Burned headlight bulb in my R230 SL500...$2300!

[RDMcG]

The low beam went on the right hand side of my 2003 SL500 which I have had from new. Its a lightly used car with only about 18,000 miles on it.

The car was originally specified with bi-xenon headlights.

$2300 to replace including Labour. A touch on the expensive side

[Stu R]

Does that replace the whole unit? Crazy prices but it seems par for the course for Merc in the US from my limited experience - the servicing is pretty reasonable but when it comes to parts everything seems to cost many orders of magnitude more than you expect. Told the missus not to get too attached as it's going the journey the day the warranty runs out

[RDMcG]

I am not sure. The dealer was actually embarrassed at the price and said I could go aftermarket,but I prefer OEM. I have Xenons on other cars too, but I understand that failures are pretty rare.

[SFO]

must be whole unit .. bulb alone can't be that much

hope the new unit's light colour matches the other side ...

[Stuart Davidson]

I'm sure it makes you feel no better but, rest assured, I had similar on a 2005 R171 SLK200K. It was only four years old and, to me, the near-side xenon bulb failed. On diagnostics it needed a full new headlamp unit. That was £550+ for the unit (even with discount) plus fitting, plus diagnostic time and VAT.