcher, it's usually correct.

 

[Chrishazle]

Look in your owners manual, it tells you which bulb you need and how to change it. Not difficult on a C class - I changed all headlight bulbs on my 2001 C270 and on my current 2008 C220.

 

[Yugguy]

Aye -I've done sidelights, indicators and dipped beam in my W204, all fairly easy. One of the sidelights is fiddly to get to but long-nose pliers help.

 

[PaulPJ]

Hi Guys, thanks for the advice, I will try Eurocarparts first and failing that I will RTFM. Paul

 

[PaulPJ]

ECP says H7 which I have an abundance of as my old Rover used to eat them by the dozen. Paul

 

[190]

Assuming it's a W204 it's a 55W H7 and not too hard to access. All in the owners manual which is available on line if you don't have one.

 

[Chrishazle]

Bug in my memory says there's a correct and incorrect way up for these bulbs, and if you get the bulb the wrong way up the light is terrible.

Please correct me if I'm wrong - with advancing age the second thing that goes is the memory (now what the hell is the first - I can't remember!!)

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Bug in my memory says there's a correct and incorrect way up for these bulbs, and if you get the bulb the wrong way up the light is terrible.

Please correct me if I'm wrong - with advancing age the second thing that goes is the memory (now what the hell is the first - I can't remember!!)

Quite right Chris, as with most, if not all, they should have a tab that fits into a recess in the housing, ensuring that the filament is positioned correctly in the reflector.

 

[Chrishazle]

The bug in the memory is thanks to someone getting the bulbs the wrong way round, complaining on here or t'other side about rubbish lights on a C Class, and a couple of folk commenting about getting them the wrong way round. He turned them 180 deg - lights loads better!! Even better when you change the standard bulbs for something like Nightbreakers, but the price is shortened life. I took the 4 I'd put in my S203 a few months earlier and put them in the S204 when I got it. About a year or less later all 4 went in the space of a week - luckily I kept the original bulbs in the back of the car, but it was still a little awkward at the roadside after dark changing bulbs!! The originals are still there 2-3 years later!

 

[PaulPJ]

Hi Chaps, piece of cake, far easier than having to go via the wheel arch as I did with my Rover 75. I looked closely as to where the tab fitted and noticed the recess in the bulb holder. Took me all of 2 minutes to change. I used to put Nightbreakers in the Rover but the car still ate them just as quickly. Paul :bannana:

 

[Yugguy]

I've got Phillips Extreme in my dipped, they give a brighter, whiter light.

I am pondering 4300 HIDs but can't decide.

 

[vabenzi]

I had the Philips bulbs and moved over to hids...and let's say I don't regret it... They are bright and give off a white light unlike the Philips ones which are more off white than anything...

Easy to install hids but mounting the ballast is something that needs to be given thought... Although I just used heavy duty tape and cable ties... Works a treat without damaging your car and fiddling about around the front bumper

 

[PaulPJ]

Out of curiousity, what HIDS did you buy please. Paul