Wanted: 2002 c230 coupe headlights. Socket Melted.

[morser]

Hello,

I know there are a few current headlight questions, but this one is specific to the 2002 c230 coupe.

The dealer replaced a burnt out headlight bulb. It worked for 2 days then it went out again. I looked myself and the socket is melted, the new bulb didn't break. The dealer looked up the replacement light socket and it is part of the whole headlight. Can someone confirm this? From the dealer I would have to replace the whole headlight which is around $300 for the one. Then, I would probably want to replace the other so that the colour matches (I'm sure it's faded a bit in the sun).

Also, I looked on Ebay for aftermarket, and there were slim options. One was possible but the fine print says "will not fit c230 coupe 2 door model" which is what i have. Here is that link:
Depo 00-06 Benz W203 Projector Headlight C230 C320 C240 - (eBay.ca item 360083553903 end time 02-Sep-08 17:24:01 EDT)

This other link i found off this site, but the price is $527.
MercedesPartsPeople.com - Genuine Mercedes Parts and Mercedes Accessories

Can someone confirm the above socket question, and
Any other sites people can recommend for aftermarket parts? Can I use later model headlights of the c230 coupe in my 2002? I'll keep searching.

Thanks much,

[DangTH]

There is cheap HID kit that can be use with the original halogen head light.
But may be needed some modifying.


In Thailand there is a shop doing this.

??????? ?????????? ??????????????? ???????? *XENON* HID BY XENON CLUB

?????? (Customer) - ???????????? HID XENON BY XENON CLUB

[morser]

Thanks for the reply, but I'm not into modifying. I just wanted a good price on headlights, and confirmation of the fact that the socket comes with the headlight assembly.

I don't like HID lights anyway; don't like being blinded by them so I won't do it to others.

[DangTH]

HID has many advantages over Halogen type.
With proper adjustment will do no harm to other driver.

If you choose the original halogen again...the problem of heat and melting socket could happen if quality is not good enough.

By nature HID consume less wattage thus less heat generated while have more brightness than halogen.

HID is about 35 Watt and Halogen 55 Watt. HID help your battery or alternator will work lighter load compared to halogen.

However halogen bulb is cost much cheaper. But shorter bulb life than HID. HID life is 5 time longer.

If we put more wattage of halogen bulb to produce more brighness, this could melt the socket by the higher heat it generate.

So with original halogen headlight, use original wattage halogen only.

[DangTH]

What is your halogen type.? I see H4 socket made from ceramic at here.

Ceramic socket for H4, HB2, 9003 bulbs and sealed beam headlamps

Ceramic is the best for high temp bulb.

I think you can find a good one at local auto store.

[zeet]

The HID conversions are blinding, yeah. People who install them swear by them, everyone else swears at them.

Anyway, how about a used headlight? Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market lets you do a junkyard search, and you can find one with about the same fading for a good price. Sockets usually melt because of overwattage bulbs or bad connections. You could buy one with broken tabs for less than $100 and take just the parts you need from it.

[C230 Sport Coup]

One stock drivers side unit...
eBay Motors: NEW OEM Mercedes headlights C230 C320 COUPE 2DR C CLASS (item 310044084723 end time Sep-19-08 23:10:25 PDT)

Suggestions-
1. Contact Hella directly
2. Look on EPC yourself. Repair kits exist for the side lamps that dealer told
people on the forums didn't exist.
https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/coverage.jsp
3. Get an HID kit as previously suggested.
4. Bust out some wire cutters, extra wire, soldering iron etc.,
rig up a fix with spade lugs or whatever.
I'm sure it can't be that hard, cluge it!
12V plus and minus + high.

[C230 Sport Coup]

eBay Motors: Used Drivers Side 02-04 C230 Coupe Hatch Headlight (item 180284783210 end time Sep-06-08 19:33:15 PDT)

['91 300CE]

If this is any help... I had this happen to my drivers side fog light and my indy shop just wired a new connector on... dealer said they don't sell just the connector... indy used an aftermarket one and its been going strong for a year now.