thanks for the advice. I went with some LED assemblies. No screws, no lenses needed, nice foam rubber backing for a decent seal, and no light on dash. Perfect! They are super bright, so some tint may be in order. Someone make some assemblies availble with the same bulbs and tinted lenses to cut the glare just a hair and split the $ with me when they sell a few thousand. One trip through a car wash and stock lenses may leak. Add a few years of summers and winters and these lenses are brittle at best. This is an easy upgrade and it feels good to see that light go out on the dash.

 

The lenses break because people tighten the screws too much. There is no support behind the screw head and if you keep tightening it the plastic will crack. Just nip it up enough to get a seal.
These LED units are too bright for the rear of the car, but they fit perfectly when you use them to replace that dim trunk light.
See SHOWTIME

 

Tis the season it seems... Been trolling these threads as I just lost a lamp on mine. Found the previous owner had over-tightened the lenses (fail) so they of course, cracked. Picked up a set of the LED assembly replacements on eBay.

 

You can thank the "Craftsmen" at Kamann for that.

 

That is a broad statement, mine were perfect from the factory. I had absolutely no problems or missing parts when I had a look at my first car when new.

I think the car was the best assembled and made vehicle I have ever had.

The biggest problem I found later was the poor seal on the spoiler mounting panel. This was a major flaw and probably can be found to some greater or lesser degree on all SRT's.

All cars have faults, nothing is perfect, at least my rear window is not falling out.

 

I wasn't knocking the build quality of our cars Dave, but I've heard of several "original owners" who discovered that their license plate light lenses were broken due to being over tightened. Since they bought their cars brand new, it's highly unlikely it happened at the dealer. Mine were over tighted as well.
My biggest complaint with our cars is the poor quality rubber products, and adhesives they used.
My 11 year old Honda Civic has it's original headliner, My 1969 AMX headliner never fell until it was at least 25 years old, (and it still has its original windshild wiper blades). The Crossfire's blades peeled apart in less than 3 years, and the gas caps umbilical cord disintegrated in just over 2 years. My 91 Miata's rear window shows no sign of failing.
I never said I expect a car to be perfect, I was just pointing out some flaws do show up from the factory.

 

Speaking of which, I have this nagging leak where the main and quarter window meet up that soaks into the headliner; but only in a power wash... Put that on my "to do" list!

 

Just to chime in with a comment; In the last decade or more...car manufacturers did their best to become environmentally friendly, using recycled rubber and environmentally friendly glues. As a result new car owners soon discovered trim parts, interior parts etc. becoming "unglued" with other parts failing. I believe it's still an ongoing issue in the industry. My '82 Volvo is still as solid as the day I purchased it new....just say'n...

 

Installed the eBay Mercedes equivalent LED assemblies with zero issues. No modification necessary. Very bright and no BoW.

 

If you found one that is reasonably priced and seems like a nice part, post a link, I need a few replacements...

 

John, I bought these a year ago :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-License-Plate-LED-kit-No-Error-Mercedes-W211-S211-E-Class-W219-CLS-R171-SLK-55/281081763652?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D18058%26meid%3D2842946007595072423%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D8304%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D281031498789%26#ht_4425wt_1362

 

I found them too bright for the License plate, so I installed them both in the trunk, replacing that one candle power OEM light. They fit without any mods, except cutting another mounting hole if you decide to fit two, and are 500% brighter at least. SHOWTIME

I am going to add a light unit of a similar design to the foot wells this winter. Showtime!

 

I already have nice MB replacement lenses from Needswings, so I was just looking for bulb replacements.

Thank you, though.

 

Here's a link to the seller I used. Ships from Texas, which cut down several days of transit for me (vs Cali).


http://m.ebay.com/itm/281081763652

It's the mobile link, but should work fine on PC. I kinda like how bright they are. But if they're too much for taste, a can of Nite Shades will easily rectify that...

 

He wants bulbs only.

 

I read that. Thanks though.

 

I had the same issue, cracked lenses, due to heavy handed mechanic at the dealer. It just takes a little thought when reassembling the lights. There's the catch "a little thought" , for some mechanics, that's a stretch.

 

Ordered these January 7th came from San Diego to OKC in 3 days. Popped them in in 5 minutes what a difference. Next will be the HIDS 😏

 

Got them mounted into my lower grilles.. If it ever warms up they will be wired to act as daytime running lights..

 

Never thought of that. Let me know how it turns out.