Yesterday, I received my LED High wattage bulbs to replace the halogen bulbs. I attempted to change bulbs on the factory NON HID, NON LED headlamps, and I could not get the LED bulbs to "bite" into the headlamp socket. Long story short, something fell out while trying to wedge my hand in a position to replace the bulbs and ARGH!!!!
I then opted for the LONG and only solution... Take Out The Front Bumper (in order to remove and work on the headlamps). I was more p!ssed than not wanting to remove the bumper (really, if you try yourself to remove the H7 bulbs, and THEN see the Mercedes Designed bulbs are made, YOU will understand (that you cannot use a traditional H7 bulb)). Sorry, it is a really stupid design, and makes you NOT want to swap out the bulb yourself. Pity.
You can youtube a clip on front bumper disassembly on the B-Class W246. It may seem daunting, but is really straightforward and KISS in design. You can do it in about 1 and 1/2 hours (on first attempt, as you figure out the nuances) and eventually on and off in about an hour. The beauty really is skin deep, with the bumper off you can really get an appreciation of the design and engineering that went into the front end. I thought I would take advantage of spraying rust proofing with the front bumper off, but... there is no sheetmetal to be found. Everything is aluminum lol.
With the bumper off, there are three torx screws to remove the front headlamps. With the front bumper removed, you can get and the "clip" design of the front grill. And, looks like the only way to properly remove and replace the grill. It looks like the possibility of replacing the front star with the LED lit Benz star is out of the question. The front grill star houses the Mercedes Distronic Radar sensor.
Anyways, I am rambling, the point is, I needed to remove the front bumper to get at the headlamps in order to properly position and seat in the H7 LED bulbs that I purchased. Two words, WoW and MUCH better lighting (EXACT same beam dispersion, only cleaner (6500K) and at least 3x more luminescence). Ideally, I bought this B250 because A) it was like no mileage and B) the price was awesome, BUT I have always owned HID lighting (this one comes with Halogen). Until recently, my JCW has the High end type LED Headlamps with the technology that allows the front headlamp to light the side of the road your about to turn on, when activating the lane change indicator. So I am spoiled in that matter, and until I can find a pair of HID lamps for the front end of my B250, the bulb swap will suffice.
I am now very comfortable with the removal and re-installation of the front bumper. Mercedes designed it in such a way that it can be removed and reinstalled many times without fitment issues (most bumpers I have replaced and reinstalled clip in such a way that they lose there tightness and clean put together fit). It comes off without a fuss, and re installs much the same way. There is room for adjustment as well, so that you can refit the bumper with the same 4mm gap lines around the headlamps, fenders, and hood.
