Mercedes-Benz CL500 high beam headlight bulbs use H7 size while low beam headlight bulbs use D2S or D2R size. The replacement chart covers 1998 to 2006 vehicle production years 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 CL500 uses the H7 bulb across all model years from 1998-2006 for the high beam headlight position. The H7 is a single-filament halogen bulb operating at 12V and 55W, fitted with a PX26d base and recognized under ECE standards with approval in the US and Japan.
The low beam headlight position on the CL500 is served by HID (xenon) discharge bulbs throughout the 1998-2006 range, though two distinct types are specified depending on the model year.
The D2R bulb is specified for the low beam position on the 1998-2000 CL500. It carries a P32d-3 base and is designed specifically for reflector-type headlight housings.
From 2001-2006, the low beam position transitions to the D2S bulb, which uses a P32d-2 base and is intended for projector-type headlight housings. Substituting a D2R for a D2S, or vice versa, is not appropriate, as each bulb is engineered for a different housing geometry.
Both the D2S and D2R operate at 85V and 35W. Despite the high operating voltage, each draws relatively low wattage compared to halogen alternatives, which is characteristic of HID discharge technology.
Neither the D2S nor the D2R is self-igniting. Both require an external ignitor to initiate the electrical arc that produces light, making them incompatible with standard halogen headlight circuits without the appropriate ballast and ignitor hardware.
The P32d-2 base of the D2S and the P32d-3 base of the D2R are physically distinct, which prevents direct cross-installation between the two bulb types regardless of their otherwise shared electrical ratings.
All three bulb types used across the CL500 headlight system, the H7, D2S, and D2R, conform to ECE standards, indicating suitability for international markets beyond North America.