Weird Fog Light(s)?. 1992 300 CE
 

I took a trip from Houston to Dallas one weekend and encountered some pretty bad rain on the way there. I figured this would be a great time to try out the fog lights, front and back. I noticed one of the back fog lights was burned out. No problem...replace the bulb, right. Opened up the light array and guess what...no electrical contacts for this side.

Is this by design or production flaw?
Winston

That is by design Winston. The rear fog is located on the driver's side of the car only, to let traffic approaching from the rear know which side to pass on. In the US, if equiped with rear fogs, they will be on the left side. In countries which have RHD models, the rear fogs will be on the right side.

Hope this helps.

By design, so it won't look like you are riding your brake lights. The switch and mounting positions are all in place in my 87, but no bulb, contacts, or wiring. The one on my 98 works, so I guess DOT decided to allow them by 98. Funny people, DOT: My 87 Euro headlights are supposedly not legal, but the low beam cut off pattern is identical to the headlights on my US legal 98!!!

Mike/John,
That makes perfect sense, thanks for the explanation.

Another question about lights since we're on the subject...Thinking about replacing driver lights with brighter bulbs. Are they worth replacing and what kind might you recommend?
Thanks again
Winston

Winston:

If it is a US spec car it has headlights unlike any other MB of that model in the world. The very best light improvement you can do is to install the headlights that were standard on the car for everywhere but the US, the so called Euro lights. They not only put out much better light pattern without disturbing your wiring, they look much better as well (click the 87 300E logo in my signature for a picture of Euro lights. The light pattern is identical to the newest MB US legal lights.

The main downside is the cost - about $400 - and worth every penny. The PIAA and Hyperblues have been discussed in lots of threads, and don't really seem to last long or put out the claimed light (lots of tech reviews in the archives). Check the search button for Euro Lights for LOTS of discussion on these, as well as overwattage bulbs and wiring. The most overwattage I would go on any lamp without new wiring and relays is 80 watts hi beam.

If you are going to replace your bulbs, then I would go with Philips Premium Plus. I replaced the stock bulbs in my '94 E420 with them, and I can really notice the increase in brightness. They aren't DOT approved, though (illegal ;) ). You have to buy them through a British website, www.powerbulbs.com . The shipping is free for any purchase, and they will arive in about 10 days. Josh

I would go with Euro lights, though. I have the "American-Euro" stock hybrid lights in my E420.

In my 92 400e, I put PIAA Hyperwhite or whatever they are called in my front foglights. But, if I turn on my front and rear fog lights, the fuse usually blows in about 20 minutes. THerefore, I dont use the rear light. The lights are nice and way brighter than the old ones. P.S. I removed the yellow lens inside the FL housing so my FLs are white not yellow(yuck)!