Replacing W216 HID bulbs

[brandwooddixon]

Anyone that owns a W216 will know how tight access is within the engine bay, whilst the back of the full beam bulb (inner of the two) appears to be accessible the outer ones (dipped beam) aren't without removal of something.

@LostKiwi suggested that I might be able to access the back of the headlights by removal of the wheel arch liner.

I might finally get some free time this week to swap my wheels and tyres for my winter set and so I'll give this a go. I'll also have a look at my brakes as the new pads and disks have started squealing once the car is almost stopped.

In the meantime, I was wondering whether anyone had actually replaced the low beam lights on a W216 and could give me word of advice?

 

[LostKiwi]

Not sure on 216 but the 251 has an access port in the inner arch. Twist two catches and a panel pulls out of the liner. Access is simple once done. Worth putting wheels on full lock and shining a torch up to see.

 

[LostKiwi]

Here we go from t'other side:

2007 CL63 Xenon headlight bulb replacement help needed | Electronics and Audio

hi guys the drivers side xenon bulk bulb on my cl63 has stopped working so I've purchased 2 new bulbs to replace both front headlights. I've had a look in the engine bay and the lights are not easily accessible - can anyone give me any advice or tips on how to get access to replace the bulbs...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[Richard Moakes]

I recently changed the bulbs on my C216, I did it with the headlights off the car, and it wasn’t easy navigating the bulbs in and securing the clips whilst on the bench, but then again I do have fat fingers.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Thank you @LostKiwi Hopefully the weather will be kind to me tomorrow and I'll have a go at this, although I would hope that I could manage it in less than 4 hours. It'll be interesting to see if there were any changes to the component layout in this area after the facelift.
If the weather is wet, then I'll just swap my wheels.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Okay.
With hints pointers form the video link posted by @LostKiwi I managed to replace the main, dipped xenon bulbs yesterday with Osram Nightbreaker Laser bulbs.

I had the front wheels off which possibly also aided access.

Slight differences to the video.
Inner wheel arch liner comes in two parts. The front half is held in place by three 8mm bolts under the front bumper, three plastic expanding "rivets" on the front inner face, and four 10mm plastic nuts (one at the front, two behind the strut - to the rear of the car) and one at 12 o'clock which also pins it to the rear half of the liner).

Be aware that part of the brake wear wiring harness is clipped to the wheel arch liner (right side as viewed from the driver's seat on my car). Also take note of how the front lip of the arch liner fits into the under bumper area.

Once removed access to the back of the headlight is easy although part of the body structure for the bumper may partially block the view).
2012 model year uses D1S bulbs that (on my car at least) are keyed such that they are rotated about 30 degrees to unlock and lock into place.

Locking, unlocking the bulb can feel a bit stiff.

Access to reconnect the connector to the bulb is a little tricky.

Once I had the wheel off it took me all of 15-20 minutes to change each bulb (removing the arch liners and replacing them).