Embarrassed: stuck bulb!

[EekoGeek]

I can't get the driver's side front sidelight bulb out on my w210 E300TD estate. I've changed almost all other types of bulbs on the beast over the past 18 months so I'm not (normally) a TOTAL klutz .... but this has me stumped.
I've got the case off and I've moved the ?? hose out the way so I've got a pretty good grip on it. The handbook says it just pulls out. I've exerted as much force on the 12 year old plastic as feels safe, given it a wiggle and a twist ... but no joy. As far as I can see (from the back) there doesn't seem to be anything broken or corroded.
A quick search here talked about locking tabs .... am I missing something obvious??
Please help!
Embarrassed of Hastings

 

[EekoGeek]

Ok, so I'm still stuck..... and now both front side lights don't work. :Oops:
I thought I would try taking out the passenger side to see how the mechanism worked. I failed. So I gave up, popped the covers back on etc(the wires were stilll intact), tried switching the lights on and now neither front side light works. Doh!

 

[bigbear]

They just turn anticlockwise

 

[EekoGeek]

Thanks bigbear. I will wait for daylight and then try twisting with more confidence and vigour. Reading around other forums I encountered a couple of other descriptions of hours spent and of stuck and/or brittle holders. I also eventually found another post recommending an anticlockwise turn. Will report back when I am successful and hopefully spare others similar humiliation.

 

[EekoGeek]

OK - so can confirm that 90 anticlockwise turn is required, contrary to instructions in handbook. Both sides required a spanner on the flimsy plastic bulbholder - at least I couldn't muster enough finger strength. The driver's side was absolutely stuck and I eventually cracked the bulbholder in the process. Now bodged back together with a bit of insulating tape. All very aggravating and not a triumph for MB/Hella engineering.
And why £5 halogen bulbs for a sidelight giving off as much light as a kid's torch?????