The Mercedes-Benz 300E uses a P21/5W bulb size for front side marker applications and a 5008 bulb size for rear side marker positions. The replacement chart covers vehicle production spanning 1986 to 1993 with corresponding bulb size specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz 300E uses two distinct bulb types across its side marker positions, with the front and rear positions requiring different bulbs throughout the 1986-1993 model years.
The P21/5W is the specified front side marker bulb for the 300E across all 1986-1993 model years. It follows the ECE standard, which is used in Europe and internationally.
The P21/5W is a dual-filament bulb rated at 12V with a 21W primary filament and a 5W secondary filament. It uses a BAY15d bayonet base, which features two offset pins to prevent incorrect installation.
The dual-filament design of the P21/5W allows a single bulb to serve two lighting functions, a characteristic that distinguishes it from single-filament alternatives.
The 5008 is the specified rear side marker bulb for the 300E across all 1986-1993 model years. It follows the ANSI standard used in the United States and Canada.
The 5008 is a single-filament bulb operating at 12V. It uses a BA15s bayonet base, which has a single pin, making it physically incompatible with the BAY15d base of the P21/5W.
The 5008 is a lower wattage variant of the 1156 bulb. While both share the BA15s base, the wattage difference means they are not direct substitutes in applications where power draw is a factor.
The front and rear side marker bulbs on the 300E are not interchangeable. The P21/5W uses a BAY15d base and the 5008 uses a BA15s base, and the two base types are mechanically incompatible with each other.