W212 LED headlamp replacement, £1,100?!

[Jasandjules]

Don't suppose you can get an auto electrician to have a quick look in case it is a simple wire fix issue?

 

[LostKiwi]

There is no requirement for the DRL requirement to be fulfilled by LEDS, a standard incandescent 5w bulb does the job on much cheaper vehicles.

All I'm going to say is:

Volvo. (Of the 80s and 90s).

Simple readily enabled system using existing hardware.

 

[davidsl500]

All I'm going to say is:

Volvo. (Of the 80s and 90s).

Simple readily enabled system using existing hardware.

Ah, back in the 80's where we'd flash drivers in the daytime to tell them they had left their lights on and Volvo drivers got peed off of people flashing them...

 

[d215yq]

Will us misers be able to pass an mot by just adding a permanently wired 5w bulb when we buy one of these cars from the scrap yard/the bay when it's only problem is a failed drl?

I doubt the tester would know about what type approved lights each car has so if you did it "well" im sure it would be fine.

They might not really care either even if they dont work? As long as the proper headlights/main beam/indicators work, particularly while many cars are out there that dont have drls...

Im assuming the drls have no real function other than to look cool and for people who forget to switch proper lights on so the ops only problem is with the test, but i could be wrong as never had a car with them.

 

[cheapshots]

Control module replaced and coded in and now everything is working as it should!

 

[sug]

It is just built in obsolescence to part customers from as much money as possible . A couple of 5w bulbs would have done the same job if designed in originally. Its disappointing to me that MB have joined the rush to rip off customers

 

[Blobcat]

It is just built in obsolescence to part customers from as much money as possible . A couple of 5w bulbs would have done the same job if designed in originally. Its disappointing to me that MB have joined the rush to rip off customers

They haven’t, how about £800 for a Polo headlamp?

LED headlights are very good to drive behind, giving an excellent lighting pattern and generally much longer life and much less power consumption than HID or Halogen.

 

[Austy]

Control module replaced and coded in and now everything is working as it should!

well done on getting a result. out of interest what did it all cost in the end?

 

[cheapshots]

People have different opinions on DRL’s, but speaking from experience I wouldn’t get them.

Whilst the intelligent light system on my car is lovely to have at night I wouldn’t get it again. I feel DRLs are purely cosmetic and whilst they look really nice, they’re not practical. They do and will fail.

I would much rather be able to change a burnt out bulb for £2-£10 then pay what I did and have this hassle.

The costs I incurred:
£60 diagnostic (annoyingly they couldn’t tell if it was the control modules (remember there’s two) or the headlight that needed replacing)
£40 annual membership to MB part online
£150 labour to swap control modules from left to right to pin point which module was at fault
£200 refurbished MB control unit
£150 coding and installation of control unit

plus an unbelievable amount of hassle ! Ppl

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

The ultimate injustice was that MB diagnosed a faulty headlight so if you had gone with that it would have been the cost of a new headlight plus control module....

Glad you’ve got it sorted daren’t mention it to my son who’s running a W213, might encourage me to hang on a bit longer to my 212 pre-facelift

 

[EmilysDad]

People have different opinions on DRL’s, but speaking from experience I wouldn’t get them.

Whilst the intelligent light system on my car is lovely to have at night I wouldn’t get it again. I feel DRLs are purely cosmetic and whilst they look really nice, they’re not practical. They do and will fail. .....

Fortunately my DRL are stand alone & not part of the headlamp. Glad you're sorted .... bl**dy expensive fault though.

 

[FredaMerc]

I knew the sealed units were expensive but not being able to change an LED is insane. I eventually got a used one at Prestige All Parts mercedes. Do remember that the light will need to be programmed and its only MB who can do this. Add an extra 60 quid for a 10 minute job. Second hand unit cost 150 so was happy. But ITS STILL A BULB

 

[AnthonyUK]

I guess it would be interesting to find out what is failing in these units but with 2030 looming I not sure there would be a big market for it.
Once they get to around 15 years old or so, a failed headlight could send it to the scrappies.

 

[FredaMerc]

I actually emailed Germany. The reply I got back was the LED should not fail and it was the reason they used them instead of standard bulbs for their longevity. Of course, that doesnt help when you are looking at the price of a new unit.

 

[AnthonyUK]

I actually emailed Germany. The reply I got back was the LED should not fail and it was the reason they used them instead of standard bulbs for their longevity. Of course, that doesnt help when you are looking at the price of a new unit.

In that case then, as long as they are not physically damaged, they should be replaced FoC.

 

[FredaMerc]

In that case then, as long as they are not physically damaged, they should be replaced FoC.

Totally.... considering the rest of the unit components can be replaced if a bulb goes. Why can the LED not be replaced.? I feel it is just another long list of issues at MB.

 

[mioba]

In that case then, as long as they are not physically damaged, they should be replaced FoC.

erm the LED did not fail it was the module

 

[FredaMerc]

erm the LED did not fail it was the module

Module as in the whole unit or the little box under the light. Indicator LED is still working as well as everything in the unit. Can the module be replaced?

 

[mioba]

The entire LED issue is legislation to protect the environment. Just like filament bulbs not on sale for the house they get rid of them in cars.
They generate too much heat.

 

[FredaMerc]

Yet the whole light unit now needs replacing. Thats good for the environment as its full of bulbs that work. I dont think!!